I tried on sweater dresses at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. Honestly, I didn’t think any of them were worth my money.

I tried on sweater dresses at three Gap Inc.-owned stores.

As someone who’s under five-foot-two, finding bulky dresses that flatter my petite body type is a challenge. However, I’m on a mission to find the perfect sweater dress for the holiday season.

I can usually count on Gap Inc.’s collection of retailers to provide fashionable and high-quality basics, so I decided to try on sweater dresses at Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy to find the best fit.

Here’s how it went.

I began my hunt for the perfect sweater dress at Gap.

Gap has over 580 locations in North America and Asia.

I’m always impressed by Gap’s mix of closet essentials and seasonal, on-trend pieces.

I also love that the brand, which has over 580 locations across North America and Asia, typically offers reasonable pricing on most items.

I visited my local Gap and grabbed the CashSoft cable-knit mini sweater dress in an extra small. I was drawn to this option because I loved how the neutral tan shade combined with the knitted pattern and ribbed hem.

Although I liked how the material felt, the fit and shape of the dress turned me off.

I’d be hesitant to buy the petite version of this dress online.

This dress comes in Gap’s best-selling “CashSoft” fabric (as in cashmere soft), but it’s actually a blend of 53% cotton and 47% nylon. Still, it felt incredibly smooth against my skin upon slipping it on in the dressing room — it was warm and cozy yet lightweight.

I liked the above-the-knee length, but the extra-long sleeves and square cut weren’t flattering on my body type. This dress does have potential, though, and a little styling would go a long way. I think pairing it with a belt to cinch the waist would instantly elevate the overall look.

However, I also thought this dress was a bit pricey — unless it’s actual cashmere, I’m not paying $90 for a sweater dress.

Next, I went to Old Navy.

Old Navy typically offers budget-friendly styles.

Next, I took a trip to Old Navy, which has over 1,200 stores around the world.

Although I’ve found that the material and quality of most Old Navy clothing doesn’t feel as high-end as its Gap Inc. counterparts, I appreciate that I can count on the retailer for budget-friendly seasonal styles.

After browsing the store, I grabbed the SoSoft mini sweater dress, made of a blend of 56% cotton, 25% recycled polyester, 16% nylon, and 3% spandex.

I was drawn to this option for its V-neckline and rib-knit trim material, offering a modern flair on a classic style. The fabric also felt decently soft yet lightweight, making it ideal for a mild winter in Southern California.

Once I put this dress on, though, I was disappointed.

Overall, I thought the fit was awkward on my body.

I tried this dress on in an extra small, but the sizing seemed off. I thought the shape was frumpy and gave me no shape — it went straight down on the sides like a box.

The dress also fell to an awkward length right below the knee and would probably be better suited for someone taller. Although Old Navy offers petite sizes online, my local brick-and-mortar didn’t have this option.

On a positive note, this dress was $45 — half the price of the Gap option. The style wasn’t for me, but if it had fit nicely, I might choose this dress primarily for the cost-friendly price tag.

Finally, I went to Banana Republic to try on one more dress.

The clothes at Banana Republic are typically out of my price range. 

To end my trip, I stopped at Banana Republic, Gap Inc.’s higher-end store that has over 400 locations worldwide.

I love Banana Republic’s collection of elevated styles, but every time I visit the store, I’m shocked at how expensive everything is.

I can’t typically get behind boutique prices for mass-produced goods, but I figured I’d check to see if there was a sweater dress worth splurging on.

I grabbed the cable-knit mini sweater dress — made of a blend of 54% cotton, 24% nylon, 17% polyester, and 5% wool — to try on because I loved the color and the unique cable-stitch detailing across the front. The fabric felt durable and warm but was still soft and comfortable.

Unfortunately, I didn’t think this dress flattered me.

This dress was too baggy for my liking.

I liked the details on this dress, but thought the overall fit was unflattering on me. Part of this is likely because the store didn’t have my size in stock.

I liked the length, as it fell right above the knee, but the baggy shape was distracting. It might have styling potential with a belt at the waist, but I wouldn’t spend $160 on it.

Although it was an unsuccessful shopping day, I still trust these retailers to provide everyday essentials. Sweater dresses may just not be in my outfit rotation this season.