Years ago, I compiled a list of the brands I most often choose for professional clients. As time has passed, some brands have fallen off the list while others have been added, so it seemed like the perfect time to revisit it.
After more than two decades of styling women in leadership roles, certain brands consistently stand out, not because they’re perfect, but because they tend to deliver reliable quality, thoughtful design, and pieces that actually function in real wardrobes.
Below are some of the brands I frequently shop for clients, along with a little background on each one.
INVESTMENT BRANDS
These brands tend to sit at the higher end of the price spectrum but are known for excellent materials, refined tailoring, and timeless design.
AKRIS
Akris is a Swiss luxury fashion house founded in 1922 and currently led by creative director Albert Kriemler. Known for its understated elegance and exceptional tailoring, the brand focuses on clean lines, architectural silhouettes, and luxurious fabrics such as double-face wool and cashmere. Akris has long been associated with refined, minimalist luxury and remains a favorite among women seeking quiet sophistication.
Why I consistently choose them: For more than 20 years, Akris—along with Akris Punto, its slightly more accessible line—has been my favorite brand. It’s no surprise the company comes from Switzerland, a country known for precision and beautiful fabrics. What I admire most about Akris is its balance of wearable creativity and exceptional tailoring, along with a thoughtful use of color and remarkably cohesive collections. It’s also one of the few brands where you can shop both interesting statement pieces and excellent wardrobe basics at the same time.
MAX MARA
Founded in Italy in 1951 by Achille Maramotti, Max Mara is one of the most influential luxury fashion houses in modern ready-to-wear. The brand is internationally recognized for its impeccably tailored coats, particularly its camel hair and wool outerwear. Max Mara’s collections emphasize timeless silhouettes, premium fabrics, and understated elegance designed to remain relevant across seasons.
Why I consistently choose them: Max Mara, along with its many lines—Weekend Max Mara, S’Max Mara, and Marina Rinaldi among them—centers timeless design, exceptional fabrics, and quiet luxury in everything it produces. Where many brands shout for attention, Max Mara simply whispers. The pieces last not only because of their quality but because their elegance never really goes out of style. Their clothing is famously durable (I own a Max Mara jacket that’s over ten years old and still looks fantastic), and the designs are gorgeous, uncomplicated, and quietly exciting all at once.
I realize that Akris and Max Mara sit at a higher price point and aren’t always realistic for every budget. The upside is that both brands appear frequently on The RealReal, where you can often find exceptional pieces at far more approachable prices.
MODERN PROFESSIONAL WORKHORSES
These brands focus specifically on professional wardrobes, combining polish with practicality.
M.M. LAFLEUR
Founded in New York in 2013 by Sarah LaFleur, M.M.LaFleur was created to address the wardrobe needs of professional women. The brand focuses on polished workwear made from wrinkle-resistant, travel-friendly fabrics and emphasizes ease of dressing through streamlined silhouettes and capsule-friendly pieces. Its direct-to-consumer model and emphasis on functional design have made it a popular option for professional wardrobes.
Why I consistently choose them: M.M. Lafleur tends to keep their collections tight and focused, which makes them refreshingly easy to shop. There’s a clear intention behind what they design, thoughtful pieces built around what professional women actually need, many of which also transition effortlessly into more casual settings.
THE FOLD
The Fold is a London-based brand founded in 2012 by Polly McMaster with the goal of creating polished clothing specifically for professional women. The label focuses on structured dresses, tailored separates, and high-quality fabrics designed to function in formal business environments. The Fold’s designs often feature thoughtful details—such as strategic tailoring and discreet pockets—intended to balance sophistication with practicality.
Why I consistently choose them: Even during the pandemic, when much of the industry pivoted heavily toward casualwear, The Fold stayed remarkably true to itself, continuing to offer creative, upscale pieces. At a time when much professional workwear has become very safe and visually flat, The Fold still delivers polished clothing with real personality and visual interest, with pieces that feel special but remain completely wearable.
ARGENT
Argent is a New York–based womenswear brand founded in 2016 by Sali Christeson. The company focuses on modern professional clothing designed to support women in leadership roles. Argent’s collections emphasize tailored suiting, polished dresses, and functional details such as interior pockets designed to hold phones and work essentials.
Why I consistently choose them: Like M.M. Lafleur, Argent takes a woman-first, fashion-second approach, designing pieces that address the real needs of working women. Their clothing consistently fits clients well, and I especially appreciate that they move beyond the typical navy-and-black suiting palette found with many workwear brands.
