Sportsgirl vs Portmans vs Forever New 2026: Mid Tier Workwear AU

Updated: September 2026.

Australian mid tier workwear in 2026 sits in a tighter space than five years ago. Country Road and Witchery hold the premium end at AUD 220 to 500 per piece, Kmart and Big W run the entry point under AUD 40, and the middle band from AUD 60 to AUD 250 belongs to a smaller set of specialists. Three of the most searched are Sportsgirl, Portmans, and Forever New. Here is how they compare for an Australian office worker rebuilding their wardrobe in 2026.

The verdict

TL;DR: for Australian workwear in the AUD 60 to 250 band in 2026, Sportsgirl is the trend-forward youth office pick, Portmans holds the traditional office suiting range (blazers, work pants, shirting), and Forever New leans toward structured tailoring and occasion-adjacent workwear. Sportsgirl sits in the Sussan Group and Portmans sits in the Just Group (Premier Investments); Forever New is independent and runs its own biannual mid-season promotion.

Sportsgirl is Sussan Group's youth and trend-forward label, operating "150+ stores around Australia" per its official heritage page. Its workwear range is smaller than its casual and denim range but the tailored pants, blazers, and knits under AUD 130 typically outperform equivalent H and M or Cotton On workwear on cut and fabric weight.

Portmans is the Just Group's dedicated office wear label, with a workwear range that is the deepest of the three. Blazers sit AUD 149 to 229, work pants AUD 89 to 149, shirts AUD 79 to 129. Portmans currently runs a Mid Season Sale with up to 50 percent off selected pieces, per its own website.

Forever New is independent (not part of Sussan Group), Melbourne-founded in 2006, and sits slightly higher on price band and formality. Blazers AUD 179 to 279, tailored trousers AUD 109 to 179, silk-blend shirting AUD 129 to 169. Forever New's occasion range crosses over into wedding guest and cocktail territory.

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Per profile:

• For under-30 office worker rebuilding basics: Sportsgirl for tops, knits, casual blazer; Portmans for tailored suiting
• For traditional corporate office (finance, law, government): Portmans deep bench (Portmans work pants and blazers are the backbone)
• For occasion-adjacent office (agency, PR, events): Forever New tailoring plus a Sportsgirl statement piece
• For pregnancy or return to work capsule: Portmans (best size range 4 to 22 in workwear)
• For remote worker who needs 2 to 3 nice pieces for onsite days: Forever New blazer plus Sportsgirl knit
• For zero style office (client-facing lawyer): Portmans classic navy suit and Country Road shirt combo

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The Sussan Group vs Forever New: parent context

Understanding the parent groups explains the sale calendar overlap and quality tier positioning.

The Sussan Group (ARJ Group Holdings) owns Sussan (women's casual), Sportsgirl (youth trend), Suzanne Grae (older casual), and previously operated in New Zealand as Sussan Corporation. Sportsgirl operates 150 plus retail stores across Australia. Sussan Group is privately held.

Portmans sits under the JGL group (Just Group), which was acquired by Premier Investments in 2008. JGL also owns Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Jacqui E, Peter Alexander, and Smiggle. Portmans is the workwear specialist in the JGL portfolio.

Forever New Clothing is a Melbourne-headquartered independent company founded in 2006 by Anthony Scinocca. It operates in Australia, New Zealand, UK, South Africa, India, and select Middle Eastern markets. Forever New has no parent brand overlap with Sussan Group or JGL.

Head to head price and range

Attribute	Sportsgirl	Portmans	Forever New
Parent	Sussan Group	JGL (Premier Investments)	Independent
Founded	1948 (Melbourne)	1979	2006 (Melbourne)
Australian store count	150 plus	~120	~80 (AU)
Blazer AUD price range	99 to 179	149 to 229	179 to 279
Work pants AUD range	69 to 129	89 to 149	109 to 179
Shirting AUD range	59 to 109	79 to 129	129 to 169
Knit AUD range	79 to 139	89 to 139	119 to 189
Suit / co-ord sets	Limited	Deep	Deep
Size range	6 to 18	4 to 22	4 to 18
Best for	Trend, youth office	Traditional office	Occasion, structured tailoring
Cashback participation	Check retail page	Check retail page	Check retail page

Prices are indicative September 2026 based on published catalogue pricing at each brand's Australian site. Actual advertised prices vary week to week and by sale window.

