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Real Simple / Alli Waataja
There is a preconceived notion that professional clothes have to be costly and expensive to be both stylish and appropriate for work, and this couldn't be farther from the truth. There are numerous retailers, outlets, and online storefronts that offer sophisticated, sleek, and polished clothing pieces at an accessible price — you just need to know where to look.
While shopping for work clothes can be fun, it can also foster stress, especially if you’re on a budget and don’t know where to start. “I always recommend going to off-price retailers that sell designer labels, but for less, such as Nordstrom Rack,” says Dina Scherer, personal stylist, color analysis expert, and owner of Modnista Styling. “You will get a polished, well-made selection but at a fraction of the cost.”
The best places to shop for affordable work clothes should offer a wide range of office attire staples, such as trouser pants, tops and blouses, skirts, blazers, and coats in an inclusive size range. To find the best options for shopping on a budget, we researched dozens of clothing retailers and considered factors like price range, clothing selection, size range, and return policy. In addition to Scherer, we also tapped Katie Carreiro, a personal stylist, for expert advice on finding budget-friendly retailers and clothing options. Whether you need a perfect outfit for an upcoming job interview or want to build a long-lasting wardrobe for any occasion, these retailers have all the styles you need to make a statement in the office.
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The retailer has an incredible selection of clothing options from both budget-friendly and top-rated brands.
Sizing standards vary across different brands.
Amazon is a giant hub for hundreds of clothing brands and thousands of pieces that work well for workplace attire. The Amazon Fashion section makes it incredibly easy to navigate different clothing categories, including dresses, tops, shoes, handbags, and accessories. If you enjoy more luxurious clothing pieces, you can shop from over 800 top brands in the premium category, like Coach, Calvin Klein, and Free People. Plus, Amazon has its own clothing brand, Amazon Essentials, that has a broad selection of office-appropriate pieces, like woven blouses, cardigans, wrap dresses, and button-down shirts, with most options under $40.
While a Prime membership is not required to shop, it does come with perks like free, two-day shipping, reduced prices on Prime Deal Days, and a try before you buy option that allows you to choose up to six items and try them out over a seven day period before purchasing. Returning is also simple, as all you need to do is log into your account, choose the item you want to return, and Amazon will offer a refund or replacement if it falls within 30 days of purchase.
Price Range: From $5 | Size Range: XXS-6X | Return Policy: 30 days
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Target
It has several in-house brands that offer both formal and casual wear in an inclusive size range.
Some online items may not be eligible for shipping without a minimum $35 order.
Target boasts a solid collection of high quality, yet reasonably priced clothing pieces from in-house brands like A New Day, Universal Thread, and Ava & Viv. As you browse through A New Day and Universal Thread, you’ll find great work wardrobe staples like blouses, button-down shirts, skirts, dresses, tapered pants, and even flare jeans for casual Fridays. The brand Ava & Viv, on the other hand, specifically caters to plus-sized shoppers, and offers pieces in sizes XXL to 4X.
If you have a Target Red Card, you not only save five percent on every purchase, but you also receive complimentary two-day shipping on most orders. Some items may not ship unless a $35 minimum threshold is met, which can be frustrating if you only want to make a small purchase.
Despite this, Target accepts returns and will refund your purchase within 90 days, and if your purchase was made with your Red Card, you automatically get an extra 30 days to initiate the return. If that’s not great enough, if the item you purchased was from one of Target’s brands, you have an entire year to return or exchange it.
Price Range: $6-$60 | Size Range: XXS-4X | Return Policy: 90 days for most items; 120 for Red Card holders; One year for Target-brand items
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The retailer has a broad selection of pieces that work well for building a capsule wardrobe.
Shipping is a bit slow, and could take more than a week for items to arrive.
Old Navy is beloved by customers for its vast line clothing pieces that can be easily dressed up or dressed down. While some brands leave searching for work clothes to the shopper, Old Navy makes browsing for office-approved picks simple thanks to its “wear to work” hub that hosts wide leg trousers, jumpsuits, chino pants, button-down shirts, and more. What makes Old Navy especially great is that it offers pieces that can serve as staples in a capsule wardrobe. For example, a trouser, skirt, or dress could be used interchangeably with another basic item like a neutral blouse, classic blazer, or sweater to create multiple looks from a limited pool of options.
Online orders have a flat $7 shipping fee, and ship free for member-placed orders over $50. While the five to seven day shipping time is reasonable, some customers have experienced shipping delays after ordering online, which is something to keep in mind. If you aren’t satisfied with your items, they must be returned within 30 days of your in-store purchase or delivery date. Returns are always free when brought back to an Old Navy store or via mail with a prepaid return label or QR code.
