Positively surprised with Old Navy

I have to admit that I rarely shopped there in the past as I didn't find their quality satisfactory. However, I stopped by the store a couple of days ago and was positively surprised, particularly with tops. I loathe polyester and would almost never buy a top 100% made of made of it, which were typical in this store. But they had a lot of cute cotton and rayon ones, perfect for the hot DC weather. Plus a lot of pointelle knitwear Angie recently blogged about. I do not know how their stuff will hold, but such inexpensive summer tops could be considered almost disposable by the end of the season.

I have only bought a supper cute purple polka dot umbrella with a yellow handle (my wellies are yellow) and this sweater in black on crazy clearance, for Angie's first casual white jeans formula:
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....pid=897676

I am considering the following tops, but waiting a bit:

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....;cid=10018 - in light blue gingham

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....;cid=72087 - in cobalt, it is very thin but that is a plus here. It is also a take on shirts that James Perse amkes at much higher price point

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....;cid=26194 - in navy or white, it is super soft, quite flattering and perfect for a casual lab

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....;cid=26194 - in yellow dot, just because i find it so much fun!

14 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, I love the blue and yellow polka dot t-shirt. Very cute!

Kate

Old Navy is hit or miss for me, but I do love the two 100% cotton shirts. The green and cobalt colors of the lightweight shirt are gorgeous. I just may have to check those out this weekend.

rae

Ooh, collared jersey shirts? Ack, the temptation! ON is hit or miss for me as well, but since you've seen these in person and liked the quality, I say go for it! I adore my anoraks and a pair of engineer stripe shorts from the brand.

kellygirl

I agree, ON can be a great place to pick up some inexpensive trendy and basic items. It can be hit or miss but lately I've found it to be more "hit." Of course, now that both DD's are shopping there, I might have to limit my shopping to the Rack.

Jjsloane

I find it hit or miss for me as well, but have been eyeing that navy knit top to wear loose over a cami. I often find great scarves there and they usually have the best selection of white blouses in all styles and fabrications.

christieanne

My DD loves ON so we are in there often for her. I have the same crazy clearance in grey - need a little warmer weather for it to come out.
The trick with ON is that they rotate inventory on everything but basics once every 6 weeks. So for new items that have been in store 4 weeks, if they are heavy in inventory company wide, you will see a good discount. SO unless you are absolutely loving something or a hard to find size, full price is not really needed.
They also do tons of coupons if you don't mind filling up your spam email account

HelenInCanada

I'm impressed with Old Navy lately as well! I lucked out on a $30 peacoat in red/orange which I am wearing all over the place constantly. I also bought a taupe crochet (pointelle?) all-cotton tunic that I love wearing - and it has held up fabulously after numerous machine washes. A white rayon blouse I grabbed when the weather turned hot that I feared would shrink horribly in the machine, didn't. Score! For men - my SO ordered three 100% cotton sweaters (10 bucks each!!!) and 1 military-style lightweight cotton jacket (20 bucks!!!), and not only are they perfect for him, but they arrived within 2 days! EXCELLENT service, and a great impression since that's the first time we'd tried their online & shipping service.

I agree that some items are not big winners, but luckily I didn't spend a fortune there to find that out. The cotton jersey skirts look a bit frumpy - I have two that I had to donate because they did me no favours. Maybe someone can whip up something else with the fabric...?

Tanya

Very interesting comments, good to know that ON is hit/miss for most people.

Christeanne, that is a great tip! I probably wouldn't get any of them while full priced, will wait for sales in conjunction wit discount coupons. And we are sweater twins, fun

Diana

Interesting! Maybe I'll have to pop in to ON one of these days... I don't think I've been in one in several years, because honestly I don't enjoy the vibe of the store itself (all the ones I've been in seem simultaneously cavernous and claustrophobic, somehow) and I don't think the merchandise is usually good enough to make up for that.

Transcona Shannon

I've purchased a dress, oversized buttoned shirt, chambray buttoned shirt and scarf in the last two months at ON and so far am impressed with the quality. Let's hope this is a new and lasting trend with them!

Meredith1953

I have only bought a couple of cardis from them but looks like I need to make a little trip to the store......

teeandcee

Active Member

I have that cobalt one in white and love it. I've worn it for a couple of years now and washed it a lot and it's holding up just fine. It's cool enough for me for warm weather but wrinkles like mad, FYI.

LOVE the polka dot one and button-up jersey!

Sara L.

I have fit problems with Old Navy. For some reason their pants rarely fit me - it's a shape issue not a size issue and I have the same problem with dresses. I have never found a dress at Old Navy that looked good on me. I like their shirts and sometimes skirts though. I love that polka-dotted one you linked to!

Mona

I got some t-shirts from ON last year and decided never to head to that store again as the quality was awful. But this spring i went back and got some tops again as I thought they looked stylish and were on sale. I am not sure how the quality will turn out but at this price I thought I could take a chance

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