Why? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**space virgin** · 10-02-2006, 12:11 PM

Why is it that my two-month-old, $50 pair of black pants from the Gap are falling apart AND fading when my two-year-old, $25 pair of black pants from Old Navy are still almost perfect? I don't get it. They're my work clothes and I'm very, very hard on all of my work clothing. Wouldn't it follow that the cheaper pants fell apart quicker? Sigh. There's a reason I have 12 white oxford shirts and 7 pairs of black pants for work.

I lift things, rush around and get caught on door handles (this has actually happened more than once), get food all over myself... for the latter, it's mostly wedding cake because I'm one of few people that can actually cut cake nicely and in small enough pieces. I like to think of it as cake surgery.

But I digress.

The Gap pants actually *feel* better, but they look like hell now. I have unfortunately resorted to staples holding up the hem because there's not enough time to mend. From now on, I guess it's Old Navy all the way.

**Somnambulation** · 10-02-2006, 12:26 PM

Good for Old Navy, making quality clothes for cheap. I still get the "performance fleece" jingle in my head every time I see the store.

**expatben** · 10-02-2006, 01:01 PM

ouch! That sucks.Its odd sometimes cheaper stuff is better-at least you got your Old Navy

**TheJake** · 10-02-2006, 01:59 PM

I'm all about BDU's for work. They are tough as mud and comfortable but I don't think you would be able to get away with wearing them in the kitchen...

**voyd** · 10-02-2006, 02:44 PM

I think pricier often means more delicate fabrics and finer designs/stitching?

Anyhow, I'm wearing some ON pants I just bought this weekend for like $15, and they seem pretty sturdy.

**omisan** · 10-02-2006, 02:57 PM

Get a job at Medieval Times and don a full suit of armor.

You know, like that dude in Garden State.

**Diorama** · 10-02-2006, 05:40 PM

How about the durability of pantyhose?

Yes I gotta wear good ol' fashion granny panty hose and it fuckin sucks. Today I had to change TWO times because of the runs. I easily spend $120 a year on pantyhose!!

**space virgin** · 10-02-2006, 07:55 PM

Heh. I remember seeing you in that uniform. Heh heh.

**MeTurk** · 10-03-2006, 03:39 AM

Companys like Gap know they'll make sales on their brand so there's no need to be to conserned with the quality.

**bluepea** · 10-03-2006, 05:38 AM

I've always been kind of fond of Gap clothing - never had any durability issues. But, I've bought some expensive pants from Express and had them ripping and falling apart. Bastards.

I do have to agree - though not always the most exciting, unique clothes, Old Navy does rock. And their prices are great.

**LiveFreeorDie** · 10-03-2006, 05:43 AM

GAP owns Old Navy I believe and I suspect both store's clothes are made in the same factories. Bottom line is that it depends on what person stitched the clothes on what day, and what time of day. Those factories are all about volume and speed. My Company has a factory in China and quality is a continuing problem (though we do not make clothes). I imagine its the same for all the clothing factories in Asia and Latin America - controlling quality when people are working 12-16 hours a day for small wages will always be a challenge. In other words...its all random shit-assed luck!!

BTW - I have a real problem with a lot of Old Navy stuff...the shirts and pants fit all strange, but I love GAP stuff. I can find certain things at Old Navy that work well for me - like wind pants for the gym, but for most things, I have given up because of too many odd-fitting, defect ridden things I have bought over the years from them. I haven't had stuff from there fall apart, though - it does seem durable - just poorly designed.

**SuDz** · 10-03-2006, 07:10 AM

I've been digging the Old Navy lately. I never used to shop there but all my shirts are now falling apart that I have been wearing the last few years (about 10 for some of them, I am 25 and have shirts from when I was 13) so I have been hitting up the clearence aisles at Old Navy. I think last time Iwas there I got like three shirts and a pair of shorts and the total was about 15 bucks. Nice.

SuDZ

**Sijuki** · 10-03-2006, 07:26 AM

I just stick with Levi Jeans and cheap t-shirts and polo shirts. Levi withstand my abuse and are comfortable. It's worth the $30. Or go to the Salvation Army and get them for $4.

**Joker** · 10-03-2006, 08:53 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheJake @ Oct 2 2006, 01:59 PM) [snapback]141484[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm all about BDU's for work. They are tough as mud and comfortable but I don't think you would be able to get away with wearing them in the kitchen...
[/b]

Horseshit. :D BDUs are the way to go. Can you tell which one is the Joker?

BDU's are far more durable than anything out there, except Dickies work pants. I wear either 5.11 brand ($$) or Tru-Spec's. They hold up far better than any of the "chef" pants that are out there, have far more pockets and arent overinflated in price like the Chefwear crap. Jeanie, if you like, suggest this: http://www.511tactical.com/index.asp?dlrID...mp;number=64355

Though I don't know how well that'll go with a tux shirt

**space virgin** · 10-03-2006, 09:51 AM

Just looking at those I can tell they'd last forever but on me they would fit like shit.

I knew that the Gap and Old Navy were owned by the same company-- that company also owns Banana Republic, btw-- which is why I was kinda surprised that the supposedly "cheaper" garment would outlast the more expensive one. It's not just the hems-- the fabric itself is less prone to wrinkles and it doesn't fade AT ALL. But I guess if they're made in the same factories it might make a little more sense.

Jamie, you're right-- Old Navy's stuff is hideously inconsistent. Depending on the pants I can fit into no fewer than three different sizes just because of that!

But generally when I find something that fits well, it lasts pretty much forever. Strange but true.

I won't stop shopping at the Gap just because of this, but I'm not going to buy any more of their black pants for fifty bucks a pop.

**TheJake** · 10-03-2006, 11:58 AM

That's awesome jokes! I wasn't expecting you to be in camo!

**BelfastFlyer** · 10-03-2006, 06:05 PM

I know what you mean I go through about a shirt a month due to holes in the elbows (prob cause i sit with my head in my hands so much!). I think work places should either give out uniforms or give us expenses!!

**Joker** · 10-03-2006, 11:15 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheJake @ Oct 3 2006, 11:58 AM) [snapback]141582[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

That's awesome jokes! I wasn't expecting you to be in camo!
[/b]

Jake, I own literally 10 pairs of camo pants. But only in arctic and the blue urban camo. Pair me with a black chef's coat and I'm good to go!!

**TERI** · 10-04-2006, 04:14 AM

i love Old Navy. they have the most comfy clothes. I've been wearing some black yoga pants from there for work lately, and they were only $10 bucks. they're awesome.

awindos · 10-08-2006, 12:11 AM

I never buy designer stuff because i dont think there good vaule for money. I get given disigner stuff as christmas and birthday presents but i find they wear out just as quickly as the £10 pair of trousers i brought from the market and to be honest i dont think they look better.