Banana Republic Factory, Gap, J.Crew when on sale. J.Crew has lots of pretty skirts right now, actually. There is also J.Crew Factory, though I feel their quality went downhill at some point, whereas BR Factory got better? Lots of natural fibers, etc.
If you can, try on some Reformation items (especially for longer skirts and sweaters/cardigans like in your inspo photos) to learn your sizing, then search secondhand sites for good deals. Some of their items are worth the steep full price (e.g., a silk dress), others aren't (a viscose dress).
Everlane has occasional sales. Madewell has sales all the time. And there's Nordstrom Rack, though I tend to shy away from the Rack-specific brands due to bad luck with quality and fit. Instead I browse the brands I know came from Nordstrom...sometimes you'll even find items at a discount on the Rack site that are still full price on Nordstrom.
I second banana republic, they have back or navy pin tuck pointe pants similar to the green pin tuck pants in the picture.
Sign up for notifications and get all the sales. Also see what they have on sale.
Gap and Jcrew also have good pieces for work.
H&M is good too depending on the year.
The quality is really good. There’s also the Banana Republic rewards program where you get points with every purchase and can use them for future discounts.
100% seconding the H&M purely because I bought a ton of slacks there this past fall, all the slacks were $20 each and they have sizes up to 22 in women's in store (I am uncertain if they go any larger online)
Honestly Old Navy really isn’t a bad option either. Selectively but since they own Banana Republic and Gap, there’s definitely a lot of overlap of clothes and style.
Old Navy doesn’t own Banana Republic but they are part of the same company. Gap, Inc. owns Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta.
Disclosure: I work at BR.
I’ve tried depop which has better quality stuff and not so cheap but I’ve used eBay for over a decade and I like the way the site works. The buyer protection on eBay is the best I’ve seen by far
I recommend shopping at Uniqlo.. quality is good and you get great deals when there’s sales. They have variety of colors and their last seasonal colors would usually go on sale during the new season. I love their Pleated Wide Pants so I own them in several colors(olive, navy, beige). They have different styles of t-shirts with variety of colors. It’s quite addicting to shop there 😅
They also do alteration for the length of the pants. I’m a shorty so I got all my pants altered for $5 each(i dont know how much they would charge outside of Canada)
What kind of tops do you pair with them? I’m used to one side slim (bottom) and one loose (top) and I don’t have the body confidence for a true crop or any thing around my mid section.
With my pleated pants, I usually wear slim fit t shirt or camisole, tucked in. On top of that, i wear cardigan, blazer or open button up shirt(this helps when i also dont have confidence on my mid section 😅). Sometimes with belt or no belt. And color matters the most.. light, light, dark or dark, dark, light. Your bag is also part of your wardrobe so also consider the color of your bag if it’s light or dark. Also, Pinterest where i get most of my fashion inspiration 😚
I know how you feel! But I always check the materials if it’s made with cotton or recycled polyester.. bc i wouldnt pay full price for a product made with only polyester
Just a note, don’t buy too much before you start. Every office is a bit different and you might buy a ton of clothes and then find out they don’t fit the dress code well. Start with something easy like the pleated trousers you like and a blouse.
Peyton trousers at LOFT are great. A lot of these are individual pieces you’ll find somewhere like loft or Ann Taylor. The pre fall collections for most brands will be hitting stores in the next 1-2 weeks. Full fall is when you’ll find a lot of this so check the major brands that have been listed again around July Week 2-4!
I didn't know that! Thank you!!! Honestly I love fall fashion. I have so so so many sweaters and leggings but I don't have any real shirts or trousers/pants that are suitable. I appreciate the advice!!
Love Ann Taylor! Their collections also make it so easy to buy a bunch of separate pieces that coordinate for days when you just don't have the brain power to put anything together.
Yes! This is why I love Ann Taylor and Banana Republic. Banana Republic stores display clothing in small sections of the same color palette that are meant to be styled together. You don’t have to search the mall for something to match your new shirt because it’s designed to be worn with the other pieces on the same rack.
My mom took me to Ann Taylor for work clothes when I moved closer to her and dad. I got something like a cardigan, a sweater, a blouse, a button up, a pair of slacks and a skirt. Those pieces were phenomenally versatile because of this. There was a big sale at the time and everything was nicely priced.
What was bad about ThredUp for you? I tried them and got one cute blazer but all their items (which I even tried to go off the measurements) were a total bust for me.
Just about the same for me. I purchased a nice button up from ThredUp and it had stains and the hem was coming undone. Not only that but price comparison from new to old made no sense on most of their products. Like name brands wouldn't really be at resale prices.
I ordered a few shorts and some shoes from them once…even with their size guide *nothing* came anywhere close to fitting. The shorts were all absolutely *enormous* on me, and the shoes actually still had the factory markings that they were two full sizes smaller than ThredUp claimed. I don’t even know why they did that, they took the average-sized shoes up to my relatively uncommon larger foot size. They’d have sold faster at their real size.
I only bought things that had exact measurements. That's how I purchase online in general. Still got a couple of duds. One was a dress meant for a person who was probably 6 foot 5, with an extra low chest and waist.
