Whether your office dress code is business casual or a bit more buttoned-up, these are the best places to shop for women's workwear in 2022.
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Club Monaco; J.Crew; Madewell; M.M.LaFleur; Spanx; Gilbert Espinoza/Insider
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. Sure, you might not be able to show up to the office in a graphic tee and ripped jeans. But today's workwear definitely allows you to have a little more personal flare, which is a true blessing for anyone who loves dressing up.
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.
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 $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 $115 Day Glove and we also love the Day Heel, The Mary Jane, and The Glove Boot.
Dagne Dover
Dagne Dover provides stylish workbags that truly carry everything you could need in a day.
Dagne Dover makes stylish bags with the best internal design hacks for an organized professional life. The Classic Signature Tote is one of our top picks — and it has earned its spot. Insider Reviews freelancer Erin Mayer once compared its specialized pockets to the clown car effect. Inside, there's a neoprene water bottle sleeve, phone pocket, pen holder, padded laptop sleeve, notebook or tablet sleeve, and an interior side pocket — as well as a detachable key holder.
Insider Reviews' own editor-in-chief Ellen Hoffman also loves the brand's leather Allyn Tote ($219-$249) for a work bag.
M.M. LaFleur
M.M.LaFleur is the name to know for high-end, stylish, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. workwear.
Most 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.
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 tights we've tested. Multiple Insider Reviews team members swear by the Luxe Leg Mid-Thigh Shaping Tights.
But the brand's pants are also great. We tested Spanx's collection of "The Perfect Black Pant" which includes four style iterations of the workwear staple — from flare to skinny. We were most impressed with the machine-washable, smoothing fabric that's flattering but not restrictive and their versatility. Sizing options also include petite, regular, or tall inseams.
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 good-quality office basics at a discount. If you're looking for a fresh, leopard pencil skirt or a fitted blazer in Italian wool, 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.
Club Monaco
Multiple reporters recommended Club Monaco as a reliable spot for chic, on-trend pieces appropriate for work and life in general.
Club Monaco's clothes can be classified as sophisticated — but not dowdy or overly formal. Dress them up for work, or down for the weekend.
The brand is especially good for clothes that are cute enough to like wearing every day. This knit midi skirt is perfect for an easy, flattering staple that can go from desk to drinks. Pro tip: they have some good ongoing sales, so it's worth checking out the sale section first.
DSTLD
LA startup DSTLD started by making premium denim, but has since expanded to a huge variety of sleek basics — including leather jackets.
Former Insider Reviews senior editor Jada Wong recommends DSTLD for high-quality jeans that won't cost you $200 per pair: "DSTLD has really nice classic styles that can pass for work pants, and don't let the low price point fool you in thinking that it's not high-quality. They're just as good, if not better, than ones that have cost me $200." A pair of high-waisted skinny jeans will probably cost you $85-$95 instead.
And if your office dress code allows for leather jackets, this is one of the best affordable, high-end options we've found.
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, including the Aster Stretch Wide Leg Pant — the high-rise waist and wide legs make for a polished look that goes great with literally any top.
The Ramona Cowl Neck Tee, on the other hand, is an airy blouse with a slouchy neckline and is a great basic you'll wear all the time. Tuck into trousers for a more formal look or wear it over jeans for a simple, romantic style.
Cuyana
Cuyana makes stylish, high-end leather bags and basics for reasonable prices.
A good leather work bag can take the daily beatings of your life while lugging around a laptop, book, makeup bag, and workout clothes — and Cuyana is one of our favorite places to find one.
The brand's Classic Structured Leather Tote is large enough to fit a 15-inch computer and has a leather tie closure across the open top. It'll also age well, making a $200+ price tag a little easier to justify. And if you need a little help keeping everything in its place, you can also buy the portable Tote Organization Insert that has the organizational pockets that cavernous, minimalist totes do not.
Eileen Fischer
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.
