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18 best work clothes stores for women in 2024
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The idea of women’s workwear used to be limited to pencil skirts, sensible slacks, and smart stacked heels. But with more and more workplaces loosening their definition of “work-appropriate attire,” the term workwear has grown to encompass a wide range of styles from myriad brands.
At Insider Reviews, we’ve tested hundreds of items from dozens of retailers, and have a handful of favorites that we toss on whenever we’re headed to our offices. From wrap sweaters to keep you warm when the office AC is blasting, to the perfect carry-all that can transition seamlessly to drinks, we’ve rounded up the best items we count as workwear — and exactly where to buy them.
For more workwear staples, check out our coverage on the , the , the , and the .
Best overall: Everlane
Everlane may seem too casual for workwear, but the brand is a go-to for foundational basics for any office wardrobe.
is an internet darling, partly thanks to transparent pricing in an industry that has traditionally relied upon markups. We shop here primarily for basics that are above-average in quality and below-average in price. We like Everlane’s shoes, leather bags, cotton shirts, and $50 work pants.
In terms of footwear, we typically recommend the Day shoe family, though you’ll want to size up a half size for your order. We’re unanimously fans of the company’s and we also love the , , and .
Read our full collection to see more of our favorite picks.
What to buy:
Best budget: Quince
Quince is a direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand that boasts affordable prices for traditionally high-cost materials.
provides your run-of-the-mill clothing essentials and makes them using organic, sustainably sourced textiles. Their success can be attributed to their fair pricing, maintained by cutting out the added expenses of the supply chain. Ever think cashmere sweaters were a luxury item out of your reach? Well, Quince has them for just . In addition, they also make some of the and men.
Read our full to find out more about why we love it.
What to buy:
Best for suits: SuitShop
SuitShop is the perfect place to get a high-quality suit for under $250 that feels like it was custom-tailored.
SuitShop took home our best overall award in our guide to the marking it as a true standout when it comes to finding the best matching blazer and pants set around. Most of the suits hover between $200 and $250, which is a true steal for the quality. There are also petite and tall options in both tops and bottoms.
“Though you could dress it down for work, SuitShop’s is a showstopper at formal events and elegant outings. I’m five-foot-two and the short option hits me perfectly at the ankle. I absolutely love how custom it feels, despite it being only $250. The material is also luxurious. It’s made of satin and expertly tailored to flatter your figure,” says Samantha Crozier, style editor at Insider Reviews.
Best for work pants: Spanx
Spanx doesn’t just do shapewear well. The brand offers slick basics that transition to evening super easily.
is best known for its shapewear, and — to nobody’s surprise — the same things that make its shapewear great (intuitive design, savvy understanding of women’s bodies, and high-end materials) also make the best pants we’ve tested.
We tested Spanx’s collection of which includes four style iterations of the workwear staple — from flare to skinny. It is one of the best women’s workwear pieces for feeling comfortable and looking professional. We were particularly impressed with the machine-washable, smoothing fabric that’s flattering but not restrictive. Sizing options also include petite, regular, or tall inseams.
See our full to see how it looks on different body types.
What to buy:
Best luxury: M.M.LaFleur
M.M.LaFleur is the name to know for high-end, stylish, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. workwear.
Most of ‘s clothes are machine-washable and wrinkle-resistant, and the brand’s design hacks are helpful rather than gimmicky — like internal clips to keep bra straps in place and adjustable pant hems for different shoes. Miyako Nakamura, former head designer for Zac Posen, is a master at flattering, easy silhouettes.
There are also plenty of options for business travelers that feature machine-washable, wrinkle-resistant, packable suiting staples like the . M.M.LaFleur also makes the ingenious that adjusts for different shoe heights.
What to buy:
Best for petites: Petite Studio
Petite Studio is a great place to find both trendy and professional pieces that are designed by and for petite folks.
Many companies tailor how their clothes drape and fit by testing them on a typical model, who is often just as tall and leggy as you would expect a model to be. If the company wants to release a petite version of the clothes, every measurement is just proportionally shortened. But not at Petite Studio. Every single piece that Petite Studio makes is tailored on a real-life petite fit model. And it’s a difference that you can really feel.
“I tested Petite Studio’s and was blown away by the fact that I could wear a billowy, oversized shirt without looking like I was drowning. The sleeves hit perfectly at my wrists, and the waist was nipped in at the most flattering spot. With something as important as workwear, it’s imperative to look tailored and professional. And Petite Studio is an amazing resource for women like me who are under five-foot-three and struggle with the trailing hems and schleppy silhouettes that lots of standard-size workwear can cause.” — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Insider Reviews.
