I bought cardigans from Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. They were all nice, but I'll be wearing one all season long.

Business Insider I ordered similar cardigans from Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. Karen Santos for BI I bought cardigans from Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. They were all nice, but I'll be wearing one all season long. I ordered similar cardigans from Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. Karen Santos for BI On crisp fall mornings when I don't have the energy to put together an outfit, I reach for my favorite cardigan.This versatile sweater is easy to style with a T-shirt and jeans for a casual day, or layer over a dress when I want something a little more polished.However, I wanted to find a new go-to cardigan I'd actually reach for on repeat, so I tested similar styles from three brands I already shop regularly — Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. A good cardigan is a fall-fashion staple. Karen Santos for BI I bought one from each store, then wore them for a variety of occasions. I compared the cardigans based on comfort, material, design, fit, and quality.Although I loved them all, there's one I know I'll be wearing consistently this season. These days, it feels rare to find an item made of 100% cotton. Karen Santos for BI 1 / 6 The option from Old Navy was the most classic. I'm a fan of Old Navy for its range of wardrobe basics within a reasonable price range, so I knew I'd find a decent cardigan there.I ordered the SoSoft cotton crew-neck cardigan in a chocolate brown colorway, and was drawn to the rich, fall-ready hue and traditional knit design. Once I put it on, I loved these features even more.The material felt comfortable and soft on my skin. When I checked the tag, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was crafted from 100% cotton.This cardigan cost me $43, which is slightly higher than Old Navy's usual pricing, but worth it for such a soft feel. Image: These days, it feels rare to find an item made of 100% cotton. Karen Santos for BI The crew-neck style makes this cardigan great for layering. Karen Santos for BI 2 / 6 However, the fit made me feel a bit frumpy when it was buttoned up, and the fabric sagged a bit loosely around my waist and shoulders.So, I wore this sweater unbuttoned and layered over a tank for a night out to dinner and drinks with friends. I paired it with capris and kitten heels, which looked elevated and on-trend.Once the weather cools down more, this cardigan would be a stylish layering piece with a scarf or overcoat. Image: The crew-neck style makes this cardigan great for layering. Karen Santos for BI I like that this cardigan was slightly cropped. Karen Santos for BI 3 / 6 Next, I tested the Gap cardigan, which offered a more relaxed and versatile look. Gap is one of my tried-and-true retailers for clothing essentials, and its website offers a wide variety of cardigan styles to choose from. I went with the modern crewneck cardigan, also in a warm-brown shade.After taking it out of the package, I noticed that the material — made of 58% cotton, 38% modal, and 4% elastane — was more similar to that of a T-shirt than a sweater.I didn't mind it, though. I actually think it makes this option more versatile for casual, athleisure, and elevated ensembles. Image: I like that this cardigan was slightly cropped. Karen Santos for BI The Gap cardigan was perfect for a casual day out. Karen Santos for BI 4 / 6 I wore this one with a pair of baggy jeans to run errands, and it stayed comfortable and breathable throughout the day.However, I didn't think the material felt as durable as the knit cardigan from Old Navy. Plus, it cost $50, which seemed a bit steep for the more casual piece. Still, I thought it was a decent option. Image: The Gap cardigan was perfect for a casual day out. Karen Santos for BI Even though the color was neutral, it added a nice pop of color to my outfit. Karen Santos for BI 5 / 6 In my opinion, the Banana Republic cardigan was worth the money. Banana Republic is Gap Inc.'s more luxurious brand, and I admire the store's elevated take on basic styles.I ordered the crinkle-knit cropped cardigan in an olive-green tone, and was immediately drawn to the neutral, fall-appropriate hue. I also loved the intricate ribbed-knit detailing.After putting it on, I got even more excited about this piece. The body-hugging, slightly cropped fit was flattering and modern.I paired it with dark-wash jeans, a belt, and boots for a work event, and I felt confident networking throughout the night. Image: Even though the color was neutral, it added a nice pop of color to my outfit. Karen Santos for BI The cardigan from Banana Republic was my favorite. Karen Santos for BI 6 / 6 However, I didn't think the material — made from 72% cotton and 28% nylon — was super breathable. It was thin but slightly rough on the skin, and I felt my underarms sweating after only a few hours.Despite this, I fell in love with the overall design of this cardigan. Although I normally wouldn't pay $120 for basics, I think the cost per wear I'll get from sporting this regularly justifies the investment.Overall, all the cardigans were nice, but the one from Banana Republic was my favorite.Business Insider reached out to Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Gap for comment. Image: The cardigan from Banana Republic was my favorite. Karen Santos for BI Style & Success Most popular Business Insider tells the stories you want to know about the world of business, technology, and finance Business Insider tells the stories you want to know about the world of business, technology, and finance Business Insider tells the stories you want to know about the world of business, technology, and finance Business Insider tells the stories you want to know about the world of business, technology, and finance Business Insider tells the stories you want to know about the world of business, technology, and finance Business Insider tells the stories you want to know about the world of business, technology, and finance Chloe Caldwell is a writer, content creator, and host who believes that the fun moments in life matter — which is why she covers travel, fashion, wellness, and lifestyle topics. She lives by the beach and spends most of her free time outside, exploring new places, in a yoga class, or online shopping. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok at @bychloecaldwell.