I tried on similar dresses at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. The most expensive one was the most disappointing.

Chloe CaldwellJun 19, 2024, 22:02 IST

I tried on similar linen-blend dresses from Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic.Chloe Caldwell

I tried on similar linen-blend dresses at Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Gap.
All the dresses were made of the same material but varied greatly in price.

I've always been a fan of feminine fashion, and dresses are a staple in my wardrobe. Linen dresses are my go-to summer ensemble because of their versatility and lightweight, comfortable feel. With the warm weather officially here, I went on the search for some new staple pieces for my summer wardrobe.

I visited Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy — all owned and operated by parent company Gap Inc. — to try on similar linen-blend dresses and find the best overall value.

Gap Inc. is the largest specialty retailer in the US, with 2,554 company-operated stores worldwide. I figured that if that many people were shopping at Gap Inc. stores, they'd likely have a good selection of options to choose from.

I evaluated each brand and dress based on the quality of materials, garment construction, fit and comfort, sizing, in-store experience, and price.

Here's the full breakdown of my shopping experience at Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy.

I started my journey at Banana Republic.

Banana Republic (location I visited not pictured) has over 400 stores around the world.Claudine Van Massenhove/Shutterstock

I picked a white linen-blend dress from the rack.

The Banana Republic dress was made of 55% linen and 45% rayon, and cost $150. Chloe Caldwell

Once I put the dress on, I was let down by the fit and sizing.

The sizing of the dress seemed off. Chloe Caldwell

Next, I went to Old Navy.

Old Navy has over 1,200 locations worldwide.Chloe Caldwell

The midi dress I found at Old Navy was made of the same fabric as the Banana Republic version.

The Old Navy dress was made of 55% linen and 45% rayon, and cost $45. Chloe Caldwell

This dress was comfortable and complimented my frame well.

The shape and cut of the Old Navy dress felt a little flimsy, but I liked the style. Chloe Caldwell

Finally, I took a trip to Gap.

Gap has over 550 stores across North America.Chloe Caldwell

I ended up liking a lot of pieces from Gap.

The Gap dress was made of 55% linen and 45% rayon, and cost $98. Chloe Caldwell

I loved how the Gap dress fit me.

This dress looked effortless and feminine.Chloe Caldwell

Overall, I thought the Old Navy dress provided the best value.