All the dresses were made of the same material but varied greatly in price.
I liked the fit of the Gap dress but thought the Old Navy version provided the best value.
I've always been a fan of feminine fashion, and dresses are a staple in my wardrobe. Linen dresses are my go-to summer ensemble because of their versatility and lightweight, comfortable feel. With the warm weather officially here, I went on the search for some new staple pieces for my summer wardrobe.
I visited Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy — all owned and operated by parent company Gap Inc. — to try on similar linen-blend dresses and find the best overall value.
Gap Inc. is the largest specialty retailer in the US, with 2,554 company-operated stores worldwide. I figured that if that many people were shopping at Gap Inc. stores, they'd likely have a good selection of options to choose from.
I evaluated each brand and dress based on the quality of materials, garment construction, fit and comfort, sizing, in-store experience, and price.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.