I tried on jean shorts at Gap and Old Navy. I was pleasantly surprised by the winning pair.

In my opinion, jean shorts are a summer must-have — they’re perfect for casual weekends, vacations, beach days, and backyard gatherings.

With summer in full swing, I was due for a fresh pair of denim cut-offs. So, I turned to Old Navy and Gap — two retailers I consistently rely on for quality, reasonably priced basics.

Since both brands fall under the Gap Inc. umbrella, I decided to compare their options in terms of fit, style, pricing, and comfort. Here’s how it went.

I started by shopping at Old Navy.

I can always count on Old Navy for a mix of staple pieces and on-trend styles. I’ve also found the store typically offers the most affordable prices among the Gap Inc. brands.

With this in mind, I decided to start my search for the perfect pair of denim shorts there.

The store had a wide variety of denim shorts.

I immediately appreciated how well Old Navy’s selection of jean shorts was organized. Various washes and cuts were neatly laid out side by side, making it easy to sift through the options.

I ended up grabbing the high-waisted OG jean cut-off shorts to try on. I was drawn to the modest 5 inch length and the classic dark wash, though this style comes in four other washes as well.

I also loved the raw hemline, which added a laid-back, lived-in feel.

Overall, the jean shorts fit comfortably and offered versatility.

I liked these shorts because they felt flexible and lightweight, and I could easily imagine styling them in different ways depending on the occasion.

The fabric blend — 82% cotton, 12% recycled polyester, 5% recycled cotton, and 1% spandex — was another plus. I appreciated that they were mostly made of cotton, which helps with staying cool on hot summer days.

They were mostly flattering on my body, but they bunched slightly around the front zipper and didn’t do much to emphasize my curves.

At $40, I’d happily invest in these, but I wanted to try my luck at Gap before making a final decision.

Next, I went to my local Gap store to try on another pair of jean shorts.

Over the past few years, I’ve become a big fan of Gap, and it’s become my go-to for most closet essentials. I was excited about the possibility of finding my ideal denim shorts there.

However, the store’s selection let me down.

Upon walking in, I was disappointed by the lack of options throughout the store.

I searched the entire women’s section and only found two styles of jean shorts, which were nowhere near each other. This was surprising to me, since I think denim shorts are a wardrobe staple.

Still, the 5-inch mid-rise soft denim shorts looked promising and similar to what I tried at Old Navy. At first glance, I liked the dark wash and mid-thigh length.

After putting them on, I was immediately disappointed with the overall fit and shape.

The Gap shorts were the same size as the pair I tried on at Old Navy, but I found them to be much looser and less flattering.

The waistline felt flimsy, and the fit around my hips created a slightly lumpy silhouette that took away from my natural shape. If they had fit properly, they would have had more potential.

Although I wasn’t a fan of the shape or style for my body type, they were comfortable. The fabric — 73% cotton, 21% Tencel, 5% recycled cotton, and 1% elastane Spandex — felt soft and breathable.

These shorts were originally $50, but I found them on sale for just $25. Though they weren’t right for me, I appreciated the accessible price.

Based on both shopping experiences, the Old Navy jean shorts were the clear winner for their flattering fit and comfortable style.

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