Where each brand wins

Sportsgirl wins on trend-forward tailoring for under 30s. The current spring 2026 range includes cropped double breasted blazers in bone and mocha, wide leg tailored trousers, and stretchy office knits at accessible price points. Sportsgirl's denim is a genuine strength (its selvedge and premium denim under the SG Premium sub label is Australian-designed) but that is not workwear. For office use, the strengths are casual blazer, knit, and jersey suiting pieces suited to media, tech, and startup offices.

Portmans wins on traditional office wear breadth and inclusive size range. Portmans' workwear category is one of the largest dedicated workwear ranges in Australian mid-tier retail, covering blazers, suit trousers, midi skirts, shirting, knits, and workwear dresses in sizes 4 to 22. The Portmans website currently promotes "Mid Season Sale with up to 50 percent off sale items" (Portmans official site). Portmans is the go-to for finance, law, government, and corporate offices that need traditional silhouettes.

Forever New wins on structured tailoring, occasion-adjacent workwear, and international consistency. Forever New pieces tend to feature more considered construction (lined blazers, matte hardware, quality zippers) at prices 15 to 25 percent above Portmans. The occasion range includes silk-blend blouses, tailored midi dresses, and structured tailoring suitable for client dinners, events, and hybrid workwear-to-drinks styling.

When each brand goes on sale

The Australian mid-tier fashion sale calendar in 2026 gives buyers three to four sharp windows per year per brand.

Sportsgirl sale windows:

• End of Financial Year (mid to late June): 30 to 50 percent off selected
• End of season (mid February and mid August): up to 50 percent off previous season
• Boxing Day and post-Christmas (26 December to mid January): 20 to 40 percent off
• Click Frenzy Mayhem (mid May) and Click Frenzy November (early November): flash 25 to 40 percent off site-wide
• Loyalty program (SG Insiders) triggers early access and 10 to 20 percent off

Portmans sale windows:

• Mid Season Sale (currently live in September to October 2026): up to 50 percent off selected
• End of Financial Year (mid June to mid July): 30 to 50 percent off
• Boxing Day (26 December onwards): 25 to 50 percent
• JGL loyalty tier discounts (JustMe rewards)

Forever New sale windows:

• Mid-Season Sale (mid March and mid September): up to 30 to 50 percent off
• Boxing Day (26 December to mid January): 25 to 40 percent off
• Occasional flash sale weekends (typically twice a year, 20 percent off site-wide)
• Rewards members get early access and birthday discount

Boxing Day is the single sharpest window across all three brands. If you are rebuilding a workwear capsule in December to February, run Boxing Day at 8am online then check remaining stock in-store from 27 December onwards.

When this does not apply

If you work in a heavily creative office (advertising, design, fashion) the mid-tier suiting silhouettes at these three brands can look a step too corporate. Consider Camilla and Marc, Aje, or Bassike for a step up on cut and fabric.

If you work in a heavily conservative office (top-tier law, executive banking, judiciary) mid-tier workwear may not carry the tailoring standard your role demands. Country Road, Oxford, Anthea Crawford, and Rebecca Vallance sit above the Sportsgirl to Forever New band and typically hold up to daily wear better on 3 to 5 year horizons.

If you are budget-constrained under AUD 60 per piece, look at Kmart, Big W, Cotton On, and Uniqlo Australia. Uniqlo's Smart Ankle Pants and blazer collection in particular give strong office silhouette at AUD 49 to 129 per piece.

Frequently asked questions

What is the price difference between Sportsgirl, Portmans, and Forever New workwear?

Sportsgirl workwear runs approximately 15 to 25 percent cheaper than Portmans on comparable pieces, and Portmans runs approximately 15 to 25 percent cheaper than Forever New. As a benchmark, a mid range blazer sits at AUD 129 (Sportsgirl), AUD 179 (Portmans), and AUD 229 (Forever New) in September 2026.

Are Sportsgirl and Portmans the same company?

No. Sportsgirl is owned by the Sussan Group (ARJ Group Holdings) alongside Sussan and Suzanne Grae. Portmans is part of the Just Group (JGL) owned by Premier Investments, alongside Just Jeans, Jay Jays, and Peter Alexander. Both are Australian mid tier retailers but do not share corporate parent.

Is Forever New Australian owned?

Yes. Forever New Clothing was founded in Melbourne in 2006 by Anthony Scinocca and remains Australian-headquartered. The brand now operates in Australia, New Zealand, UK, South Africa, India, and select Middle Eastern markets, but retains its Melbourne head office and design team.