POLISHED CONTEMPORARY BRANDS
These brands sit in a mid-to-premium range and are known for stylish but wearable pieces that integrate easily into professional wardrobes.
ME+EM
Founded in London in 2007, Me+Em is a contemporary womenswear brand known for its modern tailoring and high-quality wardrobe staples. The company emphasizes what it calls “intelligent style,” designing versatile pieces that combine structure with comfort. Me+Em produces many garments in European factories and focuses on refined fabrics, precise tailoring, and pieces intended to transition easily between work and everyday life.
Why I consistently choose them: Every season I tend to crown one brand my seasonal darling, and lately Me+Em has been it. At a time when so much of fashion feels flat and riddled with sameness, Me+Em consistently delivers pieces with real interest that are still incredibly wearable.
VERONICA BEARD
Launched in 2010 by sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, Veronica Beard built its reputation around polished American sportswear. The brand is particularly known for its structured blazers—often designed with interchangeable dickey inserts that allow jackets to be styled in multiple ways. The collection has expanded into dresses, denim, and knitwear while maintaining a tailored, modern-professional aesthetic.
Why I consistently choose them: While they are certainly an investment, Veronica Beard consistently delivers stylish blazers that add instant excitement to otherwise simple outfits, both professionally and casually. And while their blazers tend to steal the spotlight, their pants fit clients well, their shoes are often comfortable, and they frequently offer great dresses.
If Veronica Beard’s pricepoints feel out of reach, they can be found on The RealReal.
HOBBS
Hobbs is a British womenswear brand founded in London in 1981. Known for its classic tailoring and refined everyday pieces, Hobbs offers dresses, suiting, knitwear, and outerwear designed with a traditional British aesthetic. The brand is particularly recognized for work-appropriate dresses and structured coats that balance classic design with contemporary updates.
Why I consistently choose them: Even though some of Hobbs’ pieces can lean a little twee, there are several reasons I return to them. First, they offer petites, which remains a completely underserved size category, not to mention hard to shop for when a client has a little more money than an Ann Taylor budget. They’re also one of the few remaining brands that still produces skirt suits—an infrequent request from clients, but one I do encounter. And they offer several reliable staples I’ve used repeatedly over the years, including their double-layer top and cropped cardigans.
ACCESSIBLE CLASSICS
These brands provide good wardrobe staples at more approachable price points.
BODEN
Founded in 1991 by Johnnie Boden, Boden began as a mail-order catalog company in the United Kingdom and has grown into an international lifestyle brand. The company is known for its colorful prints, playful patterns, and classic British styling. While Boden produces a wide range of casual and family apparel, it is particularly recognized for well-constructed dresses, knitwear, and cheerful wardrobe staples.
Why I consistently choose them: Boden isn’t for everyone, but for clients with a colorful, playful style, they can be a great resource. Like Hobbs, they also offer petite sizing that even my very slight clients can wear. Boden manages to balance playful irreverence with dependable wardrobe basics, offering stalwart neutrals alongside bold, vibrant colors.
QUINCE
Quince is a direct-to-consumer brand that focuses on offering elevated basics at comparatively accessible price points. By selling primarily online and working directly with manufacturers, the company aims to reduce traditional retail markups. Quince’s product range includes apparel made from materials such as cashmere, silk, and linen, as well as home goods and accessories.
Why I consistently choose them: There was a time when you could walk into a department store and find a table of private-label sweaters in a variety of seasonal colors. Those days are largely gone, and this is where Quince steps in. It’s a place where you can affordably stock up on solid basics—from sweaters and pants to shoes and handbags. You can even pick up a few things for your home while you’re at it. By shipping directly to consumers and keeping overhead low, Quince manages to keep prices surprisingly reasonable. No matter a client’s budget, Quince is almost always a stop.
SHOE BRANDS I FREQUENTLY RECOMMEND
If a client doesn’t have some sort of issue with shoes, we consider ourselves lucky. Over the years, I’ve dealt with just about every foot challenge imaginable—from wide or narrow feet, to wide forefeet with narrow heels, plantar fasciitis, bunions, arthritis, and clients who simply have no interest in wearing uncomfortable shoes.
Here are my favorite shoe brands
M.GEMI
M.Gemi is a footwear brand founded in 2015 that partners with small, family-owned artisan workshops in Italy. The company produces limited-batch shoes crafted using traditional Italian shoemaking techniques. M.Gemi offers a range of styles—from loafers and flats to boots and heels—emphasizing craftsmanship and premium materials.
