Of course, you need the matching panties too. ;)

Hmmm, I think you've convinced me too. I may have to fit Nordstrom's in the next time I go to Anchorage. :)

My DH does fine in shirts, it's pants he has problems with. Not the waist/length (33/30) but the baggy butt. :rofl: The man is scrawny! The only reason he weighs 140 is that he still has the same skeleton as when he was 5'9". He does okay with jeans, esp the lean cut ones, and thankfully that's what he wears 95% of the time. Chinos or dress pants however are dreadfully baggy. And because he lost all of his height in his torso, jackets are always too long on him. But, hey, he's been in remission for the past 7 years, and that's all that counts. :D

Oh, yes, Meg, and panties too. Lunier has some matching ones and last time I did spring for a pair to go with one of my bras, a pretty blue jacquard (sp?). Lunier's website says they are offered at Dillards, and I think I do recall seeing a few styles there, but one of my Macy's had an entire rack. :) basics in white and beige and rose but also some racy animal prints, lacy styles, etc., ...
Pam

Meg, it's not as good as Nordstroms, but Victoria's Secret does fittings too. As long as you're in the 'normal' range (and I think you are) you should be able to find something there. The advantage to Nordstroms, aside from superior service and experience, is that they carry many different brands, so you and the fitter can find the ones that work for you. (Of course, you pay for it: each of the 3 bras I bought last weekend were over $50, but it's worth it, to me.)

But I reckon VS would be better than Macys, at any rate.

You should all visit me on Long Beach Island, NJ between June and November. We have a shop where the owner specializes in bra fittings. She must have 5 thousand bras in her little shop. People come from various states to get her bras.

In June, I got fitted by her and learned I have a 29 inch rib cage. She put me in a 32B and says next time she'll put me in a 30C which she stocks.

Today, I went in to Philadelphia to have lunch and go clothes shopping with my friend. I was wearing my casual black & white sundress (as opposed to my fancy b&w sundress that I'm wearing to our swing dance this weekend) and a woman actually stopped me on the street and asked me where I got it - TJ Maxx. It was just like a commercial.

We went to several stores and most of what I tried on fell off me. I really wanted something in chocolate and some fall skirts and pants. No luck at all. I did find a fuscia short sleeve dress with an empire waist that hangs straight and flat enough that it doesn't look like a maturnity dress. I practiced spinning in the dressing room to make sure it will be good for swing dancing. I plan to wear it to the dances in the winter with a sweater over it to start out with, cause it gets pretty hot pretty fast dancing even with the temperature turned way down and the fans up.

Also found 2 tee shirts with enough stretch in them that they fit my figure rather than hanging box like from my shoulders. And I got an awesome, sexy fitted purple with white pin stripe shirt with 3/4 cuffed sleeves. Very taylored with gathers under the breasts - sounds odd but looks fantastic. My only problem for wearing it is I'm usually cold and wear layers of sweaters. So the moment it goes below 80 degrees, I'm going to be whipping that shirt right out. This is definitely the 'new me' style.

After being disappointed with the 'no clothes in my size' situation, I took the train home and when across the street from the parking lot to the Goodwill. Some of you may remember I found some jeans and 3 pairs of shorts there in late Spring when DH was still out of work.

This time, I came home with 4 skirts! The first is a full length, straight chocolate, wool blend skirt that fits perfectly in the waist and only slightly roomy in the hips at a size 4. The second is a summer weight light pink knee length skirt with front and back pockets in size 1. The third is a summer weight floral beige on cream knee lenght skirt in size 2. And the fourth is a stretchy black skirt with 3 layers of hankerchef points that will be good for dancing. This last one is way out of my typical preppy, conservative style.

And the best thing was I got all 4 shirts for a total of $13.41 because some of them were half off $3.99! I also tried on 9 pair of jeans in sizes 1-5 and most of them fit, but I've gotten picky about how my butt looks. 6 months ago, I was just glad to find a pair that fit.

Next I need to get a white belt to go with my low rise jeans and brown shoe polish to clean up my high healed mules.

I think you've sold me on the idea of a fitter, too. I was already considering it before, but now it's kind of become an emergency. I just hope it won't be, uh, too expensive. :o

Those of you considering going for bra fittings, I highly recommend finding an independent lingerie shop in your area. They tend to carry more brands with more sizes than department stores like Nordstrom. Look for a shop that says they sell mastectomy prostheses -- those shops usually are really dedicated to proper fits!

My favorite bra of the moment is by Fantasie of England -- not sure what the actual style name is, but it's seamless so it doesn't have seams showing through with any clothes. Freya is another good brand for sizes like mine (small band, big cups). They are a bit pricey but not too bad ($50-$60 for a bra). Of course, last time I went shopping I bought three bras and two matching panties for a grand total of $277. :o Plus I can't wear them yet because I'm saving them as a surprise for the honeymoon and my fiance and I live together!

