Old Navy vs. Gap: Which Brand Has Better Basics in 2026?

If you've been comparing Old Navy vs Gap basics in 2026, you're asking one of the smarter questions in budget fashion. Both brands dominate the American affordable basics market — and both are owned by the same parent company, Gap Inc.. But shared corporate ownership doesn't translate to shared quality. Old Navy is engineered for value, volume, and inclusive sizing. Gap leans into heavier fabrics, cleaner cuts, and a slightly more elevated everyday aesthetic. This in-depth guide breaks down every major category — fabric, fit, price, longevity, and sizing — so you can shop smarter.

Same Parent Company, Very Different DNA

Gap was founded in San Francisco in 1969 by Donald and Doris Fisher. Old Navy launched in 1994 as a deliberately lower-priced alternative under the same corporate umbrella. According to Wikipedia, Gap Inc. reported $15.1 billion in revenue in 2024 across its four brands — Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta. Old Navy now accounts for roughly half of that total, making it the highest-revenue brand in the portfolio.

Despite their shared ownership, the brands have developed distinct identities over 30 years:

• Gap targets shoppers who want timeless cuts, heavier-weight fabrics, and a polished everyday look. It's positioned as accessible but aspirational — the brand you reach for when you want to look put-together without trying hard.
• Old Navy targets families and value-conscious shoppers. The brand leans into trend-driven colors, inclusive sizing from XS to 4X, and one of the most aggressive promotional calendars in American retail — 40–50% off sales run almost monthly.
• Understanding these positioning differences is the foundation for making smarter purchasing decisions. Neither brand is universally superior — it depends entirely on what you're buying and why.

Fabric and Construction: The Core Quality Difference

The most meaningful difference between Old Navy and Gap is fabric weight and construction. Gap consistently uses heavier cotton, denser fleece, and more substantial denim than Old Navy. That extra weight costs more to manufacture — and it's exactly why Gap products tend to outlast their Old Navy counterparts.

As Esquire's style editors have noted in their annual basics roundups, fabric weight is the single most reliable predictor of longevity in casual menswear. A 180-gram cotton tee will outlast a 140-gram tee under the same conditions — and that's roughly the gap between Gap and Old Navy's core t-shirt offerings.

This doesn't mean Old Navy's fabrics are bad. They're well-suited for casual, seasonal, or high-turnover wardrobe items. It just means they're optimized for a different goal: maximum softness and value upfront, rather than maximum longevity over time.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

T-Shirts: Gap Durability vs Old Navy Softness

Gap's Essential T-Shirt uses a heavier 100% cotton jersey that holds its shape wash after wash. It resists the dreaded "neck stretch" and thinning that plagues lighter tees. Old Navy's Everyday Soft Tee is genuinely lovely to wear — the softer hand feel is immediately noticeable — but that softer fabric thins and stretches more quickly with regular use.

For a basic white, gray, or navy tee you want to wear for two to three years: Gap. For a summer essentials haul or a seasonal casual layer: Old Navy.

Denim: A Closer Race Than You'd Expect

Gap has historically dominated this category. Their straight-leg and slim denim uses a weightier fabric with better fade characteristics and more reinforced stitching at stress points. In side-by-side wear tests, Gap jeans tend to last 12–18 months longer before showing significant wear.

Old Navy's Built-In Flex jeans are a genuine counterargument. The added stretch makes them extremely comfortable for all-day wear, which is a real functional advantage for everyday use. They hold up reasonably well for 12–18 months of regular wear, though the lighter denim thins faster at the knees and pocket corners.

Verdict: Gap for longevity and feel. Old Navy for comfort and everyday practicality — especially if you need stretch.

Hoodies and Sweatshirts: Gap's Clearest Win

This is the category where the quality gap is most obvious. Gap's Vintage Soft Hoodie uses a thick French terry fleece that is noticeably plusher and warmer than Old Navy's equivalent. The weight, the drape, the way it retains loft after washing — all of it is meaningfully better.

Old Navy's fleece hoodies are fine. But "fine" next to Gap's best-in-class hoodie is a real downgrade. If you live in a hoodie from October through March, this is the single category where spending $15–20 more at Gap has the clearest return.

Chinos and Trousers: Gap Wins on Polish

Gap's chinos — especially their Slim and Straight fits — use a heavier twill that drapes cleanly and resists wrinkling better than Old Navy's equivalent. For work-from-office casual, weekend errands that require a bit more polish, or travel days, Gap chinos hold up better both structurally and aesthetically.

Old Navy's chinos suit a more relaxed aesthetic. They work well for outdoor activities or weekend wear where comfort and washability matter more than polish.

Accessories and Layering Pieces

Both brands offer similar accessories — belts, socks, scarves — at comparable price points. Gap's layering pieces (lightweight button-downs, rugby shirts, cardigans) tend to use better fabric blends. Old Navy's seasonal layering is solid for the price, particularly their puffer vests and lightweight jackets.

