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Upgrade your workwear wardrobe and shop the 16 best work clothing brands
Company Fashionista title incoming
Struggling to find the best work clothing brands? You're in the right place. A new season means a whole host of new fashion trends to embrace, and while we're obvs shopping for the weekend and upcoming events (did someone say wedding guest dresses?), it's ultimately our workwear wardrobe we're thinking about most.
Why? Because work attire often needs a certain level of formality and professionalism that our tried and trusted jeans and a t-shirt formula just can't provide. No matter what industry you work in – teachers, doctors, hairdressers, office workers, full-time or part-time – putting your best foot forward by dressing to impress will only ever help your career.
That means smart dresses, tailored blazers, sleek wide-leg trousers... You get the vibe. But just because your work (likely) has a dress code, that doesn't mean that shopping for 9-5 clothing has to be a total snooze-fest. On the contrary, the secret to finding a favourite fashion piece is often its ability to transition seamlessly between your work and smart-casual weekend wardrobe.
Which brings us back to knowing just where to look for such hidden gems. Finding work clothing brands that are both affordable and, well, stylish, ain't always easy. And, if you've been gravitating towards a much comfier aesthetic thanks to a hybrid WFH life (i.e. the exact same fleece and leggings on repeat), pulling together actual work outfits for IRL days can feel a little daunting.
Luckily for you (and us too, tbh), we've rounded up 16 of the best brands to shop for work clothing in 2024, plus some of our favourite buys from their new season collections to kickstart your workwear wardrobe in style. Ranging from premium to budget-friendly high street names, there's something for everyone. Happy shopping!
1. The Shirt Company
If you’re searching for work shirts that go beyond the classic slim fit and standard white starch, allow us to introduce you The Shirt Company. Its range of premium shirts and blouses abounds with beautiful sartorial twists — from V-neck frill silhouettes, to tie-wrap waists and grossgrain-trimmed collars.
2. & Other Stories
& Other Stories is a mainstay high street label for quality, chic work clothing – especially if you're looking for tailored separates and co-ords, smart jumpers and fancy midi dresses. Sure, the prices are a little higher but, speaking from experience, these pieces stand the test of time both in terms of quality and design.
3. Zara
4. COS
We fondly refer to COS as H&M's older sister. With slightly more relaxed, grown-up styles in muted colour palettes and subtle prints but still with plenty of Scandi cool girl style – AKA perfect for your work wear wardrobe!
5. Mango
If you're after bang for your buck from your work clothing, you really should check out Mango, as well as its extended curve offering. Why? Because their pieces are the perfect balance of smart casual and effortless cool which means that, regardless of whether you buy a co-ord, blazer, dress or bag, you're bound to want to wear it outside of work hours too.
6. Omnes
We all want to shop more sustainably, but there's no denying that eco-conscious purchases tend to cost a little more. Enter Omnes, the London-based brand ticking all the boxes – stylish pieces, affordable price points and made from environmentally-friendly and recycled fabrics. They've got wedding guest dressing sorted, but their latest collections are also well-suited to your workwear wardrobe, too.
7. Simply Be
Committed to providing fashionable and on-trend clothing for women with curves, Simply Be do *exactly* that. With most pieces ranging in size from a UK 10 up to a 32, there really is something for every body. Check 'em out for incred midi dresses, very wearable blouses and smart trousers.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
Sophie Leen is the Bookings Editor for Cosmopolitan UK and Women's Health UK. She specialises in creating fashion and shopping content across both digital and print platforms, as well as producing all of our fashion editorial photoshoots, which have included our digital cover with Olly Alexander and our curve influencer’s letter to the high street story. Sophie also looks after our Try Before You Train franchise where our team have tested and reviewed over 100 gymwear items.
Natasha Harding is the former Fashion Editor (Digital & Print) at Cosmopolitan & Women's Health UK. Working in fashion journalism for just under ten years, she’s covered over 30 international fashion weeks, hundreds of red carpets and religiously scours the runway every season to create the brand’s bi-annual trend report. Joining Cosmopolitan back in Australia, Natasha moved to London a few years ago and is now the resident expert for celebrity style and industry news, fashion features and e-commerce. Follow Natasha on Instagram
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