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Office Siren Energy Only: Where to Actually Shop Plus Size Workwear Without the Headache

Universal Standard Plus Size Wear to Work

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Let’s be real for a second.

Yes, the plus size workwear market has improved.

And yes, it still stings to lose brands that once felt like they were finally getting it.

When White House Black Market quietly sunset their plus size options after hyping WHBM Plus, many of us did not even find out through an announcement. It was emails, comments, and whispers in the community. No goodbye. No transparency. Just gone.

And do not even get us started on LOFT quietly bowing out of plus size as well.

If finding plus size workwear has felt harder lately, you are not imagining it and you are not alone. That frustration is shared across the industry. A consumer survey highlighted by Vogue Business found that poor fit (43 percent) and inconsistent sizing (36 percent) are among the biggest reasons plus size shoppers feel alienated by fashion brands, with many saying they can never or usually cannot find their size in more professional or elevated clothing.

Eloqui plus size workwear
Image via Eloquii.com

That clarity matters, because it shifts the blame where it belongs.

The good news is this. While some doors have closed, others are opening. Being a plus size professional today may require more strategy, more creativity, and sharper discernment, but there are brands showing up with better fit and smarter design. We still have places to shop, and we have learned how to make it work

Today, we look towards some of our favorites to depend on as plus size workwear seems harder to find. The business world can be stressful enough without having to worry about where to get work gear. There are tons of places to go, and we’ve got the deets for you!

Where to Shop for Plus Size Wear to Work Clothing

We have options! Quite a few plus size wear to work options that will help us put our best foot (or curve) forward, to tackle the day with confidence.

Right?

Right.

When plus size workwear misses the mark, it’s rarely about style and almost always about design shortcuts. Too often, professional clothing is scaled up from straight sizes instead of being intentionally engineered for plus size proportions. That’s why fit issues show up first in suiting; pulling at the bust, collapsing fabric, awkward waist placement, and shoulders that never quite sit right.

As plus size designer Tracy Christian, founder of Sante Grace, has shared with The Curvy Fashionista, “True fit comes from designing with the plus size body as the blueprint, not an afterthought.” That philosophy is exactly what separates workwear that merely exists in extended sizes from pieces that actually support plus size professionals in how they move, sit, lead, and show up at work.

Plus Size Workwear Fit Tips to Know Before You Buy

  1. Start with the shoulders. If a blazer fits your shoulders, it can be tailored everywhere else. If it doesn’t, no amount of wishful thinking or sizing up will fix it.
  2. Watch the button test. A blazer should button smoothly without pulling across the bust or stomach. Strain lines are a fit issue, not a body issue.
  3. Fabric weight matters. Heavier fabrics like ponte, stretch suiting, and structured knits hold their shape better on plus size bodies and instantly read more professional than thin or flimsy materials.
  4. Comfort is part of polish. If you can’t sit, stand, or move through your workday without adjusting your clothes, the fit isn’t doing its job.
  5. Tailoring is strategy, not extra. Hemming pants, adjusting sleeves, or nipping the waist can turn a “good enough” piece into a power staple.

If you noticed, we also gave you a mix of luxe plus size brands, contemporary plus size designers and retailers, as well as big box brands! No matter the budget, we have tried to round up a few great gems and finds to help you shop with confidence.

Pari Passu Summer Collection: Plus Size Suiting and Wear to work options
Credits: Mark Andrew for Pari Passu

If you happen to be starting a new job and are not sure where to begin, to build your wardrobe, make sure you check out this handy list of 10 Wear to Work Essentials You Need!

So what do you think of our list? Who did we miss? Were there any retailers or items that you love love love?!

Let us know in the comments below!

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