Which Are The Best Stores and Brands for Different Body Types?
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2016 Update: See our newer post on the best work clothes for different body types!
Reader S wonders which are the best stores and brands for different body types, which is an excellent question:
Could you do a run down of what different shops work for different people? I just started as a summer associate, and a few of us were talking today about what works for us and what doesn't. For example, I'm straight as a stick, so Ann Taylor and Express always stick out in the wrong places and look bizarre. On the other hand, they fit my curvier friends beautifully. I end up buying a lot of my work clothes at Banana Republic and Talbots. And when the commenters complain about clothes being boxy and short – well, those are the ones that fit me perfectly.
Could you do some sort of massive reader poll on suggestions for stores based on body type? It'd be nice to have an idea instead of personally scouring every mall in the tri-county area (which I've started doing).
Such a great question, and I can't wait to see what the readers say. Please identify your body type in your comment. Pictured: Mall of America, originally uploaded to Flickr by Matti Mattila.
For my $.02, as a curvy/hourglassy girl (5'4″ with long legs), the following department store brands have always been favorites of mine:
– For pants: Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, Trina Turk, Armani
– For fitted blouses: Brooks Brothers, Thomas Pink
– For suits: Ann Taylor, Tahari petites (for skirt suits), AK Anne Klein / Anne Klein
– For casual pants: Tommy Hilfiger, Levi's, DKNY
Some brands never quite look right on me — Theory suits, Calvin Klein or Ralph Lauren pants, etc. Others seem to require on the particular garment — Rebecca Taylor, Nanette Lepore, etc. All dresses need to be tried on for me. Most off-the-rack brands fit me fine in terms of knee length; I can occasionally wear petite skirts also (but never petite pants, for some reason).
Readers — what is your body type, and what are your favorite brands and stores?
Hi! I know this thread hasn’t had any action in a while but is there anyone else out there who is very petite and has had luck with certain brands/stores? I am small – about a 100 lbs and 5’0″ and it is very difficult to find clothes (other than boy’s Brooks Brothers blazers!) – please let me know! Thanks!
It’s NYC summer and I’m going shopping. Found this site when googled best brands for hourglass shape. At 5’2” with bust: waist: hips 38”: 32”: 39”, I found your suggestions helpful. I already go to Ann Taylor, The Limited, and NY & Co, but will try Tahari, Trina Turk, Tommy Hilfiger, J. Crew, Kenneth Cole, and Anne Klein. But one problem that I’ve had since I was 13 are asymetrical waist curves because of minor scoliosis. Buying pants and skirts can be difficult.
With so many brands that advertise their slimmist fitting sizes and models, what are we average buyers supposed to think and feel? As someone who eats healthy and exercises when possible (busy schedule) seeing those ads can be disheartning.
However, there are some (re)emerging images: Christina Hendricks is the most notable, with Bridget Brannagh from Army Wives.
I am 5’2 and i wear a size 14 or 16 in pants. I have NO butt, a stomach and NO hips, and a high waist, I have a 40D almost DD bust and, fitted shirts that button up gape and i have lots of extra fabric in the crotch area. For shirts i just go 4 ones that dont buttoon up, i love turle necks, i love my long sleeved one from Ralph Lauren, and I love 2 use belts right below my bust to create a hour glass shape. I dnt want to wear yoga pants everyday (which seem to help a lot) everyday. Either i have 2 much fabric or a camel toe and there is no inbetween. I only have 2 pairs of pants that fit me. American Eagle and Bee Bop (i found thouse at burlington coat factory), I dont want 2 spend a lot of money on clothes because im 16 and my parents still buy my clothes, any ideas??
At 37-26-38, finding clothes is a pain. I usually just get soft fabric blouses (like rayon) and tie them at the waist with belts. Gap curvy fit jeans work well for me.
I’m 5’3″ with a tiny waist, huge butt, thick legs and very muscular quads & hamstrings. I haven’t found slacks that I’m really in love with, but as far as jeans I’ve found that Calvin Klein straight leg jeans are comfortable, stretchy, and with a nice tapered waist for ladies with a bigger caboose like me.
I love this post idea! I just landed a new cooperate job and I start in two weeks…I need some advice on pants as well. I am a size 4 in the waist and but turn into jlo with my rear and hips. I normally vary anywhere form an 8-10 in pants but most of the time when I put them on the are incredibly tight on the inner thigh! I hate it! I am 5 “7 so I guess that’s on the tall end of average height,but my height comes from my torso. I like to create the illusion of a straighter/leane body and I am ray successful when it comes to skirts addresses but pants….I am at a loss…any advise?
Just adding to the conversation for those looking for + size alternatives: The Limited has a plus-size store called eloquii. It’s mostly online, but they have a few brick stores throughout the U.S. and are constantly expanding.