Best for workwear with a trendy flair: & Other Stories
& Other Stories is H&M’s premium ready-to-wear brand made with more ethically sourced natural materials.
is designed by ateliers in Los Angeles, Paris, and Stockholm and distributed under H&M. À la Banana Republic via Gap, & Other Stories presents a more elevated version of its parent company’s eponymous brand. Their wide range of knits are made out of responsibly sourced wool blends, and their liberal use of recycled materials translates into a reasonably priced sustainable option for quality workwear.
What to buy:
Best for bold picks: COS
COS, under H&M, is a modern clothing brand that incorporates thoughtful fashion design into everyday wear.
is H&M’s line of modern, upscale fashion that while simplistic in nature, is ultimately designed to make a statement. Its vibrant colors and clean lines converge into bold silhouettes that still maintain function and comfort. COS’ selection includes great foundations for a solid office look, along with stylish, well-crafted pieces that stand out on their own.
What to buy:
Best for classic plus size picks: Universal Standard
Universal Standard has some of the most size-inclusive clothing on the market today.
has established itself as a brand that carries some of the best work clothes for women, with a big emphasis on size inclusivity. Workwear for plus-size women is infamously limited, but Universal Standard answers the call with a medley of designs for professional settings with the added promise of a perfect fit.
Universal Standard was also a standout pick in our article on the brands that make inclusive clothes that are actually cute.
What to buy:
Best for stylish minimalism: ARKET
ARKET is a modern lifestyle brand under H&M, whose styles are inspired by Scandinavian simplicity.
Since ARKET’s doors first opened in London in 2017, their reputation for durability established them as the Western point of access to Scandinavian fashion aesthetics. exemplifies the values of the 20th century Nordic modern movement. The era emphasized finding beauty among everyday motions, as seen in their clothing and home collections. If you’re a fan of cozy wool knits in unconventional patterns, ARKET may be for you. Its merino, mohair, and alpaca wool take form in designs both simple and alternative.
What to buy:
Best sweaters for work: Alex Mill
Alex Mill is a brand specializing in uniform designs with just the right amount of nuance.
The understated designs of may not stand out at first. But upon closer inspection, the brand’s commitment to its own unique flair for craftsmanship is evident. Their clothing offers a simple solution for business casual that transfers just as easily to the weekend fit. The creative direction comes from a team with previous experience designing for J.Crew, Old Navy, Madewell, and Gap. They even use botanical dye in select pieces via rainwater and plant-based materials.
What to buy:
Best for timeless picks: Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor takes a traditional approach to women’s workwear with styles that have been in style for years and will likely never go out of style.
is one of the best places to buy women’s workwear — and you’re probably already familiar with the brand. Much of the clothing is designed for work and beyond, so when you’re in the office from 9am to 5pm and you’re out enjoying the evening from 5pm to 9pm, your outfit will fit right in. Not only are the materials good quality, but the timeless designs make them easy to wear right now and for many years to come.
The brand has everything from ribbed sweaters and classic overcoats to sleek dresses and skirts. Some of the benefits to shopping at Ann Taylor include petite sizing and regular sales.
What to buy:
Best for trendy plus size picks: Eloquii
Plus size fashion brand Eloquii makes everything from workwear to evening-wear, with a specific focus on colorful, bold, and lively pieces.
is a plus-sized women’s clothing brand that was originally created by The Limted in 2011, but was discontinued less than two years after its launch. But due to high customer demand, a group of investors independently relaunched the brand in 2014 and in 2018, the brand was acquired by retail giant Walmart.
With sizes 14-28, Eloquii is the go-to place for women to find plus-size clothing of all types. From office attire to date nights and galas, Eloquii’s range of designs canned be fitted for many occasions.
Some of our favorite pieces include the Colorblock Sweater Cardigan Dress, the Pleated Skirt Dress, and the Tall Cuff Turtleneck Sweater.
What to buy:
Best for basics: J.Crew
Don’t sleep on J.Crew because of its preppy reputation. You can find bold, bright patterns and colors in pieces that are still work-appropriate.
seems to be hosting a sale every other day — and that’s great news for anyone looking to pick up some of the best women’s work clothes at a discount. If you’re looking for a fresh, leopard pencil skirt or a fitted blazer you may want to check J.Crew first.