Price Range: $5-$60 | Size Range: XXS-4X | Return Policy: 30 days
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H&M
It consistently updates its product line with up-to-date clothing trends.
The quality of the clothes may vary.
If you enjoy keeping up with the newest trends and want your wardrobe to reflect that, H&M is a great option. In addition to its fashionable and sleek clothing options, the retailer is well-loved for its budget friendly pieces. With its user-friendly website, you can seamlessly browse hundreds of pieces that are suitable for work presentations, zoom meetings, or after-hours cocktails. The in-store and online options include numerous items that can be styled individually or paired with a complementary piece, like a chic pencil skirt, high-waisted trouser, satin blouse, button-down shirt, and more.
Along with the cost of your items, a flat $6 shipping fee is included on orders under $60. Despite the premium look of H&M’s clothes, some customers expressed disappointment with the quality control on purchases they have made online and at physical H&M stores, noting that some pieces were poorly sewn, fell apart after washing, or fit poorly. If you do happen to have a problem with an item, you can take advantage of the store’s return policy that accepts returns within 30 days of purchase — just bear in mind that a $6 shipping fee will be deducted from the total of your refund.
Price Range: From $10 | Size Range: XXS-4XL | Return Policy: 30 Days
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Nordstrom Rack
It carries luxury brands and department store favorites for a fraction of the retail price.
Depending on the brand, some items may not be budget-friendly.
Shopping from major brands can burn a hole in your wallet quickly, but Nordstrom Rack is great for finding affordable work clothes from premium brands like Calvin Klien, DKNY, Sam Edelman, Theory and more. The store features thousands of off-priced clothing pieces like corduroy flare pants, oversized jackets, relaxed blouses, and more from these luxury companies. Whether you are in need of a fitted blazer for an important team meeting or a matching pantsuit, there is no shortage of work clothes and essentials in stores and online.
Be mindful, however, that some clothing pieces can still be expensive even with a steep discount. To circumvent this, we recommend when shopping online to filter your choices by price and brand name to find the most budget-friendly picks. A flat $10 shipping fee applies to all orders under $89, but is free for orders $89 and up. Returns for purchases made in-store are accepted within 30 days of purchase, while online returns have a 40-day time period for returns.
Price Range: $10-$200 | Size Range: XXS-4X | Return Policy: 30 days for in-store purchases; 40 days after order date for online purchases
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Uniqlo
The retailer offers minimal, simplistic styles that can easily be mixed and matched.
There are only a few physical locations, which limits in-person shopping.
Uniqlo is a brand that prides itself on designing comfortable and chic clothes that are also budget-friendly. It features simplistic staples in neutral tones that can be coordinated with bright, colorful, or patterned pieces to create a balanced work outfit. Among its vast collection of clothing options, Uniqlo carries linen and satin blouses, ribbed and mesh sweaters, cardigans, dresses, and more that can be dressed up for important work conferences, or dressed down for a casual evening dinner. Plus, if you want to spice up your look, you can also shop for accessories like handbags, sunglasses, and belts.
While Uniqlo’s online offerings make the brand accessible, it only has 59 locations in the United States, which can be inconvenient if you don’t live near a physical storefront and prefer in-person shopping. Shipping is $8 for orders under $99, and free for orders $99 and over. For both in-store and online purchases, returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase, and a $7 shipping fee is deducted from your total refund amount.
Price Range: From $10 | Size Range: XXS-3XL | Return Policy: 30 days
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J.Crew Factory
It carries basic and bold clothing pieces with a preppy edge.
Shipping return costs are deducted from your refund.
Pieces from J. Crew often come with a steep price tag, which is why J. Crew Factory is a great option for shopping budget-friendly, yet stylish picks. The outlet currently has both physical stores throughout the U.S. and an online store with numerous clothing pieces that seamlessly blur the line between classic and trendy, making it a suitable retailer for all age groups. As you browse the broad selection of options, expect to find basic staples like single and two-button blazers, linen tops, cotton button downs, and more for up to 70 percent off the original retail price.
You can narrow down your search by size, color, price, discount, and even a trending filter that shows best-selling pieces, new styles, and top-rated picks if you want to have a more updated wardrobe. For online orders, there is a $7 flat shipping fee on orders under $99, and shipping is free for orders $99 and up. Returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase, and can be returned to a J. Crew Factory store for free, or shipped via mail with a prepaid label. Keep in mind, however, that a $7.50 shipping fee is deducted from your total refund.
