As an avid Express shopper, I frequently browse the store‘s affordable mix of dresses, tops, pants and accessories to build versatile work wardrobes. However, solely shopping one retailer limits my options. By exploring stores similar to Express, I’ve discovered more choices to suit my business casual style.
In this article, I‘ll compare 10 popular stores like Express that offer chic, modern fashion for work and beyond.
What I Love About Express
First, a brief overview on why I enjoy shopping at Express:
- Trend-driven pieces reflecting current styles and seasonal trends
- Affordable pricing, especially with sales/promotions
- Suitable options for business casual dress codes
- Easy mix-and-match potential for building outfits
- Wide variety – clothing, shoes, accessories
However, solely shopping one store restricts my choices and budget flexibility. By considering similar stores, I can find more variety while still maintaining my personal style.
Let‘s explore 10 chic alternatives for business casual looks:
1. ASOS
Overview: Global online retailer selling its own brands alongside hundreds of others
Price range: $ – $$$
Style: Contemporary, trend-focused
Compared to Express, ASOS has a wider range of brands and products allowing endless outfit creation. With an affordable price point and dense category pages organizing trends, it‘s easy to filter pieces suiting your tastes.
For example, a business casual look could include this long sleeve square neck bodysuit, tailored plaid trousers, minimal mules and circle crossbody bag. Swap the shoes for sleek boots in colder months!
Pros:
- Huge brand and product selection
- Intuitive category and filter pages
- Affordable pricing & frequent sales
- Free shipping & returns
Cons:
- Mostly online-only
- Potential quality inconsistencies
Good for business casual? Yes! From polished separates to smart dresses, ASOS has endless options for workwear.
2. Mango
Overview: European retailer focused on sleek, elegant everyday fashion
Price range: $$
Style: Timeless trend-influenced pieces
I appreciate Mango‘s thoughtful attention to silhouette, fabrication and wearability – their clothes transition smoothly between casual and professional environments. For example, pair this belted jumpsuit with a long vest and boots for the office then slip into heels for evening plans.
Pros:
- High quality clothing and fabrics
- Flattering fits and styles
- Good for desk to dinner
Cons:
- Slightly pricier
- Limited physical store presence
Good for business casual? Yes, especially if you want sophisticated style. Their smart layering pieces and dresses work perfectly for both clients meetings and post-work activities.
3. Reformation
Overview: Sustainably-made womenswear emphasizing feminine silhouettes and florals
Price range: $$$
Style: Feminine essentials with playful prints and textures
Reformation creates their colorful, figure-flattering designs sustainably using renewable fabrics and responsible manufacturing practices. If you want an eco-friendly upgrade to your work uniform, their wrap dresses, button-downs with ruffles and floral sundresses bring a subtly flirty vibe to business casual.
Pros:
- Ethical production methods
- Signature feminine styles
- Sustainable fabrics
Cons:
- Expensive price points
- Mostly dress-focused
Good for business casual? Yes, especially on dress code flexible days or in creative industries. Their dresses, skirts and crop tops allow you to make sustainability sexy.
4. Ann Taylor
Overview: Classic staples focused on polished femininity
Price range: $$
Style: Sophisticated essentials
Ann Taylor creates timeless closet additions perfect for pulling business casual looks together. A ribbed turtleneck sweater layered under a tailored blazer and ankle pants makes an easy work outfit. Their silhouette-skimming sheath dresses work wonderfully on their own too.
Pros:
- Figure flattering fits
- High quality materials
- Frequent sales help lower prices
Cons:
- More conservative styles
Good for business casual? Yes, they offer wardrobe heroes which you‘ll wear repeatedly. Their pieces seamlessly transition from desk to dinner dates.
5. Madewell
Overview: Laidback everyday staples with superb denim and fabrics
Price range: $$
Style: Relaxed Americana
Madewell‘s unfussy silhouettes help pioneer off-duty model style. Their lived-in jeans, breezy button-downs and slouchy sweaters bring a casual allure to business casual. Still, pieces like tapered jumpsuits and wrap dresses suit client meetings.
For fall, try wide leg jeans paired with an oversized cable knit and leather loafers. Come summer, don a striped linen sundress and woven mules.
Pros:
- Luxe sustainable fabrics
- Flattering on many body types
- Easy relaxed vibe
Cons:
- Boxy oversized fits aren‘t for everyone
Good for business casual? Yes, especially on more casual dress code days. Their pieces help you appear effortlessly pulled together.
6. (& Other Stories)
Overview: Purveyor of quality Scandinavian inspired fashion
Price range: $$
Style: Artistic, fashion-forward essentials
(& Other Stories) creates collections centered around diverse themes, reinterpreting them on functional yet interesting staples. Flowing silk midi skirts, sculptural dresses with cutouts, tailored overcoats and slim ankle pants help craft fashionable business casual outfits.