When is the biggest Sportsgirl and Portmans sale of the year?

Boxing Day (26 December) through mid January is the single sharpest window across both brands, with markdowns of 40 to 60 percent on end-of-year stock. End of Financial Year (mid June to mid July) runs a close second at 30 to 50 percent off. Portmans additionally runs a Mid Season Sale twice a year (usually March and September) at up to 50 percent off.

Which brand has the best size range for Australian workwear?

Portmans has the widest size range across the three, covering AU 4 to 22 in its main workwear categories. Sportsgirl runs AU 6 to 18 and Forever New runs AU 4 to 18. Portmans is the strongest choice for buyers seeking plus size traditional workwear cut in inclusive sizing.

Which brand has the best workwear for a startup or agency office?

Sportsgirl and Forever New both work well for startup, agency, and PR office settings. Sportsgirl skews younger and more trend-forward (cropped blazers, wide leg tailored trousers, statement knits). Forever New skews slightly more elevated and structured (silk blend blouses, tailored midi dresses, lined blazers).

Is Portmans still relevant in 2026?

Yes. Portmans remains one of the deepest dedicated workwear ranges in Australian mid tier retail, particularly for traditional office silhouettes. The current Mid Season Sale advertises up to 50 percent off selected pieces per its own site. Portmans is the default choice for finance, law, government, and corporate offices seeking traditional workwear cuts.

Do these brands offer sustainable or ethical certification?

Sussan Group (Sportsgirl's parent) publishes an annual modern slavery statement and is a signatory to the Australian Fashion Council sustainability roadmap. Portmans (JGL) publishes similar modern slavery reporting through Premier Investments. Forever New publishes a sustainability page committing to ethical sourcing. None hold Fair Trade or B Corp certification across the whole range as of September 2026.

Where is Sportsgirl clothing manufactured?

Sussan Group publishes a supplier list annually as part of its modern slavery statement. Sportsgirl production is spread across China (largest share), Bangladesh, India, and select Australian manufacturing partners for niche capsule ranges. Verify the current factory list at the Sussan Group corporate site.

What is a good starter workwear capsule from these brands?

A five piece starter workwear capsule from Portmans in September 2026 runs approximately AUD 550 to 750: navy blazer (AUD 179), matching straight leg trouser (AUD 119), white cotton shirt (AUD 89), knit twinset top (AUD 99), and midi skirt or workwear dress (AUD 129). Add pieces from Sportsgirl or Forever New for trend and structure over time.

Do Sportsgirl, Portmans, or Forever New offer student discounts?

Sportsgirl runs UNiDAYS discounts (typically 15 percent off for verified students). Portmans runs Student Edge discounts intermittently. Forever New does not offer student pricing but its Forever Rewards loyalty program gives new signups a 10 percent welcome discount and a birthday reward.

How do I stack cashback on top of these sale prices?

Use ShopBack before you tap through to Sportsgirl, Portmans, or Forever New Australia so the visit is tracked. Cashback typically appears as pending in the ShopBack account within 2 to 7 days after purchase and confirms after the retailer clears the return window. Sale price is applied at the retailer; cashback is on top of the final sale price paid.

Does ShopBack Snaps work with in-store Sportsgirl or Portmans receipts?

ShopBack Snaps is Australia's receipt-based cashback layer that scans physical retailer receipts. Snaps campaigns rotate by retailer and category. Check the current Snaps campaign list in the ShopBack app before visiting a Sportsgirl, Portmans, or Forever New store; where a Snaps offer is live on eligible fashion receipts, scan the physical receipt within the campaign window.

Which of the three brands has the best returns policy?

All three brands accept online returns within 30 days for a refund on unworn full price stock. Sportsgirl offers free returns via Australia Post using a returns portal. Portmans allows free in-store return of online orders. Forever New charges AUD 8.95 for return postage but waives it for members of the Forever Rewards program.

Primary sources referenced

• Sportsgirl heritage page official
• Portmans workwear category
• The Sussan Group corporate site
• Forever New brand about page
• Premier Investments (parent of JGL)
• Australian Fashion Council sustainability

Aryan Gaekwad is a ShopBack fashion contributor covering Australian mid tier retail, workwear, and value timing. This article is general information; verify current retail pricing at Sportsgirl, Portmans, and Forever New Australia before purchase.