Old Navy Is New?

Dec 20, 2007 @ 3:37pm

We received a mysterious invitation in our Inbox today, proclaiming "Celebrate the New Old Navy."

We didn't know that khakis and blouson t-shirts could be reinvented so forcefully, which makes us wonder what's actually happening to Old Navy.

Our guesses?

1. Old Navy realizes everyone in America is now (somewhat) obsessed with fashion - or at least, with "fashion" - and they're turning themselves into a Forever 21, with influxes of on-trend clothes flooding into stores, and flooding out just as quickly.

2. Old Navy is releasing a quirky TV commercial with their new head designer, Todd Oldham, that's going to be like House of Style on a sugar high.

3. Old Navy is finally buying Fred Flare and turning into a complete lifestyle store.

That's the rumor, anyway.

posted by fashionursta

Dec 20, 2007 4:13PM

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but the creative director of Old Navy is a frequent commenter and therefore follower of The Sartorialist. As you probably know, that one blog has done a lot to change how we view fashion, and where we get our fashion info (no longer just magazines). But if it is related, isn't it interesting how the fashion landscape is changing? Just look at the new exhibit at the Met Costume Institute.

posted by hannah

Dec 20, 2007 4:18PM

Oddly enough, Old Navy actually has some good, cheap fashionable clothes... I got some amazing wide leg pants! But the problem is most stuff fits horrible, and is cheaply made.

posted by guest

Dec 20, 2007 4:45PM

Bad fit, doesn't wash well, crappy poorly laid out stores.

posted by mckeb753

Dec 20, 2007 5:45PM

yah!...old navy is totally the new "fast fashion"...like H&M, but with an all-american, todd oldham spin on it...i totally see it.

posted by RD007

Dec 20, 2007 8:22PM

Old navy isnt bad. I wouldnt buy stuff for my self there, but I do buy pretty much 99% of my sons clothes there. They are cheap, well made and very cute/trendy. He is one and the kids pajamas are always awesome graphic prints - so 1970's. The jeans are better washes than I have seen when shopping for myself at Barneys...plus I can spend $75 and he gets like 20 things.... old navy is great for kids.

posted by astralgirl02

Dec 20, 2007 11:37PM

I love Old Navy... but I do agree that some of the clothes can be shoddy, and the layout of the stores is AWFUL.

But gooooo Team Oldham!

posted by guest

Dec 21, 2007 10:28AM

My friend was a designer for old navy for some time and always talked about how frustrating it was having to design clothes that were several seasons behind. Ultimately, she left for North Face. Looks like they figured that one out. Agreed on the fit. NEVER fits. I feel that they design for teapots-short and stout.

posted by guest

Dec 21, 2007 12:07PM

Isn't it funny though, how long it seemingly takes for companies to catch on to this concept? I was saying like 10 years ago, when I was a fashion-naive middle schooler, that the Old Navy clothes I actually LIKED were the ones that didn't look like they were from Old Navy, and were just cute in a normal sense or looked like something I could get at Urban Outfitters. I didn't care about brand identity or logo t-shirts then, and I don't now.

Not exactly a profound idea, considering I thought of this around the same time I believed Silver jeans and Baby-G watches (anyone remember those? anyone??) were the absolute chicest things in the world, but it just goes to show you, it's obvious that people will like it.

posted by guest

Dec 22, 2007 9:01PM

I used to work at Old Navy and its pretty true. They refer to newer stores as "New Navys" and we had to read brochures regarding a new "ideal customer"- a younger, more fashion-consious "on the go" individual.

posted by guest

Dec 23, 2007 12:25PM

I wonder if they're gonna go the way of Abercrombie & Fitch/Hollister. clothes that don't fit anyone that doesn't have a tight little body... and I hope they don't go the way of Forever 21/Wet Seal. Cheap and EVERYONE has the same junk in all their stores.

posted by aninnka

Dec 23, 2007 3:42PM

Go Team Oldham! This is going to be interesting!

posted by guest

Dec 28, 2007 9:40AM

I think Old Navy is an okay store. It's practical. We don't walk around trying to look "stylish" constantly where I live. You'd look out of place.

I think Old Navy's quality has gone down though. I don't shop there often any more.

posted by guest

Jan 02, 2008 12:35PM

would be nice if they got the sizes right and made in the good oh usa ,look at the lables ,people

posted by guest

Jan 03, 2008 8:35PM

Wow, if they bought fred flare and turned into a lifestyle store, that would be awesome. I might even shop there again! In the early years of high school, I swore by old navy, but haven't shopped there in at least three years. Everything fits poorly, the tops are shapeless, the jeans are terrible, everything is either tacky or a millimeter away from it.