- Best For: Kids, basics, and seasonal wardrobes
- Price Level: Lowest in the Gap family
- Free Shipping: Members, orders of $50 or more
- Returns: 30 days, same brand only
- Rewards: Encore, shared across four brands
Who This Store Is For
The Old Navy exists for one job: clothing a household without thinking hard about it. School clothes, work basics, pajamas, swimwear, jeans, and holiday outfits, all at prices that let you replace rather than repair.
It sits at the bottom of the Gap Inc. price ladder, below Gap and well below Banana Republic. The trade is honest. Fabric is lighter, construction is simpler, and a heavy-wear item may last a season or two rather than five years. For kids who outgrow clothes in ten months, that is the right trade.
Since the Encore program launched in February 2026, Old Navy points now count at Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta too.
Price Targets by Category
| Item | Buy At or Below |
| Kids' tees and leggings | $8 |
| Adult tees | $10 |
| Kids' jeans | $15 |
| Adult jeans | $25 |
| Hoodies and fleece | $20 |
| Dresses | $25 |
| Jackets | $40 |
These are markdown prices, not list prices, and Old Navy hits them regularly. If the basics are above the line, wait. Something nearly identical will be under it within a few weeks.
When the Deals Land in Old Navy
- Back to school, July into August: deepest kids' pricing of the year
- Black Friday week: sitewide percentages, often the single best day
- End of season, January and July: clearance racks hit their lowest
- Holiday weekends: short sitewide events with a coupon layered on top
- Weekly doorbusters: one or two categories at a time, refreshed often
- Encore member events: early access before public sale pricing
The store is built around promotions, which is why paying full price here almost never makes sense. Put items in the bag, wait for the banner to change, and check back.
Shipping, Returns, and the Fine Print
| Situation | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Member order of $50 or more | Free standard shipping |
| Member order under $50 | Reduced flat shipping fee |
| Non-member order | Flat shipping fee per order |
| Encore cardholder | Free shipping from $35 |
| Return window | 30 days from delivery or purchase |
| Where to return | Old Navy stores only, not Gap or Banana Republic |
| Multi-brand order | Items from one order can go back in one package |
Final sale items are the trap. Deep clearance is often non-returnable, so check the label on the product page before you buy three sizes to try at home.
A Seasonal Shopping Plan
Most overspending at Old Navy comes from buying in the wrong month. This order of operations fixes it.
- January: buy next winter's coats, fleece, and snow gear in clearance, one size up for kids
- March: pick up spring basics as the new season lands, before sizes break
- May: swimwear at full range, since the best sizes go first and markdowns come too late
- July: start school clothes as the back to school event opens
- August: fill the gaps as prices drop further, but expect thinner size choice
- October: buy holiday outfits early, then watch for a price drop and ask for an adjustment
- November: Black Friday week for the year's deepest sitewide discount
- December: buy nothing full price, since January clearance is two weeks away
Keep a note on your phone with each family member's current size and the gaps you need. It sounds fussy, but it stops the classic mistake of buying four cute things and still having no school pants.
Sizing and Quality Notes in Old Navy
The Old Navy runs generously across most lines. Adult tees and sweats are relaxed, jeans run close to true with stretch that relaxes through the day, and kids' sizes leave room to grow.
The store carries a wide size range, including extended sizes, tall and petite lengths in core styles, maternity, and adaptive pieces with magnetic closures and easier openings. That range is one of the real reasons to shop here over other budget chains.
On quality, judge by fabric weight. Heavier cotton tees, fleece, and denim hold up well. Thin jersey, lightweight linen blends, and anything very cheap in a trend color will pill or fade faster. Wash cold, dry low, and the difference between a one-season item and a two-year item is mostly laundry habits.
How It Compares Inside the Family
| Parameter | Old Navy | Gap | Banana Republic |
| Price level | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
| Best category | Kids and basics | Denim | Workwear and knits |
| Fabric weight | Lighter | Mid | Heavier |
| Sale depth | Deepest | Frequent | Seasonal |
| Points | Shared under Encore | Shared | Shared |
One cart covers all three, so a mixed order is the easy way to clear the $50 shipping line without buying filler. A common move is kids' basics from Old Navy, jeans from Gap, and one work piece from Banana Republic in a single order, which ships free and earns points in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Old Navy good quality?
For the price, yes. Heavier fabrics hold up well. Very thin or very cheap trend items wear out faster.
Does the Old Navy run big?
Most lines run relaxed. Order your usual size and size down if you want a closer fit.
Can I return Old Navy items to Gap?
No. Returns go to an Old Navy store or back by mail.
How do I get free shipping?
Join Encore and order $50 or more. Cardholders qualify from $35.
When is the best time to buy kids' clothes?
Back to school in July and August, and end-of-season clearance in January and July.
Are clearance items returnable?
Often not. Final sale is marked on the product page, so read it before ordering several sizes.
Do points work across brands?
Yes. Encore points earned at Old Navy can be used at Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta.
Final Verdict
Old Navy is the most practical store in the Gap family. It will not give you an heirloom coat, and it does not try to. It gives you five school outfits, two pairs of jeans, and a fleece for less than one premium sweater.
Shop it on a timer, not on impulse. Set your price targets, buy during a sale event, build a $50 cart across the family brands for free shipping, check the final sale label before you order multiple sizes, and wash everything cold. Done that way, it is the cheapest sensible way to keep a household dressed.