Anyway, I would recommend Nordstrom over Victoria's Secret. I have had many fitters at Victoria's Secret tell me I'm a 34DD and that "sometimes you have to go up a band size if the cups are too small." If anyone ever tells you that, don't trust them! Your band size is your band size -- if the cups are too small you have to go up a CUP size.

We got an invitation to a wedding for Oct 20th. I think it might be time for a 'little black dress'. The more I think about it, the better it sounds.

That formula is outdated a bit I always thought that was the formula but the bras I buy dont match up.
This is Nordstroms chart
Nordstrom's bra chart for the correct band size:

Bra Sizing Chart


And you have to measure lower on the ribs than you would think - right under my boobs I measure 31 but I wear a 32 bra

heck...the chart didnt paste:
http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/...051115_c.jhtml

You dont pay for fittings....The bras at specialty stores are often a little more expensive, but they last longer too. Buy one to ease your conscience and then buy another of the same style online if you need to save money.

VS will lie to you to get you into a size they carry. I went in asking for a 34H and they suggested I try a 38-40DD instead.

Thats awesome about goodwill, goodwill in Oregon is a joke, the clothes are more expensive than brand new at Ross or TJMaxx. Goodwill up here makes a fortune for their overpaid director of northwest operations.

I am having a bad shopping day. Paid for a sitter to go shopping and found only 1 top.

I hate that I dress like a slob, but I hate shopping.

Too bad about the bad shopping day, Ennay. So sorry! Sometimes it justs works out like that. The sizing chart link you posted is much closer to what should work for most women, especially when you consider that you want your brand new bra to fit pretty snuggly around the band because it's going to stretch out after a few wearings. For years I've been going up in band size because the stores I shopped at only carried cup sizes in Ds and DDs. No more! A larger cup for larger breasts is the only way to go and it definitely gives me a better look.
Pam

I watched a What Not To Wear Marathon on Sunday. Yesterday I checked a book all about style out of the library. And today ... off I went.
A couple of firsts for me. 1. I let the gal take a skirt off a mannequin for me.
2. I paid full price for a 'new arrival'.
I think I have my black pinstripe suit all fixed up. No one in my neck of the woods should be short tanks or cami's! There's tons out there.

Big shopping spree at TJ Maxx today - 6 tops and a dress all for under $100 total. Love that store. I found another halter top dress for swing dancing. This one is kelly green. A black sweater to replace the one I wore out 2 years ago. A medium brown knit turle neck to go with the Goodwill chocolate brown straight skirt. An off white light sweater weight top with 3/4 sleeves and embroidery around the neckline. A chocolate brown with turquiose patterned dots clingy shirt. A clingy, cringled light peach blouse. And a spagetti strapped white tank top.

Then I went to the store that I really was going to and got a pair of fancy cowboy boats to wear to the Western party at the club this weekend. The shoe part is brown with fancy black tips and the leg part is black with fancy brown embrodiery. They're going to look great with my suede skirt (one of the few clothes I didn't give away 2 years ago cause I couldn't bear to), brown leather vest, and brown cowboy hat. Not sure what I'm going to wear for a shirt yet. Depends on the temperature.

I just read the whole thread!!! Weee!

I definitely sympathize with the "anti vanity sizing" rants! I am 5'7" 130 lbs, I don't need to be a small! I would be very happy as a medium. I am now a sizes FOUR at Eddie Bauer which is just aggravating.

I went on a shopping BLITZ this weekend!

I bought the following:

This outfit - blue top, skirt (except I bought it in the store and got a cheaper, plainer dark blue button down to go with it, skirt was also on sale in the store):


This gorgeous jumper dress, will look fabulous with the black knee high boots I picked up on sale at the end of last year. My white button down is too bulky to wear under it, will have to find something sleeker

This fabulous shirt which I have waited over a full year for it to go on sale - no dice, I love it!!!

A couple of sale things from the Sundancecatalog.com website, including a pair of sand colored twill slacks that will go perfectly with the blue shirt above and a gorgeous denim skirt:

http://www.sundancecatalog.com/shopp...roductID=10404

http://www.sundancecatalog.com/shopp...roductID=10436

I hit the sales rack hard at Ann Taylor and found some awesome stuff. I got 3 short sleeved button down v-neck cardigans in turqouise, dark brown and dark red - they are gorgeous and are fitted and beautiful with camis underneath.

I got this one in dark burgundy!!!

I got this skirt too which looks nothing like this in real life - it's not so...up and down, it's much more triangle like. Both my new turquoise and dark brown sweaters look fabulous with it

I also got the HOTTEST outfit ever. Seriously, it is hot like "the fi-yah."


This is the skirt - it is seriously swingy and flirty and a wonderful soft knit material. It is spicy!!!

This is the top - it is completely low cut and form fitting.

Definitely the hottest outfit I have ever put on, it shows every curve in the most FLATTERING way.

I also desperately want these two shirts, but I am trying to stay on the SALES racks. So I didn't get them! (as a note: I was a size 4 in these two shirts!!!)

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/pro...=Cassis&size=4

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/pro...r=Black&size=4

I love shopping so much!!!

