Note: This newsletter is NOT in collaboration with Old Navy, Gap, or any brands for that matter. No one is paying me or offering me product to review this collection.
I wrote a newsletter back in 2024 (the olden days), all about Old Navy’s ‘glow up’ at the hands of newly appointed chief creative officer Zac Posen. It dissected the idea of “regular people brands” coming back into focus with better quality and thoughtful designs, as the rise of luxury prices seemed to have absolutely zero price ceiling in sight.
It kind of “popped off,” as the kids would say.
Trigger warning: The Chanel Flap Bag price chart in that newsletter is not for the faint of heart.
It’s been 17 months since then. Posen has been the creative director of Gap Inc. for a little over two years. Are the masses picking up what he’s putting down?
Well, The Business of Fashion recently reported that Gap’s net income has swung from losses to nearly $1 billion in profit. That’s certainly not nothing.
As a consumer and resident “regular person,” (hi), I’ll say that I’ve certainly noticed a shift in how adults talk about historically middle-class #mall brands—Old Navy, GAP, Banana Republic, J.Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, Loft, etc.
It seems like everyone I know has the Old Navy SoSoft Cardigan. It’s literally a running joke at work when my coworkers and I show up wearing it in different colorways. I’m constantly seeing Banana Republic items on retail round-ups. Abercrombie jeans have a millennial cult following at this point. The landscape has shifted.
I’m not saying it’s all because of Posen, but his enthusiasm, paired with the countless designers lending their creativity to high/low collabs, has shaken things up in a thrilling way. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited every time one of those collections dropped. From Jonathan Anderson x Uniqlo and Glen Martens x H&M to Willy Chavarria and soon-to-be John Galliano at Zara—big things are happening.
It was even just announced that Stella McCartney will be partnering with H&M for a collection dropping on May 7th.
Let’s talk about Old Navy, though.
If you live online, bury yourself in fashion news, or have read the title of this newsletter, you know that Old Navy’s newest collection is a collaboration with designer Christopher John Rogers (CJR).
If you’re like my father (who is reading this) and don’t know who CJR is allow me to catch you up to speed, fun fact style:
American fashion designer based in Brooklyn (from Louisana, went to SCAD)
Worked for Diane von Furstenberg before starting his namesake brand in 2016
Known for bold, vibrant colors and saturated prints
Dressed many celebs including Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Zendaya, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce
Partnered with brands like J.Crew, Target, Farrow & Ball, and now Old Navy
I was made aware of him in 2021 when this British Vogue cover dropped. I remember being pretty enamored with it—much like I am with pretty much any non-American Vogue cover.
I was actually SO enamored that I took some truly stunning Instagram photos for the resale shop I worked at featuring a gorgeous pair of fluffy, rainbow, knock-off platform Crocs and a random Adidas water bottle (?) next to the issue.
Nothing says “buy our used hippie slipper” like a British Vogue and #giant hydration. Is the intended audience even in the room with us? Do they even exist?
The 43-piece Old Navy x CJR capsule collection officially dropped on April 15, 2026.
I was alerted of this via Instagram where I saw a promo featuring Kimora Lee Simmons and her two daughters donning some particularly fabulous puke green/bile yellow ensembles. Naturally, I was drawn to these beautiful grotesque tones.
Later, I was met with an Instagram reel from the launch party that had various celebrities and influencers being asked to describe the collection in one word. It was quite cute, I’ll admit.
The prints and colors from the collection are what drew me in. I think it’s quite difficult to create a net-new print that doesn’t read tacky. A print could look amazing in theory, as is, but it’s a whole different story translating it to a piece of clothing that someone actually wants to wear on their body.
The big polka dots, grotesque greens, vibrant reds, silky scarves, and “not your typical” denim shapes felt fresh. Fresh enough for me to want to check it out for myself.
The immense sadness I felt when the Old Navy x Anna Sui collection (from October 2025) did not appear at a “store near me,” was almost completely washed away when I saw that the Buckhead Station location in Atlanta (10 minutes from me) was on the list of places that would have the CJR collection in-store. Finally, Atlanta does something right in the name of fashion.