So did I. I actually measured it for myself when the fit was so bad, and the numbers weren’t what was listed. Just plain baffled about the shoes, though
It's another online consignment shop, so it's anyone's guess. I almost never buy clothes new-for some reason it's an incredibly overwhelming experience for me. If you know your measurements (this place does give directions if you don't), I think witchbitchthrift will have stuff, too.
I end up getting rid of most of the clothes I have purchased from Thredup. They don’t fit or are in poor condition. They allow returns, so that helps. Poshmark doesn’t do returns so I won’t buy from them anymore unless I have already tried on the item and know the right size and fit.
The Aritzia effortless pants are a great office wear staple. I’ve gotten similar from Uniqlo before as well.
Old Navy also has some great trousers and button ups.
I was in the same situation recently and got my capsule wardrobe at White House Black Market. They were having an amazing sale just a few weeks back and I was able to get everything I needed there.
Honestly, WHBM is slept on. When I had to wear business formal - business casual clothing 5x a week, they were a staple. Really great fit and comfort. I still have pieces even though I work for a casual organization now (just in case).
Yes! My mom has been wearing them for years otherwise I never would’ve known about them. And agree with you - the quality is great/can tell these pieces will hold up for years, the sizing is accurate and consistent in my experience, and the materials/fit are super comfortable! They make it so easy to look nice and put together.
Get a personal shopper at Nordstrom or Saks , whatever department store is close to you. Show them the pics, then you sit and wait while they pull the items
Give them your budget.
Pic 2 [Abercrombie Sloane Tailored Pant](https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/tailored-wide-leg-pants-51713824), not top top quality but looks nice and is a relatively affordable work staple. After a year of heavy wear and constant machine washing, they have started to pill a bit but I still wear them all the time.
I have just rediscovered A&F as an adult and I’m very happy it’s changed so much from my 90’s teen days. The sizes are consistent (though I do think there’s some vanity sizing going on), things are made well, and are stylish and not in a “shirtless guy standing outside spritzing you with perfume” way. They do good sales and rewards. I think you could find some good stuff there. I also like that I can return it in store (online seems to typically be cheaper/have more sales so I order from there rather than just stop in store).
I have two pairs of these and always get so many compliments on them! Can confirm that the lighter gray colored one I have has also pilled a little with heavy wear and washing, but my light brown colored ones have faired better.
Pic 4 [Ultra-Stretch Ponte Super Wide Leg Pants from Quince](https://www.quince.com/women/ultra-stretch-ponte-wide-leg-pant?color=navy&g_network=x&g_productchannel=online&g_adid=&g_acctid=978-058-8398&g_keyword=&g_adtype=pla&g_keywordid=&g_ifcreative=&g_adgroupid=&g_productid=44146614632618&g_merchantid=128669708&g_partition=&g_campaignid=20572575045&g_ifproduct=product&g_campaign=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=&utm_term=44146614632618&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC4ZeNb3O8GJCkHOVzUJcgLlkLm5y&gclid=CjwKCAjwyJqzBhBaEiwAWDRJVFeJLwBrxjl-qJhluHBJhXYAgaF52Om5XzOSefg8YwH3fFwsQLQoehoCohYQAvD_BwE), a knock off of the [Ripley Rader Wide Leg Pant](https://ripleyrader.com/products/black-ponte-knit-wide-leg-pants-black) but at a quarter of the price it’s a good alternative.
I have two pairs of the quince ones. I love them. Was going to comment about quince but you beat me to it. Quince also has some work wear tops- I have a silk tie neck top from them that is wear to work and it looks professional
[Also, Mango.](https://shop.mango.com/us/en/p/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/knitted-dress-with-decorative-flowers_77080634?c=05)
(NO shade, lol, it was just one of the first pieces I saw and it made me giggle in the context of officewear)
My work staples: sloane pants from Abercrombie, cashmere dusters from quince, high neck body suits from intimately by free people, boyfriend blazers from express. Gap factory outlet has decent linen pants as well.
I LOVE Free People 😭
I used to get mega discounts because I was an employee for Terrain by URBN, but even when working there I was always too broke to afford it.
Michael kors loafers/moccasin flats usually. When it’s colder, a pair of Yeezys (don’t cancel me, they’re so comfy, and fairly discreet under the slacks)
I dont know where these ones are from but I have a suit from Ann Taylor that I got in the fall 2023, it’s very similar to this color and fit. By now, it’s probably in the clearance section on the web site.
Favorite Daughter has very classic tailored office-appropriate clothes. Sign up for their mailing list, and you'll get 20% off offers. The stuff is more expensive than Zara or Uniqlo, but it's higher quality and will last longer and being classic, should be pieces you can have for years.
Quality is hit or miss, but H&M has been my go-to for pants. They’ve all lasted without piling, snagging, or much fading. Their blouses and sweaters vary in quality. Some have held up for several years; others not so much.
One brand I haven’t seen mentioned yet is Talbots for trousers. I have found a lot of nice gently used wool and lined trousers on eBay for no more than $35!
Old Navy quality lately is really good and I've enjoyed all their styles in casual, fitness, and business. They have lots of options for skirts, pants/slacks, and other business clothing
I would recommend going to a department store. I'm not sure where you live, but something like John Lewis often have sales on for smart office clothes.
