Most budget jeans die within 18 months. The crotch blows out, the knees bag, or the stretch gives up and you’re left with denim that fits like a wet paper bag. I’ve pulled apart both Target’s A New Day and Old Navy’s core denim lines to see which one actually survives. Here’s the short version: Old Navy wins for pure fabric durability. A New Day wins for fit consistency. But that’s not the whole story.
Fabric Weight: Why Your Jeans Feel Different After 10 Washes
Denim weight is measured in ounces per square yard. Cheap jeans hover around 8-10 oz. Mid-range sits at 11-13 oz. Premium raw denim starts at 14 oz and goes up. Both A New Day and Old Navy cut corners here, but not equally.
Old Navy’s core straight and bootcut jeans use a 10.5-11 oz denim with 1-2% elastane. A New Day’s skinny and straight styles run lighter — 9-10 oz with 2-3% elastane. That extra stretch in A New Day feels great on day one. But stretch fibers degrade faster than cotton. After 15-20 washes, A New Day jeans start to bag at the knees and seat. Old Navy’s heavier cotton holds shape longer.
This is the fundamental tradeoff: comfort now versus structure later. If you replace jeans every season, A New Day feels better out of the bag. If you want two years from a $30 pair, Old Navy’s heavier fabric is the safer bet.
Stretch Recovery: The 8-Hour Test
Wear jeans for eight hours. Take them off. Measure the knee and waistband. A good stretch denim should return to within 90% of its original measurements. A New Day’s high-stretch skinny jeans fail this test badly after about six months. The knees stay baggy. Old Navy’s 1% elastane blends recover better, but they’re less forgiving if you’re between sizes.
What Fabric Weight Actually Tells You
Heavier denim isn’t automatically better. A 14 oz raw denim is stiff, uncomfortable, and overkill for a $30 jean. But when both brands charge similar prices, the heavier fabric usually means more cotton, less synthetic filler, and better longevity. Old Navy’s 10.5-11 oz denim is the sweet spot for budget jeans. A New Day’s 9 oz fabric is fine for summer weight, but you’re paying the same price for less material.
The Hardware Breakdown: Zippers, Buttons, and Rivets
Nobody thinks about zippers until one fails. Then you’re safety-pinning your fly shut in a restaurant bathroom.
A New Day uses YKK zippers on most styles. That’s the gold standard — the same brand used on Levi’s and Madewell. Old Navy uses generic zippers that feel flimsier and occasionally snag. Point to A New Day here.
Buttons are a different story. Old Navy’s metal shank buttons are solid and stay put. A New Day uses a mix of metal and plastic buttons depending on the style. The plastic ones crack. Rivets on both brands are decorative, not functional — they’ll pop off under real stress. Don’t expect bartacking at this price point.
| Component | A New Day | Old Navy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric weight | 9-10 oz | 10.5-11 oz | Old Navy |
| Stretch content | 2-3% elastane | 1-2% elastane | Depends on preference |
| Zipper brand | YKK | Generic | A New Day |
| Button material | Mixed metal/plastic | Metal shank | Old Navy |
| Price range | $25-$35 | $25-$50 | A New Day |
| Fit consistency | Excellent | Inconsistent | A New Day |
That table is the whole article compressed. Now let’s dig into where each brand actually wins.
Where Old Navy Actually Beats A New Day
Old Navy’s Rockstar Super Skinny jeans are the best budget skinny jean under $40. Period. The fabric is heavier than anything A New Day offers, the black stays black after 30 washes, and the waistband doesn’t roll. I’ve owned three pairs over five years. The first pair died at the inner thigh after about 20 months of weekly wear. For a $35 jean, that’s acceptable.
Old Navy also runs frequent sales — 50% off happens at least once a month. You should never pay full price there. At $17-$22 on sale, the value equation shifts dramatically. A New Day rarely discounts below $25.
The failure mode with Old Navy is fit inconsistency. The same size 8 in two different washes will fit differently. Their sizing drifts between production batches. Always try on two pairs of the same size. One will fit better. That’s not a myth — it’s a supply chain reality.
Where A New Day Actually Wins
A New Day’s biggest advantage is fit predictability. If you’re a size 10 in one A New Day style, you’re a size 10 in all of them. Target enforces stricter quality control on measurements. This matters if you order online or don’t want to spend 20 minutes in a fitting room.
The Universal Thread line — also at Target — is actually better than A New Day for denim specifically. But A New Day’s high-rise skinny jeans have a genuinely flattering cut that works for shorter torsos. The rise hits at the natural waist without creating that weird gap at the back. Old Navy’s high-rise styles tend to gap if you have any curve difference between waist and hip.
For petite and plus sizes, A New Day is the more consistent option. Old Navy’s plus denim is hit or miss — some styles are excellent, others are clearly just scaled-up misses.
Common Mistakes People Make Buying Budget Denim
Here’s where most people screw up:
- Buying stretch denim in a smaller size because it “stretches out.” Stretch fibers degrade. That smaller size will feel great for three wears, then become a circulation problem. Buy your actual size.
- Washing jeans after every wear. Denim doesn’t need it. Spot clean, air out, wash every 5-7 wears. Your jeans will last twice as long.
- Putting stretch denim in the dryer. Heat kills elastane. Air dry anything with 2% or more stretch. This is the single biggest longevity factor.
- Ignoring the inner thigh fabric. Rub the fabric between your fingers at the inner thigh. If it feels thin or scratchy, that’s where they’ll blow out. Both brands have this problem on lighter washes.
- Paying full price at Old Navy. Never do this. Wait for the 50% off sale. It happens constantly.
When You Should Skip Both Brands
If you wear jeans more than four days a week, or if you work in them, neither A New Day nor Old Navy will last. The fabric simply isn’t dense enough. You’ll blow through the crotch or thighs within eight months. In that case, skip both and buy Levi’s 501 Originals ($60-$80) or Wrangler 13MWZ ($35-$45). The Wranglers are the sleeper pick — 14.75 oz raw denim, made in Mexico, indestructible, and cheaper than many Old Navy styles at full price.
If you need office-appropriate denim that looks more expensive than it is, try Uniqlo’s Ultra Stretch Jeans ($50). Better fabric than both A New Day and Old Navy, cleaner finishes, and they hold up to weekly washing better. You’re paying $15 more, but you’re getting a jean that lasts twice as long.
For anyone who prioritizes sustainability, skip both. Neither brand has meaningful repair programs or recycled fabric content in their core denim. Everlane’s The Authentic Stretch Jean ($98) uses organic cotton and has a transparent supply chain. It’s double the price, but it’s the only budget-adjacent option with real environmental credentials.
The Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Here’s the compressed answer.
Buy A New Day if: You order online, you want predictable sizing, you prefer a softer stretchier feel, and you replace jeans seasonally. The Universal Thread line at Target is worth the extra $5 over A New Day if you want better denim.
Buy Old Navy if: You wait for sales, you want maximum durability per dollar, you don’t mind trying on multiple pairs to find the one that fits, and you’re willing to air dry. The Rockstar Super Skinny is the specific style to target.
Skip both if: You wear jeans daily for work or you need them to last more than two years. Go to Wrangler or Levi’s instead.
That’s the whole decision. No fluff. The fabric weight tells you the real story — Old Navy gives you more cotton per dollar, A New Day gives you more consistency per dollar. Pick your priority.