The Best Workwear Brands for Hips (Or Other Body Shapes)
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Update: See our latest discussion on the best work clothes for different body types!
Which are the best workwear brands for you if you've got hips — and you're tall? Which brands are best if you're curvy and short? Which brands should the apple check out first? How about suiting brands? Ladies, I got a question from a friend that I am Very Embarrassed to say that I can't answer: she's looking for an interview suit and wanted suggestions for a brand that is “forgiving in the hips and good for tall people.”
Hmmn… I mean, we've talked about which stores do bespoke dresses, shirts and blazers . . . we've talked about how work pants should fit — and a LONG time ago we had a conversation about which stores and brands are best for different body types — but it's been far too long. (We've also done guides to the best brands in general for petite workwear, plus-sized workwear, and tall workwear.) So let's discuss. In the comments today, please tell us:
- Your body type or body issues (if any): e.g., for me I'd say I need something that accommodates a big bust for sure, and where the cut is ok for a short curvy girl. (I'm 5'4.”)
- Recent brands OF SUITS you've tried, and what issues (if any) you noticed:
- Which brands you think of as YOUR brands in general (for anything other than suits):
- Which STYLES within brands you like: If there are repeated styles within the brands (e.g., Theory usually offers the Max pant as well as the Emery pant in suiting fabrics, while Loft has the Julie & Marissa cuts), which specific styles work best for you.
Here's an easy paragraph to cut and paste to kick off the discussion:
- My body type or body issues (if any):
- Recent brands OF SUITS I've tried, and notes on fit:
- Which brands I think of as MY brands in general (for anything other than suits):
- Which STYLES within brands I like:
Our last real discussion was in 2011 — I found these more recent articles on the web, but I still think the community here will be our own best source. I'll sort through the answers and try to do a nice roundup (hmmn, maybe a graphic) or something.
Further reading:
- Lucky Denim Guide [2014]
- Best Brands for Curvy Women (Big Waist/Hip Differential) [Windsor Peak forum, 2014]
- Good Brands for Small Waist/Large Thighs [Reddit forum, 2014]
- Angie at YouLookFab did general guidelines for different body types in 2014 (Pears, Apples, Inverted Triangles), but not specific brands as far as I can see…
Ladies, what say you — which brands do you like best for your body type? Copy the bullet points above and let us know in comments!
Pictured: Shutterstock / Syda Productions.
I’m 5’9, with a small waist and bust carrying most of my weight in my hips/butt.
For suiting, I tend to prefer BR suits with Martin fit pant (they used to carry a Jackson line which was even better, but I don’t know if they still do). I have some Brooks Brothers pieces but they are skirts. Nordstrom’s Classiques Entier line fits me wonderfully – you still have to shop for your body type bc some of their styles are odd, but they are good-quality.
Other brands that I’ll wear – some AT, some Jcrew, but mostly I will trend towards Nordstrom for help in the non-work category.
With all things – tailoring is a must – esp with pants to make them look right with my larger hips / small waist
5’5″ pear. Everything goes to the tailor to take in the waist, but Halogen, Classiques Entier, Pendleton, the various Tahari lines, Lafayette 148, and St John are the best starting place.
I am a “skinny pear” – usually 0 or 2 in tops but a 4 or, more frequently, 6 in bottoms with a disproportionately large rear.
Sadly, I don’t have any good suggestions. I have accepted that I probably need to get most skirts tailored to fit better in the waist. As for dresses, I have found the material and cut often makes a bigger difference than the brand – A lines/fit and flare styles work well (although I don’t prefer those for work) and jersey/knits with a bit of stretch don’t do that unfortunate tight on the bottom/super baggy on top thing. I recently purchased a RL dress in that type of fabric from M@cy’s and I think it is one of the most flattering work clothing items I own.
My body type or body issues (if any): petite and fairly slim, yet curvy. 36-23-38. 5’2″, but 33″ inseam. Enjoy trying to find clothes for that.
Recent brands OF SUITS I’ve tried, and notes on fit: The only brand suits that fits me off the rack that I have found are Armani and Ferragamo. On the less pricey side, I like Brooks Brothers. For BB, I buy a size up so my rear and chest can fit in, and have the waist taken in.
Which brands I think of as MY brands in general (for anything other than suits): Brooks Brothers, St. John, Escada, Kate Spade, Banana Republic
Which STYLES within brands I like: Dresses made of knits so they drape over my body, or dresses with high waists and A line skirts. Pencil skirts. Button downs.
5’10”, curvy (large hips/bust), size 10-14 depending on circumstances.
My favorite suiting brands and go-tos are Tahari, Elle Tahari (I usually find them at very reasonable prices at Bloomingdales and Nordstrom Rack), and Brooks Brothers if I’m splurging. However, I’ve learned that suiting is the one thing I almost never buy online, because sizing can vary so much with cut and body type.
5’10”, 33-34 inch inseam, short arms (for my height), wear a 12, hourglass figure.
I have worn J. Crew for years and they have always fit me great. Unfortunately, the brand has just started looking insane and I don’t want to wear any clothes from there anymore. I can’t really see wearing a sequined sweatshirt with patchwork silk pants to the office. I will still buy a suit from there if it goes on sale, but it needs to be lined! C’mon! (If you can’t tell, I’m a little sad we’re breaking up after 15 years.)
Banana Republic also works well for me because I don’t always need tall sizes in jackets and tops. Their tall pants usually work fairly well. Occasionally even their regular-length pants will work well if I’m wearing flats.
Thank GOD so many more places are doing tall dresses. I have long legs and especially long from hip to knee, so wearing basically any dress made in the last 5 years looks like I’m wearing a mini-skirt. Anthropologie and J Crew are TERRIBLE with making dresses too short.
I haven’t tried Boden but I’m really loving their spring line this year so maybe I’ll bite the bullet and try it!
I’ve struggled finding business clothes (mostly tops) because I’m 5’4, size 2, but DDD bust and tiny waist but long torso. Tailoring seems to be a necessity to get things to be long enough + big enough in the bust and then take in the waist. I’ve had some luck with Tahari and CK for bottoms, but am still struggling finding long but not too blousy tops (makes bust look even bigger) and blazers that fit my broad shoulders but don’t look boxy. Would appreciate recommendations!
5’6, 120-125 lbs, 32 DD, pear/hourglass. Elie Tahari dresses/skirts/suits are my favorite. Pretty lines and accommodating of hips and backside. I really wanted a basic black Theory suit, which didn’t work for my body type. The black Tahari suit was a great alternative.