Gap Sees Steve Kornacki's Viral Khaki Pants and Donates 500 More Pairs

MSNBC political correspondent Steve Kornacki was wearing his classic Gap khakis as he reported on 2020 election results, and we're glad for it. Not only did his pants inspire internet memes due to Kornacki's long, strenuous, and dedicated coverage (he says he slept for over 15 hours afterwards!), but also an actual surge in search for khakis at the Gap. Gap reported a 90-percent unit-sale increase online and a dramatic traffic boost following Kornacki's khaki's claim to fame. Naturally, the brand wanted to give back.

"Gap got in touch with me and they said, 'We would like to give you free khaki pants for a lifetime.' Now, I go through about one pair of pants every five or 10 years. That's much too big of a gift for me to be accepting, so I said, 'Thank you, but no thank you,'" Kornacki said on MSNBC, continuing with even better news. "Then the Gap said, 'Well, we have something else in mind.' Instead of giving me pants, [they're] going to go to the Boys and Girls Club of America to what they call their Workforce Readiness program."

Sure enough, Gap announced a donation of 500 pairs on Giving Tuesday via Instagram. The pants will go to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which helps prepare youth for entering the workforce. They'll be donated in the very same shade that Kornacki popularized with his election coverage: palomino brown — which is available in both a straight and skinny fit — retailing for $60 at the Gap.

"It's been fun to watch fans adoring Steve and his style. Steve's sincerity and work ethic won the hearts of Americans and together, we were inspired to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Workforce Readiness program by providing them with hundreds of 'Kornacki khakis,'" Mark Breitbard, president and CEO of Gap stated in a press release.

If that doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know how many pairs of khakis will. Ahead, keep reading to reminisce about the viral fashion moment and check out the video Gap posted on Instagram with more details.