Gap Sees Spike in Khaki Sales Following 'Chartthrob' Steve Kornacki's Viral Fame

GAP saw a 90% increase in sales for the pants after it was reported the retailer designed the khakis

Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

More than a week after Election Day, America's thirst for MSNBC journalist Steve Kornacki has yet to be quenched. Beyond simply sharing memes and gifs about Kornacki, now consumers are snatching up his signature khaki pants.

Kornacki, 41, became something of a viral star for his informative updates as poll results were tallied last week. Aside from his political analysis and dexterity in using MSNBC's oversized digital map, viewers appreciated his sensible style and the fact that he didn't veer from his go-to ensemble — khakis, a white button-down, and a striped tie — throughout the week.

A day after the election, as vote-counting continued with seemingly no end in sight, New York Magazine was able to report one thing definitely: Kornacki's khakis came from the Gap, where they are available in two designs in the journalist's signature "palomino brown" shade.

Sales surged immediately, with a Gap spokesperson confirming to TODAY that the retailer saw a roughly "90% unit sale increase online" of the khakis within a day of the report. The Gap also saw a "dramatic increase" in online traffic in the wake of Kornacki's viral fame.

The khakis became viral in their own right, with Women's Wear Daily hailing "Kornacki's khaki" as the "saving grace" of a week in which tailored suits appear to be the norm on television. His tie, which was being held together by staples, has also taken on a life of its own.

Celebrities have expressed their appreciation for Kornacki's look, with comedian Leslie Jones saying, "This is how I like my reporters to look: disheveled and concerned," in a Twitter video, before adding, "I love this dude."

As seemingly humble an outfit it may be, Twitter users have urged Kornacki to preserve his election-week ensemble for posterity.

"Send this to the Smithsonian," wrote Jessica Taylor of the Cook Political Report, after Kornacki shared a photo of his stapled necktie.

Kornacki himself isn't exactly comfortable with all the attention, however.

"It took a couple days to realize that stuff like that was happening ... There are worse fates in life than that," he told TIME recently. "Some of it made me a little squeamish, but it was all coming from a good place."