Fashion enthusiasts love Express for its wide variety of closet options. Need a suit for work? It delivers blazers and pants that are somehow safe but on-trend. Going to a million weddings this summer? There’s an entire catalogue dedicated to wedding guest attire. Good jeans, matching sets, head-turning statement pieces? Express has those, too. If you love the brand, but want to shake things up, we’ve got a list of 15 stores like Express that you can shop, from the affordable H&M to eco-conscious Reformation and high-brow Moda Operandi.
15 Stores Like Express for On-Trend Workwear and Must-Have Staples
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Published Apr 5, 2023
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What Kind of Clothing Does Express Have?
Express is known to offer, in its own words, clothing that creates the “modern, flexible wardrobe.” Its designers collaborate with customers through the Express X You program to give consumers influence on designs. The clothing is trendy and feminine, with classic cuts and neutrals for the office and street style pieces in bold patterns and colors that let you make a statement. From bodycon dress to flowy maxis, daring cut-out blazers and traditional trenches, Express does business casual but also knows how to party. And, with Express Style Trial, you can rent pieces and experiment before committing to the look.
Stores Like Express at a Glance
- Non-Boring Boardroom Basics: Ann Taylor Loft
- Ultra-Trendy: Mango
- Make It Timeless: Banana Republic
- European Flair: & Other Stories
- British Sensibility: Boden
- Fun and Flirty: New York & Company
- Most Affordable: H&M
- For Great Demin: Madewell
- High Fashion: Moda Operandi
- Make It Edgy: Nasty Gal
- Eco-Friendly: Reformation
- Legacy American Fashion: J. Crew
- Back to Basics: Everlane
- Make It French: Sézane
- One-Stop Shop: Quince
- Why We Love It: plenty of classic business attire plus casual wear, petite sizing
- Shipping: 4 to 7 business days
- Return Policy: 30 days
Express is known for selling business casual wear, which is also something Loft does well, with an ultra-feminine spin. Think pastels and flirty prints on classic-cut clothes, from blazers and trousers to sundresses and flouncy blouses at a similar price point. They also have a dedicated petites section.
Shop Ann Taylor Loft
- Why We Love It: mix of trendy fashion and office staples with a twist, dedicated plus-size line
- Shipping: 1 to 8 business days
- Return Policy: 30 days
This Spanish clothing-mega retailer takes Express business basics and turns them up a fashionable, trendy notch. From statement tweed jackets to monochrome, pastel-hued oversized suits, your outfits are sure to turn heads at the office.
- Why We Love It: elevated, classic, preppy basics and business wear
- Shipping: 2 to 4 business days
- Return Policy: 30 days
Banana Republic is the go-to for classic, American wardrobe staples. Their catalogue spans blouses and button-downs, a collection of crisp suits, dresses and coats you can wear for years to come. Expect more muted tones than you might find at Express, and neutrals with the occasional fun pinstripe.
Shop Banana Republic
- Why We Love It: designs from Paris, Sweden and Los Angeles ateliers keep the offerings varied, extensive collection of dresses
- Shipping: 3 to 8 business days
- Return Policy: 30 days
If you are looking for dress options like Express, & Other Stories has a plethora: mini, midi, maxi, puffy-sleeved, bodycon, oversized—you name it, they probably have it. Expect to see fun materials like tweed, plenty of floral patterns and lots of breezy linen.
Shop & Other Stories
- Why We Love It: bright, bold patterns, pieces that take you from day to night
- Shipping: 3 to 6 business days
- Return Policy: 45 days
Sprinkle a little British fashion into your closet with Boden’s whimsy clothing designs. This is for the fashionistas who gravitate towards Express’s more vibrant, statement pieces. Those who love florals and bold patterns, whether on a dress, sweater, jacket or blazer, are in the right place because Boden doesn’t hold back.
