And just when you think it can't get any worse, your first day of the new job is just around the corner. Have you thought about what you’re going to wear?
Don’t worry, you’ve got this. Allow me to share with you this alphabetical
list of my go-to stores for 9-5 weekday wardrobe staples. Some are actual stores, some are just online
places, but they all offer a range of options for different budgets. And when you’ve found your feet in this great
shopping mecca (and it won’t take long), you’ll no doubt add your own. Happy shopping!
Low to Medium
- Buffalo Exchange –Thrift store, so prices vary. Sells vintage and used clothes, shoes, and accessories. Accepts clothing donations.
- Century 21 – Low to medium prices. Sells clothes, shoes, and accessories. Excess current season designer stocks at discounted prices. Get there early because the place is a jumble sale by the end of the day.
- Gap - Low to medium prices. Sells clothes, shoes, and accessories. Sizing can often be large - try before you buy. Some office attire available (wrap dresses and shirts), but mostly better for smart-casual wear. Good range of athletic gear. Frequent sales.
- H&M – Low to medium prices. Often low to medium quality too. Sells clothes, shoes, and accessories. Good for on-trend, seasonal clothing. Frequent sales.
- Housing Works –Thrift store, so prices vary. Sells vintage and used clothes, shoes, accessories, and limited furniture and homewares. Good bargains.
- Marshall’s –Similar to Century 21. Low to medium prices. Sells clothes, shoes, accessories, and homewares. Excess current season designer stocks. Good sales. Be prepared to rummage through the racks.
- TJ Maxx – Similar to Century 21 and Marshalls. Sells clothing, shoes, accessories, and some homewares. Tendency to become a jumble sale by the end of the day.
- Ann Taylor – Medium to high prices. Sells clothes, shoes, and accessories. Stocks regular sizes, as well as Petite and Tall ranges. Work pants in different cuts (curvy, skinny etc). Frequent sales. See also Ann Taylor Loft - the sister store, which usually has lower prices and emphasises smart-casual attire, as well as quality office staples.
- Banana Republic –Medium to high prices. Sells clothes, shoes, and accessories. Fits are often larger than normal – try before you buy. Special petites range. Great menswear too. Frequent sales.
- J Crew – Medium to high prices. Sells clothes, shoes, and accessories. Beautiful quality. Has petites, regular, and tall sizes. Frequent sales.
- Zara – Medium to high prices. Sells clothing, shoes, and accessories. Good sales. European and US sizing – try before you buy.
- Bloomingdales – Department stores, so prices vary – but usually at the mid-high end. Sells clothes, shoes, and accessories. Global designers. Frequent sales. Take your passport to Visitor Services before you start shopping, and get your 20% discount card. Great history.
- Lord and Taylor –Department store, so prices vary – but usually at the mid-high end. Sells clothes, shoes, and accessories. Global designers. Frequent sales.
- Macy’s – Department store, so prices vary – but usually low-medium prices. Sells clothes, shoes, accessories, furniture, and homewares. The Macy’s on 34thStreet is the largest department store in the world (make sure you ride the original wooden escalators). Global designers. Great sales. Good online store.
- Saks Fifth Avenue –Department store, so prices vary – but usually medium to high. US and global designers. Beautiful quality. Frequent sales.
- Bluefly – Medium to high prices. Sells clothes, shoes, and accessories. Online only. Global designers. Frequent sales.
- Modcloth – online only. Low to medium prices. Some clothing, particularly UK & American designers more expensive. Sells clothing, shoes, accessories, and some homewares and furniture. Sizing really erratic – check measurements carefully.
- Piperlime – great website. Medium-high prices. Sells designer clothing, but also one-stop-shopping for Banana Republic & Gap too. Sizing can be erratic though – customer reviews are usually very helpful.
- Rent The Runway – Medium to high prices. Rent clothing, shoes, and accessories. A great option for on-trend formal attire, when you don’t want to commit to buying a gown or cocktail dress for yourself.