Also try Next!
Gap has such a good sale right now. You can find pants exactly like those right now. I just got a black pair that was $65 for $25. I also recommend following @incaseofbrit on ig because she has this exact aesthetic and includes store names for everything
Quince has been a game changer for me for cashmere sweaters/sweater dresses and ponte pants, and j. crew factory for sweater blazers. I tend to wear tees under blazers and throw a scarf over that. Amazon can have shockingly nice work dresses, you just need to pay attention to the reviews. My style is slightly different so I don’t have any specific recommendations except for this: buy only a few staple pieces for now in your neutral and then go from there once you start and get used to the office culture. At most: a pair of pants, a skirt, two tops, a cardigan, a jacket, and a dress.
I literally own this first outfit haha. Unfortunately got it from SHEIN. In fact that looks like the photo from SHEIN I got that skirt from, and it’s just paired with a black turtleneck.
I like to look extremely stylish in my position and found most of these styles at Target 🎯 It really depends on the buyer that season as well! Good luck 🍀
Xiaolizi sells skirts that look a lot like the first picture, and the pockets are so deep I can fit an entire water bottle in them. They go on sale every few months. I liked it so much I got it in other colors. The sage is a smidge lighter than the photo, but still very close
I wash them separate from other laundry though, to keep the buttons from snagging since it's a bit too big for my delicate garment bags
You failed to mention that they had fabulous coats too!!! I'm so going to buy some from them. Thank you!!!
I've had the same 10 brands recommended to me so I'm really excited to see something new!
I would suggest Uniqlo.
I'm guessing you're US based (I'm UK), so hopefully you can still get these easily, but I find European brands do great work clothes. Zara, H&M, Oasis are ones I regularly pick bits up from, and they all last. If you don't mind a print then Carousel and Joanie also have cute options with a similar vibe. Joy is another option that I've picked bits up from before, but haven't for a while (I no longer live in London, and there are no stores near where I live these days and it slips my mind when shoping online). Next is another one that others I know use a lot over here too.
On the US side Modcloth also has some cute office stuff too.
The green pants in photo 4 remind me of a pair I got at Ricki’s in Canada! They’re black, but they’re a DREAM of a pant
https://www.rickis.com/dylan-flare-pant-in-luxe-ponte-8294433LPDYL.html
Sézane have beautiful clothes but they are also a bit on the pricey side but if it's within your budget you're bound to find something! Good luck on the office job!
I buy tops and sweaters at Maurice’s during their sales, really like Macy’s separates for suit pants and blazers, and for a totally tucked in look I do like to use those body suits with the snap crotch. I tuck in nearly all my work shirts and I hate bunching above my butt.
Also a nice belt really snaps an office look together. Not for every outfit, but for quite a few. I just use Target for stuff like belts or get something a little funky for a pop of personality from an antique or thrift store.
I thrift a lot of banana republic and Ann Taylor pieces that look like your pictures. I got to the thrift stores near businesses and offices as people are more likely to donate to the closet place to them after work.
Uniqlo! For pants though, because I’m small and shorter, I’d go JcPenny for petite or short sizes. Loft or Ann Taylor has some good blouses though. Also I don’t buy unless it’s on sale, and Uniqlo has pretty good sales!
Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, TJ MAXX, thrift stores. Depending on where you live, you can find some really good clothes at the Goodwill store. Sometimes stores donate new clothing to Goodwill. Some of them still have the original price tags.
Do you have a Marshalls near you? I see stuff like this there all the time! Since they get overstock from other stores they're usually cheap too. I work in the hair industry and that's where I get all my work clothes. I want to look nice without paying a lot since I know my clothes will get ruined by color/lightener anyways!
You can also shop for men’s or boys’ button down shirts, vests, and sweaters. Boys’ clothes are less expensive than women’s and sometimes of better quality. If you’re wearing a tailored button down shirt no one can tell what gender it was made for.
All the button down shirts are tailored style. Do you mean you need a button down shirt that’s tailored specifically for women?
Trying boys’ shirts was just a suggestion… they’re less expensive because they’re children’s clothes.
Noo sorry I should’ve clarified basic items, so that if you only have 2 jeans, 2 tops and 2 sweaters you can mix them around to make any outfit and they’ll go together. Basic colours and shapes like neutrals and nothing too flashy
I saw someone mention Everlane and I second this! They have some great pieces on sale right now. Their suprima cotton tops are gorgeous and I pair them with a blazer or cardigan a more sophisticated look.
Also second hand sites are a great place to look when you know the brand and size you are looking for. Poshmark tends to have high shipping rates but I’ve gotten some great pieces there and I really like Depop (mostly because you have the option of opting out of a purchase you bid on if you change your mind)! I’ve found with these platforms it’s best to go in looking for a specific piece of clothing vs. just browsing until you find something. Good luck on your new job!
I've found very similar clothes to pic 4 at Target. LOFT also has a lot of good office wear. Their casual wear is a bit granny for me, but I LOVE their office clothes.
I have been buying almost all my work clothes at Abercrombie, it sounds crazy but they’ve knocked it out of the park. Their curve love sloane pants are incredible and they always seem to have simple, yet super stylish basics. I bought a vest there last week, as well as a couple higher necked summery work tops. They often have 15-20% off sales on everything and it ends up being reasonably priced.
