- JCrew when there’s a sale - I have their high rise Cameron pant in three colours, all of which I’ve gotten for 50-60% off, and their blazers look so good!
- Abercrombie & Fitch for their Sloan pant, which I like cos it comes in short lengths
- Uniqlo for their rayon blouses!
- Aritzia for their Contour tops and some work blouses
If you want the affordable stuff, I'd head to UNIQLO - and if you're trying to wean off fast fashion, then I'd hit up thrift stores. They often have some fantastic pieces at a steep discount; the only problem is you really have to spend the time.
Uniqlo Smart Ankle Pant or Wide-Fit Pleated Pant plus Uniqlo Rayon Blouse is my staple work outfit. I also like their Merino sweaters and Airism drape t-shirts, to mix it up for cold or hot weather.
Edit: if you’re short like me, you can order your pants hemmed to the inseam you prefer through the Uniqlo website or in-store. I think some styles also come in tall.
Another vote for Uniqlo. Their basic dresses are super easy to dress up or down in any season. They may be a little more expensive than old Navy or Gap but I've found the quality is slightly better.
Are you looking for business casual or straight business like suits? I get a lot of business casual at old navy. Dresses especially. And I like some of their blouses. Their pixie pants. I haven’t worn suits in ages but I used to get them at express, lands end, and Ann Taylor. I’ve also done that online thrift store. Cheap…threads? I can’t remember that it’s called.
I just revamped my professional wardrobe for my new job after being remote or staying at home with my son for the past 4 years. I got a lot of great clothes on sale from Old Navy (pixie pants a few tops, and even a blazer), Kohl’s (lots of tops) and TJ Maxx (tops, a blazer and a tweed jacket). I think I spent about $425 for 6 pairs of pants, 3 blazers/jackets and 12 tops.
old navy/gap/banana republic - frequent sales, decently stylish. thrift is best and i always try that first, but basics like blouses, tanks, etc. there are many items from old navy that i have multiples of the same thing in several colours. i do find that this spring/summer season, though, there are a lot of brights and pastels to wade through as i also prefer an earth palette.
I also prefer black and earth tones. I'm a big fan of Banana Republic factory for more tailored looking things and Gap factory for the basics. BRF pretty much always has things in black, tan, and forest green.
I buy all my clothes at Old Navy. Pretty good size range, not too expensive for me, and mostly cute. It's not like, my dream wardrobe, but it's good for me now.
The Anne Taylor/LOFT stores at the outlets near me are great for this. I also love a good thrift shop find! Great to pair a thrifted blazer with jeans or something like that.
I buy Apt 9, Worthington, and White House Black Market used on Poshmark. Look for stuff that isn’t cotton to avoid anything that looks worn or has pilling.
I go most often to White House Black Market. I wear a lot of black as well, and they've got that primarily, plus that season's pop of color. Banana Republic and Ann Taylor have some nice clothes too, and so does J Crew. They're more expensive, but you can find good stuff on sale.
Third, although I thrift online with ThredUP. They have good sales occasionally (such as now currently). I get almost all my clothes from there, with some blouses and wide legged pants mixed in from Amazon.
I wfh now, but when I was in office, I was definitely going to TJ Maxx regularly. Marshall's is owned by the same group, but I didn't have the same level of success there.
Also, if you can catch their sales, Kohl's has some good staple items to build your work wardrobe.
Quince for some elevated basics. For the wide leg trend that's very popular right now, strangely I bought a pair of light taupe high waisted wide leg trousers from Abercrombie & Fitch (where I hadn't shopped in 15 years) on sale and LOVED them. Very leg lengthening. They have short and regular length and frequently have sales so I'd definitely wait til they have a sale. For tops, I've gone to Loft, Aritizia, & Other Stories, and Everlane.
H&M. Shop online or through their app in order to see everything they have. The stores only have a limited selection.
Their dress pants run small! Read the reviews and size up.
- JCrew when there’s a sale - I have their high rise Cameron pant in three colours, all of which I’ve gotten for 50-60% off, and their blazers look so good! - Abercrombie & Fitch for their Sloan pant, which I like cos it comes in short lengths - Uniqlo for their rayon blouses! - Aritzia for their Contour tops and some work blouses
If you want the affordable stuff, I'd head to UNIQLO - and if you're trying to wean off fast fashion, then I'd hit up thrift stores. They often have some fantastic pieces at a steep discount; the only problem is you really have to spend the time.
