Old Navy · Stain-Resistant Professional Workwear
Old Navy Women's Extra High-Waisted Taylor Wide-Leg Pants
Lower concern unless water-repellent coating treatment was applied; check your fabric tag.
This standard cotton-polyester pant has no disclosed water or stain-resistant treatment. Most risk stems from unknown finishing; bare woven fabric naturally poses lower PFAS concern.
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Material
cotton/polyester blend woven textile
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Microfiber shedding from polyester component
Polyester-blend garments shed microplastics during washing, though this occurs with all synthetic textiles and is an environmental rather than wearer-health concern. Washing in cold water and air drying slightly reduces shedding; the risk to the wearer during wear or wearing is not established.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Azo dyes
Azo dyes (potentially linked to carcinogenic amines) are used in some apparel, but no specific azo-dye violations or recalls are documented for Old Navy basic cotton-polyester pants. Imports to the US are subject to CPSIA testing; if this product meets those standards, azo risk is minimized.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde resins are sometimes applied to wrinkle-resistant or easy-care finishes; a plain woven cotton-polyester blend typically does not receive these treatments. Check the fabric tag for terms like 'easy care' or 'permanent press', if present, low-level formaldehyde residue is possible but regulated under CPSIA.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester fiber production and can leach if fabric is heavily degraded or improperly processed. No specific contamination reports exist for Old Navy apparel; modern polyester manufacture in regulated facilities (most blended polyester for US retail) keeps residual antimony well below concern thresholds.
Flame retardants
Flame retardants are not typically applied to basic woven pants unless labeled as sleepwear or meeting specific flammability standards. This product, as casual/work-wear, is not expected to carry added flame retardant chemicals.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a cotton/polyester woven blend, a standard construction for everyday trousers. Cotton provides breathability and durability; polyester adds stretch recovery and wrinkle resistance. The blend ratio determines how much each fiber's properties dominate, but neither component presents inherent toxicity concerns at normal wear. Woven construction (as opposed to knit or bonded fabrics) typically involves fewer adhesives and chemical finishes, reducing off-gassing risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
Old Navy (Gap Inc.) does not publicly disclose PFAS or restricted chemical policies specific to garments, though parent company Gap Inc. has signed the Restricted Substances List (RSL) framework used across apparel. No major chemical safety recalls or regulatory actions are on record for Old Navy basic apparel. The brand operates at mass-market price point, meaning chemical screening is likely less rigorous than premium sustainable brands, but baseline safety standards under US and EU import rules still apply.
How it compares in its category
Cotton-polyester blends are the industry norm for everyday pants and carry no heightened risk vs. competitors at the same price tier. Old Navy's positioning is mid-market mass production; certified-organic or GOTS-audited alternatives exist but cost significantly more. For a standard work or casual pant without performance features (water resistance, stain treatment, etc.), this product avoids the chemical intensiveness of technical fabrics.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water and dry on low heat or air dry to minimize polyester degradation and static. Inspect seams and hems after 10-15 washes for pilling or fraying; quality control at this price point is variable. No special precautions needed beyond standard garment care. Replace when elastic waistband loses recovery or seams separate, typically after 1-2 years of regular wear.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Old Navy has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More stain-resistant professional workwear grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.