Alfani Straight Leg – $29.99 – $39.99
VS. Gap Authentic Fit – $54.50

Note: Macy’s.com and Macy’s in-store don’t always produce wall to wall continuity. The pair of Alfani Straight Leg jeans I tried on in the store were listed as a $29.99 “Everyday Value.” Under $30 for a great looking jean is a steal, but for some odd reason they sell for $39.99 on Macy’s.com. Color selection in the store was limited to a medium-dark but not inky blue (thus the “unknown” in the chart below for darkest wash), so it might be worth the extra $10 to buy them online if you choose.
Alfani’s Alfani Straight Leg jean seems to be trying to appeal to the same guy that The Gap’s new-ish Authentic Fit jean is going after. Somebody who thinks a Levi’s 501 is a little too slim, but won’t be walking around in loose or baggy fit either. It’s a middle of the road silhouette. Not too bulky, not to taught, neither boot cut nor tapered.
But at between $30 and $40, can someone buying the pair from Alfani expect the same quality and fit as a pair of denim from the Gap? Stack the two up next to each other and you’ll see there’s some surprising results:

WINNER: 
The Alfani pair claim to be straight fit but they look like they have a hint, just a small hint, of boot cut flare at the cuff. Which might be a good thing if you like boot cut jeans but don’t like the bell bottom extreme. The fit was surprisingly good. Trim but with plenty of room to move, and the rise was a modern low to medium. For the details, the back pockets are a little busy, but the hardware is a you-don’t-see-it-enough dull silver finish.
The only wash they had in stock was a medium-blue color called “Ocean,” so the jury is still out on the Alfani Brand. But if their darkest wash comes in a similar deep navy like the Gap Authentic Fit, then next time you’re looking for a pair of dark blue denim save yourself $15 – $25 and get the in-store Alfani brand.
The gap jeans are made with good quality selvege fabric. At least the skinny fit ones. Never tried the authentic but I don’t see why they would be different. I may be wrong, but if I’m not..its a bargain to get the gap jeans at 54.99. I’m sure the quality is far superior than the alfani.
last january the gap had crazy clearance sales when i managed to snap up several pairs of jeans. not sure why they had clearance sales on the jeans since they’re still selling the same exact jeans in spring as they did in winter! who knows the mysterious ways of retail… i’m saying wait till end of season and you can probably do very well with gap authentic fit. i have four pairs of new style gap 1969 authentic fit pants (2 dark jeans, 1 light jeans, and 1 cord) and am very very happy with all of them.
another option for some is uniqlo jeans, which i don’t own but i tried them on and they are nice… especially for only $20. of course you need to get there somehow.
Gap jeans a bargain at 54.99? Come on Chris. You ought to first focus on what classes you’ll be taking in high school then looking at jeans. Will it be Geometry or Basic Mathematics? Gap jeans are actually very inferior in quality in comparison to the jeans at department stores, including Alfani jeans. I mean seriously. Gap jeans look like wrinkled paper and all the stitching comes loose real quick. But, who am I kidding. A person who shops at the Gap is obviously not going to be smart. I will give credit though that at least it is better than the white trash person’s Old Navy / Kmart. So Chris go ahead and spend $50+ on a pair of crappy jeans, buy yourself a beer and some cigs at the gas station, and showoff your fashionable clothing to everyone in your trailer park. BTW Chris, I got my Alfani jeans, the exact ones listed above for an Everyday Value price of $29.99 – 34.99 for just $7.99. I know they say Everyday Value but for some reason they were placed as $7.99. I bought several pairs actually. So put that in your pipe and smoke it. Thanks for leaving the good stuff for us smart people and helping the retail business make an extra profit off of suckers like you.