When fall weather hits, there’s nothing I reach for more often than a cozy sweater. To me, the perfect option is versatile enough to wear with jeans, skirts, or layered under a coat.
Since it was about time for a restock, I turned to the Gap Inc. umbrella of stores to search for the perfect fall closet staple. I ordered similar sweaters from Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy to see which brand strikes the right balance of style, comfort, and quality (for a reasonable price).
I wore each option for a full day to test how they held up. Here’s how it went.
The first sweater I put to the test was from Old Navy
As Gap Inc.’s most approachable brand, I appreciate that Old Navy delivers both classic and trending styles at affordable prices.
When I first put on the SoSoft crewneck tunic sweater, I admired the design, which had a high crew neckline, as well as ribbed sleeve and hem details.
However, I thought the fit looked a bit frumpy and shapeless on me, unless I folded the hem under and tucked it into my pants.
Overall, though, the style is versatile and something I could wear regularly, especially for casual occasions.
Natalie Borton for BI
I wore the Old Navy sweater to run a few errands, work at a coffee shop, take a short walk, and go to a three-hour acting class. The material felt thick and warm throughout the day.
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It’s still in the 70s Fahrenheit where I live in California, so I was sweating, but I knew it’d keep me comfortable through the rest of fall and winter.
However, the fabric — made of 53% cotton, 24% recycled polyester, 20% nylon, and 3% spandex — didn’t feel totally structured, and I’m not sure that this would last beyond a few seasons of wear.
I even noticed that some strings of fabric frayed on the first day I wore it.
Natalie Borton for BI
Although the fabric didn’t feel like it was the highest quality, the $40 price tag is hard to beat. Plus, I later saw it on sale on the brand’s website for only $20.
Next, I wore the Banana Republic sweater
When I put on the lightweight cashmere crewneck sweater from Banana Republic, I immediately noticed it was much more fitted than the Old Navy option. It kind of felt like I was wearing a loose long-sleeve T-shirt.
Natalie Borton for BI
I typically gravitate toward oversize, slouchy sweaters. To my surprise, though, I loved how this looked.
The more fitted style felt elevated, like something I could dress up for semi-formal outings, like a nice dinner or a work-related event.
It had more of a lightweight yet fuzzy texture, which felt soft and comfortable against my skin. However, I did notice a few times during the day when it felt slightly itchy. It also left some black fuzz on the white tank top I had on underneath.
I mostly wore this sweater at home — doing laundry, working in my office, cleaning, and packing for a trip. I even wore it for a Zoom interview because it looked professional and put-together.
Natalie Borton for BI.
As Gap Inc.’s more high-end brand, this sweater cost me $160 — four times the price of the Old Navy option. I often find Banana Republic styles to be overpriced, but considering this was made of 100% cashmere, it actually seemed like a fair ask.
Overall, the high-quality sweater seemed like a closet staple that will actually last me for years to come.
The last sweater I tried on was from Gap
Upon trying on the CashSoft crewneck sweater, I noticed it fit similarly to the Banana Republic version. It was also a more snug style, but it didn’t give me much shape and looked a bit boxy.
Natalie Borton for BI
Still, I liked the overall design, and it was something that I could use to create a variety of outfits.
I appreciated that it was lightweight yet warm and soft on my skin, which was perfect for grocery shopping and a chilly evening walk with a friend. I could definitely see myself wearing this one often during the fall and winter months.
Natalie Borton for BI
The blend of 53% cotton, 24% nylon, and 23% acrylic felt comfortable on my body. The sweater was priced at $60 (but I later saw it on sale for 40% off), which seemed like a decent price for this style.
Ultimately, I’d rather pay a little more for quality
Out of all three sweaters I bought, the 100% cashmere crewneck from Banana Republic proved to be my top choice. In this case, you really are getting what you pay for.
However, the Old Navy and Gap sweaters would still make excellent (and affordable) additions to any fall wardrobe.
