Best Workwear for Size 16 (and 18, 16W and 16W)

average-sized young professional talking on the phone; She wears a gray blazer with a bow blouse

This page was last updated in January 2023 unless otherwise noted.

We haven’t been talking explicitly about the best work clothes for extra-long party sizes, ladies — if you’re a size 16 or 18, what are your favorite stores and brands? Due to the fact that The average American woman’s size is now 16 And 5’4″this is a particularly difficult question because with these stats you might fit regular sizes (eg, 12, 14, 16, 18), as well as sizes (eg, 10W, 12W, 14W, or 16W), my little one Regular sizes (such as 14P, 16P, 18P) or that rare bird, A small plus Sizes (12WP, 14WP, or 16WP) – that’s why women in this size range are called “inbetweeners!”

But a lot of the “normal” stores only carry sizes up to a size 12 – and a lot of the “plus” stores only start at an 18w. add to that The fact that most stores carry very few of these sizes on the shelves, and you could be stuck in a never-ending cycle of shopping online and returning things, as several readers pointed out in our post on How to return items purchased online.

So. Let’s discuss, ladies: What’s the best work wear if you’re a size 16? If you’re a size “average” and on the cusp of plus sizes, which brands or stores have you found work best for you? What styles of clothing suit your body type best? what are small brands; that works great?

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(Note: We’ve sprinkled some of our favorite plus-size basics throughout this post—note that most also come in sizes 14-16).

Some of the brands I know include:

“Regular” workwear brands in sizes 16-18 (aka “Misses” sizes)

(I realize that “regular” brands are a flawed term, but I do mean the distinction between size 16 vs. 16W – if anyone has any suggestions for something other than “regular” or “missing” sizes, I’ll accept them.)

These are the best workwear brands that offer plus sizes… Also check out our roundup on What to buy on amazon for work clothes – Many of these go up to a “3X size” which is more like XXXL than a true plus size 3X.) Bold Stores with reliable suitable options.

Nordstrom (00-18) (especially check out affordable workwear brands like Vince CamutoAnd slotAnd 1- The statefancier brands work clothes PresidentAnd LaginsAnd Eileen FisherAnd theoryAnd Lafayette 148 New YorkAlso, the pants Al Kut of ClothAnd LiverpoolAnd Nick and Zoe)
Abercrombie & Fitch (XXL in short lengths, and XLP)
Ann Taylor (00-18)
anthropologist (14-18 and XXL)
Amazon
Arecia (XXS-2XL, short and long lengths for pants)
Banana Republic (0-18)
Boden (2-22)
Bloomingdale’s (00-18)
Brooks Brothers (0-16)
Dresbarn (2-16)
pass (Regular, Short and Tall sizes 0-18)
J crew (000-20)
J Crew Factory (00-24)
difference (00-20)
Lands end (2-18)
the attic (00-18)
LL Vol (XS-3X, sizes petite and tall; mostly winter coats and shirts for the office)
Messi (00-20) (Check privately Anne Klein Executive Group (0-18, 0P-16P) f
Madwell
MMLaFleur (0-18)
New York & Co (000-20)
Nora Gardner (Independent workwear brand, sizes 00-16)
Old Navy (0-20)
Pendleton (02-18)
Talbots (2-20)
targeting (00-16)
uniqlo (Limited options up to XXL)
The White House | Black market (00-18, normal, short, long)

Independent brands in sizes XXL-3X

It can be difficult to make a cross in size “X” – but if you’re looking for something to wear, you should consider these stores.

As of January 2023, some of the smaller, independent brands in sizes larger than the 10/12″ include these stores:

(Also check out the comprehensive sizing sections in shopbopand and in spin (XXS-4X].]

Made to measure work clothes

searching for the best Made-to-measure workwear? As of January 2023, the best options we know are Brooks BrothersAnd SumisoraEtsy sellers My heart is my safeAnd Vigilante LaboratoriesAnd celestiloas well as smaller brands such as noisy bodiesAnd mustache suitAnd igigiAnd ShaktiAnd Rita Fell (pencil skirts only). Some of our favorite stores that offer free modifications to members include NordstromAnd J crewAnd Banana RepublicAnd uniqlo (select styles). If you’re crafty, you might also want to check out our roundup of Sewing patterns for work clothes.

Small work clothes in sizes 14P, 16P, 18P

As of January 2023, here you can find petite sizes larger than a size 12…

Nordstrom (14P-18P) (especially business casual pants from LiverpoolAnd Intelligence and wisdomAnd Al Kut of Cloth)
Abercrombie & Fitch (XXL in short lengths, and XLP)
Ann Taylor (14P-16P; also curvy cuts)
Amazon (14P, 16P)
anthropologist (up to 16P/XLP)
Arecia (sizes as short as 16p but very limited stock)
Bloomingdale’s (0P-18P)
Great products (XL-small and XXL-small)
Dresbarn (14P, 16P only)
Eileen Fisher (14P-20P)
Eloquii
pass (Regular, Short and Tall sizes 0-18, also curvy cuts)
Shakti (up to 6X/36W/custom; they ask for your height on every order)
The girl with curves / QVC (0XP-5XP)
Hours (14-28)
Jill (14P-20P)
Lands end (14P-18P)
Lane Bryant (12WP-26WP)
Lafayette 148 New York (up to 16p size)
LL Vol (XS-3X, sizes petite and tall; mostly winter coats and shirts for the office)
the attic (14P-16P; also curvy cuts)
Madwell (Limited options in 16P; also 33P)
Neiman Marcus (14P-18P)
New York & Co (14P-18P)
Nick and Zoe (14P)
NYDJ (up to 18p)
Old Navy (0P-20P)
Custom Rita Vail costumes (custom skirts)
Spanx! (XSP-3XP)
Talbots (14P-18P)
Tabata (Amazon seller with options up to XXXLP)
I. Popkin (Short Sizes 12S-38S)
The White House | Black market (00-18, regular, short, long, curvy cut too)