Where to Buy Work Clothes That Won't Crush Your Soul in 2025
GQ RecommendsFrom artful tailoring imprints to mass-market chino magicians, these brands make the 9-to-5 slog look good.By Gerald OrtizJanuary 17, 2025Photos: Bowen Fernie; Collage by Brittany LogginsSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.If 55% of your job is just showing up, the remaining 45% is showing up in the right clothing. Which means where to buy work clothes is equally as important as where to email that spreadsheet—heck, at GQ, it could be the difference between landing a promotion and landing yourself a sit-down with HR.Which also means honing your office style should be top priority on your to-do list—y’know, right below “sit up straight” and “FILL OUT GOALS”. So to help you come correct in the new year, we put together a termination-proof list of the raddest brands to shop for the 9-to-5 slog because, well, your livelihood might depend on it. (N.B. We said might.)Whether you’re in need of a proper suit for your first big-boy job, anti-corporate khakis to cruise through casual Fridays, or a full-on wardrobe overhaul to go with your new promotion, here’s precisely where to buy work clothes in 2025 and beyond.Looking for more work-friendly menswear? Check out our Office Style Shop.Where to Buy Work Clothes, According to GQThe Mass-Market Titans: Banana Republic, COS, J.Crew, Madewell, UniqloThe Euro Upgrades: Margaret Howell, Mfpen, NN07, Studio NicholsonThe One-Stop Stalwarts: Alex Mill, Buck Mason, Ralph Lauren, Todd SnyderThe Chilled-Out C-Suite: Drake’s, Saman Amel, Sid Mashburn, StòffaThe Mass-Market TitansJ.CrewBest For: Modern prep, suits with interesting fabrics, affordable cashmere Price Point: $$Thanks to the leadership of the modern prep master Brendon Babenzien, the mall-brand renaissance is being led firmly by J.Crew. It’s the label to turn to for high-quality suits at great value (and has been for over a decade). But peep the brand’s cashmere sweaters, polos, and even its roster of third-party collabs for a fresh pair of office-ready shoes.J.CrewRelaxed-fit Blazer In Scottish Wool Herringbone$598 J.CrewJ.CrewClassic 10-wale Corduroy Pant$118 J.CrewJ.CrewSecret Wash Cotton Poplin Shirt$90 J.CrewJ.CrewHeritage Cotton Cable-knit Cardigan Sweater-polo$118 $65 J.CrewUniqloBest For: Minimalist designs, affordable prices Price Point: $Whether you’re very junior or just very budget conscious, Uniqlo’s always a safe bet, officewear or not. The minimalist Japanese aesthetic is coupled with equally minimalist prices, and if you want to squeeze the most juice for your dollar, peep Uniqlo’s chinos, dress shirts, and sweaters. And don’t forget Uniqlo’s undefeated rotation of collaborations with designers like Christophe Lemaire, Claire Waight-Keller, Engineered Garments, and more.UniqloSuper Non-Iron Slim Shirt$40 UniqloUniqloDRY Pique Polo Shirt$30 UniqloUniqloWide Fit Chino Pants$50 UniqloUniqloMerino Cardigan$50 UniqloBanana RepublicBest For: Luxury vibes minus the luxury price Price Point: $$Hot on the heels of J.Crew, Banana Republic has also experienced a comeback of its own with slick suiting cut from Italian fabrics, Hollywood-handsome leather jackets, and knits to die for. And because they’re a big-box label, you can bet on some stellar discounts if you’re patient enough.Banana RepublicRibbed Bouclé Polo Cardigan$150 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicSignature Italian Rustico Suit Jacket$450 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicItalian Merino-Blend Cable-Knit Sweater$180 $150 Banana RepublicBanana RepublicItalian Plaid Car Coat$450 $350 Banana RepublicMadewellBest For: Business casual Americana Price Point: $$What started out as a blue-collar workwear label decades before any Westfield existed, Madewell has turned into a modern fashion brand that mixes its denim roots with contemporary classics. Think button-down shirts, chinos, hoodies, and even a decent suit here and there.MadewellSuede Leather Boxy Shirt-Jacket$550 MadewellMadewellDevoe Shirt$98 MadewellMadewellRoebling Two-Button Blazer in Italian Fabric$328 MadewellMadewellWyckoff Sweater$98 MadewellCOSBest For: Minimalist design, muted colorways Price Point: $$The COS label is known for its streamlined aesthetic in the vein of lauded labels like Lemaire and The Row for a fraction of the designer prices. If you’re after modern overshirts that look more at home in a brutalist art gallery than a log cabin, or billowy trousers emblematic of the quiet luxury aesthetic, COS is the place to go.COSUnstructured Merino Wool-Blend Blazer$250 COSCOSPaneled Wool V-Neck Sweater$135 COSCOSWool-Blend Tapered Pants$190 COSCOSRelaxed Boil-Wool Overshirt$150 COSThe Euro UpgradesNN07Best For: Business casual with Scandinavian twists Price Point: $$NN07 may be best known for its fashion contributions to The Bear, but the viral jacket is actually a great summation of the brand as a whole. That is to say, classic relaxed silhouettes with modern flourishe
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
If 55% of your job is just showing up, the remaining 45% is showing up in the right clothing. Which means where to buy work clothes is equally as important as where to email that spreadsheet—heck, at GQ, it could be the difference between landing a promotion and landing yourself a sit-down with HR.