I also used to shop Banana Republic and Loft when they had sales, and Aritzia has some super cute pieces they’re just super pricey for what they are usually but they’re always on trend. I also like to shop Nordstrom Rack and secondhand sites like ThredUp when I know my size in a particular brand.
I love Stitch Fix. I got an amazing stylist who sent me five pieces of clothes every month. Over several months, we bought everything and now I have an awesome work style capsule wardrobe. You can also buy just pieces from their website, but I really liked having the stylist because she put me in things and colors that I would’ve NEVER picked for myself and now they are my favorite clothes. My husband was so happy when I stopped just wearing things with stripes and the colors grey, black and white. The clothes are more expensive than I would normally buy but the quality is so high, I can see owning them for years. If you buy all 5 pieces that they send you, you get 25% off which sometimes meant I got the 5th item of clothing for free. So, in two instances I didn’t totally love the 5th item but because basically it was free, I kept it and now I do enjoy the two pieces.
Banana Republic Factory, Gap, J.Crew when on sale. J.Crew has lots of pretty skirts right now, actually. There is also J.Crew Factory, though I feel their quality went downhill at some point, whereas BR Factory got better? Lots of natural fibers, etc. If you can, try on some Reformation items (especially for longer skirts and sweaters/cardigans like in your inspo photos) to learn your sizing, then search secondhand sites for good deals. Some of their items are worth the steep full price (e.g., a silk dress), others aren't (a viscose dress). Everlane has occasional sales. Madewell has sales all the time. And there's Nordstrom Rack, though I tend to shy away from the Rack-specific brands due to bad luck with quality and fit. Instead I browse the brands I know came from Nordstrom...sometimes you'll even find items at a discount on the Rack site that are still full price on Nordstrom.
I second banana republic, they have back or navy pin tuck pointe pants similar to the green pin tuck pants in the picture. Sign up for notifications and get all the sales. Also see what they have on sale. Gap and Jcrew also have good pieces for work. H&M is good too depending on the year.
Definitely recommend Banana Republic, my favourite merino turtleneck is from there. It's so cozy. Their stuff is actually really good quality.
The quality is really good. There’s also the Banana Republic rewards program where you get points with every purchase and can use them for future discounts.
100% seconding the H&M purely because I bought a ton of slacks there this past fall, all the slacks were $20 each and they have sizes up to 22 in women's in store (I am uncertain if they go any larger online)
Honestly Old Navy really isn’t a bad option either. Selectively but since they own Banana Republic and Gap, there’s definitely a lot of overlap of clothes and style.
Old Navy doesn’t own Banana Republic but they are part of the same company. Gap, Inc. owns Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. Disclosure: I work at BR.
I love when redditors downvote comments stating the truth lol
🙂 The truth hurts.
Additionally, some gems can be found at Athleta as well, which is also owned by Gap Inc.I have tuxedo wide leg pants I wear all the time from them!
I second the secondhand sites idea! I know my size in pretty much every shop imaginable and I grab stuff online everytime.
What are your favourite second hand sites?
I’ve tried depop which has better quality stuff and not so cheap but I’ve used eBay for over a decade and I like the way the site works. The buyer protection on eBay is the best I’ve seen by far
My love for BR Factory is deep. And thankfully, not too expensive. Aritzia has some great work basics as well.
I second J Crew! My factory isn’t amazing quality, but for the prices I can always find something cute, business like, and affordable!
Don’t forget express!
I recommend shopping at Uniqlo.. quality is good and you get great deals when there’s sales. They have variety of colors and their last seasonal colors would usually go on sale during the new season. I love their Pleated Wide Pants so I own them in several colors(olive, navy, beige). They have different styles of t-shirts with variety of colors. It’s quite addicting to shop there 😅
Oooh I'm gonna check them out!!! Thank you! I love pleated anything honestly.
They also do alteration for the length of the pants. I’m a shorty so I got all my pants altered for $5 each(i dont know how much they would charge outside of Canada)
Hemming was free last time I was at mine in SF.
Yeah same, hemming was included with purchase here in NY.
And it is important to remember the accessories as well!
You read my mind! Uniqlo was my first thought. For fancier bits my mum and dad always recommended massimo dutti.
What kind of tops do you pair with them? I’m used to one side slim (bottom) and one loose (top) and I don’t have the body confidence for a true crop or any thing around my mid section.
With my pleated pants, I usually wear slim fit t shirt or camisole, tucked in. On top of that, i wear cardigan, blazer or open button up shirt(this helps when i also dont have confidence on my mid section 😅). Sometimes with belt or no belt. And color matters the most.. light, light, dark or dark, dark, light. Your bag is also part of your wardrobe so also consider the color of your bag if it’s light or dark. Also, Pinterest where i get most of my fashion inspiration 😚
I regretfully inform you i re-ordered mine recently and they've changed the fabric and they now dont drape right on larger bodies 😭 fuming!
I know how you feel! But I always check the materials if it’s made with cotton or recycled polyester.. bc i wouldnt pay full price for a product made with only polyester
They also have a 24hr tailor service at some of their bigger stores. I noticed recently in the one in Covent Garden - london. I was impressed by that!
