Old Navy Review

I'll admit that I'm biased. 

I love Old Navy. I've stuck with them for more than a decade now, even through the lousy commercials and interesting fashion trends. 

However, the time has come to be honest about Old Navy - they have slid down the hill of quality and hit rock bottom.

Example 1: "Layering" Tees  

Years ago, the "Perfect" tee was perfect. It was a hardy, cheap shirt that could easily last 2-3 seasons before losing its perfect shape, all for $6. Sadly, the "perfect" tee is now being sold as a layering tee. Layering tee - the audacity! In lay man's terms, this means that they took the same pattern and applied to fabric equivalent to cheese cloth. The price hasn't changed, but you need twice as many shirts for the same amount of coverage. It leaves me wondering what the cost REALLY is to make such a poor example of a shirt.  

They give out better shirts for free at football games.  

Example 2: Kimono Shirt 

At a recent sale, I purchased a Kimono shirt online. I'm a mom of 2 busy kids - online shopping just makes it easy. Upon receiving it, I was a bit disappointed. For being made of cotton and polyester, it sure did feel cheap. However, after a recent discussion with my husband that I don't wear enough variety, I kept it. When I wore it to work, I had people ask me if I was now working at a hospital. 

It looked like scrubs. Fancy scrubs. Sadly, I'm afraid to admit that scrubs are actually made with higher quality material.  

This is the sort of material designers use to create patterns. It feels like (and is) cheap muslin.  

Example 3: Web-Related 

Like I've mentioned, I do a LOT of shopping online. Being a full-time employee AND a full-time mom and full-time housekeeper completely zaps all of the energy I once had.   However, Old Navy has a web site system I despise - they lie.  

On their site, you can search for any clothing item by size, color, type, etc. Let's say I'm a size 10 and want to find some petite pants. Of the 12 options they display, only 4 of them will be in stock. This isn't something that has happened once or twice. Try nearly every time I go on there. 

Example 4: Quality vs. Quantity 

About 6 years ago, I bought a pair of Old Navy capris. They are PERFECT. If I were still that size, I would wear them today. They even still have their shape. You can FEEL the quality of the fabric.  

I know the economy is tight and corners have to be cut. Why do they think I'm NOT shopping at Nordstrom's or Macys? I'll give you a hint: our budget is tight too.  

Now, I bought a pair of Old Navy capris this past year. They are cheap. They started to fray after just 3 washings. You can see my underwear line, even though they aren't tight. Now that the summer season is quickly approaching and I'm examining the capris for wear, I can say that there are HOLES in my capris just by everyday wear. And while I'm tough on them, it's nothing extreme. I'm not sliding down rock piles or scaling across mountain ranges.  

Example 5: Sizing

I'll admit that I'm not skinny supermodel! No, I've had kids and I look it. However, sizing with Old Navy is a hit and miss. One pair of pants may fit perfect, but the next may be skin tight. One pair of capris may be huge and the next pair inconsistently small. There's nothing to determine what pair will fit - even if you go by the sizing chart.  

Conclusion 

Although I love and adore my Old Navy, it's time to spend my money elsewhere. I suggest you do the same. Save yourself the agony of having to deal with inferior clothes.  

It'll save you money, time and best of all...your fashion sense.