I Stopped By Gap, J.Crew, and Banana Republic—19 Finds That Genuinely Shocked Me

Welcome to Let's Get a Room, a series where editor Eliza Huber heads to the dressing room to try on pieces from your favorite retailers, buzzy items, and new collections. Think of this column as a detailed guide to the pieces that are actually worth buying and the ones that, unfortunately, looked better online—no returns necessary.

The best part about living in New York City (no, I'm not going to say the bagels, but I'm sure that's of significant value for many of the city's residents) is the proximity to practically every brand under the sun's brick-and-mortar stores. I like shopping online just as much as the next fashion person. Hell, I even made a career out of it. But nothing beats walking into a physical store, picking up what calls out to you, and trying it on. Even the purchase process is supreme (minus the lines, especially in SoHo). 

As such, when I decided to do a story surrounding Gap, Banana Republic, and J.Crew—three brands I haven't, in the past, given tons of attention to—I couldn't resist going into their actual store locations and going full-on with an entire dressing-room movie montage. Luckily, all three were but a few blocks away from each other on Fifth Avenue, making the idea of an in-person shopping trip all the more enticing. Two hours and 19 items later, I walked to my dinner plans nearby knowing everything I wanted from the trio of retailers and a camera roll of pictures to prove it. 

Below, see which items I fell the hardest for at J.Crew, Gap, and Banana Republic. 

J.Crew and spring go hand in hand, so I wasn't exactly surprised when I found a seriously impressive offering upon walking into the brand's Fifth Avenue store. From Prada-inspired full skirts and elegant tailoring to easy slip dresses and jeans, there was hardly an item in sight that I wasn't champing at the bit to try on. 

You can never go wrong with a black slip dress, but the butter-like cupro material and bias-cut fit of this one are particularly alluring. 

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The slip dress is perfect on its own with heels and classic jewelry for a night out, but it can work just as easily for a summer day with this linen shirt on top and sneakers or flat sandals. 

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As soon as I saw this skirt, I knew I had to go with a Prada-inspired look, adding a cropped cashmere sweater to wear with my Prada pumps and bag. I posted this skirt on my Instagram Stories after and got so many questions about it. 

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I own so many tailored waistcoats but haven't quite found the perfect one. At least I hadn't until I tried this khaki-colored option from J.Crew. The fit is the perfect in-between of oversize, menswear inspired, and fitted. 

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Baggy jeans will forever be a go-to of mine, so I love the way these bootcut jeans fit from J.Crew's Point Sur line. The cashmere tee is the real winner, though. After all, what's more luxurious than having all your basics in cashmere?

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I haven't stepped foot in a Gap location since I was a kid who shopped at the kid's location in my hometown from a stroller. My mom used to say she predicted I'd work in fashion because I'd delicately swipe through the racks from my rolling seat. But with all the hype going around right now for the brand, I knew I had to make my long-awaited return. Now that I have, I can definitely see what all the buzz is about. First off, the prices are unbeatable. But what really impressed me was the quality of all of the basics. If you're in need of a refresh on tanks, T-shirts, linen button-downs, jeans, or trousers, Gap is a great place to start. 

This tank top feels shockingly expensive, from the thickness of the fabric to the overall shape, and it has thick straps and a fitted silhouette. With it, I added a pair of soft cupro trousers that have an easy, flowy fit but still look tailored and elevated and a striped sweater that's perfect for chilly evenings in the spring and summer. 

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In my mind, no wardrobe item is more important come summer than an oversize linen shirt. It's a perfect cover-up for the beach but also ideal for traveling, as it can be worn on top of a slip, with jeans, with trousers, and on and on. 

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I've been on a search for a great pair of low-rise, baggy jeans, and let me tell you—I didn't expect to find them at Gap for $50. But honestly, these fit so well and slouch just the right amount. The legs are wide, and the distressing is perfectly minimal. 

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Banana Republic has mastered the difficult art of being an in-between brand. The quality is all there—seriously, every piece seems to use the best materials and fit just right—but the prices aren't shocking like they are with designer brands. It's definitely the priciest of the three retailers I visited on this trip, but not by an exuberant amount. Suffice it to say, I was impressed by what I found when I walked into its store, from the items I tried on to the space in general. 

If I could've, I would have bought this entire look and walked right out into the day wearing it, probably rewearing it again the next day. It's so casual and comfortable but still chic in a quiet, minimal way. 

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Another store, another Prada-y ensemble. This cashmere sweater and full skirt scream casual elegance and feel very Milanese. 

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If you're looking to splurge, this is one item you won't regret using the opportunity on. It's a heavy, vintage-inspired leather jacket that will undoubtedly look incredible with every piece in your wardrobe.

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Coming up: I'm Telling Everyone Who'll Listen About the 13 Items I Just Tried On at J.Crew