Gap vs. Old Navy vs. Banana Republic: What's the difference? [2026 updated]

While all owned by the same parent company, Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic each serve a distinct customer: Old Navy offers trendy, family-friendly fashion at the lowest price point, Gap provides classic American casual wear with reliable quality, and Banana Republic focuses on polished, sophisticated styles for a more premium professional look.

Here’s what you need to know about each brand to decide where you should shop.

Gap: The American Casual Classic

Gap is the quintessential American apparel brand, known for its clean, classic, and versatile clothing. It built its name on everyday staples like quality denim, logo hoodies, and classic tees, appealing to a broad audience from young adults to families who value dependable, timeless style over fleeting trends.

• Product mix: A focused range of apparel including denim, t-shirts, sweaters, activewear, and accessories for men, women, and children.
• Price point: An affordable mid-range brand with most items priced between $20 and $80. A great pair of jeans will typically cost you between $40 to $60, often less during frequent promotions.
• Quality: Reliable and durable for everyday wear. The brand is particularly known for its sturdy denim and soft cotton fabrics that hold up well over time.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is generally consistent and true to size. Gap offers a wide selection of fits, especially in denim, including skinny, straight, and relaxed styles.
• Style & Aesthetic: The brand's style is clean, approachable, and versatile, focusing on classic silhouettes with a modern update.

Gap is the ideal destination for building a lasting wardrobe with high-quality, comfortable basics for almost any occasion.

Shop Gap: gap.com

Old Navy: The Budget-Friendly Family Favorite

Old Navy is Gap Inc.'s most affordable brand, designed for fun, trendy fashion for the entire family. It caters to budget-conscious shoppers who want vibrant, of-the-moment styles without a significant financial commitment. The atmosphere is playful, with a strong emphasis on family promotions and seasonal collections.

• Product mix: A wide array of trendy casual wear, activewear, swimwear, and seasonal items for men, women, kids, and babies.
• Price point: Highly accessible, with most items falling between $10 and $50. The store is famous for its deep discounts, "Super Cash" promotions, and major clearance events.
• Quality: Decent quality for the low price. Fabrics are more budget-friendly and may not have the longevity of Gap or Banana Republic, but they are great for trendy pieces or kids' clothing that will be outgrown quickly.
• Sizing/Fit: A major strength for Old Navy. They offer one of the most inclusive size ranges on the market, with petite, tall, and plus sizes available for many items.
• Style & Aesthetic: Youthful, colorful, modern, and playful. The brand quickly reflects current fashion trends in its collections.

Old Navy is perfect for shoppers who want fashionable looks for less, especially families who need to outfit multiple people without breaking the bank.

Shop Old Navy: oldnavy.com

Banana Republic: Modern & Sophisticated Staples

Banana Republic occupies the premium spot in the Gap Inc. family, offering polished and contemporary pieces designed for professionals and style-conscious consumers. It has moved beyond its origins as a safari-themed outfitter to become a go-to for refined workwear and elevated everyday staples made from higher-quality fabrics.

• Product mix: Tailored pieces such as trousers, blouses, blazers, and dresses alongside sophisticated casualwear like cashmere sweaters and premium denim.
• Price point: Positioned in the mid-to-premium segment, with most items ranging from $50 to $150. Prices reflect the superior materials and more detailed construction.
• Quality: The clear leader in quality among the three. Banana Republic emphasizes nicer materials like fine wools, silks, linen, and premium cottons, with a noticeable focus on tailored construction.
• Sizing/Fit: Fits are more modern and tailored than its sister brands, creating a polished and sleek silhouette. Sizing is reliable but designed for a closer, more fitted look.
• Style & Aesthetic: Polished, sophisticated, and professional. It's minimalist but modern, perfect for building a versatile wardrobe that works for the office, evenings out, and travel.

Banana Republic is your best bet when you need well-made, stylish pieces that look more expensive than they are, particularly for your work wardrobe.

Shop Banana Republic: bananarepublic.com

Gap vs. Old Navy vs. Banana Republic Comparison

Price Comparison

There's a clear three-tiered price structure here. Old Navy is the undisputed budget champion, with foundational pieces often under $20 and frequent sales that slash prices further. It's built for shoppers looking for maximum style for minimal cost.

Gap sits comfortably in the middle. You'll pay more than at Old Navy, but you're paying for more durable fabrics and a more timeless design. Finally, Banana Republic has the highest price point, justified by its investment in better materials, more sophisticated designs, and superior tailoring - ideal for investment pieces.

