You want decent jeans without spending $100+. Old Navy and Target are the two biggest options. I’ve worn both brands for years, washed them dozens of times, and tracked which ones hold up. Here’s the honest breakdown.
Fit and Sizing: Who Gets It Right?
Old Navy runs consistently large. I wear a 29 in Levi’s, but an Old Navy 29 is loose in the waist after two wears. Their “Built-In Flex” technology stretches out noticeably through the day. By 4 PM, you’re pulling them up.
Target’s house brands handle sizing better. Universal Thread (women’s) and Goodfellow & Co (men’s) fit closer to standard sizing. A 32 waist in Goodfellow & Co matches a 32 in Levi’s almost exactly. Wild Fable runs one size small — size up if you want skinny jeans that don’t cut off circulation.
Here’s where it gets specific:
| Brand | Sizing Accuracy | Stretch Factor | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Navy (all lines) | Runs 1 size large | High — baggy by end of day | People between sizes who need room |
| Universal Thread (Target) | True to size | Low — holds shape | Straight or boyfriend cuts |
| Goodfellow & Co (Target) | True to size | Medium — minimal bagging | Slim and tapered fits |
| Wild Fable (Target) | Runs 1 size small | High — very stretchy | Skinny jeans, trendy cuts |
Verdict: If you want jeans that fit right out of the bag without guessing, Target wins. Especially Goodfellow & Co. Old Navy’s inconsistent sizing wastes time on returns.
Fabric Quality: The Real Difference
This is where most people get burned. Cheap denim is cheap for a reason — the fabric composition.
Old Navy’s standard denim uses 70% cotton, 28% polyester, 2% spandex. That’s a lot of polyester. It makes the jeans soft initially, but the fibers break down faster. After 10 washes, the fabric starts pilling between the thighs. I’ve had two pairs develop holes at 8 months.
Target’s Universal Thread jeans use 92% cotton, 6% polyester, 2% elastane. That’s significantly more cotton. The fabric feels heavier and more structured. After 15 washes, my pair still looks new. Goodfellow & Co uses 98% cotton for their rigid denim — almost selvedge-level composition at $30.
The catch: higher cotton means less stretch. Universal Thread jeans don’t move as much. If you need all-day flexibility for commuting or standing, Old Navy’s stretch feels better initially. But you pay for it in longevity.
Verdict: Target’s denim uses better materials. Higher cotton content = longer life. Old Navy’s fabric feels cheap because it is cheap.
Durability Test: Which Brand Survives a Year?
I ran a small experiment. Bought four pairs — Old Navy Sky-High Straight, Old Navy OG Straight, Universal Thread High-Rise Straight, Goodfellow & Co Slim Tapered. Wore each once a week for six months. Washed cold, dried low.
Results:
- Old Navy Sky-High Straight: Fading visible at 3 months. Inner thigh thinning at 5 months. Button thread loose at 6 months.
- Old Navy OG Straight: Slightly better. Fading at 4 months. No holes, but fabric looks tired by month 6.
- Universal Thread High-Rise Straight: Minimal fading at 6 months. No structural issues. Still looks presentable.
- Goodfellow & Co Slim Tapered: Best of the bunch. Fading barely noticeable. No loose threads. Feels like a $60 pair of jeans.
The biggest failure mode with cheap jeans: the crotch blows out. Old Navy’s higher polyester content creates friction that wears through faster. Neither Target pair showed any crotch wear at 6 months.
Verdict: Target’s Goodfellow & Co is the most durable budget denim I’ve tested. Universal Thread is close behind. Old Navy is fine for a season, but don’t expect a full year of heavy wear.
Price vs. Value: What You Actually Pay Per Wear
Old Navy jeans cost $35–$45. Target jeans cost $25–$35. On paper, Old Navy is more expensive. But sales change everything.
Old Navy runs 40–50% off sales constantly. You can grab jeans for $20–$25. Target’s sales are less aggressive — typically 20–30% off. Final price often ends up similar: $20–$30 for either brand.
Here’s the math that matters:
If Old Navy jeans last 8 months (240 wears at 1x/week) and cost $25, that’s $0.10 per wear.
If Target Goodfellow jeans last 18 months (540 wears) and cost $30, that’s $0.06 per wear.
Target is literally cheaper per wear. Even if Old Navy costs $20 on sale, the durability gap means Target still wins on value.
Verdict: Pay the extra $5 for Target. You’ll replace them half as often.
The One Type of Jeans Where Old Navy Wins
I’m not going to pretend Old Navy has nothing going for it. There’s one specific category where they beat Target: trendy cuts and extended sizing.
Old Navy carries 00–30 in most styles and offers tall, petite, and plus sizes consistently. Target’s tall selection is weak — most styles only go to 34″ inseam in tall, and petite options are limited. If you’re 5’11” or taller, Old Navy’s tall jeans actually fit. Target’s “tall” is often just 2 inches longer than regular.
Old Navy also jumps on trends faster. Wide-leg, barrel, and balloon jeans hit their shelves months before Target. If you want this season’s weird cut for $30 and don’t care if it lasts a year, Old Navy is your move.
But for the basics — straight leg, slim, bootcut, skinny — Target’s Universal Thread and Goodfellow & Co are better in every way that matters. Better fabric. Better fit consistency. Better durability.
Final call: Buy Target jeans for your core wardrobe. Buy Old Navy jeans for the one weird trend you want to try for a season. Don’t mix them up.
