Please don't laugh. I grew up very poor and I am about to make more money than ever imagined. What is a good clothing store I can shop from? What are the timeless must have pieces you should have?

I was the same way when this happened! Get yourself some well-made, dark wash jeans, great fitting button downs, solid loafers or flats, a solid pair of boots and a great warm coat. These are a foundation that will take you through years, while things like sweaters and cardigans and accessories will always go in and out of style.

Is there a Nordstrom near you? The sales associates are quite good and can help identify well-made, well-fitting pieces across many brands and styles. Going in for a consultation and telling them you’re aiming to build a strong capsule wardrobe as a starting point would set you up with a fantastic base!

Mango

Etsy for great vintage and handmade, unique itemz! Also Yoox! Congrats OP! 👏🏼

Put money into shoes and bag(s). People often notice that first and they will last.

Hire a stylist and wear what makes you feel like a badass. Some of this advice here is very suspect (Lilly Pulitzer in nyc? No. Not even on Friday when you are headed to the hamptons. You look like a country bumpkin).

I think I saw you say you’re in London - for basics I’d highly recommend Primark. It’s fast fashion, but they make things that are in current style and look very nice.
Top Shop I think is still in the UK and is great quality for denim etc.
I second who ever said Ted Baker as well.
I loved boutiques in the UK personally, definitely allow yourself some room to explore outside of major brands!

Go to Saks and ask for the help of a personal shopper, it’s a free service. Give them your budget and the types of work/personal/travel events where you’ll need clothes.

I don’t have suggestions (I shop at cheap places) , I just wanted to say good job!

Things you want to look for:

-Tailored jacket (remember, a sport coat is OK, but a tailored jacket is a must)
-A black dress that is work function appropriate
-Leather-soled shoes (they make a very different sound) (look at Frye for boots)
-Nice slacks that would make you freak TF out if someone spilled on them (e.g., not Target)
-A good handbag that can carry any tech you need (Henri Bendel had great leather totes, but they went under)
-A nice coat that goes well with most things you'd wear to meetings (think wool)

Things you want to avoid:
-Single-stitched seams (they often fall apart and/or pucker over time)
-Cute sweaters (fun, but often make you seem like a junior team member)

As for brand, you can have a lot of fun with that. I still do a lot of my shopping through Uniqlo for day-to-day staple pieces, but more exciting things I tend to get from Nordstrom Rack or Off 5th. Season doesn't make any difference unless you're handling fashion accounts, IMO.

If you're still lost, just find a tailor with their pricing posted. From there, it's easy to know whether the tailoring will be more than 30% of the price. If it's more, the piece probably isn't worth investing in.

Hope this helps!

h&m, zara and express have good affordable work clothes!

Going for monochrome always gives off a quiet rich look, but of course depends on the pieces you put on. Like a coat or turtleneck with your blazer etc.

Love Everlane, Quince, and Vetta for timeless, excellent quality pieces.

Maria Pinto has some timeless pieces

I love the UK shop Reiss. I don’t buy basics there, but I have dresses, skirts, and coats from there.

Nordstrom is an amazing place to start building your wardrobe. They have every price point and their personal shoppers will help you. Their Trunk Club is also a great option!

If you are stepping up your wardrobe game I suggest: Ann Taylor, White House black market, Nordstrom, Eileen fisher, Neiman Marcus, Barney’s New York and Giorgio Armani. That’s where I would start and I would pick a celebrity whose professional style you admire and look to see where those outfits are from.

If you are fluctuate sizes, I would stick to more medium priced stores. I’ve invested in a nice coat/shoes/boots from high end outlets and mix them with pieces from Target and Zara. Farfetch usually has good sales.

Major congratulations! I’d suggest looking around a department store nearby. Walk around and see what’s out there to get an idea of what you like. Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Saks, Dillard’s, Lord & Taylor, even Nordstrom. The sales associates here will be really helpful! You can ask them for what’s new or what they’re selling a lot of right now.

Wardrobe essentials include a great fitting pair of pants, crisp button-ups, a warm sweater, a pair of boots, a pair of flats, and maybe a pair of heels. The good news is that these items are often much softer/warmer/more comfortable at a higher price point, so make sure you feel comfortable and confident in what you wear. You deserve this.

Also mentioning that it can be easy to keep your closet feeling cohesive if you stick to a color palette! Any colors that you like/you feel good in. Mostly neutrals, bolds, jewel tones, etc.

Best Quality brands are European. Not linked to brands to show off. Some examples include: massimo dutti, uterque, sezane, Maje. I will say a black wool coat is an absolute staple. These brand and more deliver to the US. You can also look at department stores like El Corte Ingles and Galeries Lafayette to get great deals on designers and everyday clothing

Everlane is great for basics. Madewell jeans are my go to, though the sizing is all over. As for staples: great shoes and a nice bag can make a simple outfit look more expensive I think! Don’t hesitate to hit up TJMAXX. I still love a bargain no matter what my salary is!