Quality & Materials

Quality directly correlates with price across these three brands. Banana Republic leads with materials like wool, silk, linen, and cashmere, resulting in clothes that look, feel, and last longer. The construction and attention to detail are visibly better.

Gap offers dependable, good-quality clothing. Its denim is strong, and its cotton tees are soft and built to last through many washes, making it a reliable choice for everyday essentials. Old Navy offers fair quality for its rock-bottom prices, the clothing is perfect for trying out trends or for items that won’t get years of heavy wear, like kids' clothes. Just don't expect the same longevity as you'd get from the other two.

Style & Aesthetic

Each brand speaks to a different persona. Old Navy is youthful, playful, and trend-driven, offering vibrant colors and of-the-moment prints. It's the most fashion-forward in catering to quick-moving trends.

Gap is the keeper of classic American style. Its aesthetic is grounded in timeless denim, basic knits, and simple, versatile pieces that don't go out of style. The look is approachable, comfortable, and casual. Banana Republic is sleek, polished, and sophisticated. Its collections feel curated for a modern professional who needs clothes that are as stylish as they are appropriate for a business-casual setting.

Fit & Sizing

All three brands offer a solid range of sizes, but their focus differs. Old Navy is a leader in inclusive sizing, consistently offering plus, petite, and tall options across a huge part of its collection. The fit is generally relaxed and comfortable.

Gap is known for its consistent, true-to-size fit, particularly in denim where it offers many different cuts for various body types. Banana Republic offers a more tailored and structured fit. While also true to size, its clothing is designed to create a more polished, body-conscious silhouette suitable for a professional environment.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal style, budget, and specific needs, as each store caters to a distinct customer.

Choose Gap if:

• You're building a wardrobe of reliable, everyday basics that will last.
• You prefer a timeless, classic American style over passing trends.
• You need quality jeans at a reasonable price.
• You're looking for comfortable, easy-to-wear pieces for the whole family.

Choose Old Navy if:

• You're on a tight budget and love finding great deals.
• You enjoy trying out current fashion trends without a big investment.
• You need fun, colorful clothes for children who are growing quickly.
• Finding clothes in plus, tall, or petite sizes is a top priority.

Choose Banana Republic if:

• You're shopping for work or business-casual environments.
• You prioritize higher-quality materials and more refined tailoring.
• You prefer a polished, sophisticated, and modern aesthetic.
• You're willing to invest more in versatile, durable pieces that will stay in your wardrobe for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the cheapest: Gap, Old Navy, or Banana Republic?

Old Navy is by far the most affordable of the three. Its business model is based on offering trendy styles at very low prices, with frequent sales and promotions.

Is Banana Republic better quality than Gap?

Yes, Banana Republic generally offers higher quality than Gap. It uses more premium materials like wool, silk, and linen, and focuses on more detailed tailoring and construction suitable for professional and elevated casual wear.

How does sizing compare between the three brands?

Sizing is generally true to size across all three. Old Navy is known for its relaxed fits and extensive inclusive sizing. Gap offers consistent, "classic" American sizing. Banana Republic has a more tailored, sleek fit designed for a polished silhouette.

Are Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic owned by the same company?

Yes, all three brands are owned by the parent company Gap Inc. This explains why they often have shared promotional strategies and sister-store locations, yet each is targeted at a different market segment.

Which brand is best for professional work clothes?

Banana Republic is the best choice for professional and business-casual work apparel. Its entire collection is built around sophisticated, modern, and office-appropriate pieces like blazers, trousers, polished blouses, and dresses.

Which brand is better for kids' clothes?

Old Navy and Gap are both excellent choices for kids' clothes. Old Navy is ideal for budget-friendly shoppers who need affordable clothes for fast-growing kids. Gap offers slightly higher quality and more durable basics that are great for everyday school wear.

Do these brands have good sales?

All three brands run frequent sales, but Old Navy is most famous for its constant promotions and deep discounts. Gap also offers regular sales and promotional codes, making it easy to buy their basics below list price. Banana Republic has sales less frequently, but they can be significant, especially at the end of a season.

What are the return policies like?

As part of the same parent company, all three brands have similar, customer-friendly return policies. They typically offer free returns on unworn, unwashed items with tags still attached within 30 days of purchase, both in-store and by mail.