For example, pair high waisted trousers with an embellished cotton blouse and leather mules for an artful office look.
Pros:
- Selection of unique pieces
- Thoughtful small details
- Higher quality
Cons:
- Limited physical locations
- Slightly pricier
Good for business casual? Yes, they expertly toe the line between edgy and refined. Pieces feel special without going overboard.
7. J.Crew
Overview: Well-tailored staples and accessories with a signature preppy aesthetic
Price Range: $$$
Style: Polished American classics
J.Crew‘s polished pieces reflect their attention to fit, fabrication and detail. Their suits, button-downs, trousers and accessories slot seamlessly into business casual wardrobes.
A collared shirt under a crewneck sweater layered with a long vest and paired with tapered wool pants makes an enviable office outfit.
Pros:
- Consistently high-quality
- Perfect office pairing pieces
- Frequent sales help lower prices
Cons:
- More expensive
- Slimmer size ranges
Good for business casual? Yes, their smart staples help pull polished professional looks together with ease. You‘ll wear their pieces for years.
8. COS
Overview: Sophisticated contemporary essentials focusing on quality
Price range: $$$
Style: Architectural minimalism
COS creates timeless wardrobe staples with subtly impactful twists – think 3D details, asymmetrical shapes and luxe technical fabrics. The result? Sophisticated versatility perfect for fashionable professionals.
An oversized collarless trench coat layered atop relaxed tapered trousers and a merino wool sweater makes a polished yet contemporary business casual outfit.
Pros:
- High-quality luxe fabrics
- Flattering silhouette focused cuts
- Stores often arranged artfully
Cons:
- Expensive price points
- Limited size ranges
Good for business casual? Yes, their unique pieces stand out while still maintaining a refined elegance.
9. Everlane
Overview: Ethical essentials brand focused on transparency and quality
Price range: $$
Style: Minimalist modern staples
Everlane creates closet heroes championing both ethics and design through their use of fine materials and sustainable factories. Their tailored blazers, cashmere crews, structured day bags and sleek boots slot perfectly into business casual wardrobes.
Try their reKnit mock neck sweater paired with wide leg crops and loafers for an office look that seamlessly transitions into evening.
Pros:
- Radical transparency practices
- Fine quality materials
- Lean silhouettes flatter most figures
Cons:
- Expensive cashmere pieces
- Mostly neutral palette
Good for business casual? Yes, especially if you value ethics and quality. Their pieces feel luxurious while maintaining a quiet refinement.
10. Banana Republic
Overview: Sophisticated workwear staples available at accessible price points
Price range: $$
Style: Polished versatile classics
Banana Republic creates unfussy yet pulled together pieces for crafting polished workwear looks. Their designs spotlight thoughtful details like luxe fabrication, careful tailoring and hardware accents while maintaining accessible prices through frequent sales.
A ribbed merino crewneck layered under a houndstooth blazer paired with dark wash skinny jeans makes an enviable office outfit for all manner of meetings and presentations.
Pros:
- Frequent 40% off sales
- Flattering for most figures
- Easy workwear style
Cons:
- More basic in aesthetic
- Lacks bold unique pieces
Good for business casual? Yes, they offer everything you need to craft polished pulls together looks for the office. Their pieces make dressing for work easy.
The Best Stores Like Express For You
When finding retailers similar to Express for building versatile work wardrobes, consider:
Your budget: Stores like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and J.Crew offer frequent sales alongside coupons to help keep business casual style affordable. More inexpensive options like Mango, H&M and Zara offer trend-led pieces at lower prices.
Your style: Seeking sophisticated essentials? Shop Ann Taylor, J.Crew and Banana Republic. Want more bold contemporary choices? Check ASOS, Mango and Reformation.
Your ethics: Brands like Reformation and Everlane create stylish sustainable pieces from eco-friendly fabrics and factories. COS and (& Other Stories) also focus on quality materials.
The above stores all offer chic alternatives for crafting business casual workwear. By exploring new options beyond my go-to Express, I‘ve discovered more variety across styles, prices and values to suit different needs.
So don‘t be afraid to branch out and explore new fashion frontiers! Having choices lets you build the most authentic wardrobe.
Start Discovering Your Perfect Stores
I hope this guide provided insightful starting points for discovering chic retailers similar to Express for crafting killer business casual looks.
Remember to shop around and explore alternatives suited to your style, budget and values. Fashion should be fun and personally empowering!
Want more style inspiration and clothing store suggestions? Check out my blog for the latest tips.