Which also means honing your office style should be top priority on your to-do list—y’know, right below “sit up straight” and “FILL OUT GOALS”. So to help you come correct in the new year, we put together a termination-proof list of the raddest brands to shop for the 9-to-5 slog because, well, your livelihood might depend on it. (N.B. We said might.)
Whether you’re in need of a proper suit for your first big-boy job, anti-corporate khakis to cruise through casual Fridays, or a full-on wardrobe overhaul to go with your new promotion, here’s precisely where to buy work clothes in 2025 and beyond.
Looking for more work-friendly menswear? Check out our Office Style Shop.
Where to Buy Work Clothes, According to GQ
- The Mass-Market Titans: Banana Republic, COS, J.Crew, Madewell, Uniqlo
- The Euro Upgrades: Margaret Howell, Mfpen, NN07, Studio Nicholson
- The One-Stop Stalwarts: Alex Mill, Buck Mason, Ralph Lauren, Todd Snyder
- The Chilled-Out C-Suite: Drake’s, Saman Amel, Sid Mashburn, Stòffa
The Mass-Market Titans
Best For: Modern prep, suits with interesting fabrics, affordable cashmere Price Point: $$
Thanks to the leadership of the modern prep master Brendon Babenzien, the mall-brand renaissance is being led firmly by J.Crew. It’s the label to turn to for high-quality suits at great value (and has been for over a decade). But peep the brand’s cashmere sweaters, polos, and even its roster of third-party collabs for a fresh pair of office-ready shoes.
Best For: Minimalist designs, affordable prices Price Point: $
Whether you’re very junior or just very budget conscious, Uniqlo’s always a safe bet, officewear or not. The minimalist Japanese aesthetic is coupled with equally minimalist prices, and if you want to squeeze the most juice for your dollar, peep Uniqlo’s chinos, dress shirts, and sweaters. And don’t forget Uniqlo’s undefeated rotation of collaborations with designers like Christophe Lemaire, Claire Waight-Keller, Engineered Garments, and more.
Best For: Luxury vibes minus the luxury price Price Point: $$
Hot on the heels of J.Crew, Banana Republic has also experienced a comeback of its own with slick suiting cut from Italian fabrics, Hollywood-handsome leather jackets, and knits to die for. And because they’re a big-box label, you can bet on some stellar discounts if you’re patient enough.
Best For: Business casual Americana Price Point: $$
What started out as a blue-collar workwear label decades before any Westfield existed, Madewell has turned into a modern fashion brand that mixes its denim roots with contemporary classics. Think button-down shirts, chinos, hoodies, and even a decent suit here and there.
Best For: Minimalist design, muted colorways Price Point: $$
The COS label is known for its streamlined aesthetic in the vein of lauded labels like Lemaire and The Row for a fraction of the designer prices. If you’re after modern overshirts that look more at home in a brutalist art gallery than a log cabin, or billowy trousers emblematic of the quiet luxury aesthetic, COS is the place to go.
The Euro Upgrades
Best For: Business casual with Scandinavian twists Price Point: $$
NN07 may be best known for its fashion contributions to The Bear, but the viral jacket is actually a great summation of the brand as a whole. That is to say, classic relaxed silhouettes with modern flourishes and a willingness to delve into interesting colors and patterns. We’re fans of NN07’s striped shirts, workwear-inspired outerwear, and cardigans.
