Wardrobe-wise, it's hard to do worse than bad work clothes. Itchy sweaters that amplify the already desert-like climate of an office building in February, polyester pinstripe pants that puddle in all the wrong places, plasticy flats that cut into your foot at painful angles … most people are haunted by at least one memory of an awful business-casual outfit they bought for an interview or first day on the job.
The first mistake most people make when shopping for work clothes is not keeping their personal style in mind, as well as the office culture and overall vibe of their company. If you're working at a hip startup, you might feel awkward showing up for day one in a suit. On the flip side, if the environment is highly corporate, even dark-wash jeans might be too laid back.
No matter what, the key is to keep it professional but let a little bit of your personal style shine through. After all, you spend so many hours at work — you want to feel like yourself (albeit the more polished version) while you're there. These brands, with their selections of chic basics and tailored separates, make it easy.
Here are the best women's workwear brands:Updated on 7/29/2020 by Mara Leighton: Updated formatting, links, and prices. Added M.M.LaFleur as the best high-end option and Rent the Runway as the best subscription workwear option.