This looks like an older post, but if it’s still active, I’m looking for advice…
I’d like to surprise my (newish) girlfriend with some clothes, but she’s mentioned she has a heck of a time finding clothes that fit. She’s about 5’6″ and a size 8 usually with a 34G bust. Lots of stores don’t carry her size and what she does find either fits her chest or the rest of her. She’s pretty much given up on button down shirts because they gap, for instance. We’re in Canada and she has some luck at Ricki’s. I’d like to find some other places she might enjoy shopping. And, I’d love to find a button shirt to prove they exist for her somewhere. lol. But casual clothes stores would be helpful too… Thanks in advance.
I am 5′ 8″ and 135 pounds, “curvy” in sense of thin waist-to-hip ratio, and broad shoulders. I read through all these comments as I HATE going through malls and shopping to find the perfect fit. I needed new work pants and this is where I went/what I discovered..
Banana Republic – Martin fit pants were great, and they have different fabrics and textures. The cotton blend is even washable.
Express – tried on Editor and Columnist in several styles (flare cut, etc), and found all of them to be poor quality. Did not like fabric and showed every little bump.
Ann Taylor- wow, I was surprised as I had not shopped in an Ann Taylor in many years (see earlier comment.) They had four cuts of pants – Curvy, Signature, Modern and City. I actually liked all of them!! Just depending on the day and what type of look you are going for. Nice quality, great fits.
Ann Taylor LOFT – I did not like the quality of the materials here..
Gap – I tried here even though I thought they might be too casual. The Modern Boot pants were cute, but they only had black. Perfect fit was okay. They didn’t have my size, and also only black. I just don’t think Gap caters to the professional (more casual beach wear) so I wasn’t too impressed.
Nordstrom – Halogen brand had numerous styles, colors, and fabrics — but in the end, just felt they were too “grandma” (I can’t say too mommish, cuz I’m a mom!) Also, couldn’t find tops with the right level of professionalism – they were either too stodgy, or too hip and funky.
In the end, I went back to Ann Taylor and got pants, a few awesome tops, and a dress from the sale rack. Everything fits my figure perfectly – no tailoring!! And I love the style – modern, fun, but still appropriate for work. Thanks for this website!!
Where can I purchase pants with a SHORT fit from WAIST to CROTCH. The crotch seam hangs.
Size : 16 Thanks!
I cannot find anything to fit my shape for work! I’m 5’9″ and 170. 6 on top and 10/12 on bottom. I guess the problem might be that I am just starting this job, and we don’t have much extra money for nice clothing, so I’ve been trying to find a couple good basic pieces. My torso is so long that even a mid pant doesn’t usually cover my butt, combined with my smaller waist, it leads to horrible muffin top, buttcrack and skin showing. What do I do??? I’m feeling so frustrated:/
What a great post and listing!
For suits I have not been able to fit into anything other that express or limited.
Express I only purchase with the high waist longer length skirts as I prefer to keep right above the new and not much higher. The jackets are a little more fit than I have found elsewhere. I can do a 4 top and bottom and fit perfect. Pants, I use their editor fit.
Limited I can purchase a 4 jacket but need a 2 skirt and pant. I use the drew fit and it works well.
On work shirts I use Express (Small) and Banana Republic (4). With both I use fashion tape to seal the bust each morning. I just haven’t found a button down which fits in the waist and can accommodate the bust without the fashion tape.
For dresses cant go wrong with Limited 4 typically or the Calvin Kleins awesome fit!
I am definitely checking out Antonio Melani from dillards from this post.
Ugh! Wish I had seen this two and a half years ago when I first started working! Never too late though. Even though I didn’t see anyone with my exact size, the suggestion for Calvin Klein dresses for flat chests is golden. I’m 5’8″, 110 lbs, 32-25-35. I felt so hopeless when I first started shopping for work clothes that I bought myself a sewing machine and taught myself to sew. It was that bad. Luckily I discovered Express. Their 00L dress pants have been an absolute lifesaver! I don’t see myself buying pants elsewhere (unless anyone knows of 00L pants that don’t sag in the butt). I also get work tops from Express and other stores, but the holy grail seems to be long sleeve shorts and blazers that have long enough sleeves. My wingspan is an unfortunate whopping 6 ft. (I get comments all the time). That coupled with a non-existent chest means I should probably just buy a few sizes up with the intention of getting the item taken in. It’s funny, I’ll sew something from scratch but making adjustments is like pulling teeth! I’ll pay someone to do that for me :D
Someone needs to set up a spreadsheet/grid here, we could vote depending on height/weight/bust/hip/waist size etc. which stores provide the best fit….it’s too difficult to read through all the posts and find a consensus!