What to Buy at Old Navy

Old Navy is one of those retailers that can either feel like a jackpot or a complete waste of time. The inventory is massive, the quality varies, and right now the assortment is a little all over the place.

But they’re running one of their best sales, with 50% off almost everything, and there are some easy summer basics worth picking up.

A few notes before you shop. I strongly recommend shopping online. The inventory is significantly better, and you’ll have access to the full size range, including Petite, Tall, and sizes up to 4X. Personally, I find the stores near me to be picked over and frustrating to shop.

I also recommend paying attention to fabric content. For this roundup, I stuck with pieces made from natural fibers like cotton and linen whenever possible.

The good news is that there are some genuinely solid finds mixed into the assortment. I found great basic tees, easy summer shorts, polished tops, and a few dresses that stood out for all the right reasons. If you’re looking to fill a few gaps in your summer wardrobe without spending much, there are plenty of options below.

And while I generally think Old Navy’s regular prices can be a little ambitious for the quality, they’re almost always running a promotion. When the discount hits 50% off, that’s when I think it’s worth taking a serious look.

Below are the pieces that stood out most.

Pintuck-Waist Midi Shirt Dress

This is the kind of dress that makes Old Navy worth digging through. The pintuck waist creates shape without clinging, and the crisp cotton twill gives it structure so it doesn’t feel flimsy. In the blue stripe especially, it looks like it came straight from Tuckernuck at four times the price. An easy, polished option for early spring that works with flats now and sandals later.

Fabric: 100% cotton twill
Fit: Defined waist with pintuck detail, midi length
Sizes: XS–4X (Regular, Petite, Tall)

Buy: Pintuck-Waist Midi Shirt Dress (Old Navy): $38.49 | Sizes XS–4X

High-Waisted Wow Straight Ankle Jeans

A good pair of white jeans can easily cost $100 or more, which makes these worth a look. The straight-leg silhouette is clean and classic, and the high-rise fit works with everything from simple tees to lightweight button-downs. I also appreciate that they’re available in short, regular, and long inseams, which makes it much easier to get the length right. At under $20, consider buying two and have one hemmed for flats and one for a shoe with a heel.

Fabric: Cotton blend with stretch
Fit: High-rise, straight leg, ankle length
Sizes: 00–30; Short, Regular, and Long inseams

Buy: High-Waisted Wow Straight Ankle Jeans (Old Navy): $17.49 | Sizes 00–30

High-Waisted OGC Chino Shorts 6″

The 6″ inseam is what makes these stand out. If you find Bermuda shorts too long but don’t love shorter styles, this length is a great middle ground. They sit at the belly button with a relaxed fit through the hip and thigh, and the cotton with a little stretch makes them practical for everyday summer wear.

Fabric: 98% cotton, 2% spandex
Fit: High-waisted, relaxed through hip and thigh, 6″ inseam
Sizes: XXS–4X

Buy: High-Waisted OGC Chino Shorts, 6″ inseam (Old Navy): $16.49 | Sizes XXS–4X

Cropped Button-Down Oxford Shirt

Old Navy calls this cropped, but it will hit right at your natural waist. I like this length in the summer because you don’t have to worry about tucking it in. It looks fresh with shorts or high-waisted ankle-length pants and works equally well layered over a tank or worn on its own. Made from 100% cotton Oxford cloth, it has that classic, slightly preppy look that never really goes out of style.

Fabric: 100% cotton Oxford cloth
Fit: Relaxed fit, waist-length silhouette
Sizes: XS–4X

Buy: Cropped Button-Down Oxford Shirt (Old Navy): $24.99 | Sizes XS–4X

Slim-Waisted Button-Down Shirt

This is a nice alternative to a traditional button-down. The slim-waisted silhouette creates shape, and the length hits right at the waist, making it easy to wear with high-rise bottoms. I do think it runs a bit small, especially through the waist and bust, so it’s worth checking the garment measurements and considering going up a size. I’m partial to the classic white option since it will go with everything.

Fabric: 100% cotton
Fit: Slim fit with a defined waist, waist-length silhouette
Sizes: XS–4X (Regular, Petite, Tall)

Buy: Slim-Waisted Button-Down Shirt (Old Navy): $17.49 | Sizes XS–4X

Button-Down Mini Shirt Dress

If you’re looking for an easy casual dress, this is worth a look. The chambray version is especially good and gives it a more polished feel than a basic knit T-shirt dress. The silhouette is straight and relaxed through the body, with a button front, short sleeves, and pockets.

One note: I absolutely loathe it styles with leather loafers. This is an easy, 100% cotton dress. Wear this with flat sandals, flip flops or low profile white sneakers.

Fabric: 100% cotton chambray
Fit: Relaxed straight silhouette, mini length
Sizes: XS–4X (Regular, Petite, Tall)

Buy: Button-Down Mini Shirt Dress (Old Navy): $19.99 | Sizes XS–4X

EveryWear Crew-Neck T-Shirt

Under $8 for a T-shirt is kind of crazy, especially when it’s a perfectly solid basic. If your T-shirts are looking tired, now is the time to stock up. The fit is classic and uncomplicated, and there are enough colors to cover just about any wardrobe gap. I especially love the heather gray, which looks great with white denim, white shorts, or linen pants throughout the summer.

Fabric: 100% cotton (heathers vary)
Fit: Classic straight fit
Sizes: XS–4X (Regular, Petite, Tall)

Buy: EveryWear Crew-Neck T-Shirt (Old Navy): $7.49 | Sizes XS–4X

High-Waisted Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants

These are the kind of easy linen-blend pants that make summer dressing simple. The high rise and wide leg give them movement without feeling overwhelming, and the elastic waistband keeps them comfortable for real life. The Peppercorn brown is especially good, but there are plenty of neutral options to choose from. If you prefer less volume, there’s also a slimmer-leg version.

Fabric: Linen blend
Fit: High-rise with elastic waistband, wide-leg silhouette
Sizes: XS–4X (Regular, Petite, Tall)

Buy: High-Waisted Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants (Old Navy): $19.99 | Sizes XS–4X

High-Waisted Beach Linen Pull-On Shorts

These are one of the easiest summer staples in the lineup. The linen blend keeps them breathable, and the high-rise elastic waist makes them comfortable without looking overly casual. In black, they’re especially versatile, but there are plenty of other colors and prints available. They also work back beautifully to all of Old Navy’s linen tops, so you can mix and match and create a simple, affordable set.

Fabric: Linen blend
Fit: High-rise pull-on style with relaxed leg
Sizes: XS–4X

Buy: High-Waisted Beach Linen Pull-On Shorts (Old Navy): $14.99 | Sizes XS–4X

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