Price Range: $10-$148 | Size Range: XXS-3X | Return Policy: 30 days
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Loft
The retailer has a specific online section dedicated to work clothes.
The styles can be a bit plain.
Loft designs clothes with classiness, comfort, and simplicity in mind, making it an excellent choice to shop from for understated, affordable work wear. The sophisticated styles are timeless, and can be worn to job interviews, office meetings, work dinners, and more. Whether you shop at one of Loft’s stores or take your business to their online storefront, you’ll find a broad selection of work clothes pieces to suit a variety of style preferences, including dressy cargo pants, chino pants, sleek trousers, flowy blouses, button-down shirts, and more.
While the items offered are sleek and perfectly appropriate for the office, they can be a bit muted and plain, which may not be suitable for those that enjoy more bold or colorful styles. Shipping will cost you $9 if you spend less than $99, but is free for orders over $99. If you don’t love your purchase, you can return your items within 30 days to receive a refund, and if you opt to mail your purchase back, a $9 shipping fee will be deducted from your total refund.
Price Range: $20-$220 | Size Range: XXS-XXL; 00-26 | Return Policy: 30 days
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Gap
The store offers business casual wear that is professional enough for the office or working from home.
It could be more size inclusive.
In addition to its laid-pack, casual offerings, Gap carries hundreds of clothing items that will give you style and confidence throughout your 9-5. In both its physical store locations and its online storefront, Gap is filled with fashionable pieces like matching sets, classic button downs, velvet and satin blouses, khakis, midi dresses, and more. While the wide selection of items are great for building a work wardrobe, the clothing pieces only go up to an XXL or 20 size, which can be disappointing for plus-size shoppers.
In the case that an item didn’t fit well or wasn’t what you expected, you can return it to either a Gap store or via the mail with a free, prepaid label within 30 days of your purchase. Online orders have a flat $7 shipping fee, but ship free for member orders over $50.
Price Range: $10-$120 | Size Range: XXS-XXL; 00-20 | Return Policy: 30 days
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Banana Republic Factory
It offers top-rated, luxury brand pieces at discounted prices.
The store website may be difficult for some to navigate.
If you love Banana Republic’s clothes, but can’t justify handing over hundreds of dollars for a single item, the Banana Republic Factory is a great alternative. The retailer carries beloved pieces and styles from Banana Republic for a fraction of their original cost, which allows you to stock up on your most-wanted favorites while saving money in the process. It features timeless styles that both embody sophistication and exude a modern, trendy flair, like tapered pants, tied-waist pants, v-neck sweaters, linen skirts, and more. Additionally, the brand has fun mix and match options that give you the freedom to customize your look.
Banana Republic Factory has both physical storefronts and a website store, the latter of which can be difficult to navigate as the filter button is somewhat hidden and the clothing options are presented in large, grid-style blocks. Nonetheless, the filter button does help with narrowing down your choices, whether you want something with a specific material, color, wash, or shape. Note that the retailer has a $7 flat shipping fee for orders under $50, and does accept returns free of charge through the mail or in store.
Price Range: $20-$200 | Size Range: XXS-XXL; 00-20 | Return Policy: 30 days
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The retailer carries runway-ready pieces that can double as office attire.
Some styles may be too dramatic for work wear.
Bold, unique, and always on trend, Zara has everything you need to make a statement at your work desk. With bright colors, strong angled lines, and innovative patterns, the brand offers plentiful picks to upgrade your work wardrobe without breaking your budget. Whether you shop in one of its physical stores or online, you can expect to find a variety of office-appropriate pieces, including double breasted blazers, belt dresses, midi and pencil skirts, textured cardigans, and more. Though, as you shop, you may have to scroll past a few dramatic styles in order to find more basic, simple pieces.
When you choose to shop Zara online, there is a flat $7 shipping fee on orders below $70, and you can expect to receive your order in two to four days. If you are dissatisfied with your purchases, you have 30 days to return them either in store or by mail. Be aware though that a $5 shipping fee is deducted from your final refund.
Price Range: From $20 | Size Range: XXS-XXL | Return Policy: 30 days
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Express
It features a broad catalog of basic, trendy, and bold pieces that won’t break the bank.
It has a limited size range.
If you’ve ever been in an Express, you instantly know the feeling of being uplifted by the confidence-boosting music, bright lights, and professional, sophisticated styles on the clothing racks. Just like its in-store experience, the retailer offers a broad range of clothing options that spark confidence and help you channel your inner executive. It features fitted dresses, trendy work jumpsuits, sleek trousers, pencil skirts, shoes, jewelry, and more. Despite its many offerings, Express lacks in size inclusivity, and only carries up to a size XL, which cuts plus-size shoppers out of the picture.
