It depends on your goal? I straight up created a whole profile after lurking for awhile just to tell you my feelings on this lol because I'm ABOUT this topic and trying to learn.
I don't spent a lot of money on clothes. I don't mind affordable staples, especially if you can't tell what they came for, but call me a snob, there are several "mall brands" I would not be caught dead in. I feel like I would rather have older off season items that look timeless and mature than anything. A lot of Loft, White House Black Market, even on sale these things aren't actually that bad compared to some other brands but I believe that as staples, they lead to a bit of polish overall.
I work in an office and I'm not kidding when I say my wardrobe is a huge part of my personality there. My truth here: buying second hand Staples and anything in HIGH END FABRICS is more important than whether something is new and on trend, IMO. Especially if this about attracting men (which for some it is, for some it isn't), because they will never know how many seasons old your clothes are.
I feel like you can skimp on pants, and buy cheap/affordable on trend denim. Someone mentioned Zara and I think I agree wholeheartedly with that and madewell for jeans. Everlane, too. The trends change more frequently here and I don't feel it's worth my money to buy high end.
Heels, I don't think most people notice much but I won't skimp on flats. Like... I don't keep it expensive but I try to buy even basics in nicer brands. If I go out to the beach I'll be in nice Birkenstocks or something because people can and will spot you wearing a nice outfit with old navy flip flops. I have a few nice pairs of Rothys I rely on, and importantly I would never be caught in FAKE ones, better to be in a practical vague heel or something than an obvious knock off. I would get an everlane day glove but I wouldn't buy the target knock off version. However I don't mind a strappy block heel from Target, and I've noticed the same ones I have in standard nude and black on several Instagrammers wearing otherwise higher end clothes.
Poshmark is INSANELY helpful lol.
I aim for QUALITY materials in tops and dresses but not being on trend, I feel like a nice blouse doesn't age like denim does, if you're gonna update something make it the bottoms. I have old dress shirts that look totally different with a mid rise skinny that I don't even like anymore versus tucked a good straight leg.
My entire office wardrobe started with a week of combing goodwill, and if I didn't tell people, many would NOT know. I lucked out with a couple of nice thick quality dresses, shifts from Furstenburg, even a madewell one that gets a lot of compliments, etc. The Loft ones flatter me every time. Talbot's seem to work well. Again, dressed and tops, not bottoms for whatever reason. For the sake of science, I also bought a few peices from express, a blazer, two dresses, and they're awkward. They don't work, and I had to get rid of them. Maybe it's different for everyone and you find out what works for you.
And lord do I hate myself for saying this but part of it is comes down to keeping a low BMI. It is easier to buy nice clothes when you can buy from your size and two above and have it tailored down.
Speaking of body type, when all else fails, fuck all of that and just go for a good clean silhouette. On hard mornings I've shown up to work in a loooong legged flared yoga pant with a high waist and a clean high necked black shirt and gotten a LOT of compliments because even though it was essentially pajamas, the silhouette of it was * chef's kiss *