We love the brand’s preppy-retro blazers, , and fun-but-still-professional prints and patterns. J.Crew’s uniquely well-made desk-to-drinks basics are also clutch. They’re professional without approaching dowdy. The best example of this is the company’s longstanding — sleek, stylish, and great dressed down for coffee on a Saturday afternoon or up for a big meeting.
What to buy:
Best for elevated basics: Modern Citizen
For sleek basics that won’t break your budget, look no further than Modern Citizen.
‘s neutral pieces make it easy to build a chic, minimalist wardrobe without spending a fortune. The site also lets you search by occasion to quickly find what you’re looking for. Go to the “” collection to find a curated group of pieces that’ll look great in or out of the office.
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What to buy:
Best for creating a capsule wardrobe: Eileen Fisher
For clothes that are as comfortable for the office as they are WFH, check out Eileen Fisher.
is all about easy dressing. Simple, clean shapes and great fabrics are the ethos of the brand. And thanks to the timeless styles and truly top-notch materials, you can expect to have them for decades.
The brand’s wide-legged pants and breezy blouses can be mixed and matched to create your new — surprisingly comfortable — work wardrobe. And since most of these pieces are minimal, and come in a range of complementary hues, all you need is a few to create the ultimate capsule wardrobe.
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What to buy:
Best one-stop-shop: Madewell
Madewell might be known for its jeans, but the brand has plenty of casual and business casual styles for the office.
In 2006, J.Crew introduced its sister brand Madewell as a premium denim brand for women. While you can still purchase denim, Madewell has evolved into an all-around clothing brand with everything from casual styles like jeans to office-appropriate styles like blazers, skirts, and sweaters. The retailer also makes great shoes like these and some of the , like this .
In addition to the many new styles Madewell has to offer, the brand also has a that includes upcycled collaborations, vintage finds from a variety of brands, and archival Madewell pieces for resale.
Whether your office is super casual or still a bit formal, Madewell has garments that will fit into your wardrobe. And with frequent sales and promotions, you’ll save money on almost everything you buy.
What to buy:
Best for sustainable workwear: Reformation
With great emphasis on sustainability and ethics in its business practices, Reformation makes clothes you’ll be proud to wear.
started out as a small vintage clothing boutique in Los Angeles, but quickly grew into an original line of women’s apparel with a focus on sustainability. All of the brand’s clothes are made in their LA factory or at sustainable partner factories around the world.
While you can get everything from casual styles like jeans to formal styles like wedding dresses, Reformation is a wonderful place to shop for some of the best women’s workwear for looking stylish and feeling professional. Pieces like the Catrina Blazer are super trendy and easy to layer with items already in your wardrobe.
What to buy:
If you want to get in touch, please send an email to [email protected], or send a DM on twitter to @maraleighton.
As a collector of sneakers and fashion, Amir is passionate about all things related to style. He’s covered everything including the industry’s shift to producing more sustainable clothing, the most comfortable loungewear, all of the best places to shop for affordable business casual attire, and more. He’s used his expertise in footwear and the footwear industry to review all kinds of shoes from sportswear giants, well-known casual brands, and startups. Amir’s coverage also includes eyewear, watches, and grooming products like electric razors and men’s skincare.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Amir has led Insider Reviews’ with thoughtful recommendations based on CDC guidelines, expert opinions, and his own testing.
During his time at Insider, Amir previously handled deals of the day coverage, and worked as a generalist writing hundreds of reviews ranging from phone cases and headphones to bed sheets and blenders, and has also covered major shopping holidays including Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.
Before joining the Insider Reviews team in 2017, worked as a freelance writer for Complex Sneakers and Sole Collector where he contributed to daily sneaker news and release dates, feature-length articles, and interviews with artists, designers, and athletes. Amir graduated from William Paterson University in 2015 with a degree in journalism and public relations.
Say hello to Amir at [email protected] or on Instagram .
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She’s obsessed with gold jewelry, vitamin C serums, toile-printed dresses, faux fur, tiny purses, kitten heels, and everything to do with vintage fashion.
Before joining Insider Reviews, she was an editor on the Health Reference team where she focused on articles about sex and relationships, skincare, nutrition, and mental health.
She graduated from Tufts University with degrees in English and Political Science and had jobs in book publishing before coming to Insider in 2020. Although she now lives in Brooklyn, she still travels back and forth to her hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii.
You can reach her at: [email protected].
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at .