I get bored with my work clothes quickly, but I feel icky buying cheap clothes just to entertain myself. I've learned that the smartest workwear wardrobes are all about balance: invest in a few standout luxury pieces that can elevate any office outfit, then fill in the rest with professional basics at reasonable prices.
Our style editors have spent years testing all the top women's workwear brands, and along the way we've found a few that make polished, timeless clothing that performs well above its price point.
Take Quince, for example: the viral DTC brand with quality basics sold at a fraction of the traditional cost. Its lineup of organic cotton button-downs, Merino wool sweaters, and classic blazers brings natural, high-quality textiles into your weekly rotation without any sticker shock.
If comfort matters as much as style (and let's be honest — it does), Halara makes some of our favorite stretchy work pants that start around $19.95. And when you do want that sharp, tailored look, SuitShop stands out for full women's suits starting at $199 with free shipping — perfect for presentations, interviews, or important meetings.
Below are more of our favorite sources for affordable women's workwear that feels good all day long and fits your budget. This way, you can have your dream wardrobe and save your paycheck for better things.
One of the reasons I reach for Quince again and again when building a budget-friendly workwear wardrobe is how accessible it makes elevated basics feel — without totally sacrificing quality. It's not always consistent, but I found some areas it does exceptionally well:
Firstly, it has simple blouses made with organic cotton and Tencel (a breathable, soft lyocell-based fabric), which means you're getting base layers that feel nice on the skin and look more polished than fast fashion. The same goes for its knitwear, including cashmere crewnecks that look smart layered atop a crisp button-down.
We've also been impressed by Quince's stretchy slacks — like ultra-stretch ponte and pleated pants, and work leggings — that look tailored enough for meetings, but have enough give to let you move through your day comfortably. Many of these start well under $60 a a a pair.
All that adds up to a brand that delivers luxury-adjacent workwear with timeless designs you can wear for ages. Pair a few Quince essentials with one or two investment pieces (like a great blazer or stylish heels), and you've got a versatile, polished workwear closet that won't break the bank.
Halara has long occupied a recurring spot in our guide to the best stretchy work pants. It uses flexible, breathable stretch fabrics that you can sit in all day long and not be left with those painful skin indentations around your middle.
The best part? These pants range from $19.95 to $65 a pair, making them an incredibly accessible entry point into elevated work bottoms without blowing your budget.
From sleek cigarette pants to relaxed wide-leg silhouettes, we like that Halara's bottoms give you movement and comfort typically found in activewear, while still maintaining a silhouette that works with blazers, button-downs, and dress shoes. That combination of affordability and wearability is why I often recommend them to young women just getting their start in the professional working world.
Editors' picks:
Best office basics: Everlane
Talia Ergas, Sally Kaplan/Business Insider
If you were to build a new workwear wardrobe made entirely of Everlane clothing, you'd rack up quite the bill. But luckily, the brand has a vast clearance section that's ever expanding. So when you shop off-season or soon-to-retire styles, you can score some of our favorite office basics at the best possible price.
"The neutral-hued pieces mix and match effortlessly with each other and other items in our wardrobes," writes freelance style reporter Talia Ergas. "The fact that every item was roomy or stretchy (or both) was a big bonus."
Abercrombie has quietly refined its lineup to include pieces that play nicely with a professional wardrobe — think tailored blazers, buttery soft knits, crisp button-downs, and our personal favorite, the Curve Love Sloan pant.
"These pants fit beautifully, with a cut that is modern and versatile enough to wear casually as well," writes freelance writer and fat fashion expert Sarah Chiwaya. "I really appreciate that they are available in a variety of lengths and body fits. I personally prefer the Curve Love fit (which has a more pronounced waist-to-hip ratio), and I've heard great things about the classic fit from friends with a less curvy build. At 5'4" and a half, the short length of the Sloane pants is perfect for wearing with flats, and the regular length is my go-to if I'm wearing heels or a platform."
We also appreciate that Abercrombie's workwear pieces aren't overly trendy, which makes them easier to mix and match across outfits and seasons. I suggest you start with the Office-Approved edit to find its most essential styles, including our favorite curve-friendly slacks. It also has a Clearance Section chock-full of business-casual separates you can score for way below their original retail price.