I drove straight to Old Navy after work to get my hands ON and body INSIDE of this collection. The outward facing displays were all decked out with CJR. How cute! This honestly made me miss my retail days of dressing mannequins, not gonna lie.
As I walked into the store, I was met with sensory overload (in the best way). The marketing/promotional images with paper cutout-like shapes overtop were too cute. Everything was playful, yet cohesive. There is a lot going on with this collection (the prints, the colors, etc.), but it doesn’t read “too much.” CJR did a great job of keeping focus and tying everything back to the same central theme—a true capsule wardrobe here!
Note: Some of the items available online weren’t present at the Atlanta store. I’m sure the NYC ones have the FULL full collection, because that’s just how the world works!
I started grabbing everything in my size within a 10ft radius. The associates HATE to see me coming. Kidding, I literally put everything back on the sales floor after I was done, because I felt bad.
Now, let’s gab about what works, what doesn’t, and what is actually worth your money.
Size: XS
This piece is one of the stars of the collection, as seen on Kimora Lee Simmons herself, paired with the matching maxi skirt—that was not available at my store, unfortunately.
This halter was honestly super adorable and the color was just as vibrant in real life. Big fan of this print. The fit was good and you can adjust the neck tie in the back, which I did have to do, even in an XS. Old Navy sizes definitely run bigger than…well any other brand I’ve ever worn, just an FYI.
The peplum sits nice naturally, so I didn’t have to finagle it in any way. It does make the boobs look pancake-ular, so if you’re okay with absolutely no cleavage, full coverage, and no push-up, then I’d totally recommend. Of course, you can wear a strapless bra for a little more lift.
Rating: 8/10
Price: $44.99
Worth It? Yes
Size: XS
Basically, the exact same top, but you guessed it, DENIM. The other fabric works way better as a summer halter top, because it’s lightweight. This one, while attractive, is pretty heavy. The thought of wearing this outside in Atlanta on a summer day makes me want to die. I’d be dripping in sweat. The idea of the fabric and the style are in extreme conflict. Real talk, it just doesn’t seem practical.
Another thing that’s worse about this top that the polka dotted one—I had to tie the halter pretty tight to get it to fit (and my breasts aren’t exactly small, contrary to popular belief), so I had a very thick wad of denim that I had to tie behind my neck. You can see it pictured here in the product shots too:
Rating: 6/10 - because it is cute, visually
Price: $49.99
Worth It? No
Size: XS
High school me would have killed for this sweater. A ribbed crew neck is fun, but it feels dated, given that it’s SO tight on the body.
It looks (and feels, to the touch) like something I’d find at H&M back in 2015. In fact, I may have had this exact sweater but in black and white. The colors are super fun, but I’m not sure that the style is timeless enough to warrant the $60 price tag. There’s also a cutout in the back that may make you think it’s doing something “exciting,” but alas, it doesn’t sit right on the back and feels awkward, like it’s gaping any time I move.
Rating: 5/10
Price: $59.99
Worth It? Nope—in my humble opinion
Size: Small
You see, I wanted to like this one. I thought, here’s a simple white top with a little bit of a twist (multi-colored buttons). Much to my dismay, this mid section is shaped like a literal box. The sleeves are strangely tapered. The combination made me look like a close relative of the Michelin Man.
I’m sure this shape is flattering to…someone, but I’m not loving it. It’s like a shirt equivalent of a barrel leg jean. The product shots all feature the model standing at angles where you can’t see what the sleeves are REALLY doing. But I know what lies beneath. And now you do too. It’s a shame, because the material feels fantastic and the buttons are amusing.
Rating: 5/10
Price: $54.99
Worth It? Sadly, no
Size: Small
Big fan of this top. The color is a gorgeous cherry red—my favorite. It’s very comfortable, hits right at the waist, and although it’s lightweight (great for summer), the fabric is double layered, making it feel more high quality than other jersey tops I’ve tried. My favorite thing is that when you put it on, the twisted sleeve lays just right. I didn’t have to fiddle with it or pull it off my shoulder, it naturally sat where it needed to. All in all, a great elevated basic to add to your wardrobe.