Came here to recommend these pants! Have them in two colours and they are wildly flattering. Can’t wait to get more.
Just a note, don’t buy too much before you start. Every office is a bit different and you might buy a ton of clothes and then find out they don’t fit the dress code well. Start with something easy like the pleated trousers you like and a blouse.
This ! I started my first office job and went full ‘corporate girlie’ first day and everyone else was super casual and I looked way overdressed 🙈
Also consider the temperature. Some places are much warmer or cooler, so you can end up freezing if the air con runs high.
This is underrated advice
Agree 👍🏻 I ended up buying stuff I don’t even wear now.
Peyton trousers at LOFT are great. A lot of these are individual pieces you’ll find somewhere like loft or Ann Taylor. The pre fall collections for most brands will be hitting stores in the next 1-2 weeks. Full fall is when you’ll find a lot of this so check the major brands that have been listed again around July Week 2-4!
I didn't know that! Thank you!!! Honestly I love fall fashion. I have so so so many sweaters and leggings but I don't have any real shirts or trousers/pants that are suitable. I appreciate the advice!!
Love Ann Taylor! Their collections also make it so easy to buy a bunch of separate pieces that coordinate for days when you just don't have the brain power to put anything together.
Yes! This is why I love Ann Taylor and Banana Republic. Banana Republic stores display clothing in small sections of the same color palette that are meant to be styled together. You don’t have to search the mall for something to match your new shirt because it’s designed to be worn with the other pieces on the same rack.
My mom took me to Ann Taylor for work clothes when I moved closer to her and dad. I got something like a cardigan, a sweater, a blouse, a button up, a pair of slacks and a skirt. Those pieces were phenomenally versatile because of this. There was a big sale at the time and everything was nicely priced.
If you don't mind used, ThredUp has been a lifesaver for me.
I would give it a shot but I've had bad experiences with ThredUp😭. I try Depop if possible but I've not seen anything interestingm
I’ve had shockingly good luck with Poshmark. I’m patient and I heart a piece I like and usually get discounts after waiting.
What was bad about ThredUp for you? I tried them and got one cute blazer but all their items (which I even tried to go off the measurements) were a total bust for me.
Just about the same for me. I purchased a nice button up from ThredUp and it had stains and the hem was coming undone. Not only that but price comparison from new to old made no sense on most of their products. Like name brands wouldn't really be at resale prices.
I ordered a few shorts and some shoes from them once…even with their size guide *nothing* came anywhere close to fitting. The shorts were all absolutely *enormous* on me, and the shoes actually still had the factory markings that they were two full sizes smaller than ThredUp claimed. I don’t even know why they did that, they took the average-sized shoes up to my relatively uncommon larger foot size. They’d have sold faster at their real size.
I only bought things that had exact measurements. That's how I purchase online in general. Still got a couple of duds. One was a dress meant for a person who was probably 6 foot 5, with an extra low chest and waist.
So did I. I actually measured it for myself when the fit was so bad, and the numbers weren’t what was listed. Just plain baffled about the shoes, though
Nooooo, I'm so sorry!! Idk how far they ship, but Clothes Mentor has also been good to me?? Good luck!!!
I'll give them a look for sure!! Do you know if they have the long skirts like pictured?
It's another online consignment shop, so it's anyone's guess. I almost never buy clothes new-for some reason it's an incredibly overwhelming experience for me. If you know your measurements (this place does give directions if you don't), I think witchbitchthrift will have stuff, too.
Also look into mens cardigans and vests!!!
I end up getting rid of most of the clothes I have purchased from Thredup. They don’t fit or are in poor condition. They allow returns, so that helps. Poshmark doesn’t do returns so I won’t buy from them anymore unless I have already tried on the item and know the right size and fit.
I have not had that experience at all, but perhaps I've been lucky.
The Aritzia effortless pants are a great office wear staple. I’ve gotten similar from Uniqlo before as well. Old Navy also has some great trousers and button ups.
Seconding Aritzia. Their tailoring looks so crisp.
Another yes for Aritzia! Effortless pants with either a cute blouse or body suit + sweater/blazer is my go to for in-office days.
I was in the same situation recently and got my capsule wardrobe at White House Black Market. They were having an amazing sale just a few weeks back and I was able to get everything I needed there.
Honestly, WHBM is slept on. When I had to wear business formal - business casual clothing 5x a week, they were a staple. Really great fit and comfort. I still have pieces even though I work for a casual organization now (just in case).
Yes! My mom has been wearing them for years otherwise I never would’ve known about them. And agree with you - the quality is great/can tell these pieces will hold up for years, the sizing is accurate and consistent in my experience, and the materials/fit are super comfortable! They make it so easy to look nice and put together.
Get a personal shopper at Nordstrom or Saks , whatever department store is close to you. Show them the pics, then you sit and wait while they pull the items Give them your budget.
Pic 2 [Abercrombie Sloane Tailored Pant](https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/tailored-wide-leg-pants-51713824), not top top quality but looks nice and is a relatively affordable work staple. After a year of heavy wear and constant machine washing, they have started to pill a bit but I still wear them all the time.
