Despite living in America’s fashion capital, New York’s young professionals often struggle to find office-appropriate attire that is both affordable and fashion-forward. As the post-college years turn into the late 20s (and even early 30s), New York women with desk jobs are bound to ask: After Banana Republic, what’s next?

If money were no object, the working gal could outfit herself head to toe in Celine, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren. But that’s a big “if” — and inexpensive, fast fashion H&M, Forever 21, or Mexx can be relied on only sparingly. “You can’t delegate something if you’re wearing a tank top from Forever 21,” MyPhuong Chung, 27, an architect who lives on the Lower East Side, said.

Putting together a wardrobe can be daunting for young women, especially when their co-workers earn more money, or are shopping on their parents’ or spouse’s dime. “It’s almost like you’re competing” with 20- and 30-somethings who can afford to shop at luxury department stores, such as Barney’s, a 31-year-old children’s book editor who lives in Park Slope, Rebecca Frazer, said.

The good news is that the city is home to a growing number of boutiques with sleek, but versatile, work attire for professionals on a limited budget.

At Johnson (179 Orchard St., between Stanton and East Houston streets, 646-602-8668), Kim Johnson, who previously worked as a secretary at Merrill Lynch, designs a women’s collection that straddles the gulf between office and evening, such as a pencil skirt with contrasting piping, for $195, and a polka-dot blouse, which retails for $150.

Meanwhile, Noir et Blanc (19 W. 23rd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-627-1750) sells Teen Flo, Pink Tartan, Victoire, and Beth Bowley dresses and suits. Wrap dresses are priced between $240 and $300, and Beth Bowley suits start at about $450. “My bread-and-butter customer is the person who works, but she wants to be able to go to the White House, the office, or the park for the day,” the store’s owner, Deborah Koenigsberger, said.

Selections at A. Cheng, a boutique with locations in the East Village (443 E. 9th St., between First Avenue and Avenue A, 212–979–7324), and Park Slope (152 Fifth Ave. at St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, 718–783–2826), include a $178 silk, flutter-sleeve camisole with a graphic print that would take well to a blazer, and a $248 embroidered cotton ruffle-front shirtdress.

The husband-and-wife team behind Sude (240 Third Ave. at 20th Street, 212-420-1422), Sude Dellinger-Peta and Joe Peta, choose designer’s secondary lines, such as Plenty by Tracey Reese and To The Max by Max Azria because of their more accessible prices. “It’s more marketable for the core that we hit,” a store manager, Kimberly Belcher, said.

And, if those options fail to produce, this city provides one of the best ways to find great, high-quality clothes and accessories at reduced prices: the sample sale. There’s a fine New York tradition of slipping out of the office for the chance to grab labels such as Chaiken, Tocca, and Theory at warehouse sales. It’s arguably work-related, after all.