I was wearing a size 22 or so for the longest time, until I lost enough to fit into a size 18 between my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies. About 6 months after baby#3, I managed to fit into my size 18 jeans again, but just barely, they were kind of tight. I wore them anyway, because I refused to buy a bigger size. Of my 2 pairs of jeans, one was a stretch denim that was always more comfortable than the other pair (with no stretch).
Yesterday for the first time, I was able to put on the no-stretch pair comfortably! I could pull them up and button/zip easily and actually feel comfortable in them.
Then, just for kicks, I pulled out a pair of size 20 dress pants. I hate those pants, because I'd been forced to go out and buy them in a size 20 because none of my size 18 dress pants fit and I needed some for a wedding I was photographing. Now, those size 20's are too loose! Woohoo!