I tried on basic black sweaters from Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Gap. My top choice reminded me that you get what you pay for.

The first store I stopped at was Banana Republic, which has over 400 locations worldwide.

The location I visited was inside a luxury-fashion mall, so this specific store offered an elevated-boutique experience. It had a sleek interior, organized shelves, helpful associates, and seating areas in the dressing room.

Although Banana Republic is the most high-end Gap Inc. brand, I was shocked by some of the prices I saw throughout the store.

Banana Republic’s prices are higher than those of Gap and Old Navy because of its high-quality materials, natural fabrics, and positioning as a premium-shopping destination.

However, I came across leather pants for $500 and a sweater for $300. In my opinion, these prices are compatible with a designer line or boutique retailer, but not with a massive corporation.

After sifting through the racks, I found a 100% cashmere sweater for $150, which seemed reasonable considering the rich fabric.

Slipping into this sweater felt like wrapping myself in a cozy blanket. It was incredibly soft and smooth against my skin, and the oversize silhouette fit comfortably.

I also like the diverse styling options that come with an oversize sweater — I could pair this with a skirt and boots or make it casual with jeans or leggings.

Overall, this sweater would be a worthy investment for anyone looking for cold-weather clothing that will last beyond one season.

Before splurging on a $150 sweater, I wanted to check out my options at the other two stores on my list. So, I stopped by Old Navy, which has over 1,200 stores worldwide, to try on a similar yet more affordable style.

Old Navy is Gap Inc.’s most accessible brand, offering “affordable fashion” for the whole family. It’s also one of the largest apparel brands in the world.

The Old Navy store I visited was much less meticulously organized than Banana Republic. The large building had tons of racks that looked freshly sifted through.

However, thanks to the clear signage, it was easy to find what I was looking for — a black V-neck sweater.

I appreciated the overall fit and design of the Old Navy option but was disappointed in the quality of the fabric.

I loved the structured neckline and the relaxed silhouette, which fit me comfortably. But the material — made from 53% cotton, 24% recycled polyester, 20% nylon, and 3% spandex — felt a bit rough and synthetic. If I bought this, I would likely wear a layer underneath to make it more comfortable.

However, it might be a decent option for budget and seasonal shoppers. It costs $37, but I saw it on sale for 50% off on the Old Navy website.

Overall, I’d consider wearing it for errands and casual outings, but I wouldn’t wear this sweater for a nice event or night out.

Finally, I stopped at Gap, which has 700 locations in North America and Asia.

Recently, I’ve become somewhat of a regular at my local Gap store and have found lots of pieces I love. So, I had high hopes that I’d be able to find a sweater here.

I love shopping at Gap because of its boutique-style layout and casual shopping experience. Styles are typically folded neatly on shelves, and it’s easy to navigate the designated sections.

I grabbed a black cotton-blend crewneck sweater to try on in the fitting room.

When I tried this $60 sweater on, I loved how warm and soft it was. The material (53% cotton and 47% nylon) felt high-quality and comfortable enough to work well for both fall and winter.

However, this was my least favorite design of all three sweaters I tried on. The shape looked boxy and flat, and I didn’t like how it flared slightly at the waistline.

Of all the sweaters I tried on, the version from Banana Republic was my favorite. Although it was the most expensive option I tried on, it was made of high-quality, comfortable fabric.

If I end up buying this sweater, I know it’ll be something I’ll keep in my fall-fashion rotation for years to come.

If you’re interested in sweaters from other brands that you can purchase online, check out Insider Review’s articles on the best sweaters for women and the best cashmere sweaters.