Price Comparison: Full Retail vs. Sale Reality

Old Navy's prices are lower across every category at full retail:

• Basic Tee: Old Navy $12–$18 | Gap $20–$35
• Jeans: Old Navy $35–$55 | Gap $50–$80
• Hoodie: Old Navy $25–$40 | Gap $45–$65
• Chinos: Old Navy $30–$45 | Gap $55–$75
• Layering Piece: Old Navy $20–$35 | Gap $35–$60

The sale reality makes Old Navy even more competitive. Old Navy runs near-constant 40–50% off promotions, meaning a $35 Old Navy hoodie can drop to $18–21. Gap runs fewer, shallower promotions — 30–40% off, less frequently.

However, price-per-use tells a different story. If a Gap hoodie at $55 lasts four seasons and an Old Navy hoodie at $25 lasts two seasons, they're effectively comparable on a cost-per-year basis. The math varies by item and how you care for your clothes — but it's worth factoring in when making the decision.

Sizing and Inclusivity: Old Navy Sets the Standard

Old Navy is one of the most size-inclusive major American basics brands. They offer sizes from XS to 4X online, and crucially, plus sizes are priced identically to standard sizes — a genuinely rare policy in mainstream retail. Vogue Business has pointed to Old Navy's size-inclusive pricing model as an industry benchmark that more brands should follow.

Gap's size range typically covers XS to XXL in-store, with a separate plus section online. The plus range carries fewer styles than standard, and availability can be inconsistent. If you wear extended sizes, Old Navy simply offers more — more styles, more consistent stock, and no price penalty.

The Smart Strategy: Mix Both Brands

You don't have to choose one brand exclusively. Many savvy wardrobe builders use both brands strategically:

• Buy hoodies, denim, and chinos from Gap — these are investment basics where quality pays back over time
• Buy casual tees, summer basics, and seasonal layering from Old Navy — especially during sales, when the price-per-wear is excellent
• Shop Gap during end-of-season sales (typically January and July) for the best price on quality staples
• Stack Old Navy promotions for seasonal refreshes — picking up 5-6 tees for $50 total is hard to beat

This approach lets you build a wardrobe with genuinely durable anchor pieces (Gap) and affordable, rotatable casual items (Old Navy) without overspending in either direction.

Make Your Basics Work Harder

Whether you're Team Old Navy, Team Gap, or the smart mix of both — the real challenge isn't which brand to buy from. It's building outfits that actually work from the basics you own. A quality tee or well-made pair of jeans is only as useful as the combinations you can build around them.

That's what LOOQS is built for. LOOQS takes your wardrobe — however it's stocked — and helps you build complete, polished outfits from what you already own. No more staring at a closet full of basics with nothing to wear.

→ Try LOOQS free and make every basic count.

FAQ: Old Navy vs Gap Basics

Is Old Navy or Gap better quality?

Gap generally offers better fabric weight and construction, especially in t-shirts, hoodies, and denim. The heavier cotton and fleece fabrics hold shape and appearance longer through repeated washing. Old Navy prioritizes value and softness, making it ideal for casual everyday wear. For long-lasting basics, Gap has a clear edge — but Old Navy is excellent value for the price.

Are Gap and Old Navy the same company?

Yes. Both brands are owned by Gap Inc., which also operates Banana Republic and Athleta. Old Navy launched in 1994 as a more affordable alternative to the core Gap brand. The companies share supply chain infrastructure but maintain distinct price points, quality standards, and brand positioning.

Which is cheaper, Old Navy or Gap?

Old Navy is consistently 20–40% cheaper than Gap at full retail price. Old Navy also runs more frequent promotional sales — typically 40–50% off — making the effective price gap even larger. If you shop Gap during end-of-season sales, you can close the gap significantly. But for everyday affordability, Old Navy wins.

Does Gap quality last longer than Old Navy?

In most categories, yes. Gap uses heavier fabric weights — particularly in t-shirts and hoodies — that hold up better over repeated wash cycles. Old Navy's lighter materials tend to stretch out or thin faster with regular wear. The longevity gap is most pronounced in hoodies and chinos; it's narrower in denim, where Old Navy's Built-In Flex jeans hold up reasonably well.

Should I shop at Old Navy or Gap for everyday basics?

It depends on your priorities. Old Navy is the better choice for families, budget shoppers, anyone who needs inclusive sizing, and seasonal refreshes where you don't need items to last more than 1–2 seasons. Gap is the better choice for investment basics you want to wear for 3–5 years, work-adjacent casual wear, and hoodies or denim where quality directly affects comfort and longevity.

Do Old Navy and Gap run the same size?

Generally, yes — the brands use comparable sizing in standard ranges. However, Old Navy offers a much wider extended size range (XS–4X) compared to Gap's typical XS–XXL in-store range. If you wear extended or plus sizes, Old Navy has a significantly better selection and carries those sizes at the same price as standard sizing.

Last updated: February 2026. Prices are approximate and subject to promotional changes.