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Spanx, Gabrielle Chase/Inisder, Everlane, Petite Studio
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.
For more workwear staples, check out our coverage on the best suits for women, the best white button-down shirts, the best work bags for women, and the best flats.
Our top four places to find women’s workwear:
- Everlane has remained one of our favorite places to buy workwear for years. Their high-quality professional basics are a staple of our style teams’ closets. Blazers, button-downs, comfy work pants, ballet flats, and even suits — you can find it all here.
- Quince is one of those rare places that gives you sticker shock for all the right reasons. You can get silk skirts for elevated summer office dressing for only $60 or cotton button-downs for only $40. We highly recommend their workwear for any budget-conscious shoppers.
- Spanx makes workwear that’s designed to subtly shape while still being comfortable. We’re huge fans of their PerfectFit collection, which features great, basic black work pants that come in petite and tall lengths.
- Abercrombie & Fitch might not be your first instinct when you think about workwear, but the former mall staple has become a place to find all kinds of trendy and affordable cuts. Check out their office-approved section for the brand’s curated professional picks.
- Eileen Fisher is the place for you if you want to create a simple, professional capsule wardrobe. They have an office-ready 12-shapes collection that allows you to create endless permutations of pieces that are meant to fit together. Plus, we love the quality of all their clothing.
Everlane
Everlane may seem too casual for workwear, but the brand is a go-to for foundational basics for any office wardrobe.
Everlane 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 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 $135 Day Glove and we also love the Day Heel, The Mary Jane, and The Glove Boot.
Read our full review of Everlane’s workwear collection to see more of our favorite picks.
What to buy:
Gabrielle Chase/Insider, Talia Ergas/Insider
Quince is a direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand that boasts affordable prices for traditionally high-cost materials.
Quince 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 $50. In addition, they also make some of the best white button-downs for women and men.
Read our full review of Quince to find out more about why we love it.
What to buy:
Eileen Fisher
For clothes that are as comfortable for the office as they are WFH, check out Eileen Fisher.
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.
Read our full review of Eileen Fisher here.
What to buy:
Samantha Crozier
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 best suits for women, 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 Women’s White Tuxedo 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.
Samantha Crozier/Insider
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 Rowan Button-Down 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.
Samantha Crozier/Business Insider, MM LaFleur
M.M.LaFleur is the name to know for high-end, stylish, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. workwear.
Most of M.M. LaFleur’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 Moreland Jacket. M.M.LaFleur also makes the ingenious Foster Pant that adjusts for different shoe heights.
What to buy:
Abercrombie & Fitch
The former mall mainstay has rebranded and become a go-to retailer for everything from basics to workwear.
Abercrombie & Fitch’s office-approved attire is great for anyone trying to build a professional wardrobe on a budget. Most of their pieces are under $100 and can be worn to work and on the weekends.
We’re particularly big fans of Abercrombie’s pants, which mostly come in five different lengths: extra-short, short, regular, tall, and extra-tall. Plus, they have a whole slew of curve-friendly picks that have more room in the hips.
Here are some of our favorite pieces:
COS
COS, under H&M, is a modern clothing brand that incorporates thoughtful fashion design into everyday wear.
COS 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:
Spanx
Spanx doesn’t just do shapewear well. The brand offers slick basics that transition to evening super easily.
Spanx 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 Perfect Pants 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 review of the Spanx Perfect Black Pant to see how it looks on different body types.
What to buy:
& Other Stories
& Other Stories is H&M’s premium ready-to-wear brand made with more ethically sourced natural materials.
& Other Stories 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:
Universal Standard
Universal Standard has some of the most size-inclusive clothing on the market today.
Universal Standard 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 best plus size clothing brands that make inclusive clothes that are actually cute.
What to buy:
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. ARKET 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:
Alex Mill
Alex Mill is a brand specializing in uniform designs with just the right amount of nuance.
The understated designs of Alex Mill 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:
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.
Ann Taylor 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:
Eloquii
Plus size fashion brand Eloquii makes everything from workwear to evening-wear, with a specific focus on colorful, bold, and lively pieces.
Eloquii 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:
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.
J. Crew 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, classic-fit button-ups, 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 Regent Blazer — sleek, stylish, and great dressed down for coffee on a Saturday afternoon or up for a big meeting.
What to buy:
Modern Citizen
For sleek basics that won’t break your budget, look no further than Modern Citizen.
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 “Work” collection to find a curated group of pieces that’ll look great in or out of the office.
Read our full review of Modern Citizen here.
What to buy:
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 patent leather Mary Janes and some of the best work bags, like this leather bucket tote.
In addition to the many new styles Madewell has to offer, the brand also has a pre-loved section 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:
Reformation
With great emphasis on sustainability and ethics in its business practices, Reformation makes clothes you’ll be proud to wear.
Reformation 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. Coord sets like their Taryn Two-Piece are super trendy and easy to layer with items already in your wardrobe.
