I tried on T-shirts at Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. There was one clear winner when it came to value and quality. (2024)

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I began my shopping trip at Old Navy.

Old Navy is typically Gap Inc.'s most affordable retailer, but it was also its most successful as of its first fiscal quarter of 2024. In that period, Old Navy brought in $1.9 billion in net sales.

When I walked in, Old Navy's large warehouse-like layout was a little overwhelming at first, but fortunately, it was well organized. I was able to easily locate the T-shirts, which were all grouped and folded together on a shelf.

I grabbed a white EveryWear slub-knit T-shirt to try on in the dressing room.

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Right away, I noticed how comfortable the 100% cotton fabric was.

The soft material (made of 100% cotton) combined with the loose-fitting silhouette made this shirt one I'd happily wear on a weekly basis.

I also appreciated the subtle heather pattern, which added a bit of dimension to the design and prevented the fabric from being too sheer.

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However, I didn’t love the overall shape of the shirt.

The best way I could describe the shirt was "boxy." It didn't feel flattering to wear and provided no structure or contour.

However, it did look much better once I tucked it into a pair of shorts. I wouldn't wear this shirt if I wanted to impress someone with my outfit, but I'd put it on for casual errands and meetings.

Overall, the Old Navy T-shirt was nothing special, but for only $13, it didn't need to be. If a decent, 100% cotton piece of clothing costs less than my Chipotle order, I'm sold. Besides, during my visit, it was on sale for $8.

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Next, I went to Gap, a tried-and-true retailer for basics.

Gap is another successful store for Gap Inc., bringing in $689 million in net sales for the first fiscal quarter of 2024.

Shopping at Gap felt more like a boutique experience despite being a massive corporation — it was a smaller space with a clean aesthetic and well-organized shelves.

I never shopped much at Gap growing up, but I have a newfound admiration for its vast collection of timeless styles and closet fundamentals — layering pieces, everyday denim, and neutral staples. So, I knew it would be the perfect place to look for a classic T-shirt.

I tried on the organic-cotton vintage T-Shirt in gray. However, it also comes in lots of other colors and patterns.

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I immediately loved the soft fabric made of 100% organic cotton.

The material (made of 100% organic cotton) felt thick and durable, giving me faith that it would last through many wears.

In contrast to the Old Navy option, this T-shirt's shape was much more structured, thanks to the quality of the fabric. The sleeves were also slightly longer and more fitted around my arms, which supported the overall look.

This tee would be easy to style with a wide range of outfits — I could dress it up with nice jeans and a leather jacket or pair it with leggings and sneakers.

I thought the $25 price tag was reasonable for an investment piece, especially considering its organic materials. At one point, I even saw it on sale on the Gap website for $9.

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I made one last stop at Banana Republic.

My last stop was at Banana Republic, which has 400 locations around the world.

I knew I could count on the retailer for elevated wardrobe essentials, and it seems like other shoppers feel the same. In the first quarter of 2024, Banana Republic's net sales came in at $440 million, up 2% compared to last year.

Shopping at Banana Republic also felt aligned with the brand's attainable elegance. There were helpful associates, comfortable furniture in the dressing room, and a chic design throughout the store.

I went looking for the Supima crew-neck T-shirt I had seen online, but the only one I could find in-store was several sizes too large. However, I still wanted to try it on to test the fabric and quality.

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The T-shirt from Banana Republic was the softest and most comfortable one I tried on.

The Banana Republic shirt is made with 100% Supima cotton, which is twice as strong as regular cotton. Supima cotton has longer fibers, which help it to resist pilling and tearing.

It did feel durable while still having a buttery smooth touch against my skin. While I admired the lightweight fabric, it was quite see-through in the bright dressing-room lighting.

I liked the slouchy, relaxed fit of the shirt, and, despite wearing the wrong size, it looked stylish when tucked into a pair of shorts.

Would I pay $50 for a plain white T-shirt? No. But if that's within your budget and regionally sourced fabrics are a priority to you, then it's worth considering.

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Overall, my favorite T-shirt was from Gap.

Of all the shirts I tried on, the one from Gap was my favorite. I thought the price was reasonable for high-quality organic materials, and it offered a versatile and flattering fit.

I could easily see a shirt like this becoming a consistent part of my regular wardrobe rotation.