I tried on similar dresses at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. The most expensive one was the most disappointing. (2024)

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I started my journey at Banana Republic.

When I think of Banana Republic, I think of well-made, timeless styles.

The retailer, which has over 400 stores worldwide, was created to bring customers a sense of everyday luxury. However, that's not exactly what I found while shopping at my local outlet.

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I picked a white linen-blend dress from the rack.

I picked out a linen-blend midi dress from the rack and immediately noticed how high-quality the materials felt.

The fabric (55% linen, 45% rayon) was thick, and there were several layers of lining, which made me think the dress would likely last for multiple seasons without tarnishing.

I also loved the design of the dress, which featured a pleated bust with a straight neckline and hemline. Plus, it had pockets, which are always an exciting and convenient addition.

However, the $150 price tag made me wonder whether it was really worth the investment.

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Once I put the dress on, I was let down by the fit and sizing.

I tried on an extra small (I'm five-foot-two and typically wear either an extra small or a small), and the dress swallowed my figure. The straps were much too long, leaving the bodice loose and sagging, and I had to stand on my toes to keep the hem from dragging on the floor.

Banana Republic does offer petite sizing, but I couldn't find any petite options in-store. Since the regular sizing seemed off, I was apprehensive about ordering anything online. Plus, I didn't think the dress was worth the $150 price.

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Next, I went to Old Navy.

I frequented Old Navy growing up because of its affordable styles that cater to budget-conscious families — most items I saw were under $50.

The retailer opened its first store in 1994 and now has over 1,200 locations worldwide.

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The midi dress I found at Old Navy was made of the same fabric as the Banana Republic version.

Sifting through the racks of Old Navy made me nostalgic, but I was doubtful of how the quality of materials would hold up against its sister stores, considering the price differences.

Turns out, the dress I tried on at Banana Republic had the exact same fabric makeup (55% linen, 45% rayon) as the fit-and-flare linen-blend midi dress I found at Old Navy. But the latter option was one-third of the price — $45 vs $150.

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This dress was comfortable and complimented my frame well.

While trying the Old Navy dress on, I realized it did have less substantial lining than the Banana Republic version. The shape and cut of the dress, especially around the sweetheart neckline, felt a bit flimsy.

However, I liked the shape of this style more than that of my first try-on. It fit comfortably and complimented my frame well.

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Finally, I took a trip to Gap.

I made my final stop at Gap, which has over 700 locations across North America and Asia, to try on a linen-blend midi dress.

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I ended up liking a lot of pieces from Gap.

I've never thought of Gap clothing as "trendy," so I was surprised to find styles that replicated what I've seen influencers wearing on social media — trench coats, chic dresses, relaxed denim, and everyday basics.

I ended up picking up a handful of pieces to try on along with the dress. While I didn't take any of them home with me, I'd consider going back to browse again.

The final linen-blend midi dress I tried on was $98 and made of the same material (55% linen, 45% rayon) as the options I tried on at Banana Republic and Old Navy.

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I loved how the Gap dress fit me.

The dress felt well constructed, and I loved the front seams that lined the bodice. It looked effortless and feminine, like something I'd pack in my suitcase for a summer trip to Europe.

However, the sizing, similar to Banana Republic, ran slightly large. In order to buy it, I'd need to shop this dress from the petite-sizing options online, as they weren't available in-store.

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Overall, I thought the Old Navy dress provided the best value.

All the dresses I tried on were made from the same 55% linen and 45% rayon combination. However, they ranged in price from $45 to $150.

With this in mind, I thought the dress from Old Navy offered the best value. However, I liked the fit of the Gap version best.