Gap canceled its spinoff of Old Navy, but it's still one of America's most beloved brands. Here's a look at its rise to be a retail powerhouse.

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Old Navy has evolved quite a bit over the years.

• Though Gap reversed its decision to spin off its Old Navy brand last week, the brand remains beloved among Americans, outfitting families for nearly three decades.
• We took a look at the rise of Old Navy, starting with its founding as a low-cost alternative to Gap and the quirky celebrity-filled ads that propelled it to popularity.
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Since its founding as a low-cost alternative to Gap in 1994, Old Navy has evolved into a beloved American brand.

The company skyrocketed in popularity in the late 1990s and 2000s, becoming synonymous with its quirky ad campaigns and low-cost styles for the entire family. From its multi-colored flip flops and its Fourth of July screen-printed T-shirts, Old Navy has solidified itself as a go-to retailer across consumer demographics.

For several years, Old Navy has been Gap's golden child and top performing brand, so much so that Gap announced plans to spin off the brand into an autonomous company in 2019. However, last week Gap officials announced that it was halting the split, citing "cost and complexity" as the reason for the reversal.

Still, Old Navy remains an integral part of the American retail industry. We took a look at its rise over the years.