GAP and Banana Republic are sister brands under Gap Inc., share US numeric and alpha sizing, and publish body-measurement charts that are close enough to look interchangeable. Yet the two stores dress differently: GAP is the casual classic-American-fit anchor, Banana Republic the dressed-up sibling — and that shows in how the same label size feels on.
Both brands run true to size, so this comparison isn't about which label to buy — it's about cut. Banana Republic is the most tailored of the GAP family, so the same size feels slimmer than at GAP. Below are the charts side by side, the numeric-size mapping (which differs only in fine print), and the spots where each brand earns a size adjustment.
The short answer
Neither runs smaller on paper — both are true to size, but Banana Republic's tailored cut feels slimmer at the same label
The body-measurement charts are close, as you'd expect from sister brands: the alpha-to-numeric mapping is nearly identical (GAP's XS is 0–2 vs BR's 00–2; both put M at 8–10), and the bust and waist ranges overlap heavily. The difference is the cut. Banana Republic is the most tailored of the three Gap Inc. brands, GAP sits in the middle, so the same label size feels slimmer at BR than at GAP — without either chart being "smaller."
Each brand has its own learnable quirks. At GAP: relaxed and oversized lines run notably big, pant lengths are inconsistent, and fit can drift between items and seasons. At BR: silk blouses, knits, and cotton shirts are cut roomy through the body (stylists often size down for a tailored look), blazer shoulders run generous, and structured non-stretch trousers can be snug at the waist.
GAP vs Banana Republic at a glance
| GAP | Banana Republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit verdict | True to size, leaning slightly generous | True to size — the most tailored of the Gap Inc. trio |
| Cut | Classic American fit: relaxed shoulders, generous ease | Tailored, dressed-up cut — same size feels slimmer |
| Where to size down | Relaxed and oversized styles | Flowy blouses and knits (for a closer fit); blazers if between sizes |
| Trouble spots | Pant lengths inconsistent — regular runs short, long runs very long | Non-stretch tailored trousers run snug at the waist |
| Consistency | Fit can drift between items and seasons | Garments mostly deliver what the chart promises |
Alpha sizes and US numeric sizes compared (women)
Both brands map letters to US numeric sizes, and the mappings agree almost everywhere — the differences are at the very ends of the range.
| Size | GAP US size | Banana Republic US size |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 0–2 | 00–2 |
| S | 4–6 | 4–6 |
| M | 8–10 | 8–10 |
| L | 12–14 | 12–14 |
| XL | 16–18 | 16 |
| XXL | 20 | — |
Women's bust and waist side by side
Body measurements from each brand's published chart, by shared alpha label. The ranges overlap heavily — the fit difference comes from BR's more tailored cut, not the chart.
| Size | GAP bust | BR bust | GAP waist | BR waist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 32.5–33.5" · 82.5–85 cm | 31–33" · 78.5–84 cm | 25.5" · 65 cm | 24–26" · 61–66 cm |
| S | 34.5–35.5" · 87.5–90 cm | 34–35" · 86.5–89 cm | 26.5–27.5" · 67.5–70 cm | 27–28" · 68.5–71 cm |
| M | 36.5–37.5" · 92.5–95.5 cm | 36–37" · 91.5–94 cm | 28.5–29.5" · 72.5–75 cm | 29–30" · 73.5–76 cm |
| L | 39–40.5" · 99–103 cm | 38.5–40" · 98–101.5 cm | 30.75–32" · 78–81.5 cm | 31.5–33" · 80–84 cm |
| XL | 42–44" · 106.5–112 cm | 41.5" · 105.5 cm | 33.75–35.75" · 85.5–91 cm | 34.5" · 87.5 cm |
Men's tops side by side
Body chest measurements. The charts shadow each other closely, with BR running about an inch trimmer per letter through M — and BR's guide also publishes waist per size, which GAP's doesn't.
| Size | GAP chest | BR chest |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 34–36" · 86.5–91.5 cm | 34–35" · 86.5–89 cm |
| S | 36–38" · 91.5–96.5 cm | 36–37" · 91.5–94 cm |
| M | 39–41" · 99–104 cm | 38–40" · 96.5–101.5 cm |
| L | 42–44" · 106.5–112 cm | 41–44" · 104–112 cm |
| XL | 45–47" · 114.5–119.5 cm | 45–48" · 114.5–122 cm |
| XXL | 48–50" · 122–127 cm | 49–52" · 124.5–132 cm |
Switching between GAP and Banana Republic
- Carry your size straight across — both brands are true to size — but expect the BR version to feel slimmer and more structured on.
- At BR, size down in flowy blouses and knits if you want a closer fit, and go down when between sizes in a blazer (the shoulders run generous).
- At GAP, the size-down cases are the relaxed and oversized lines; in classic fits take your true size.
- Buying BR's non-stretch tailored trousers? Check the waist measurement against the chart rather than trusting your usual size — they run snug where GAP's looser cut forgives.
Measurements are based on each brand's published size charts and may vary by garment, fabric, and region. For the full charts and fit notes, see the GAP size guide and the Banana Republic size guide.
GAP vs Banana Republic sizing FAQs
Is Banana Republic sizing the same as GAP?
The body-measurement charts are close — they're sister brands and the alpha-to-numeric mapping nearly matches — but the cuts differ. Banana Republic is the most tailored of the GAP family, so the same label size feels slimmer than at GAP and noticeably slimmer than at Old Navy.
Should I change size moving from GAP to Banana Republic?
Usually not — both brands run true to size, so your number or letter carries over. Adjust for cut instead: BR's blouses, knits, and cotton shirts are roomy through the body (size down for a tailored look), and its blazers reward going down when you're between sizes.
Which fits slimmer, GAP or Banana Republic?
Banana Republic, by cut rather than by chart. BR builds the most tailored fit of the Gap Inc. trio, while GAP uses a relaxed classic American fit with generous ease. On paper the charts overlap heavily; on the body, the BR garment in the same size sits closer.
Do GAP and Banana Republic men's sizes match?
Closely. BR's chest ranges run about an inch trimmer than GAP's through medium (BR M is 38–40" vs GAP's 39–41"), then converge at L and XL. BR's chart also lists a waist measurement per size, which is handy for its tailored shirts.
Where does each brand trip people up?
At GAP: inconsistency — fit drifts between items and seasons, pant lengths are unpredictable, and relaxed/oversized lines run big. At BR: the tailoring — generous blazer shoulders, roomy blouses, and non-stretch trousers that run snug at the waist. Neither issue is about picking a different number.