Best For: ‘90s-esque officewear (but way cooler than you’re thinking) Price Point: $$$
Mfpen has single-handedly taken the corporate-office aesthetic and turned it into the unironically cool uniform of menswear heads. Boxy suits that recall ‘90s designs matched with striped shirts and topcoats made of deadstock materials are par for the course here. It’s a subtle subversion of the office dress code that won’t actually get you called out by HR.
Best For: Pared down style with big silhouettes Price Point: $$$
Studio Nicholson may be based in England, its designs mix Japanese and Scandinavian sensibilities together in a distinct way that we’re gonna describe simply as chic. Big, big pleated chinos, soft unstructured loafers, and elevated work shirts make up a good portion of the catalog, but don’t sleep on the leather bags and thick knits.
Best For: Clean designs that merge workwear, tailoring, and classic British style Price Point: $$$
Margaret Howell has been a fixture of the minimalist scene since the ‘70s and has earned a loyal following, especially in Japan. Workwear inspirations are sanded down to a delicately elegant aesthetic that can slot into any wardrobe and every kind of office.
The One-Stop Stalwarts
Best For: Prep, Americana, suiting Price Point: $$$
If you had to limit your closet to just one label, it should probably be Ralph Lauren. There’s nothing that the self-made fashion phenom hasn’t done, and though he’s pretty damned good at most things, there are areas worth exploring more than others. Top-notch suiting, rock-solid denim, incredible and collectable knitwear with clear americana roots are just the tip of the iceberg.
Best For: Laid-back California staples with a dose of western ruggedness Price Point: $$
From curved hem tees to drool-worthy tweed jackets, Buck Mason’s Cinderella story has got us at the GQ office in a chokehold. Of course, we’re in love with Buck Mason’s dialed-in T-shirt program, but it's proven that it’s got serious game when it comes to tailoring, denim, and beyond. You could look sharp as a tack in a floor-to-ceiling Italian-wool suit and tie, but you could just as easily knock ‘em dead in a business casual fit.
Best For: Impeccable tailoring, luxurious knits, iconic collaborations Price Point: $$$
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Todd Snyder has been the north star for legions of flailing dudes, turning would-be chumps into certified scene-stealing hunks. From Snyder’s deftly cut suits to his ultra-fly topcoats, his irresistible sweaters to timeless timepieces, you can’t be steered wrong. Plus, he’s teamed up with a who’s who of menswear icons for a deep collection of exclusive collaborations that’ll put you even further ahead of the rest of the guys at the office.
Best For: Modern, de-fussed prep Price Point: $$
Alex Mill’s modern prep approach to menswear is a godsend for any guys trying to up their style game. We love the brand’s chunky knits as well as its chore coats, and its recent additions to its tailoring offerings are worth a look.
The Chilled-Out C-Suite
Best For: Tailoring, dress shirts, and the accoutrement they demand Price Point: $$$
Sid Mashburn has perfected the business casual uniform and has done it in a way that feels effortless, natural, and, in a very American way, extremely chic. He makes some of our favorite suits and blazers and offers some of the highest quality dress shirts for the price, not to mention the sartorial accoutrements like Italian knit ties, cuff links, belts, and more.
Best For: Classic tailoring with English ease Price Point: $$$
There are few brands that can upstage the art direction and designs that Drake’s puts forth. The English label is known for its high-quality suits and sportcoats, grail-level neckties, and sharp dress shirts, but has become just as praised for its range of shaggy dog sweaters, waxed jackets and snuff suede loafers. The Drake’s guys are consistently some of the most dialed-in when it comes to personal style and proof positive that you can look extremely fly in your office clothes.
Best For: Custom suiting with a distinct point of view Price Point: $$$$
Stòffa is one of the most talked about labels in menswear circles thanks to its extremely louche silhouettes, next-level materials, and custom suiting program. The end product is full tailored looks that feel like, in the best way, formal pajamas, or like if the C-suite exec was into bespoke suits and transcendental meditation.
Best For: A very Scandi spin on effortless elegance Price Point: $$$$
It’s impossible to overstate the sheer elegance and handsomeness of Saman Amel. With the most premium materials and unwavering dedication to quality, the Stockholm-based label puts forth some of the most gorgeous tailoring we’ve seen in recent years. But the tailoring feels less like the stuffy blokes on Savile Row and more like young Hugh Grant in leather slippers, if that makes any sense. And if you’ve got the cash to splash, you can even go made-to-measure to get the full experience.
