Old Navy vs. American Eagle: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

While both Old Navy and American Eagle are authorities in casual American retail, they cater to different shoppers. Old Navy is the go-to for affordable basics and family-wide outfitting with frequent, deep discounts, whereas American Eagle focuses more on high-quality denim and trend-driven styles for a younger audience, often at a slightly higher price.

Let's compare them directly to help you decide where to spend your money.

Old Navy: The Family-Friendly Budget Staple

Old Navy is a household name for its fun, colorful, and accessible clothing for men, women, kids, and babies. It's built on a foundation of value, making it a primary destination for families stocking up on seasonal essentials, everyday basics, and activewear without a high price tag. The brand targets shoppers who prioritize affordability but still want a wide variety of stylish, casual options.

• Product mix: A broad selection for the entire family, including graphic tees, their famous Flag Tees, everyday dresses, Pixie pants, activewear, and a wide range of denim styles.
• Price point: Very budget-friendly. Most items fall between $10 and $50, with promotions and "Super Cash" rewards offering even deeper savings throughout the year.
• Style: Accessible, versatile, and colorful. Leans toward classic casual wear with playful, seasonal updates rather than cutting-edge trends.
• Sizing/Fit: Highly inclusive, with sizes from XS to 4X and specific fits like petite, tall, and plus. Sizing can sometimes be inconsistent between different product lines.
• Sales: Extremely frequent. It's common to find sections of the store marked at 40-50% off, with an almost constant stream of online promotional codes. Major holiday sales are especially generous.
• Sustainability: The company is making efforts toward more sustainable practices by using eco-friendly materials and reducing waste, but it's not yet considered a leader in this area.

Old Navy is unmatched for its combination of low prices, frequent sales, and extensive selection for all family members, making it ideal for budget shopping and seasonal wardrobe refreshes.

Shop Old Navy: oldnavy.gap.com

American Eagle: The Youthful Denim Specialist

American Eagle has carved out a niche as the top destination for high-quality, comfortable, and trendy denim for teens and young adults. The brand's focus is on self-expression and perfect fit, attracting customers who want to feel confident and comfortable in their everyday clothes. While rooted in denim, they also offer a wide range of hoodies, graphic tees, sweaters, and accessories that complete a modern, relaxed wardrobe.

• Product mix: Known for its extensive denim collection in dozens of fits and washes. Also strong in casual tops, loungewear, and its soft "Aerie" line of intimates and activewear.
• Price point: Mid-range, with prices typically between $20 and $70. Jeans often sit in the $50-$60 range before sales.
• Quality: Considered superior to Old Navy, especially in their denim, which is known for its durable stretch fabric blends that maintain shape and comfort over time.
• Sizing/Fit: Praised for consistent and accurate sizing. Their jeans are a fan favorite for reliable fit, and they offer an extensive range of sizes, including x-short and x-long inseams, and an expanded size collection online.
• Sales: Holds regular sales, especially on jeans ("buy one, get one 50% off" is common), but the base discounts aren't typically as steep as Old Navy's.
• Sustainability: The brand has made significant public commitments in this area, focusing on recycled materials, reducing water usage in denim production, and offering more transparency about its manufacturing.

American Eagle is the top choice for shoppers who prioritize fit, durability, and on-trend style, particularly when investing in quality casualwear like jeans and sweaters.

Shop American Eagle: ae.com

Old Navy vs. American Eagle Comparison

Price Comparison

Old Navy is the clear winner on price. Its business model is built around high-volume sales at budget-friendly prices, with individual items like t-shirts dipping below $10 during promotions. Regular shoppers rarely pay full price due to the constant churn of sales and loyalty rewards.

American Eagle is a step up in cost. Its premium denim and trend-driven collections often start where Old Navy's prices top out. While sales are common, especially for jeans, the overall cost to build an outfit will be higher than at Old Navy. You're paying more for the fit, material quality, and current styles.

Quality & Materials

American Eagle generally offers better quality and more durable materials. Their "Ne(x)t Level" stretch denim is famous for its comfort and resistance to bagging out, making it a worthwhile investment for jean lovers. The fabrics used in its sweaters and hoodies also tend to feel softer and last longer through washes.