- Why We Love It: workwear and everyday apparel in vibrant hues and patterns, petite, tall and plus sizes
- Shipping: 2 to 7 business days
- Return Policy: 30 days
Think of every statement piece you’ve ever seen at Express and put it on steroids with a nod to classic silhouettes. That’s New York & Company. The colors and patterns are loud—some might say bursting with personality—and permeate every inch of their collection. Electric green suits, geometric-patterned blouses and dresses will have friends spotting you a mile away...in a good way, of course.
Shop New York & Company
- Why We Love It: affordable prices, trendy pieces, shop for the whole family
- Shipping: 3 to 5 business days
- Return Policy: 30 days
H&M is the more affordable version of Express, and you can also shop for the whole family here, plus home and beauty. Prices tend to hover around $30 to $40 across the catalogue, though you’re not hard pressed for regular finds under $20. Expect items like blazers and more formal wear to cost a little more but cap out at about $150.
- Why We Love It: excellent denim selection, plus, petite, tall and curvy sizing options
- Shipping: 10 business days
- Return Policy: 30 days
Denim reigns supreme at Madewell, with a variety of styles and inclusive sizing. The brand also has a robust collection of blazers and blouses to help you achieve a business-casual look, featuring poplin and linen for relaxed fits. Casual Friday never looked so good.
Shop Madewell
- Why We Love It: large selection of designer wear, buy from emerging designers, formal, casual and business attire
- Shipping: 1 to 5 days
- Return Policy: 14 to 28 days
Fashion enthusiasts who want the theatrical flair of couture will find it at Moda Operandi, a purveyor of emerging designers. You’ll find Express staples, like blazers, blouses and trousers here, but everything is a statement piece, imbuing fun and high fashion into each design.
Shop Moda Operandi
- Why We Love It: fun themed capsule collections, transparent sustainability commitments
- Shipping: 5 to 8 days
- Return Policy: 28 days
Nasty Gal brings a little boho/rock ‘n roll vibe to its clothing, with a robust spread of dresses and outfits perfect for a festival or club outing. It’s a little edgier than Express, with more daring cuts, sequins, patterns and miniskirts. Basically, shop here before you head to Coachella.
Shop Nasty Gal
- Why We Love It: sustainable clothing options, simple silhouettes
- Shipping: 5 to 10 business days
- Return Policy: 30 days
For jumpsuits, tops, dresses and outerwear like Express with a sustainable bent, Reformation is your store. The brand is committed to using 100 percent recycled, regenerative or renewable materials by 2025, while continuing to produce the minimalist, feminine designs that made its name.
- Why We Love It: elevated but casual workwear, men, women and kids’ clothing options
- Shipping: 3 to 6 business days
- Return Policy: 30 days
If there were a standard-bearer of American prep, J.Crew might just be it. With playful colors and accents to spruce up a genre of clothing that can otherwise be stuffy, it offers up staple pieces that are anything but boring.
Shop J. Crew
- Why We Love It: ethically produced basics, fair pricing
- Shipping: 6 to 11 business days
- Return Policy: 30 days
Shopping for basics? Everlane produces fantastic, stylish staples that are ethically made and sold with fair pricing. From T-shirts and button-ups to smart, oversized blazers and leather goods, the brand makes pieces you can feel good about and good in.
Shop Everlane
- Why We Love It: staple closet items with a Parisian twist, eco-friendly materials
- Shipping: 20 business days (international)
- Return Policy: 15 days
Sézane is the Parisian cool-girl twist on Express classic cuts, elevating them with rich colors, floral patterns and a hint of that mysterious French touch. The brand makes investment pieces that are both office and after-work appropriate, seamlessly bringing you from day to night.
- Why We Love It: reasonably priced, great selection of casual workwear, trendy pieces, makes goods for the home
- Shipping: 6 to 9 business days
- Return Policy: 1 year
If you need to dress up for the office but detest stiff business attire, Quince is your friend. The brand has created a line of ultra-comfy, stretchy work clothes that feel almost like you’re still wearing pajamas. Plus, they’re wrinkle resistant, so who can complain?
