My Love/ Hate Relationship with Old Navy

I love Old Navy. Yet at the same time, I hate Old Navy. It's such a complicated relationship. I love their clothes, I love their style, and most of the time I love their reasonable prices. However, I think their quality has gone down in the past few years. Let me explain...

Nine years ago I was an avid Old Navy shopper; it was by far my favorite store. The majority of my clothes were purchased there and my at the time infant daughter had a wardrobe full of Old Navy. Some items I purchased then are still around now being worn my by younger daughters. Today, you won't find a single item in the store that will last you nine years wear and tear.

Last year I bought five shirts from Old Navy, came home, wore them washed them, wore them, washed them, so on and so forth. The shirts were stretched, had frayed edges, or were getting small holes in them within three washings. Frustrated, I contacted Old Navy customer service who told me to take my purchases back to the store. Um, really? Yeah, so didn't happen. When you wash and wear an item, it becomes your property, no longer within the responsibility of the company.

Their line of baby clothing has almost dropped off the market. Where did it all go? I remember Old Navy having tons of clothes for babies 0-12 months. Not anymore, no, now you are lucky to find a full aisle dedicated to both infant girls and infant boys. Where did all those adorable Old Navy denim overalls disappear to? I have a pair of them purchased nine long years ago; my youngest wore them just last week. That was when quality was to be expected.

Just a few days ago I walked through an Old Navy store in our local mall as they had an awesome sale advertised. Upon entering the store almost everything that was "on sale" was gone. Still, I decided to take a look around to see if I could find any good deals. Baby costumes were almost a steal; original pricing showed them as $22.50 a costume, this particular sale slashed that price to $5. I grabbed two, one for my 2 year old, and the other for my 5 month old. Checking out we were given an Old Navy Freaky Fun Day bag, and were told a surprise was inside. It was a coupon for $5 off our purchase. Wow! Two costumes, that together would have cost us $45 full price, and all we paid was $5 total for both. I could get used to deals like that.

Still, their items for young boys are almost non existent. I searched over and over for clothes for my 4 year old son. He is in a weird range right now, as he is too big for toddler sized clothing and too small for young boys clothing. Still, they do make extra small clothes (XS) but if you can find them, point me in the direction you are looking!

I love the comfort of the Old Navy brand denim jeans. But since the make over and having three different styles, the jeans seemed to have changed as well. A year ago I would simply purchase boot cut, relaxed fit, or standard fit. Today you have the options of The Flirt, The Diva, The Sweetheart, The Curvy, and The Goddess, though you will only find The Flirt, The Diva and The Sweetheart in stores. With The Diva you are getting the "lowest rise" in Old Navy jeans. Personally, I don't know who wants jeans that low, showing a nice view of whenever you bend over, but that's my opinion. The Flirt is the new mid-rise, The Sweetheart a classic rise, and The Goddess a high rise jean. The Curvy, according to Old Navy's website only comes in The Sweetheart. That part I do not understand.

Somehow in creating a whole new line and style of jeans Old Navy has lost their comfort factor. Where did the butt room go? I have always counted on Old Navy for their jeans as they have always provided ample booty room. Well the booty room is no more. It's still there in the jeans I have from them from last year, yet not in the jeans I purchased last month. That is a bummer indeed.

So, while I love Old Navy for their fresh and fun styles, I also hate Old Navy for changing the cuts of their jeans, losing the quality of their clothes and not having a selection of baby items. Why do I still shop there? Well it's simple, Old Navy is basic, and for the most part Old Navy sells clothes I can afford for my large family of six.

While I will keep my fingers crossed their quality will improve yet again, the jeans might magically create a style they could name The Booty fit, and that the selection of baby and young boy clothes would increase, I will always be an Old Navy shopper.