It contains affiliate links and Extrabux will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on Extrabux links.

0

Gap vs. Gap Factory vs. Regular Gap: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

Gap vs. Gap Factory vs. Regular Gap: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

    • As a global apparel and accessories brand, Gap is known for its clean, confident, and essential aesthetic.From their iconic denim to their cozy sweaters and timeless basics, GAP has become a go-to destination for individuals seeking wardrobe essentials that stand the test of time. However, comparing its primary brand or size guide, Gap, with its discounted counterpart - Gap Factory,or the with it's regular size  - Reg Gap, often leaves consumers needing clarification about the distinctions between them. So What is the difference between gap and gap Factory? Is Gap Factory the same quality as Gap? Gap vs Reg Gap:what's the difference? Or can I return Gap Factory items to Gap? Read on and in this comprehensive guide, let's dive into the differences between Gap, Gap Factory and Regular Gap.

 

Cover Photo:modernretail.co

How About Gap?

The Gap, Inc., commonly known as Gap Inc. or Gap, is an American worldwide clothing and accessories retailer. Gap was founded in 1969 by Donald Fisher and Doris F. Fisher and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company operates six primary divisions: Gap (the namesake banner), Banana Republic, Old Navy, Intermix, Hill City, and Athleta. 

  • Banana Republic is Gap's upscale brand with higher-end materials, detailed craftsmanship, and an upper-middle class feel. 

  • Old Navy is Gap's a lower-priced store focused on value and "fun." According to Gap's annual report, Old Navy believes in, "the democracy of style," catering to the everyman and woman.

  •  Athleta is an athleisure brand geared toward women and girls that is focused on yoga, athletics, and casual "women in motion."

  • Intermix is a smaller brand that curates designs from outside leading designers, though its impact on the company as a whole is on par with a rounding error at this point. 

GAP is an excellent place to pick up staples for your seasonal wardrobe updates. The minimal branding means that most pieces you get from GAP fit seamlessly into your wardrobe. Gap was very popular in the 90s and 00s. It used to be synonymous with avant-garde and cool. Its price is reasonable and the quality is good. 

Where to Buy GAP Cheapest?

GAP items are available in GAP retails and factory outlets stores worldwide and online website. Sign up at Extrabux.com, you can get up to 4% cashback on your purchase at these sites!

Money Saving Tip: If you like online shopping, don't forget to sign up at Extrabux!(What is Extrabux) , then you can enjoy up to 4% cashback when your purchase Gap items on above website! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus! Student Benefits:As long as you are a student at school, you can get a free whole year long VIP Card worth $199.

Extrabux.com cooperates with many merchants, such as:Sephora(4% -5% cash back),Dior (Up to 6% cash back)Moosejaw (5% -6% cash back), LOOKFANTASTIC (Up to 10% cash back), Microsoft (Up to 7% cash back) and so on.

Gap vs. Gap Factory vs. Reg Gap Overviews

1.Gap Review

What Is Gap?

Gap Inc.'s staple brand is known for its classic, casual styles, available worldwide. The company has solidified its presence, operating a substantial number of stores across various regions.

Today, consumer can shop for Gap goods and services in a wide variety of stores. The important types of Gap retail stores are: speciality store, department store, super market, convenience store, discount store, superstore, hypermarket, etc.

1737690775857743.png

Source:levittownnow.com

What Can You Buy at Gap Store? 

  • Casual clothing for men, women, and children

  • Extensive (jeans, T-shirts, sweaters, dresses, etc.)

  • Also owns Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, and Intermix

Pros and Cons of Gap Items

ProsCons
  • Classic and timeless designs: Gap is known for its staple pieces like jeans, khakis, and tees that can be easily incorporated into a variety of wardrobes and last for a long time. 

  • Brand recognition and accessibility: As a widely available brand, Gap is easily accessible to most shoppers. 

  • Good quality basics: Many Gap items are considered reliable and well-made, especially their core basics, making them a good value for everyday wear. 

  • Wide size range: Gap offers a broad range of sizes, catering to a diverse body type. 

  • Frequent sales and promotions: Gap often runs sales and discounts, making it possible to find good deals on their clothing. 