Old Navy’s quality is good for its price point but is not designed for long-term daily wear. Fabrics can sometimes feel thinner, and items may show wear, fading, or minor shrinking more quickly. However, for kids' clothes that will be outgrown or seasonal items you might only wear a few times, the quality is perfectly adequate.

Style & Aesthetic

The two brands target different style sensibilities. Old Navy provides classic, family-friendly casual styles. Its aesthetic is bright, optimistic, and great for everyday wear like school runs, weekend errands, or backyard barbecues. Its pieces are designed to be versatile and widely appealing.

American Eagle is focused on youth culture and targets late high school to college-age customers. The style is modern, laid-back, and slightly edgy, with vintage-inspired washes in their denim and trendy fits like baggy, flare, and '90s straight cuts. It's a brand for those who are more engaged with current fashion trends.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands champion inclusive sizing, but American Eagle gets the edge for its consistency. Sizing at AE, especially for jeans with short, regular, and long inseams across a huge range of waist sizes, is very reliable. Customers often find their size and can stick with it across different styles.

Old Navy offers an excellent size range, usually from XS to 4X, including dedicated petite and tall collections. However, shoppers often report that fit can be inconsistent, with a size Medium in one dress fitting differently from a Medium in another. Trying things on in-store is often a good idea.

Sustainability & Ethics

American Eagle has taken a more public and aggressive approach to sustainability. Through initiatives focused on water reduction in denim production, use of recycled materials, and supply chain transparency, they have positioned themselves as actively working to improve their impact.

Old Navy has also made commitments, such as increasing its use of organic cotton and other sustainable fibers. However, as part of a larger fast-fashion corporate structure, it faces more significant challenges and scrutiny regarding its manufacturing practices and overall environmental footprint.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to what you value most in your wardrobe. Both brands deliver great casual clothing, but for different budgets and priorities.

Choose Old Navy if:

• You are shopping on a tight budget or want to buy a lot for less.
• You need clothes for the entire family, from toddlers to adults, in one place.
• You prioritize value and love the thrill of a good sale or stacking coupons.
• Stocking up on everyday basics like t-shirts, shorts, and activewear is your main goal.

Choose American Eagle if:

• Finding a perfect-fitting, comfortable, and durable pair of jeans is your top priority.
• You prefer a more modern, youthful, and trend-focused fashion aesthetic.
• You are willing to pay a little more for higher-quality materials that last longer.
• Consistent sizing and a reliable fit are very important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Old Navy or American Eagle cheaper?

Old Navy is significantly cheaper. Its regular prices are lower, and its promotions are more frequent and aggressive, making it the better choice for budget shoppers.

Which brand has better quality jeans?

American Eagle is widely recognized for having superior quality jeans. They invest more in fabric technology, resulting in better stretch, comfort, and shape retention over time.

Which brand is better for families?

Old Navy is better for families due to its extensive sections for men, women, kids, toddlers, and babies. Its affordable prices also make it practical for buying clothing for quickly growing children.

Does American Eagle or Old Navy have more inclusive sizing?

Both brands offer excellent, inclusive size ranges. However, American Eagle is often praised more for its consistent and reliable fit across various sizes and styles, especially in denim where they offer extra-short and extra-long inseams.

Which brand is more stylish or trendy?

American Eagle targets a younger, more trend-conscious demographic. Its styles align more closely with current youth fashion, from jean fits to graphic designs. Old Navy's style is more classic, broad, and family-oriented.

Who Owns Old Navy?

Old Navy is owned by Gap, Inc., which also owns Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. A product purchased at one store can often be returned to another within the brand family.

Which has a better return policy?

Both brands offer shoppers flexible and easy return policies. Typically, they allow returns on unwashed and unworn merchandise within a specific timeframe (usually 30-45 days) with a receipt. American Eagle has a notoriously generous policy allowing returns at almost any time with proof of purchase.

Which is more sustainable?

While both brands are working to improve their impact, American Eagle has invested more publicly in sustainability initiatives, including water conservation for denim manufacturing and using recycled materials in its products.