WHBM sizing? - YouLookFab Forum

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WHBM sizing?

catgirl

Veteran

I thought someone else posted about this but I can't find anything recent - how does the sizing at White House Black Market compare to other brands? I've stopped into the store but never tried anything on. Thanks for any info!

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from AviaMariah

unfrumped

Veteran

About TTS; not large. I wear about a 2 in jackets and 4 in skirts, when something "fits". XS to S in tops and toppers with that sizing. 2-4 also. And a lot of their knit cardi's seem designed to fit closely and have a tighter banded bottom hip-fit, so I can't wear those.
A lot of their tops have wide scoops or deep V's that are no bueno for me. In the past, at least.
One criticism I've had is that a lot of their jackets and even tops & sweaters have very distinctive silver hardware, snaps & trims so I feel I can spot or be spotted in WHBM items when I'd rather have the provenance more mysterious. I have changed buttons before but can't change studs, snaps etc.

catgirl

Veteran

Hmmm. I'm considering a pair of cropped wide-legs in petite and wondering if I should size up or go with my usual size. Compared to say, Banana Republic, are they about the same? Hopefully they will not be covered in silver snaps!

Thistle

Veteran

I hope Natalie chimes in as I know she shops there. I have found their pieces true to size or a touch smaller. I think they run smaller than say Ann Taylor. I have had a real mixed bag on quality from them and found their sales staff rude and pushy (could just be the one by me!). I now avoid them.

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, I think I left the last store for that reason... Even the online chat person was a bit huffy ("You could just check the size chart." Well, I would if I could find it on the site!).

Susie

Veteran

I recently bought 2 pairs of their ponte trousers and they are a great fit for me. They fit similarly to a pair from BR in the same size, with the WHBM being a bit bigger in the waist I think.

Peri

Veteran

The thing I've found is that the look of the brand is very fitted. The SA's are always trying to put me in tighter fits than I want. So while it might run TTS, it's a very body-con look. I size up because I don't like body-con. But if you want skinny fit for your pants, I would guess that your regular size would be fine.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm specifically looking at these:

http://www.whitehouseblackmark.....0&cat...

Elly

Veteran

I find them TTS or even a tiny bit larger compared to the gap family of brands-- biggest complaint is most of their pants have a slightly higher waist than I like.

unfrumped

Veteran

What Peri said. Things are either TOO flowy or they are body con. Their catalog and lookbooks showing "work" looks are more,umm, fitted-bombshell and dressy than I think of for most work settings; has some date-night overtones.

carter

Veteran

I buy the same size at WHBM that I buy at BR in their old Hampton (curvy) fit, but a size smaller than I recently bought in the Sloan fit. I have curvy hips and you have slim hips, so make of that what you will;-).

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I find them similar to Banana Republic / J Crew, run big compared to some other brands. If you're not curvy, don't buy anything curvy fit -- they are telling the truth on that.

And this doesn't relate to pants, but Unfrumped is 100% right on the silver hardware issue. It's my No. 1 pet peeve with their clothing. I have my own jewelry already, most of it is gold, and I don't need hardware to be tarting up the clothes separately.

One more thing: their clothes aren't made for cold climates. I don't think I've ever purchased an item from them that was suitable for wear above the Mason Dixon Line in winter.

Also, you can often get coupon codes for them from retailmenot

Joyce B

Veteran

Like Thistle, I have found the WHBM sales people extremely rude and pushy.
God forbid you need to return something, they will fight with you, even when returning within the allowed time period.
I do not shop there because of that, if they want me to spend my money they better treat me right. They do have nice merchandise, but poor service.

Stuti

Ditto with pushy sales people and silver hard ware.
I avoid them because of SA
TTS for me

Gigi

Veteran

I have ordered a few petite bottoms from WHBM, all jeans, and I have found them to run very small. I have to buy one or two sizes up. I've tried on misses' bottoms in-store and found those to run TTS, however. My only caveat here is that I do have a big bottom compared to my size overall, so that may be why I need to size up. I haven't tried their curvy fit but should do so.

In the past, I have called WHBM for more info on an item, and I have found the customer service reps to be very courteous, unlike the in-store sales staff, which as others have said are extremely piranha-like. There is a small store at the location where the customer service reps are, and if your item is available, they will go and actually measure it for you while you wait on hold.

elpgal

Veteran

I have stopped by several times after reading them about them here but have never purchased because of the silver hardware and the high rises. Sizing is true to size in bottoms, find the tops too fitted/gauzy. I went over to their website when I saw your post, but don't see much evidence of the shiny hardware at least on the tops, so maybe they are a step ahead of the game.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I haven't been there in ages, but I bought a bunch of stuff there a few years ago. Actually I'm wearing a pair of WHBM floral jeans today. I found that they usually ran TTS or even slightly large on the bottoms, like I sized down to a 4 for a pair of denim shorts, and the size 6 jeans were a little stretchy so I had to wear a belt, but now that I've gained 15 lb it fits me exactly! I used to be a 28 but I think I'm more like a 30 now. If that helps.

I kind of liked the attentiveness of the sales staff, as you were trying things on they would bring more items that they thought you would like. Kind of like the Nordie's SAs. As an apple, I appreciate high rises. And hmmm, I like silver...

Diana

Veteran

Yep, they win the award for pushiest sales staff. I thought maybe it was just the Boston store but it sounds like it's company policy. I remember one time I was in there and they insisted that I try everything with these 4 inch high platform stiletto heels. Hahaha.

I haven't tried anything on there in forever (because I'm scared of going in now!) but I recall it being tts.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I've had good luck with pants there and definitely go down a size, maybe two. I usually wear a 4 or 6 and wear a 2 in their sizes.

For reference I'm wearing a 4 at BR.