  • Price point:While Gap can be considered affordable, some items may be slightly pricier than other fast fashion brands. 

  • Over-reliance on basics:If you're looking for more unique or trendy pieces, Gap might not be the best option. 

  • Lack of fashion innovation:Some criticize Gap for not always keeping up with the latest fashion trends, leading to a perception of being "too basic". 

  • Inconsistent quality:While many Gap items are well-made, the quality can sometimes vary depending on the specific item or collection. 


Find the latest styles and closet essentials at your local Gap store, where you can shop for men’s, women’s, and kids’ clothing. Use Gap store locator to discover a store near you and experience the convenience of shopping in-store.

2.Gap Factory Review

What Is Gap Factory?

Gap Factory serves as the in-house designed, casual-chic counterpart offering exclusive styles at more affordable prices than the main brand. However, unlike typical outlet stores, it does not sell overstock or last season's trends.

1737691288369268.png

Source:shopdolphinmall.com

What can you buy at Gap Factory? 

  • Denim jackets

  • Jeans (missing the bells and whistles of Gap jeans, but otherwise comfy and solid quality)

  • Accessories like hats

  • Woven shirts

Pros and Cons of Gap Factory

ProsCons
  • Low prices:Gap Factory consistently offers deep discounts on clothing, making it a great place to find bargains. 

  • Trendy styles:Despite being discounted, Gap Factory often carries current fashion trends at accessible prices. 

  • Wide selection:A variety of clothing options are available across different styles and sizes. 

  • Frequent sales:Additional sales and promotions can lead to even better deals. 

  • Lower quality:Compared to regular Gap stores, Gap Factory clothing may use less premium materials and have lower quality construction. 

  • Limited selection:Not all styles and colors available at regular Gap may be found at Gap Factory. 

  • Inventory inconsistency:Stock at Gap Factory stores can vary depending on location and may not always have the sizes or styles you're looking for. 

  • Fit issues: Due to the nature of discounted clothing, the fit of Gap Factory items might not be as consistent as regular Gap. 

3.Regular Gap Review

What Is Regular Gap?

Regular Gap refers to clothing sizes that are tailored for standard proportions and are suitable for most shoppers

Regular Gap items are exclusively available in Gap and Gap Factory stores.

Gap's Sizing Types: Regular, Petite, and Tall

  • Regular: Tailored for standard proportions, these sizes are suitable for most shoppers.

  • Petite: Ideal for people under 5'4'' (162cm), petite sizes offer a smaller waist-to-hip ratio and shorter top, sleeve, and pant lengths.

  • Tall: Designed for individuals over 5'8'' (172cm), tall sizes provide additional length to accommodate longer limbs.

1737690421954270.png

Source:gap's facebook

Regular Gap sizing: 

  • Regular sizes are tailored for standard proportions.

  • Regular inseam jeans are designed for comfort and versatility.

  • Regular inseam jeans come in a range of styles and washes.

  • Regular inseam jeans feature a mid-rise or high-rise waist.

Petite and tall Gap sizing:

  • Petite sizes are ideal for people under 5'4" (162cm).

  • Petite sizes offer a smaller waist-to-hip ratio and shorter top, sleeve, and pant lengths.

  • Tall sizes are designed for individuals over 5'8" (172cm).

  • Tall sizes provide additional length to accommodate longer limbs.

Tip: If you identify as petite but have longer arms or legs, don't hesitate to try on regular sizes, as they may fit better than you expect. 

Note: Petite and tall sizes are exclusively available through Gap online store.

Click here for Gap ultimate size chart and guide detail.

What is the Difference Between Gap and Gap Factory?

Gap Factory has its own in-house design team that creates an exclusive line of styles that are only available at Factory. They do not carry Gap overstock, trends from last season, or any flawed items.

Now, let’s discuss the main differences between Gap and Gap Factory. 

1.Clothing Variety 

The main difference between Gap and Gap Factory is that these two brands have different clothing lines.

Gap

The product range at Gap includes an array of casual clothing for men, women, and children. Key products are jeans, T-shirts, dresses, and accessories, focusing on quality and style.

Gap Factory

Gap Factory is not a Gap Outlet in the traditional sense, in that it does not carry old Gap stock from previous seasons or Gap stock that has not passed quality control or is flawed for some reason.

