I tried on similar tops at Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy. I'm done assuming big names with the highest prices have the best products.

Wed, 06/12/2024 - 12:58

Chloe wearing three different tank tops. On the left, a black square-neck tank from Gap. In the middle, a cream high-neck tank from Banana Republic. On the left, a black square-neck tank from Old Navy. — I tried on similar tops at Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy.
Chloe Caldwell

I tried on similar linen-blend tank tops at Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Gap.
Of all the shirts I tried on, the one from Gap was my favorite.
However, I thought the top from Old Navy provided the best value.

Although I now prefer buying clothes from thrift stores and locally owned boutiques, I used to love shopping at mall staples like Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Gap.

All three stores are owned by the same parent company, Gap Inc., which has gone through many changes over the past couple of years.

Most recently, the company welcomed a former Mattel executive as its new CEO and designer Zac Posen as creative director of Gap Inc. and chief creative officer of Old Navy.

With all that in mind, I was curious to see which retailer would impress me most and offer the best value. While shopping for new clothes for the summer, I stopped at all three stores to compare similar linen-blend tank tops. Here's how it went.

My first stop was to Banana Republic.

The exterior of a Banana Republic store that's not in a mall. — Banana Republic (location I visited not pictured) is a global retailer with over 400 stores.
Claudine Van Massenhove/Shutterstock

Banana Republic is a global retailer with over 400 stores.

The store, which offers a range of workwear and elevated-casual styles, was my go-to shop for finding post-college interview outfits and business-casual ensembles.

I was drawn to a neutral, linen-blend top.

A cream linen-blend tank top on a rack at Banana Republic. There are other items on the rack as well. — The Banana Republic top felt lightweight on the hanger.
Chloe Caldwell

The $65 shirt I tried on at Banana Republic was made of a blend of 52% linen, 45% cotton, and 3% elastane.

I was first drawn to the simple cropped cut and neutral tone. It felt lightweight on the hanger, and breathable material is a priority in my summer wardrobe.

However, I didn't think the Banana Republic tank was worth the price.

Chloe smiles in a Banana Republic dressing room, wearing a white linen-blend tank top with a high neck. — The tank was comfortable and well-constructed, but I wouldn't spend $65 on it.
Chloe Caldwell

Upon trying it on, the tank felt comfortable and fit well around my shoulders and chest. The silhouette seemed well-constructed and versatile for a variety of outfits. Was it worth $65, though? Not in my opinion.

It's also worth noting that a few weeks later, I found this same top on sale on the Banana Republic website for $39.

Next, I went to Old Navy.

The exterior of an Old Navy store. — Old Navy has over 1,200 stores worldwide.
Chloe Caldwell

Old Navy has over 1,200 stores worldwide and offers affordable yet fashionable styles for all ages.

It was my favorite store as a child, and I can vividly remember wandering through the department-store-sized building in search of a new shirt or swimsuit I'd wear repeatedly for months.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the pricing remained mostly consistent with what I remembered (based on the current inflation rates).

The prices also seemed pretty accessible throughout the store — almost all new arrivals cost less than $50 — but the quality did reflect the lower price point.

The Old Navy tank I picked out was thinner than the version I tried on at Banana Republic.

A variety of t-shirts, tank tops, and shorts hanging on racks at Old Navy. — I immediately noticed that the Old Navy top was thinner than the one I tried on at Banana Republic.
Chloe Caldwell

I found a similar linen-blend tank top at Old Navy but immediately noticed it was somewhat thin and feeble on the rack. In comparison, the Banana Republic version had a thicker lining underneath the shell.

However, at only $25, this top was available at a significantly lower price point. The shirt was made with a blend of 55% linen and 45% rayon.

I was surprised by how much I liked the top once I tried it on.

Chloe smiles in an Old Navy dressing room, wearing a black square-neck tank top. — The Old Navy tank top was both comfortable and flattering.
Chloe Caldwell

I loved the fit of this tank once I put it on in the dressing room — the thick shoulder straps and airy shape felt both comfortable and flattering. Plus, the square neckline would be easy to pair with accessories like necklaces and scarves.

I didn't end up buying the Old Navy tank, but I'd consider going back to browse the store's offerings in the future.

Finally, I stopped at Gap.

The exterior of a Gap store. — Gap has over 700 locations in North America and Asia.
Chloe Caldwell

Gap has over 700 locations in North America and Asia.

The brand has come a long way since I was young, replacing some basic T-shirts featuring oversize logos with on-trend pieces that rival some luxury brands.

I ended up browsing the entire store when I walked in.

The interior of a Gap store, with mannequins wearing white dresses and white linen-blend matching sets. — I ended up trying on at least 10 different pieces at Gap.
Chloe Caldwell

I went to Gap just to try on the linen-blend tank but ended up trying on at least 10 different pieces. Since then, I've also been browsing the brand's website.

The entire shopping experience at Gap felt organized and seamless, with easy-to-read labels and dedicated sections for various styles.

The linen-blend tank I found felt high-quality, and I felt confident that I could wear it consistently without tarnishing it.

I loved how the top from Gap fit me — but I was shocked by the price.

Chloe poses in the Gap fitting room, wearing a black, square-neck tank top. She is taking a photo on her phone and has a few other pieces of clothing hanging on the wall next to her. — The Gap tank was double the price of the Old Navy option, even though they had an incredibly similar material makeup.
Chloe Caldwell

Of all the linen tanks I tried on, the one from Gap was my favorite.

The top fit perfectly and had the same square neckline and thick straps as the Old Navy tank, with a slightly more flowy bodice and a more structured overall look. I also loved the added button details on the back.

However, The Gap tank was $50, double the price of the Old Navy option, even though they had an incredibly similar material makeup (55% linen and 45% viscose rayon). For that reason, I'd only buy the tank from Gap once it went on clearance.

I always thought of Gap as a retailer that offered affordable fashion, but every piece I tried on or stopped to admire in the store seemed severely overpriced for what it was.

For example, a trench coat I liked in the store was $168. Personally, if I'm going to spend that much on a jacket, I'd prefer it to be from a vintage shop or boutique retailer.

Based on the value, fit, materials, and overall quality, I’d be most likely to buy the tank from Old Navy.

Although I loved how the Gap tank looked on me, based on the overall value, I'd be most likely to buy the option from Old Navy. This completely surprised me, as I assumed the quality would be much lower, especially than that of Banana Republic.

Although there was a slight difference, the price, similar enough condition, and comfortable fit made the choice a no-brainer.

This shopping experience reminded me that a fancy brand name and a higher price don't always mean a better product.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Retail, Freelancer, freelancer-le, Shopping, linen, tank-top, Gap, banana-republic, old-navy, gap-inc, review

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