Target — Universal Thread vs Old Navy: which jean wins?
Both land in the budget tier — the Target — Universal Thread Mid-Rise Straight Jeans (women's) at $30, the Old Navy Wow Loose Wide-Leg Jeans (women's) at $35, just $5 apart. Here's how they stack up, head to head.
| Target — Universal Thread | Old Navy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30 | $35 |
| Material | Cotton blend, ~10–11oz, with 1–2% elastane. | Mid-weight cotton blend (~10–11oz) with a small percentage of elastane; lighter washes are noticeably thinner. |
| Fit | Mid-rise straight; runs closer to low-mid on taller wearers. True to size at the waist; generous through the seat. | Wide leg, mid-rise. True to size at the waist for most; the inseam runs long, so shorter wearers frequently hem. Sizing down one is common if you want a slightly cleaner waist. |
| Quality | Budget build. Reasonable stitching for the price; the lightweight fabric and quick-fading wash are the limits. | Budget construction. The colour fades fast and the lighter washes thin at the inner thigh first; stitching itself holds up reasonably for the price. |
| Best for | Trying a silhouette before committing real money, and low-stakes everyday rotation. | Trend-led casual outfits, warm-weather rotation, and anyone wanting to try the wide-leg look without a real commitment. |
| Care | Cold wash, low or no heat — the wash fades visibly within the first few cycles either way, but heat speeds it up. | Wash cold inside-out and hang dry — owners report the dryer accelerates the fade and shrinks the already-long inseam unpredictably. |
Both are budget women's denim under $40: Target's Universal Thread Mid-Rise Straight at $30 and Old Navy's Wow Loose Wide-Leg at $35. The $5 gap is really about silhouette, not build quality. You pay slightly more for the trend-led wide leg; the straight is the safer classic shape.
Cheapest at $30, classic straight cut, true to size at waist, generous through seat
On-trend wide leg, mimics pricier pairs, mid-weight cotton blend, easy warm-weather rotation
Which should you buy?
Both are season-or-two trend buys, so let the shape decide. Get the $30 Universal Thread if you want a versatile straight leg and don't care about chasing a trend. Pay the extra $5 for the Old Navy Wow if you specifically want the wide-leg look, but expect to hem the long inseam if you're short. Neither will last for years, and reviewers of both feel they got their money's worth at this price.
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