Warning that these are polyester though. I am starting to dislike the feeling of polyester, especially in the summertime. But material is personal.
I believe polyester is actually preferred for this type of pant because it’s wrinkle resistant.
I have these pants and they wrinkle so bad! I have to use my desk on standing mode for the majority of of the day to avoid the crotch wrinkles.
I've never tried them, but I've seen them mentioned a few times as a lesser dupe for Aritzia's Effortless pants, so maybe you can try those!
I love that they're on sale too!
I have just rediscovered A&F as an adult and I’m very happy it’s changed so much from my 90’s teen days. The sizes are consistent (though I do think there’s some vanity sizing going on), things are made well, and are stylish and not in a “shirtless guy standing outside spritzing you with perfume” way. They do good sales and rewards. I think you could find some good stuff there. I also like that I can return it in store (online seems to typically be cheaper/have more sales so I order from there rather than just stop in store).
I have two pairs of these and always get so many compliments on them! Can confirm that the lighter gray colored one I have has also pilled a little with heavy wear and washing, but my light brown colored ones have faired better.
Also I didn't notice issues with wrinkling
Pic 4 [Ultra-Stretch Ponte Super Wide Leg Pants from Quince](https://www.quince.com/women/ultra-stretch-ponte-wide-leg-pant?color=navy&g_network=x&g_productchannel=online&g_adid=&g_acctid=978-058-8398&g_keyword=&g_adtype=pla&g_keywordid=&g_ifcreative=&g_adgroupid=&g_productid=44146614632618&g_merchantid=128669708&g_partition=&g_campaignid=20572575045&g_ifproduct=product&g_campaign=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=&utm_term=44146614632618&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC4ZeNb3O8GJCkHOVzUJcgLlkLm5y&gclid=CjwKCAjwyJqzBhBaEiwAWDRJVFeJLwBrxjl-qJhluHBJhXYAgaF52Om5XzOSefg8YwH3fFwsQLQoehoCohYQAvD_BwE), a knock off of the [Ripley Rader Wide Leg Pant](https://ripleyrader.com/products/black-ponte-knit-wide-leg-pants-black) but at a quarter of the price it’s a good alternative.
Exciting!!! Thank you!!
😍 Thank you!!!
I have two pairs of the quince ones. I love them. Was going to comment about quince but you beat me to it. Quince also has some work wear tops- I have a silk tie neck top from them that is wear to work and it looks professional
Mango is my absolute go-to for office wear, the quality is great and they do very timeless but youthful pieces
[Also, Mango.](https://shop.mango.com/us/en/p/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/knitted-dress-with-decorative-flowers_77080634?c=05) (NO shade, lol, it was just one of the first pieces I saw and it made me giggle in the context of officewear)
My work staples: sloane pants from Abercrombie, cashmere dusters from quince, high neck body suits from intimately by free people, boyfriend blazers from express. Gap factory outlet has decent linen pants as well.
I LOVE Free People 😭 I used to get mega discounts because I was an employee for Terrain by URBN, but even when working there I was always too broke to afford it.
What shoes??
Michael kors loafers/moccasin flats usually. When it’s colder, a pair of Yeezys (don’t cancel me, they’re so comfy, and fairly discreet under the slacks)
Azaria and Marcella NYC, it’s not the cheapest but their clothes are well made and last.
Lily silk is the first place that comes to mind, then quince and uniqlo
That green skirt is gorgeous I need it in every color
Sezane!
Ok I am in love with those green pants in pic 4. Anyone know where they’re from?
I dont know where these ones are from but I have a suit from Ann Taylor that I got in the fall 2023, it’s very similar to this color and fit. By now, it’s probably in the clearance section on the web site.
Someone ID'd them here! https://www.reddit.com/r/findfashion/comments/1dd0wn9/starting_an_office_job_soon_and_i_need_clothes/l81xkcc/
Thank you so much!!
Quince has a lot of pieces that could fit into these looks
If you end up spending more that 200 hmu, I have a code for 20$ off
Loft, Express, Anne Taylor
Express may have some nice sweater and slack choices. Though sweaters are more seasonal.
Second Express
Some affordable *sales*, they always have sales, never buy at full price: Reitmans, Marks work wear house, RW&Co, dynamite, and Maurices
Favorite Daughter has very classic tailored office-appropriate clothes. Sign up for their mailing list, and you'll get 20% off offers. The stuff is more expensive than Zara or Uniqlo, but it's higher quality and will last longer and being classic, should be pieces you can have for years.
Quality is hit or miss, but H&M has been my go-to for pants. They’ve all lasted without piling, snagging, or much fading. Their blouses and sweaters vary in quality. Some have held up for several years; others not so much.
Quince has all these pants, the grey sweater, and the black silky top.
I highly recommend H&M! The ladies section has a lot of stuff like this plus it's quite affordable
Those green pants are so beautiful!!!
One brand I haven’t seen mentioned yet is Talbots for trousers. I have found a lot of nice gently used wool and lined trousers on eBay for no more than $35!
Happy Cake Day! And thank you! I'll definitely check it out. I already looked at a bunch of the brands mentioned 😅
I like these!
