After college (or sometimes during), you’ll probably find yourself in need of a wardrobe upgrade as you transition into the professional world. Finding trendy and office-appropriate apparel can sound challenging and expensive, but there are many national retailers who target those very needs. They’re stylish, inexpensive, and are found all over the country or online, so you should check out a couple of these stores before you blow your budget at an upscale department store.
Forever XXI
This store is great for many reasons: its fashionable, super cheap, and enormous. You could spend hours inside this store and still not go through every rack. Alongside their teen-geared crop tops and jeggings, they also have quite an abundance of professional wear, including blazers, skirts, dresses, and more. Where else can you find a chic blazer for $20?! Even if you can’t make it to the store, you’re still in luck: they have even more of a variety on their website.
Express
Express is the epitome of class, but if you’re thinking that it’s out of your budget, you’re wrong. Their regular-priced clothes run a little high, but they are one of the best stores when it comes to sales and coupons. They frequently send out coupons offering between 30-60% off (and usually let you stack discounts), which makes their high quality clothing fit into a twentysomething girl’s budget.
TJ Maxx
TJ Maxx is pretty much a favorite among all women. They have designer clothes, shoes, accessories, home goods, and pretty much anything else you can imagine, at majorly discounted prices. In their women’s section, they have a fantastic assortment of professional wear from expensive designers at an affordable price. They just launched a website as well, so you can score great deals from the comfort of your own home.
Modcloth
Modcloth, a retailer that is entirely online, has revamped vintage styles in a way that will make you want to purchase everything on the website. The founders of this site have focused on modesty and class, so you really cannot go wrong with any of their apparel. You can shop by occasion, color, or decade, so you’re sure to find not only what you’re looking for, but also several other must-have pieces.
H&M
The “H” in H&M should stand for “hip” because there’s no better way to describe this store. They have everything from classic pencil skirts to modern leather jackets, and everything in between. Give an edgy vibe to your office wear with a colorblock dress or patterned jumpsuit. You can put together an entirely new outfit (shoes and all) for less than $100.