Instead, its stock is specifically manufactured to be sold in Gap Factory stores and is made up of a different clothing line than what is sold in Gap stores.

Overall: The clothing line manufactured for Gap Factory is generally designed to be a more affordable yet still stylish version of Gap, however, it has a narrower range of products compared with the original Gap clothing line. 

2.Products Style

Gap

Gap has a larger range of different clothing styles and designs compared with Gap Factory, which tends to have a more limited clothing line.

This isn’t to say that you won’t be able to find something to your liking at Gap Factory, simply that you will have more options to choose from if you shop at Gap.

Gap Factory

Gap Factory has its own in-house design team that creates an exclusive line of styles that are only available at Factory. 

Gap Factory lines feature more Logo Shop styles than Gap proper.

Overall: you may prefer to shop at Gap over Gap Factory if you want to spend time browsing before you decide on your final purchase.

3.Products Quality

Gap

Gap items tend to have an edge in craftsmanship and quality, so they stand up to more wear and washes than Gap Factory items.

Gap has much simpler and fashionable styles and sturdier material. And Gap is popular for their jeans which are known to fit well and be extremely durable. 

For instance, you won’t find any selvedge denim jeans at Gap Factory, whereas you can find these at Gap. This is because selvedge denim is a premium quality denim material that is more expensive to produce than regular denim.

Gap Factory

Because Gap Factory is specifically designed to be more budget-friendly and affordable, this also means that the quality of clothing tends to be lower compared with Gap products.

Gap Factory on the whole uses cheaper materials and so you can expect that their clothing has a shorter lifespan and is more susceptible to damage during wash cycles.

Additionally, you can expect that the stitching and fastenings that Gap Factory clothing is made with are of a lesser quality compared with those found on Gap clothing.

Overall: The savings made from using cheaper materials and manufacturing techniques is what makes Gap Factory more affordable than Gap, and for the cash-strapped consumer, this is an opportunity to buy on-trend clothing without the big price tag.

4.Price & Discount

Gap

Local Gap retail stores actually view gap.com sort of like a competitor. The retail store wants to keep your business and hopes you won't shop online. In fact, local stores and gap.com operate so independently that sale prices, markdowns, and coupons are almost always unique.

However, some Gap retail price match skechers.com, as long as the lower-priced item isn’t on clearance. The practice might vary by location, so be sure to ask a team member next time you go in retail store.

But Gap's online store has some promotions throughout the year, for example there are up to 50% off at the Sale zone. Check back often as there's always something that's sure to surprise and delight.

Gap Factory

As we just mentioned, the clothing lines for Gap and Gap Factory are different, and generally speaking, Gap Factory clothing is more affordable and budget-friendly compared with Gap.

For example, a pair of basic men’s jeans at Gap will set you back around 70-80 US dollars, whereas the equivalent jeans on Gap Factory will be more in the region of 40-60 US dollars. With a sale, you can get Gap Factory jeans even cheaper than this.

In addition, shirts sold on Gap Factory cost around 40-50 US dollars pre-sale, and can go down to 20-25 dollars during a sale. 

Overall: The lower price point is what Gap Factory tends to be known for, and people who prefer to shop at a lower cost often choose Gap Factory over Gap for this reason.

5.Target Markets

Gap

Gap targets a broad age range, from young adults to middle-aged individuals. Its core customer base is aged 25 to 35, particularly focusing on those around 28 years old.

Gap Factory

While Gap Factory does not explicitly specify a distinct target market, it aligns closely with Gap’s demographic but focuses on value-conscious shoppers looking for quality apparel at lower prices.

Overall: Gap appeals to consumers looking for high-quality, classic casual styles, while Gap Factory attracts value-conscious shoppers with exclusive, budget-friendly designs.

6. The Brand Labels

A more minor and perhaps less noticeable difference between Gap and Gap Factory is how each brand labels its clothing.This is most noticeable when jeans from each clothing line are compared.

Gap

Gap jeans, usually have a square label with the traditional Gap logo on them. Some of the Gap range jeans also simply have the word Gap printed directly onto the inner waistband of the jeans. 