Editors' picks:
Best plus-size: Eloquii
Eloquii
If you're searching for where to buy plus-size workwear on a budget, Eloquii's Work Edit offers a ton of trendy, fat-friendly styles at decent price points.The brand focuses on well-designed blazers, trousers, and dresses that are cut specifically for plus-size bodies, which makes a noticeable difference in fit and comfort at work.
What we appreciate most is Eloquii's consistent sizing and frequent sales. Once you find a pair of pants or a blazer that works for you, it's easy to buy it in multiple colors without worrying about fit inconsistencies — and you can often do so at a discount. With regular promotions and markdowns, Eloquii makes it much easier to stock up on dependable, office-ready staples at a reasonable cost.
Suitshop owns the our number one spot in our guide to the best suits for women because it has high-quality options for every budget. The suits start at $199, which is a steal in the women's suiting space. The beauty of these sharp suits is that you can wear them in business-formal work settings and weddings, which will lower the cost-per-wear in no time.
Both the jacket and the pants come in short, regular, and long lengths. This is essential for tall, pear-shaped people like me who may need a size Small jacket paired with Long, Medium sized suit pants to get the right fit. The brand's system lets you get that made-for-you fit for much, much less than you'd get with a tailor.
Editors' picks:
Best business casual: Maurices
Maurices
It's not everyday that you need to enter the office wearing your ultimate power pantsuit. Sometimes, simpler is better. We recommend Maurices because the designs are nothing flashy, therefore upping their versatility. Instead, the plain, traditional looks can easily match laid-back office dress codes.
One of the standout reasons Maurices lands on our budget workwear list (besides the markedly low prices) is its inclusive sizing. You can find a wide range of pieces up to a 4X that can be styled up without costing a lot, such as its soft Ribbed Knit Blazer. Its jackets instantly pull together a plain T-shirt and pair of jeans into a more intentional, work-ready look — all without feeling stuffy or too formal. Simple trousers, wrap dresses, and basic blouses round out the rest of the mix.
Editors' picks:
Best minimalist: Uniqlo
Uniqlo
If you try one clothing item from Uniqlo, you'll immediately get a sense of the brand ethos. Its pieces are minimalist, versatile, and effortless to wear — the kind of basics that make up a work uniform you can rely on day after day. Whether it's a classic meeting or a long day at your desk, Uniqlo's clean silhouettes and neutral colors make it easy to mix and match without overthinking your outfit.
One of the brand's standout staples is the Oxford button-down shirt. It looks sharp on its own with tailored trousers or a skirt, and it also layers beautifully over a lightweight sweater for drafty office spaces, making it doubly useful across seasons.
Uniqlo also keeps things interesting with special designer collaborations, like with J.W. Anderson, which bring in slightly more contemporary, elevated collectors items while still staying true to the brand's design language. These special-edition pieces offer refreshing takes on everyday classics without straying too far from Uniqlo's core style.
Editors' picks:
FAQs on affordable women's workwear
What pieces are worth splurging on versus saving on?
Consider investing a bit more in items you'll wear most often or that define your professional look: a tailored blazer, a classic coat, or well-made trousers. For basics like tees, everyday button-downs, knit layers, and casual chinos, budget-friendly options from Uniqlo or Quince are just fine — especially since they're easy to replace if they ever wear out.
Which budget workwear brands have the best discounts on office attire?
I frequent Everlane's sale section because it often has in-season, transitional weather styles that I can wear to the office 10 months out of the year. And while its full-priced items may be a little over my budget, Madewell and J.Crew also have frequent sales full of perfectly good surplus stock.
How can I style budget workwear pieces to look more elevated?
Know your measurements — specifically your bust, waist, hip, and inseam — so you'll look and feel comfortable. Even affordable pieces look sharper when they're well-fitted. I also suggest layering with classic colors. Pair basic staples like a crisp white button-down under neutral-toned sweaters or navy blazers, choose structured silhouettes, and add a few simple accessories like gold hoops and loafers. This elevates the outfit and helps even budget items read more professional.
What materials are most comfortable to wear at the office all day?
Comfort should be a priority when you're building a workwear wardrobe. I spend hours a day sitting, both on my commute and at my desk. That's why I look for pieces with high elastane content to accommodate bloat, or otherwise contain a high percentage of natural fibers. Halara has cheap stretchy work pants that fit the bill, while Quince offers a solid rate on organic cotton and Tencel shirts that feel soft, breathable, and smooth against the skin.