Where to Buy the Best Workwear in the UK

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub

The best places to buy workwear in the UK right now are Reiss, Me&Em, Hobbs, COS, and M&S — but the right choice really depends on your budget, body shape, and exactly what your office expects of you.

I'll be honest with you — I spent a full year wearing the wrong workwear. I was in a tailored blazer that was a size too big (bought in a rush before a big interview), trousers that bagged at the knee by 11am, and shoes that were technically smart but made me walk like a penguin by lunchtime. Not my finest era. The turning point? Slowing down, ignoring fast fashion, and actually investing in pieces that fit properly and lasted. Since then, building a solid work wardrobe has become one of my favourite styling challenges — because when it's right, it genuinely changes how you carry yourself all day.

Whether you're starting from scratch, refreshing a tired wardrobe, or just trying to figure out why nothing feels quite right, this guide is for you.

What Makes Good Workwear, Actually?

Before we get into brands, let's talk about what you're actually looking for. Great workwear isn't just "smart" — it needs to:

Hold its shape through a full working day (and ideally a post-work drink)
Be made in fabrics that don't crease the moment you sit down
Fit well off the rail — or at least be easy to alter
Feel confident, not like a costume
Work across more than one outfit combination

The biggest mistake I see? Buying workwear that looks great on a hanger and terrible by 3pm. Fabric really is everything — look for wool blends, ponte, crepe, and good-quality cotton twill. Avoid anything with more than 10% polyester if you're in a warm office.

High Street Workwear: The Best of the Bunch

The good news is you don't need a designer budget to look polished. The high street has genuinely upped its game in recent years, and these are the brands consistently delivering the goods:

Reiss — My number-one recommendation for high street workwear. Reiss occupies that sweet spot between high street and designer — the tailoring is excellent, the fabrics are considered, and the cut is consistently flattering. Their blazers and wide-leg trousers in particular are brilliant. Worth every penny and they last for years.
Me&Em — A brand I discovered fairly late and wish I hadn't. Me&Em makes beautifully considered workwear basics: good trousers, smart knits, tidy shirts in proper fabrics. It's the kind of brand that feels luxurious without being showy. A favourite with stylists and editors for a reason.
Hobbs — If you want timeless, tailored, and thoroughly British, Hobbs is your friend. They're particularly strong on smart dresses and co-ord suiting. The quality is solid for the price point and the fit tends to be generous and real-world friendly.
COS — For the more contemporary, minimal wardrobe, COS is consistently excellent. Their tailored trousers and structured shirts are sleek, understated, and built to last. Sizing runs a little generous, which is helpful to know in advance.
Massimo Dutti — Slightly under the radar compared to its Zara siblings, Massimo Dutti is the one to know for elevated workwear. Think quality knitwear, properly structured coats, and tailoring that punches well above its price tag. A solid mid-range option.
M&S — Never underestimate Marks & Spencer for workwear. Their tailoring range has improved enormously — the Autograph line in particular is worth a look for smart trousers, blazers, and work dresses that genuinely hold their shape. And if you need a quick fix, it's everywhere.
Whistles — Whistles is brilliant for that polished-but-not-stuffy aesthetic. They do brilliant work shirts, smart midi dresses, and elevated knitwear. The brand sits comfortably between casual and corporate, which makes it endlessly useful in modern offices.
Jigsaw — For fabric quality at a mid-range price, Jigsaw is one of the best. They invest in proper materials — a lot of wool, linen, and silk blends — and the tailoring is reliably good. Their blazers in particular are a perennial favourite.
LK Bennett — LK Bennett is the home of the perfect work dress. If you want something that works for meetings, client lunches, and after-work events with minimal effort, their shift dresses and smart midi lengths are a reliable go-to. Classic, feminine, and endlessly office-appropriate.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Every wardrobe needs a couple of hidden gems — pieces nobody else has. Here are my two picks for brilliant independent workwear brands:

Kitri — A London-based independent brand that produces genuinely beautiful, considered clothing in limited runs. Their workwear pieces — particularly the tailored dresses and printed blouses — are the kind of thing colleagues will ask about. Excellent quality, direct-to-consumer pricing, and always interesting without being unwearable.
Albaray — A newer independent label worth your attention. Albaray makes sustainable, thoughtfully designed workwear in lovely fabrics — think longline blazers, wide-leg trousers, and smart knits in muted, work-friendly palettes. It's a brand that feels considered and grown-up without being boring.

Building Your Workwear Wardrobe: A Quick Formula

When I'm helping clients build a work wardrobe from scratch, I always start with the same core pieces:

Two well-fitted blazers (one neutral, one colour or texture)
Three pairs of trousers that genuinely fit (not "nearly fit")
A handful of tops you can actually tuck in without looking lumpy
Two smart dresses that work from desk to dinner
One good coat that looks deliberate, not accidental

The key — and I say this to every client — is fit first, everything else second. A £40 pair of trousers that fits perfectly will always look better than a £200 pair that doesn't. Which brings me neatly to something I use constantly when shopping for myself and my clients…

Never Get Sizing Wrong Again: Tellar.co.uk

One of the most frustrating things about buying workwear online is sizing. A size 12 in Reiss is not the same as a size 12 in COS — and if you've ever ordered three sizes just to be safe, you'll know exactly how annoying that is.

Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool, and it's genuinely transformed the way I shop online. You measure once — bust, waist, and hips — and Tellar matches your body to over 1,500 brands instantly. No size guides, no guesswork, no returns mountain.

Here's how it works:

Step 1 — Measure once. Use your bust, waist, hip measurements or your existing brand size as a starting point.
Step 2 — Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your exact size in any brand — Reiss, Hobbs, COS, Me&Em, and 1,500+ more.
Step 3 — Shop with confidence. Completely free, no download needed, works directly in your browser.

For workwear especially — where fit is everything — this is an absolute game-changer. I use it myself before ordering anything online.

And while you're on Tellar, don't miss the Fashion Hub — a library of free, honest, unbiased style advice from our in-house stylists. No sponsored posts, no paywalls, no agenda. Just genuinely useful fashion content.

Some useful reads to bookmark:

The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide — everything you need to know about getting sizing right across brands
Jeans Trends 2026 — the best cuts and styles to invest in right now
The Ultimate Guide to Dresses & Best Buys — perfect for finding your ideal work dress
The Ultimate Guide to Jackets & Best Buys — nailing the work blazer once and for all

Workwear doesn't have to be dull, restrictive, or expensive. With the right brands, a proper fit, and a few key pieces you genuinely love, getting dressed on a Monday morning can actually feel like a good thing. That's the goal — and you're a lot closer to it than you think.