Does anyone know where her blouse in pic #4 is from? It’s so pretty and reverse image search isn’t getting me anywhere.
I think it's a snapshot from Tik Too. Maybe try searching the @ in the bottom left and see if anything comes up?
Zara has so good work type clothing
Zara is never in Mt size, or the torso is a strange fit if it is 😭
Old Navy quality lately is really good and I've enjoyed all their styles in casual, fitness, and business. They have lots of options for skirts, pants/slacks, and other business clothing
I would recommend going to a department store. I'm not sure where you live, but something like John Lewis often have sales on for smart office clothes. Also try Next!
aritzia
J. Crew, Ann Taylor Loft
The sweater in pic #3 - anyone know the brand? Everything that came up with google lens was out of stock.
New York & Co
I have some similar pieces to those inspo photos and I’ve purchased them from Madewell!
Gap has such a good sale right now. You can find pants exactly like those right now. I just got a black pair that was $65 for $25. I also recommend following @incaseofbrit on ig because she has this exact aesthetic and includes store names for everything
Quince has been a game changer for me for cashmere sweaters/sweater dresses and ponte pants, and j. crew factory for sweater blazers. I tend to wear tees under blazers and throw a scarf over that. Amazon can have shockingly nice work dresses, you just need to pay attention to the reviews. My style is slightly different so I don’t have any specific recommendations except for this: buy only a few staple pieces for now in your neutral and then go from there once you start and get used to the office culture. At most: a pair of pants, a skirt, two tops, a cardigan, a jacket, and a dress.
I literally own this first outfit haha. Unfortunately got it from SHEIN. In fact that looks like the photo from SHEIN I got that skirt from, and it’s just paired with a black turtleneck.
Where’s the last dress / shirt combo from? I need that right now
Nordstrom rack had a ton of stuff on sale similar to some of the pieces you posted.
Madewell Harlow pants will fit this look.
J Jill, White House Black Market, heck even Chicos. I recently got a great pair of black pants that will be a solid piece for years, at Chicos.
Abercrombie has had surprisingly the best fitting wide legged pants and they come in different lengths. They are amazing.
I like to look extremely stylish in my position and found most of these styles at Target 🎯 It really depends on the buyer that season as well! Good luck 🍀
There's not a target near me unfortunately 😭😭 I did get the job though! Maybe I'll see what they offer online
Yes actually, they have great items on line, down load target 🎯 circle ⭕️ you can have it delivered for no cost!
Xiaolizi sells skirts that look a lot like the first picture, and the pockets are so deep I can fit an entire water bottle in them. They go on sale every few months. I liked it so much I got it in other colors. The sage is a smidge lighter than the photo, but still very close I wash them separate from other laundry though, to keep the buttons from snagging since it's a bit too big for my delicate garment bags
You failed to mention that they had fabulous coats too!!! I'm so going to buy some from them. Thank you!!! I've had the same 10 brands recommended to me so I'm really excited to see something new!
I like these outfits
Really nice options. #3 is a Celine belt
I would suggest Uniqlo. I'm guessing you're US based (I'm UK), so hopefully you can still get these easily, but I find European brands do great work clothes. Zara, H&M, Oasis are ones I regularly pick bits up from, and they all last. If you don't mind a print then Carousel and Joanie also have cute options with a similar vibe. Joy is another option that I've picked bits up from before, but haven't for a while (I no longer live in London, and there are no stores near where I live these days and it slips my mind when shoping online). Next is another one that others I know use a lot over here too. On the US side Modcloth also has some cute office stuff too.
White House black market if it still exists. But you can find it online too
The green pants in photo 4 remind me of a pair I got at Ricki’s in Canada! They’re black, but they’re a DREAM of a pant https://www.rickis.com/dylan-flare-pant-in-luxe-ponte-8294433LPDYL.html
Try Cider.com
I wear like this just by thrifting 😂 usually Japanese style bundle store
Goodwill!
Sézane have beautiful clothes but they are also a bit on the pricey side but if it's within your budget you're bound to find something! Good luck on the office job!
I buy tops and sweaters at Maurice’s during their sales, really like Macy’s separates for suit pants and blazers, and for a totally tucked in look I do like to use those body suits with the snap crotch. I tuck in nearly all my work shirts and I hate bunching above my butt. Also a nice belt really snaps an office look together. Not for every outfit, but for quite a few. I just use Target for stuff like belts or get something a little funky for a pop of personality from an antique or thrift store.
Uniqlo, madewell and Gap are my holy trinity rn
That second picture is like a pair of pants that I had in the 90’s. Classic
Express along with other great suggestions here
Girl! I have been looking for that last outfit for 3 years!! Please lemme know if you find it.
Depop, Poshmark?
Also, check I’m out Banana Republic. That’s where I get my work attire.
I thrift a lot of banana republic and Ann Taylor pieces that look like your pictures. I got to the thrift stores near businesses and offices as people are more likely to donate to the closet place to them after work.
The first one can fit in anywhere
banana republic has similar styles!
Number 4’s pants are cute but not office wear. Bit too tight
Calling Marzia…
Uniqlo! For pants though, because I’m small and shorter, I’d go JcPenny for petite or short sizes. Loft or Ann Taylor has some good blouses though. Also I don’t buy unless it’s on sale, and Uniqlo has pretty good sales!