What stands out about Express is its low cost, as most prices start at just $17, while discounted picks can go as low as $10 or less with frequent online-exclusive deals. Shipping is free for orders over $75, and for purchases less than $75, a flat $8 shipping fee is tacked on to every order. Returns are accepted within 30 days, and can be brought to any Express store or mailed, with a $7 shipping fee deducted from your total refund.
Price Range: From $17 | Size Range: XXS-XL | Return Policy: 30 days
How to Shop for Affordable Work Clothes Like a Pro
Price Range
Whether you’re looking for affordable blazers or luxury blouses for your workplace, budget is very important to keep in mind. Depending on the brand and clothing type, work clothes can range from as low as $5 or $10 to hundreds of dollars. At most mass-retailers, you can generally find solid pieces within the $20 to $60 range, and if you shop from the clearance or sales sections, you can save even more.
Additionally, Scherer and Carreiro both suggest evaluating the “cost-per-wear” factor when shopping for work clothes. “No matter how cheap an item is, the fewer times it is worn the less valuable the purchase is,” Carreiro explains. “If a $500 Zara blazer is worn 10 times, its cost per wear is $50, but if it gets worn 100 times, it costs $5 per wear with the potential of being re-sold.”
Clothing Selection
A brand’s clothing selection is also important to weigh as you browse different retailers. While there is no single way to define “work clothes,” both Scherer and Carreiro agree that a basic work wardrobe should include staples like well-made pants or trousers, blazers, skirts, tops, and jackets, as these options are not only versatile but also are typically available in inclusive size ranges.
“The relaxed fit trousers and a button down look fits any work environment, and can be achieved across any retailer, at any size.” Carreiro says. “It’s also the perfect outfit formula to easily thrift, so be sure to search the men’s section and utilize a tailor to create the fit you desire.”
When shopping for affordable work clothes, Scherer suggests considering retailers like Nordstrom, Saks, Macy's, and Anthropologie for their size inclusivity, as well as off-price offshoots of those like Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off 5th. Carreiro, on the other hand, recommends brands like Gap and Old Navy.
Size Range
When sizing standards vary across brands, it can be difficult to determine what work clothes fit and flatter your body type well. Make sure that when you’re looking at retailers that you check their sizing charts to ensure things will fit correctly, as well as the brand’s general size range to get an idea of how inclusive its collection is. “As a general rule, I would recommend focusing on a balance between shoulders and hips and emphasis on the waist to create flattering horizontal proportions, and minding your vertical proportions to ensure you're not shortening or elongating unnecessarily,” Scherer advises.
Return Policy
Return policies are not the same across brands, and as you shop for new clothes, be sure to learn about the retailer’s return policy before you make your purchase. Most retailers accept returns within a 30-day timeframe, but others, like Target for example, allow returns for up to a year on certain purchases. In addition to the time frame, Scherer suggests making note of what condition the pieces need to be in and what forms of returns are accepted (i.e. mail-in, in-store, etc.).
Questions You Might Ask
How do you afford work clothes when on a budget?
Piecing together a solid work wardrobe doesn’t require numerous purchases or a lot of money up front. Instead, it can start small with a few core pieces that can be styled in a variety of ways. “Start by building your ideal ‘uniform’ outfit, one piece at a time,” Carreiro says. “Invest first in items you could wear twice a week, like a beautiful trouser pant, a pair of jeans, good shoes, or a nice coat.” After that, you can take your time finding items that can easily pair with your core pieces, and build your wardrobe from there.
Furthermore, Scherer suggests looking into reseller websites if you’re on a super tight budget. “You can check out websites like eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari as a lot of barely worn and sometimes new clothes are sold at very reasonable prices, and you're able to negotiate the price with some of the sellers,” she notes.
How much should you spend on work clothes?
Establishing a clear budget before you begin browsing different retailers will prevent you from spending more than what you can reasonably afford. Create an overall budget of what you want to spend on work clothes in total, and break down your budget to include different categories like core pieces, accessories, shoes, etc. That being said, Carreiro recommends spending no more than “three percent of your annual income on clothing.” This percentage and overall spending total can vary greatly, however, depending on your personal budget and shopping preferences.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Alicia Geigel, a contributing writer for Real Simple. To find the best places to buy affordable work clothing, she weighed factors like price range, clothing selection, size range, and return policy. She also considered the most popular and beloved retailers on the market based on customer reviews and ratings. For expert tips, Alicia spoke to Dina Scherer, a personal stylist, color analysis expert, and owner of Modnitsa Styling, and Katie Carreiro, a personal stylist.
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