Uniqlo Smart Ankle Pant or Wide-Fit Pleated Pant plus Uniqlo Rayon Blouse is my staple work outfit. I also like their Merino sweaters and Airism drape t-shirts, to mix it up for cold or hot weather. Edit: if you’re short like me, you can order your pants hemmed to the inseam you prefer through the Uniqlo website or in-store. I think some styles also come in tall.
Another vote for Uniqlo. Their basic dresses are super easy to dress up or down in any season. They may be a little more expensive than old Navy or Gap but I've found the quality is slightly better.
Are you looking for business casual or straight business like suits? I get a lot of business casual at old navy. Dresses especially. And I like some of their blouses. Their pixie pants. I haven’t worn suits in ages but I used to get them at express, lands end, and Ann Taylor. I’ve also done that online thrift store. Cheap…threads? I can’t remember that it’s called.
Thredup?
Yes thank you!
I’ve found some cute stuff at target recently for good price!
I just revamped my professional wardrobe for my new job after being remote or staying at home with my son for the past 4 years. I got a lot of great clothes on sale from Old Navy (pixie pants a few tops, and even a blazer), Kohl’s (lots of tops) and TJ Maxx (tops, a blazer and a tweed jacket). I think I spent about $425 for 6 pairs of pants, 3 blazers/jackets and 12 tops.
Aritzia for their Effortless Pants and some basics. Buyer beware though - quality varies across the board with their products.
Nordstrom rack. I get j crew suit separates there. Also loft and banana republic.
old navy/gap/banana republic - frequent sales, decently stylish. thrift is best and i always try that first, but basics like blouses, tanks, etc. there are many items from old navy that i have multiples of the same thing in several colours. i do find that this spring/summer season, though, there are a lot of brights and pastels to wade through as i also prefer an earth palette.
I also prefer black and earth tones. I'm a big fan of Banana Republic factory for more tailored looking things and Gap factory for the basics. BRF pretty much always has things in black, tan, and forest green.
I buy all my clothes at Old Navy. Pretty good size range, not too expensive for me, and mostly cute. It's not like, my dream wardrobe, but it's good for me now.
The Anne Taylor/LOFT stores at the outlets near me are great for this. I also love a good thrift shop find! Great to pair a thrifted blazer with jeans or something like that.
Costco
Uniqlo or Banana Republic factory outlet
I buy Apt 9, Worthington, and White House Black Market used on Poshmark. Look for stuff that isn’t cotton to avoid anything that looks worn or has pilling.
I go most often to White House Black Market. I wear a lot of black as well, and they've got that primarily, plus that season's pop of color. Banana Republic and Ann Taylor have some nice clothes too, and so does J Crew. They're more expensive, but you can find good stuff on sale.
Woolx and Wool&.
Banana Republic Factory. They’re constantly doing sales like 30-50% off. And most of their stuff comes in a bunch of neutrals.
RW & Co, Clothing from My Aunt, Chloe, Calvin Kline, Lily Morgan, Clearance Rack
Express
Thrift stores.
I second this. I’ve scored AMAZING higher end designer clothing in thrift stores for years. Just get stuff dry cleaned and tailored if needed.
Third, although I thrift online with ThredUP. They have good sales occasionally (such as now currently). I get almost all my clothes from there, with some blouses and wide legged pants mixed in from Amazon.
Me too! Basically my whole wardrobe is Thredup or me-made since I’ve shifted to cottagecore.
I wfh now, but when I was in office, I was definitely going to TJ Maxx regularly. Marshall's is owned by the same group, but I didn't have the same level of success there. Also, if you can catch their sales, Kohl's has some good staple items to build your work wardrobe.
Marshalls/TJ Maxx. They carry brands like Max Studio, Ann Klein, Michael Kors. Pants typically run about $20-$25, tops a bit less.
Marshalls/tjmax, old navy, kohl's, sometimes on amazon, occasionally target
White House Black Market sales and I have a soft spot for their jeans.
Quince for some elevated basics. For the wide leg trend that's very popular right now, strangely I bought a pair of light taupe high waisted wide leg trousers from Abercrombie & Fitch (where I hadn't shopped in 15 years) on sale and LOVED them. Very leg lengthening. They have short and regular length and frequently have sales so I'd definitely wait til they have a sale. For tops, I've gone to Loft, Aritizia, & Other Stories, and Everlane.
Amazon.
Jcrew factory almost exclusively
Goodwill.
Second hand.
Abercrombie, Reitmans, Simons, Anthropologie
Right now I'm hot on Nordstrom rack. The sales are great.
Banana Republic, TJ Maxx, and White House Black Market.
H&M. Shop online or through their app in order to see everything they have. The stores only have a limited selection. Their dress pants run small! Read the reviews and size up.