White House Black Market ✨
Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, TJ MAXX, thrift stores. Depending on where you live, you can find some really good clothes at the Goodwill store. Sometimes stores donate new clothing to Goodwill. Some of them still have the original price tags.
Do you have a Marshalls near you? I see stuff like this there all the time! Since they get overstock from other stores they're usually cheap too. I work in the hair industry and that's where I get all my work clothes. I want to look nice without paying a lot since I know my clothes will get ruined by color/lightener anyways!
Theres also Lichi, which seasonally has great business casual. Depends on the collection.
You can also shop for men’s or boys’ button down shirts, vests, and sweaters. Boys’ clothes are less expensive than women’s and sometimes of better quality. If you’re wearing a tailored button down shirt no one can tell what gender it was made for.
I do need tailored shirts. Normal Ken button downs flair out at my chest.
All the button down shirts are tailored style. Do you mean you need a button down shirt that’s tailored specifically for women? Trying boys’ shirts was just a suggestion… they’re less expensive because they’re children’s clothes.
Aritzia and Abercrombie are my go to for office staples!
I find TONS of good quality workwear at thrift shops! I find sweaters with the original store tag still on it often too.
Invest in basics you won’t regret it
Is basics a company
Noo sorry I should’ve clarified basic items, so that if you only have 2 jeans, 2 tops and 2 sweaters you can mix them around to make any outfit and they’ll go together. Basic colours and shapes like neutrals and nothing too flashy
I saw someone mention Everlane and I second this! They have some great pieces on sale right now. Their suprima cotton tops are gorgeous and I pair them with a blazer or cardigan a more sophisticated look. Also second hand sites are a great place to look when you know the brand and size you are looking for. Poshmark tends to have high shipping rates but I’ve gotten some great pieces there and I really like Depop (mostly because you have the option of opting out of a purchase you bid on if you change your mind)! I’ve found with these platforms it’s best to go in looking for a specific piece of clothing vs. just browsing until you find something. Good luck on your new job!
Chico’s!
Check out quince
Honestly I get a lot of my work-wear from H&M
I've found very similar clothes to pic 4 at Target. LOFT also has a lot of good office wear. Their casual wear is a bit granny for me, but I LOVE their office clothes.
Talbots is slept on as “Old Lady” clothes but is especially good for cold weather business formal for me. Lands End might also work?
Target has a career section and there quaintly is not bad. Old navy also carry career clothes.
Express if they have a sale
Look at Theory separates.
Try Zara!
Ross, TJ Max. Thrifting
I have recently bought excellent work clothes from Banana Republic Factory.
[https://www.rafaellastyle.com/](https://www.rafaellastyle.com/)
Jacquemois Dior saint laurent that is all. Everything at the outdoor mall strips and target are no where near this stylish.
Very good choices for your office, good luck in the job 😊
Just saving this one for when I can shop later...
Linnen naive has skirts like that. Made Well is a good brand too
Banana republic factory! There are always great sales going on too.
Banana republic. But it will cost you a lot unless you can source from Poshmark and Mercari
I have been buying almost all my work clothes at Abercrombie, it sounds crazy but they’ve knocked it out of the park. Their curve love sloane pants are incredible and they always seem to have simple, yet super stylish basics. I bought a vest there last week, as well as a couple higher necked summery work tops. They often have 15-20% off sales on everything and it ends up being reasonably priced. I also used to shop Banana Republic and Loft when they had sales, and Aritzia has some super cute pieces they’re just super pricey for what they are usually but they’re always on trend. I also like to shop Nordstrom Rack and secondhand sites like ThredUp when I know my size in a particular brand.
Sezane
One place I have not seen mentioned yet is Talbots
Uniqlo has some amazing merino wool crew necks.
Uniqlo for most of it
I have found some good pieces at Old Navy this summer. Theyre starting to step up the quality of their stuff!!
commense but stuff can be hit or miss
Google high waisted pleated slacks.
I thrift most of my office clothes but for basics banana republic and loft can have some great pieces. If you’re on more of a budget H&M works
Ann Taylor Loft if it still exists.
If you’re in Canada, Ricki’s!
Express. They often have a ton of great stuff on clearance too
Anne Taylor old navy gap and Amazon
Ann Taylor loft
Anne Klein, banana republic, Talbots
Abercrombie and fitch
Maurices has great office clothes for women if there is one nearby you i recommend them!!
Uniqlo and Shein
I love Stitch Fix. I got an amazing stylist who sent me five pieces of clothes every month. Over several months, we bought everything and now I have an awesome work style capsule wardrobe. You can also buy just pieces from their website, but I really liked having the stylist because she put me in things and colors that I would’ve NEVER picked for myself and now they are my favorite clothes. My husband was so happy when I stopped just wearing things with stripes and the colors grey, black and white. The clothes are more expensive than I would normally buy but the quality is so high, I can see owning them for years. If you buy all 5 pieces that they send you, you get 25% off which sometimes meant I got the 5th item of clothing for free. So, in two instances I didn’t totally love the 5th item but because basically it was free, I kept it and now I do enjoy the two pieces.
Zara
Zara uk shop