Where I Shop for Work Clothes

Happy Friday y’all!

Now that I have a full-time job (okay, it’s been like two months but it still feels really new), I’ve been realizing that it’s probably time to pick up some new work clothes. I’m coming into this job from a much more casual work environment–campaigns and committees are notoriously more relaxed than most office settings. The firm I work for now definitely isn’t a business formal situation, but it’s still important to me to look put together and professional. However, I still want to stick with my style and not blow my entire paycheck on a wardrobe I don’t want to wear on the weekends, after work, or if.when I move to another job.

When I’m shopping for work clothes I try to look for pieces that I can make work in the office and out of the office. No, this doesn’t work for every single piece, but I like my clothing to have multiple uses! I also tend to go for lower-mid-range of the price spectrum. I’m willing to invest in some pieces–especially because I want them to last for multiple seasons–but I also don’t really want to spend hundreds of dollars on one piece. (I’d have to really be in love with something to make that choice.) As for my work style–it’s a lot like my “off-duty” style: lots of dresses, sneaker-ish shoes that are still professional, and lots of colors.

Some of my go-to spots for work clothes are:

• J Crew Factory. Yes, I do shop at the regular J Crew, but Factory is so much more affordable and always has sales on top of that! I tend to buy my work dresses (lots of wrap dresses and sheath dresses) here and my blazers (when necessary) from regular J Crew. Also a good place to grab pencil skirts that have a bit more personality.
• Banana Republic. This is definitely a pricier spot than J Crew Factory but it’s 100% worth the cost. Mostly because Banana makes this amazing sheath dress. This dress is there in a new color/pattern every season and if you don’t own at least one already you should fix that immediately. This dress is perfect and I don’t say that lightly. It’s simultaneously stretchy and supportive (it holds its shape but you can also eat whatever you want), looks great on its own or with a sweater or blazer over it, works with any shoe, and can seamlessly transition from work to drinks to dinner. Seriously I’m obsessed and have been ever since I found it in law school. It looks great on literally everyone so go buy it.
• H&M. This is for when you’re just starting out and at a new job that has a business formal or business casual dress code and you need to buy a million things at once. Their professional section is truly unmatched–I bought four or five dresses there when I first started law school, along with a blazer to mix and match, and they lasted all through law school! I’d start here and slowly replace things as necessary.
•  Madewell. This probably sounds unusual since it’s a more casual brand but this is my go-to spot for jeans that are still nice enough to wear to work. I go for black or dark wash denim in a high rise. The button ups here are also great, especially for summer.
• Nordstrom. Typical, I know, but it has to be said. It helps to know what your favorite brands are when you’re shopping here since it is a huge department store. My favorite work brands are Eliza J (professional but still fun), Vince Camuto (can be hit or miss but I have some excellent tops from them), and Gal Meets Glam (yes, I wear this to work). Also where I tend to buy my shoes during the sales. 
• LOFT/Ann Taylor. I shop at LOFT for the business casual pieces that can transition easily to the weekend or for clothes that you want to wear when you’re traveling for work. Ann Taylor (I put them together because they’re owned by the same company) is an excellent place to get a great suit. Yes, the suits are classic and not super exciting, but they’re easy to mix and match and they’re worth it.