Comparing Maternity Clothing: Gap vs. Old Navy

When a baby's on the way, moms-to-be know that their bodies are sure to change. Making the switch to maternity clothes from your regular attire can be a daunting task for some women. Thankfully, maternity clothes can be fashionable, comfortable and affordable, thanks to the efforts of stores such as Gap and Old Navy. Though both are owned by parent company Gap, each has the potential to appeal to a different clientele and meet your individual needs during pregnancy.

Comfortable, Lounge-Around Maternity Clothes
If you are seeking comfortable maternity clothes, ideal for a brisk walk around the block, a pregnancy yoga class, or an afternoon on the couch reading a book and taking a cat nap, Old Navy was my go-to store during both of my pregnancies. Their maternity clothes are slightly less expensive than those found at Gap, and as a result, are the perfect choice for pregnancy work-out clothes, pajamas, t-shirts, and the like. Because they offer a wide variety of sizes to meet every woman's needs, I was always able to find comfortable and affordable maternity clothes for this purpose at Old Navy.

Professional Maternity Clothes
While I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, I was still teaching. It was necessary for me to dress professionally, but to still be comfortable while I was pregnant. Though I bought most of my maternity clothes at Old Navy, I found Gap to offer the best maternity clothes selection for professional purposes. Though they were slightly more expensive than the maternity clothes from Old Navy, they looked more crisp and professional and wore better in the long run, making the extra expense worth it. Gap maternity clothes lasted well, and I was able to use them for both of my pregnancies.

Everyday Maternity Clothes
Both Gap and Old Navy offer extensive maternity selections for everyday wear. From jeans to simple long and short sleeved tees, they offer a variety of items to fill up the mom-to-be's wardrobe. In general, I found that Gap's maternity clothes were slightly more expensive, but wore better and lasted longer. Old Navy's maternity clothes are slightly less expensive, and some don't seem to be made quite as well. Having said that, however, most of my everyday maternity clothes (jeans and shirts) did come from Old Navy, and lasted well for both of my pregnancies. As a result, I recommend them for your everyday maternity clothes needs.

Undergarments
At the risk of revealing too much, Old Navy maternity underpants are perfect. They offer a wide selection of sizes and styles, and for a great price. I was really pleased with Old Navy's maternity undergarments, and still have quite a few of these in my drawers.

Conclusions
Overall, for both of my pregnancies, I found that both Gap and Old Navy offered a wide variety of maternity clothes. Each store offers a good selection of sizes and styles. Gap's prices are slightly higher, and Old Navy's quality is slightly lower. Based on my experiences as a two-time pregnant mom, I suggest Gap for your more professional maternity clothes needs, and Old Navy for the bulk of your maternity wardrobe.