Yesterday’s post was kind of a beast, so let’s take it easy today! How about a little pop quiz?!
Last week, my girlfriend and I were browsing all the cute new stuff at Old Navy. I was shocked to find so many items that looked straight from the J.Crew catalog….I mean, some of them were virtually the same. At half the price, of course. I picked up a new bag that looks identical to the Madewell bag I’ve been lusting over for years, saving $140 in the process! Can you pick the Old Navy item from each pairing?
Okay, so that last one was kind of a trick question. They are both Old Navy…but are identical to the J.Crew versions from last year that I own…see them in action here and here. So how’d you do? You think Old Navy scored themselves a disgruntled former J.Crew designer??
I LOVE THIS! Probably because I do this all the time. Sometimes I wander around other stores looking for ideas and then try to find similar items elsewhere for less. Especially with trendy things that I know many not last. Also, Target is on the mark this Fall! I have gotten a few cute pieces there already 🙂
I think with things like the chambray shirt, knockoffs from Old Navy (and similar) are a great way to save a buck. But for certain items, the quality difference is really obvious. Every inexpensive sweater I've purchased has pilled quickly, and faux leather bags never break in, looking stiff and faux-leather-y forever. You just have to pick wisely the things you splurge on and the things you don't.
True — but I've noticed J.Crew quality slipping of late. My cardi's always split at the seams after a few washes. And for some reason I'm totally okay with a $20 sweater doing that…but when an $80 sweater does it pisses me off! I think for me, I'm just so fickle that I need to have more of a disposable wardrobe! 😉 But jeans…I'll pay anything for a pair that makes me look good!
Right??? I've been so impressed with Old Navy lately! I just picked up one of those new sweatshirts and can't wait to pop this baby out so I can rock it (c; Shopping is a LOT more fun without a huge belly!
Ummm yes I love this post! I was in there the other day and bought that black and white striped top. LOVE it. Very sturdy material that lays nicely and I scored it for under $10!! I don't blog, but I actually thought if I did, I would write a whole post about the cuteness that abounds in Old Navy right now!
I am always surprised by this type of post. I can certainly see the difference between the two by photo alone. The J. Crew designs look better, are more refined and the fabrics are better quality (obviously I can't see that on a photo). I stopped shopping at Old Navy years ago after a couple of instances where I bought outfits for my then 2-year-old and after 1 washing the matching outfits were a hot mess. The colors no longer matched and the shirts shrunk enough to not lay nice anymore; they were either too small or the shape went wonky. I find that Baby Gap and Gap Kids clothing is so much better made, is made from much better fabrics, and holds up to repeated washings very well. I am able to pass all my Gap clothing on to my niece and nephew as it still looks new after a year or more of wear. By shopping carefully it is easy to get Gap Kids and Baby Gap clothes at significantly reduced sale prices- at least 40% off.
Well, I thought it was kind of easy to tell because I knew that Old Navy doesn't model their designs on mannequins in photographs–clearly I spend too much time browsing Old Navy online! I was fooled by the photo of the bag, though.
I'm all for quality but I can't afford to buy J Crew-level-quality for everything, so I'm thrilled by this kind of news!
Dang…I need to get myself to Old Navy asap. I was lusting after that Madewell bag real bad yesterday.
What a fabulous post! I'll have to head over to Old Navy soon!! 🙂 Thanks, Cassie!
That's awesome. This just goes to show that you do NOT have to spend a lot of money to wear great looking clothes!
I love this post 🙂
I need to make a trip to Old Navy!!
I only know because I shop ON website so much, I recognize their model's torso 😉 They have some really cute clothes this Fall.
Oh, and just so you know…they did bring a creative advisor on board…former J Crew employee! LOL
I LOVE THIS! Probably because I do this all the time. Sometimes I wander around other stores looking for ideas and then try to find similar items elsewhere for less. Especially with trendy things that I know many not last. Also, Target is on the mark this Fall! I have gotten a few cute pieces there already 🙂
I just bought that coral checkered shirt at old navy this weekend. They had so much great stuff!
Love this post!! So many great finds!
The last line of this post made me laugh out loud! You're so funny!
I love this post!
I think with things like the chambray shirt, knockoffs from Old Navy (and similar) are a great way to save a buck. But for certain items, the quality difference is really obvious. Every inexpensive sweater I've purchased has pilled quickly, and faux leather bags never break in, looking stiff and faux-leather-y forever. You just have to pick wisely the things you splurge on and the things you don't.
True — but I've noticed J.Crew quality slipping of late. My cardi's always split at the seams after a few washes. And for some reason I'm totally okay with a $20 sweater doing that…but when an $80 sweater does it pisses me off! I think for me, I'm just so fickle that I need to have more of a disposable wardrobe! 😉 But jeans…I'll pay anything for a pair that makes me look good!
Right??? I've been so impressed with Old Navy lately! I just picked up one of those new sweatshirts and can't wait to pop this baby out so I can rock it (c; Shopping is a LOT more fun without a huge belly!
Such good stuff! Target's kids dept has been killing lately too – so many of their items look like Crew Cuts – my girl is stylin' 😉
Ummm yes I love this post! I was in there the other day and bought that black and white striped top. LOVE it. Very sturdy material that lays nicely and I scored it for under $10!! I don't blog, but I actually thought if I did, I would write a whole post about the cuteness that abounds in Old Navy right now!
great post! Some items you can get away with by going for the look for less but the leather goods I would definitely spend more money on.
I am always surprised by this type of post. I can certainly see the difference between the two by photo alone. The J. Crew designs look better, are more refined and the fabrics are better quality (obviously I can't see that on a photo). I stopped shopping at Old Navy years ago after a couple of instances where I bought outfits for my then 2-year-old and after 1 washing the matching outfits were a hot mess. The colors no longer matched and the shirts shrunk enough to not lay nice anymore; they were either too small or the shape went wonky. I find that Baby Gap and Gap Kids clothing is so much better made, is made from much better fabrics, and holds up to repeated washings very well. I am able to pass all my Gap clothing on to my niece and nephew as it still looks new after a year or more of wear. By shopping carefully it is easy to get Gap Kids and Baby Gap clothes at significantly reduced sale prices- at least 40% off.
Well, I thought it was kind of easy to tell because I knew that Old Navy doesn't model their designs on mannequins in photographs–clearly I spend too much time browsing Old Navy online! I was fooled by the photo of the bag, though.
I'm all for quality but I can't afford to buy J Crew-level-quality for everything, so I'm thrilled by this kind of news!