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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

I started my journey at Banana Republic, which has more than 400 stores worldwide and is known for its high-quality, expertly crafted collections.

Immediately after entering the store, I spotted a table set with perfectly folded sweaters.

As I was browsing for my size, an employee checked on me and asked if I was finding everything I needed — a question I only received once during my mall visit.

Although I feared Banana Republic would have pushy and overwhelming sales associates, I felt relaxed and comfortable while scanning the store.

After grabbing an $80 sweater, which was on sale for 40% off, I headed for the dressing room.

I instantly felt cozy wearing the classic crew-neck sweater, knitted from the company's signature all-season Italian Merino wool.

Although my usual medium size fit like a glove, a large also would've worked if I wanted a looser fit or to layer a shirt underneath.

I was quickly sold on the sweater, but I wanted to see what options were available at the other two stores.

With less than an hour until the mall closed, I headed to one of the world's largest apparel brands — Old Navy.

The chain, which has over 1,200 stores worldwide, offers a range of clothing options for the whole family.

Searching the store for a black sweater was a bit of a hunt, but I eventually found one row mixed in between pants and cardigans.

However, I appreciated the store's use of clothing-size stickers on its sweaters. As a result, I didn't have to pull out handfuls of clothing to see if my size was available.

I was also delighted to see Old Navy delivering on price. Normally sold for $35, the black sweater I grabbed was on sale for 50% off.

Once I tried on the crew-neck sweater in the fitting room, I feared its 60% cotton and 40% polyester material would easily pick up things like dust and cat hair.

The sweater also felt tighter around my neck, making me question if I wanted — and needed — to size up. As of now, this sweater was headed back to the rack.

Last but not least, I rushed into Gap before the mall closed. The retailer, which has over 580 locations across the US and Asia, has always felt like a midway point between Banana Republic and Old Navy in terms of price and quality.

Upon entering the store, I discovered that Gap had the fewest number of sweaters available. With less than a handful to choose from in various colors, I was relieved they still had my size ready to try on in black.

I was also delighted to see that Gap was having a sale. The sweaters were marked down to $19 from their original price of $50.

Made of 100% cotton, this sweater was the longest of the three I tried on.

The textured style also made me feel like this was a more versatile option, allowing me to dress up for an evening event or keep things casual for an afternoon running around town.

Although I came close to purchasing the Gap sweater at the end of the night — it was technically the best savings by far — I ultimately loved my Banana Republic shopping experience the best.

The customer service, store presentation, and comfort of the sweater I tried on left me wanting to return as soon as possible. Plus, the price was reasonable for my budget — not triple digits like I feared going into the store.

I'll admit I would be satisfied with Gap's sweater, and Old Navy's option would also do the job. Sometimes, however, you have to fork over a few extra bucks and do what looks — and feels — right.