Why I consistently choose them: M.Gemi isn’t just a brand I recommend to clients—it’s my personal favorite shoe brand. It’s difficult to find handmade Italian shoes at accessible prices, but like Quince, M.Gemi keeps prices reasonable by selling directly to consumers. Their craftsmanship is excellent, and their customer service is among the best I’ve ever encountered. Don’t ask me how many pairs of M.Gemi shoes I have. Just don’t.
Years ago, they overnighted a pair of shoes with Saturday delivery to a client who needed them before leaving for a trip—at no extra charge. It was something they didn’t have to do, but did anyway. Since then, I’ve remained deeply loyal to the brand, not only because I love their shoes, but because their customer service is just as impressive.
MARGAUX
Margaux is a New York–based footwear brand founded in 2015 by Alexa Buckley Routh and Sarah Pierson. The brand focuses on classic women’s shoes designed with comfort and extended sizing in mind. Margaux is particularly known for its flats and block heels, which are available in multiple widths and half sizes to improve fit.
Why I consistently choose them: There are very few places a woman with narrow or wide feet can shop if she has a decent budget. Not only are shoes in special sizing limited, but have you seen some of the styles out there? Uggo City. Margaux’s inclusive sizing, extending up to a size 45 (14) in some styles, gives me a place where I don’t have to sacrifice quality or style when working with clients who have unique feet.
SARAH FLINT
Sarah Flint launched her namesake footwear brand in 2013 with a focus on combining luxury design with ergonomic comfort. The shoes are crafted in Italian factories and incorporate structural elements such as extra arch support, padded insoles, and stable heel construction. The brand is known for polished pumps, elegant flats, and classic boots.
Why I consistently choose them: In terms of return rates, Sarah Flint likely has the lowest of any shoe brand I recommend to clients. Their shoes are breathtakingly beautiful yet designed with comfort in mind—an unusually rare combination.
AQUATALIA
Aquatalia is an Italian-inspired footwear brand founded in 1994 and known for combining luxury design with weather-resistant technology. Many of its shoes and boots are treated with proprietary processes that help repel water while maintaining the appearance of traditional leather footwear. The brand is particularly recognized for stylish cold-weather boots and practical luxury shoes.
Why I consistently choose them: Once the weather cools off, my Aquatalia boots become my go-to. They’re gorgeous, incredibly durable, and I never have to worry about getting caught in bad weather. While they’re on the more expensive side, I have pairs that are over five years old that still look fantastic despite heavy wear. And it’s not just the boots—the entire line is weatherproof.
ALLY SHOES
Ally Shoes is a footwear company founded in 2017 by former Goldman Sachs analyst Eunice Cho. The brand focuses on professional pumps designed for extended wear, incorporating features such as built-in arch support, cushioned insoles, and a wide range of sizes and widths. Ally is especially known for its classic pointed-toe pumps designed to combine comfort with a polished professional look.
Why I consistently choose them: Ally (pronounced Al-eye) is one of the newer brands I’ve been recommending, and it has quickly risen to the top thanks to its attention to fit, comfort, and widely inclusive sizing. Their shoes are simple, timeless, and elegant, exactly what many clients are looking for in a polished shoe. Ally has generously extended a 10% discount to readers when they use BRIDGETTE10 at checkout. You can also read more about my thoughts on Ally shoes here.
No brand does everything perfectly, and great wardrobes rarely come from one store. But after decades of dressing clients, these are the brands I return to again and again because they consistently solve real wardrobe needs while still delivering style. In a fashion landscape that can often feel flat or repetitive, these brands continue to produce pieces with intention, quality, and just enough interest to keep getting dressed from feeling boring.
Thank you so much for putting together this updated list!
Great post, Bridgette!! How about a post on casual clothes brands you like?
Surprised to see quince on the list. Everything I’ve tried from them has been disappointing and poor quality. Love the Max Mara lines.
Mixed feelings about Quince. Their shameless obvious dupes doesn’t sit well. No one owns the design rights of a v-neck cashmere sweaters but other pieces are more blatant. But I have very difficult feet and they have some very comfortable shoes and I love their denim. I also love that people post pictures of themselves wearing an item. Often I see that the fit of a piece looks off when I see it on a real size person.
I once bought a linen sundress for a trip to Bali from one brand and then two dupes from Quince in two more colors. The original was definitely superior quality and survived washings better, but that and an oversized linen shirt from Costco I used as a pool/beach cover up were just about all I wore.