Where to buy work clothes that look professional but don't cost a fortune

For those are willing to spend a bit more, consignment stores may be ideal. They tend to be more curated and on-trend than thrift stores, which have lower standards for what they sell.

The selection still won't be as good as a typical retail store, but you might be able to find some high-quality pieces on the cheap.

"We live in a world where people get bored of their clothes long before they expire, so with a little searching, you can find high-end, like new, second-hand goods for very little money," Savasuk said.

Some of their pieces are lightly worn, while others are totally new.

"Many of their items comes new with the tags so don't let the thought of it being 'secondhand' deter you, as savings can be significant," Lauren Bowling, the editor of Financial Best Life, told Business Insider.

Along with local consignment stores or nationwide chains like Plato's Closet, you can try ThreadUp or TheRealReal, which are online retailers that sell lightly-used clothing.

Griffin recommends "off-price" retail chains like TJ Maxx. They offer familiar brands for cheaper prices.

"TJMaxx and Marshalls are great place for women to get fashion jewelry, shoes and scarves," image curator Scarlett De Bease told Business Insider.

Unlike consignment stores and outlets, clothes are available in the spectrum of sizes you might expect at a typical store.

It may be tempting to buy a trendy $20 blouse instead of a basic $40 one, but that's exactly what personal finance experts advise.

"Work appropriate styles do not change much year to year, so provided you remain around the same size, investing now in some basics can sustain your wardrobe for years to come," Bowling said.

For that same reason, Griffin recommends women shop at Express, Uniqlo, Old Navy, and Lands' End. LOFT and Target also sell basics at reasonable prices.

They may be pricier than the usual stores for young adults, and comparatively a bit lackluster. But your work apparel is more likely to lean towards simple pieces than head turners.

"You want your clothing to be pretty low-key, so that your brain, your words, your accomplishments speak the loudest," Griffin told Business Insider.

Typically we think of low-cost retailers, like Forever 21, ASOS, H&M, or Primark as bastions of cheap, trendy clothes, but they've been expanding their workwear selection. Forever21 is selling blazers for $25 to $35, while H&M has slacks for less than $20.

But those low prices might just be too good to be true.

The downside: Cheaper clothes are more likely to show their age after a few months of regular wear. Buying the same $20 pair of black pants over and over again will ultimately cost more for your in the long-run than paying $80 for a quality pair upfront.

Spending more upfront means "the clothes will last longer and actually save you money," De Bease told Business Insider. "[And there's] the aggravation of seams that pop open or buttons that fall off after the first washing."

While you shouldn't wear revealing clothes, workout apparel, or anything that's covered in sequins or leopard print to work, you might be surprised at how you can repurpose what's already in your closet.

A sundress could be worn to work, for instance, by swapping flip-flops for sensible flats, adding classic jewelry, and adding a cardigan or blazer, Savasuk said.

"Look at your t-shirts or blouses," Griffin told Business Insider. "If any of them are too fancy to work out in, like a polo shirt, polyester floral t-shirt, etc., then you can probably wear them to the office."