Rating: 10/10
Price: $39.99
Worth It? Yes, yes, yes
Size: 0
First of all, color = gorgeous. It’s almost like a mix between bile yellow/puke green. Normies will say it’s “chartreuse.” I’ll say it again, Old Navy sizing runs big. These were a 0 and the waist was a bit large on me, as you can see. I’m typically a 2 or a 26 in pants, if that helps provide a reference point—these fit more like a size 4. I don’t fit into a lot of Old Navy pants, so this wasn’t surprising to me.
Honestly, besides that, these jeans felt excellent—the shape of high-waisted straight leg, but with a good amount of room. I didn’t even have to take my knee-high boots off to put these on. Soft, not restrictive, and good quality. What more could you want?
Rating: 9/10
Price: $64.99
Worth It? If you’d regularly wear this color, then yes. It’s definitely a statement pant.
Size: Large
Who doesn’t love a matching set? The fit of this is a little quirkier than your normal denim jacket—lots of pockets (to hold your little trinkets), cinched waist, and a relaxed fit. It’s unique, but not too crazy. I think if you’re going to buy one of these items, you may as well buy the matching set, because why not? Maybe that’s bad logic, but I think you’d get maximum fun out of doing so. Wear it with heels and you look chic. Wear it with a cool sneak and you look badass. Great airport outfit.
Rating: 8/10
Price: $84.99
Worth It? Price is a LITTLE steeper than I’d like, but I think it’s a good piece.
Size: XS
Not to be dramatic, but this dress is legit hideous. There’s no other way for me to say it. First of all, it’s massive. I know Old Navy runs large, but this is absolutely insane. I’m drowning in fabric. This weighs more than I do. The silhouette does absolutely no favors for the human body—flat, wide, and dumpy. If the camera adds 10 pounds, this dress adds 40.
Rating: 1/10
Price: $69.99
Worth It? Absolutely not. Run away in fear.
They honestly should have just made this into a drop waist skirt. WAY more flattering and fashion-forward.
Size: Small
Again, color = fab. I enjoy the all over red with the pink collar and the little purple logo. I think I would have loved this top in high school (much like the striped one), but as an (almost) 28 year old, I don’t gravitate towards boxy, cropped tees. It makes me feel like Spongebob and the view from the side feels a bit juvenile. Maybe this is for the teens, though and I’m not the target audience! I often feel as if the t-shirts in collections like these are just afterthoughts, not made to act as a unique stand alone piece or add to the discourse in any meaningful way.
Rating: 6/10
Price: $34.99
Worth It? If it was $25, it may be worth it. $35 feels…wrong?
Bomber Jacket Size: XS
High Waist Barrel Pants Size: 0
The two piece set “goes hard.” I felt like Top Gun. No particular character FROM Top Gun, just the essence of the entire film, as if it were wrapped around me like the surround sound in an IMAX movie theater. I am become Top Gun. In all seriousness, the jacket (although a bit snug, but they didn’t have a small) is extremely versatile. You could realistically wear it unbuttoned + unzipped, buttoned + not zipped, or buttoned all the way up + also zipped for three different vibes.
Both the pants and the jacket are made from the same soft (mostly) cotton material. I like the cinched effect on the jacket and the pleating/buttons on the top of the pants. I’m not a barrel leg person because I prefer not to be shaped like Kim Possible (if I can help it), but if you are, I’d say these are worth it. They feel great.
Bomber Jacket Rating: 9/10
Bomber Jacket Price: $79.99
Worth It? Yes
High Waist Barrel Pant Rating: 8.5/10
High Waist Barrel Pant Price: $69.99
Worth It? If you like barrel pants, yes
Size: 0
You’ve noticed these jeans in the previous photos, I’m sure. The product photos honestly look way less barrel-y than in actuality. Like I said, Kim Possible—straight up. That being said, they are pretty comfortable. The size 0 actually fit me, unlike the green pants in the same size. These are the same pant style as the previous brown/green pair above. Altogether, I wasn’t super crazy about the wash of these. I feel like they honestly look a bit cheaper on me than they do on the model. But maybe I just have a “cheap” aura.
