Here’s a concise, well-rounded list of fashionable workwear brands across price points and styles, plus what they’re known for and quick styling notes so you can pick what fits your office vibe.
Luxury / Elevated
- Theory — clean, minimalist suiting and tailored separates; great for timeless office wardrobes. (Suits, silk blouses, stretch trousers.)
- Hugo Boss — classic tailoring with modern cuts; strong for formal business settings. (Structured suits, blazers.)
- Max Mara — feminine, high-quality coats and dresses; elegant pieces for executive or client-facing roles.
- Saint Laurent / Givenchy (more fashion-forward workplaces) — sharp, high-fashion tailoring and sleek evening-ready pieces that can work for creative industries.
Contemporary / Premium (stylish but more accessible)
- Reiss — modern tailoring and polished dresses; good for smart-casual and corporate looks.
- J.Crew (and J.Crew Ludlow suiting) — preppy, well-cut suits and work staples; good mid-price option.
- Veronica Beard — blazer-forward brand known for double-breasted, versatile jackets that instantly elevate casual outfits.
- Banana Republic — elevated modern basics and tailoring at a moderate price.
Affordable / High-street (fashionable, budget-conscious)
- Mango — trendy, work-appropriate pieces with good tailoring for the price.
- Zara — fast-fashion interpretation of runway trends; great for trend-driven work looks but less long-lived.
- Uniqlo — minimalist, affordable basics and technical fabrics (AIRism, HeatTech) — useful for layering and everyday office wear.
- H&M Studio / COS (slightly higher) — COS especially for minimalist, architectural pieces that last.
Sustainable / Ethical (if eco-conscious matters)
- Everlane — transparent pricing, modern basics, great for capsule wardrobes and quality essentials.
- Eileen Fisher — slow fashion, simple silhouettes, and sustainable materials; strong for comfortable, professional dressing.
- Reformation — feminine dresses and separates made with sustainability efforts; good for creative workplaces.
Workwear with a Modern/Creative Edge
- Aritzia (brands like Babaton) — sleek modern pieces popular with young professionals; great blazers, trousers, and layering basics.
- Helmut Lang / Theory (overlap) — minimalist, sometimes edgy silhouettes good for creative offices.
- COS — minimalist, architectural pieces with a distinctive modern look.
Footwear & Accessories (complete the look)
- Everlane (shoes) — classic loafers, mules, boots at good price-quality.
- Cole Haan — comfortable dress shoes with modern styling and cushioning tech.
- Church’s / Tod’s / Gucci (luxury alternatives) — high-end leather shoes and loafers for the formal wardrobe.
- Mansur Gavriel / Cuyana — minimalist, high-quality handbags that pair well with professional outfits.
What to pick by office type
- Corporate/formal: Hugo Boss, Theory, Max Mara, J.Crew Ludlow.
- Business casual: Banana Republic, Reiss, Everlane, Aritzia.
- Creative/modern: Saint Laurent, Helmut Lang, COS, Veronica Beard.
- Budget-conscious: Uniqlo, Mango, Zara, H&M.
- Sustainable: Everlane, Eileen Fisher, Reformation.
Quick styling tips
- Invest in one great blazer, one pair of tailored trousers, one midi dress, and versatile shoes (loafers or low pumps). These anchor most work outfits.
- Neutral palette + one statement piece (colored blazer, patterned silk scarf) keeps looks polished but interesting.
- Fit matters more than brand—get tailoring on blazers/trousers for a professional silhouette.
If you tell me your office dress code (e.g., conservative corporate, smart casual, creative) and budget, I can recommend 6–8 specific pieces and where to buy them.