Gap Factory

On the other hand, Gap Factory jeans usually have a horizontal label with the words ‘Gap Denim’ on the inside. Sometimes the label will also say ‘Gap Factory’ instead. 

Additionally, the jeans from Gap Factory usually don’t have a leather back patch over the right hip. However, this is a feature that is commonly found on Gap jeans. 

Overall:These differences are quite minor, however can be useful if trying to tell the difference between jeans from each brand when shopping in a thrift store, for example. 

7.Returns & Exchanges

Remember, purchases made at Gap Factory can only be returned by mail or at Gap Factory stores.

Gap Factory clothes cannot be returned to other stores (including regular Gap or Banana Republic). Some items are marked "Mail only," which means merchandise must be returned via mail. Check your shipping email confirmation for details.

If an item purchased from a third-party seller is not as expected, you can return it to the seller by mail.

Gap Vs Gap Factory Differences Chart

Both Gap and Gap Factory play crucial roles within the larger framework of Gap Inc., serving different aspects of the market.  Each of these different types of stores plays a specific role in its distribution network. The table below shows the purpose and key benefits for each type of company-owned store.

ComparisonGapGap Factory
Target Market25 to 35 years old, prime at 28Value-conscious shoppers
StyleClassic, casual styles, wide apparel rangeExclusive, budget-friendly styles
Product RangeExtensive (jeans, T-shirts, sweaters, dresses, etc.)Exclusive, unique styles
QualityHighHigh, similar to Gap
Marketing StrategyPersonal connection, brand loyaltySimilar, leveraging Gap’s marketing
Key ChallengesFashion trends, e-commerce shiftMaintaining affordability, online presence
Promotional ActivitiesExtensive (gift cards, loyalty programs)Participates in omnichannel marketing
Online & OfflineOmnichannel approach, seamless experiencesimilar to Gap

Gap Vs Gap Factory:  Which is Better?

Now you know the main differences between Gap and Gap Factory. Gap and Gap Factory are both clothing brands that offer similar styles, but Gap Factory is more affordable. But how do you choose which brand to shop from?

1.Selvedge Denim

Selvedge denim is sold exclusivly at Gap. Gap Factory doesn't carry any

Selvedge denim is a premium quality denim that is less likely to fray and tear over time compared with regular denim.As a result of this, it also tends to be more expensive.

Gap Factory does not sell selvedge denim jeans, mostly because they are expensive and hence wouldn’t suit the lower price point that Gap Factory products are known for. 

Overall:If you’re hunting for selvedge denim jeans specifically, then Gap clothing is the choice for you, as Gap Factory simply doesn’t stock these types of jeans.

2.Material & Durability

Gap clothing tends to be made of higher quality material and therefore is likely to have better longevity.

Gap Factory garments, on the other hand, are made more cheaply and of cheaper materials, therefore they’re unlikely to last as long as Gap clothing before signs of wear and tear become visible.

Overall:Some people prefer to prioritize longevity over price, If you are one of these people, then shopping from Gap will be more suitable for you.

3.Budget 

As we mentioned before, Gap Factory’s clothing line has been specifically designed to be affordable and budget-friendly, whilst still giving customers contemporary, fashionable clothing.

The lower price point of garments sold by Gap Factory means that your dollar will go further when shopping here.

Overall:If your number 1 priority is sticking to your budget, then it’s best to choose Gap Factory.

Read More:

Old Navy vs. Gap vs. Banana Republic vs. H&M: Which Brand Is The Best? (History, Quality, Price & Design)

Old Navy Outlet vs. Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

Banana Republic vs. Banana Republic Factory: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

Columbia Retail vs. Factory vs. Outlet vs. Employee Store: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

Skechers Retail vs. Factory Outlet vs. Warehouse Outlet: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

J.Crew vs. J.Crew Factory: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

(Polo) Ralph Lauren Factory Outlet vs. Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

GUESS vs. Guess Factory: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

Calvin Klein Outlet vs. Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

Adidas Factory vs. Outlet vs. Retail Store: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

Nike Factory vs. Nike Outlet vs. Nike Retail Store: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

Fossil Outlet vs. Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

Vineyard Vines Outlet vs. Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2025

0
Yesterday50