Rating: 6.9/10
Price: $69.99
Worth It? Maybe
I’m not even going to use an affiliate link on this one, because it would pain me to profit off of the misfortune of whoever buys this. Trust me, I’m doing you a favor.
Size: XS
When I say that I couldn’t hate a dress more…I mean it. This halter neck dress is so poorly designed—complete with awkward ruching around the waist, lumpy folds, and an air pocket in the crotch region that can only be described as my own personal “primordial pouch.” Absolutely awful. The fact that this is one of the more expensive items in the bunch is mind boggling to me.
Rating: 0/10
Price: $74.99
Worth It? Hell no.
Miss mannequin was being pinned within an inch of her life and for them to make this dress lay flat and it still didn’t look good.
The tote feels nice. The shape is interesting enough. The logo isn’t too showy. The handles may wear down over time, as they aren’t the thickest. The red/pink version of this tote is the superior colorway. They did have it in store, but by the time I came out of the dressing room, it had already been snatched up!
Rating: 7/10
Price: $34.99
Worth It? Yeah
This of course, isn’t 100% silk (lol), but it feels nice and soft like it should. I do enjoy the print. The stripes are broken in a nice way with enough negative black space to where the “rainbow” of it all isn’t obnoxious. I love how they tied it the the tote back here:
Scarves are so versatile these days that you really can’t go wrong if you’re a fan of the print. Tie it to your bag, wrap it around your waist, wear it on your head or like a tube top. Possibilities are endless.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $24.99
Worth It? Absolutely
Going into this review, after having tried on all the clothes, I really felt like the collection was solid. After spending hours writing this newsletter, dissecting each piece and rating them…I feel less sure.
Oftentimes with collaborations like these, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The big, flashy drop of advertisements showing fun colors, collage-like edits, and trendy imagery is enough to pull you in. But once you start to pick apart everything piece by piece, it loses its luster.
While I do think there are some great pieces in the collection, those pieces aren’t super representative of Christopher John Rogers as a designer. The red off-the-shoulder top? Could have been made by anyone. The bomber jacket + barrel pant combo? Again, could have been made by Zara.
And some pieces I wanted to work (the white button down and the striped sweater) just didn’t do it for me. I will say, there are a lot more pieces online that I feel capture the spirit of CJR that I wasn’t able to touch in person:
Drop-Waist Midi Skirt
Striped Shirt Dress
Striped Swim Suit + Maxi Dress
I believe the green polka dot print and the black with white/rainbow striped print are the best of this collection, along with the puke green color woven throughout.
One thing I will say is that all the clothes feel very well made. Most of the items I tried on were made with 100% cotton (aside from the red off-shoulder), and if not, there was only a 2% spandex aspect or something similar.
Overall Rating: 6.9/10
I have one of these in like 8 different colors (and counting). It’s my absolute favorite tank—perfect for throwing on when it’s hot outside OR layering underneath a cardigan for a color blocking moment.
Note: It’s also not super cropped like it says. For me, it hits perfectly right at the hip. I wear the XS and the S.
This is actually a photo of me wearing my go-to outfit formula right now:
Old Navy Cropped Tank Top + Old Navy SoSoft Cardigan (buttoned at the top button) + some sort of skirt. It’s the easiest thing ever and you can really mix and match! I’m pretty sure they have this cardigan most times of the year, but they swap out colors with the seasons! So, if you’re interested in the pastels/spring tones, I’d snag them before they sell out.
I bought this in navy blue Iast weekend! Again, the perfect basic…and a boat neck is SO chic. This one also hits as the waist, which is lovely if you’re aiming for a “clean lines” Carolyn Bessette vibe.
Speaking of boat neck tanks, they restocked my FAVORITE Uniqlo one that I have in three colors (so far) AND added some additional colorways for good measure.
Thank you for reading—I hope this was helpful to at least one person in the world or at least entertaining. Maybe one day, they’ll let me write for The Strategist. Until then, stay critical.
For business inquiries hit me up at: emileerussell1998@gmail.com
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