Where do you buy your clothes? Female Banker Edition.
As we start going back to the office, thought it might be helpful to start a thread for female bankers to share advice on where to buy work clothes, fav brands for different stages of your career, clothing budget, comfort, and just general advice on how to dress for work.
I love Loft, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Gap, etc. If you spend a few hours looking through clearance coupled with discounts and whatnot, it comes to like $15/blouse and $20/pant. I am also a fan of Calvin Klein career dresses at Macy's at $89/dress.
I have a curvier shape, so the stuff at H&M doesn't fit well. I'm also not a fan of the quality, I only get a few months of wear per item, whereas I've been wearing banana shirts passed down from my mom - worn for years but look great!
+1 also curvier shape and will agree that Ann Taylor and Banana Republic were my go-tos as a summer analyst and analyst. Calvin Klein and Theory were also common with gal friends but, honestly, don't feel the pressure to spring for high end stuff unless you really find pieces that you feel incredible in (+ that warrant the cost) or if you're in a financial position where you don't bat an eye price point of Theory and Hugo Boss.
Two perhaps helpful data points
(1) A friend of mine was so obsessed about appearances and bought luxury suiting for on-campus recruiting and didn't even get any banking job...
(2) The only suiting I have ever been complimented on (especially by women on fit) has been my Banana Republic suiting that I got 50% off on the sale rack :)
Tried and true spots
Mid Range: Ann Taylor, Banana Republic
Higher Mid Range / slightly more trend forward at times: Club Monaco
Higher End (for juniors): Hugo Boss, Theory
Big fan of J. Crew Cameron pants - stretchy and fit well, can get a ton of mileage out of them. I did some pixie pants earlier in my career but had two pairs that had broken zippers after one wear, so went away from those. Tops -- you can't go wrong with LOFT/Ann Taylor but once you find some that you like I would go up to Equipment, Theory, etc. You can find great prices on TheRealReal, Poshmark, Mercari etc.