I woke up too early, poured a mug of coffee, and went shopping with Glory! What a blast!

How about a soft knit turtleneck under the jumper? Since it's black, you can do a lot with it. I'm seeing a lot of deep jewel tones for fall, all of which would work.

Love the black and white shirt! It has that floaty feeling without looking like a maternity top.

I bought an Anne Klein denim skirt yesterday at a ridiculously cheap price, almost identical to the one you got. A denim skirt is almost as versatile as jeans, plus it's dressier. Good choice!

The Ann Taylor cardigans are classics. What's cool is that the colors for summer were so dark this year that we can buy summer clothes on clearance and wear them all fall and winter.

Your :flame: outfit is awesome! When will we see a picture of you modeling it? :D

Buy the two Ann Taylor tops now! What I've found is that the smallest sizes are often gone before they make it to the sale racks. I especially like the banded one in cassis. It would be a shame to lose it.

Thanks for taking us along, Glory!

I had to drop off a prescription for DS yesterday (he's had strep for a month and this is antibiotic #3) and they said an hour wait. My choices were to stay in the grocery store or hit the mall across the street. Yep, I picked the mall. :lol:

More sales everywhere! Everything was 75 - 80% off. How can you resist?

And I realized that it's not a problem to buy something for next summer ... because I'll be the same size as I am now. What a revelation! When I was heavy, I never could buy a season ahead because I'd always be determined to lose weight and didn't know what size I'd be. Or worse, I'd buy something in a smaller size "because I'm going to lose weight" and never be able to wear it because, of course, I never actually lost weight. :dizzy:

What a change to consistently be the same size, season after season, year after year. It's really worth investing in nice clothes if you can keep wearing them until they wear out (as opposed to outgrowing them!) And you can actually build a wardrobe by adding pieces that work each season. What a concept! Who knew?! :lol:

Nice Glory!!!! I LOVE it all. Cardigans are great. They always look smart and neat and are so much sharper then a plain T. That flowy black skirt is gorgeous. That's a great denim skirt as well. Thank so much for sharing. That was fun!!!

My oldest daughters friend is getting married, her first friend to do so. We went shoppping looking for a dress yesterday. We went to Annie Sez. She found a beautiful dress. Since I was there already....... So yeah I found a very, very gorgeous sweater. Short, thick, gray, large-buttoned, mock turtle neck, cuffed sleeved to the elbow with a skinny belt. Wow, that's a lot going on for one sweater. I also bought a beautiful fitted rayon/lycra wine colored with some black floral running through the bottom of it turtle necked shirt.

Meg, like you I won't be wearing these for a couple of months. It was great to be able to buy ahead of time. yay!!!

I love shopping, I may have mentioned that previously ;) .The only problem is, and I don't mean to sound cocky or concieted, but, and here goes - EVERYTHING looks great now. It's so hard to choose. In the old days there was so little to choose from and everything looked horrible. Now, how do you choose when every store is an option and then you try on 8 shirts, 5 skirts, 3 pairs of pants, etc. and they all look good? Such a dilemma.

I bought something like the cassis top yesterday. It's red and quite long. I tried it on with looong straight pants. DS#1 was first upon the scene and said "that makes you look really tall". I love it!

I'm loving low necklines with a lace cami underneath. It's like an extra splash that makes you look like you know what you're doing style-wise.

While I was playing dressup last evening, it's come to my attention that I've made a few mistakes. Between, just plain stupid purchases and being lighter than I thought I could be ... I think I need to spend part of today in our room, housecleaning and thinning my closet.

Meg

Hey Meg! I had a great time reading the whole thread last night and seeing what every one else was buying this year (I didn't see any of the big wide bat wing jackets in my shopping expeditions!!).

I know EXACTLY what you are saying about being able to buy clothes for the next year. I can shop summer sales and still wear the clothes NEXT summer - it is a wild and liberating thought!!

For the jumper, I will probably consider turtlenecks, but I definitely want to wear a crisp white shirt under it - I have loved the look for years, it's so mod. Sadly, my white button down was bought the first summer of maintaining, when I weighed 140 and could never dream of being "small" and bought everything as a medium, it's just too...bunchy under the arms to wear under it. More shopping is needed!

I do love the two non sale shirts, but I spent a LOT of money this weekend, just stopping to breathe and recover!

Robin

Ha - Robin, I LOVED your post. I had the exact same problem my first summer maintaining - for the first time in my shopping life, nearly everything I put on looked...good. When I was heavy, if something looked remotely acceptable it was so rare, I had to buy whatever it was immediately! It has been very tough to actually stop and be picky - is it on sale, is it machine wash, what does it go with, do I already have shoes?? It is a dilemma, but a glorious dilemma.

I remember June 2004, I had a huge event in San Diego, where I was going to meet a ton of people who only knew me online. I shopped and shopped and shopped and it was so horrible. Nothing looked good, I ended up with an XXL skirt from Eddie Bauer (the orange/beige one from my "hey, look at me pull my big skirt sideways now that I am thin" picture) and a pair of dark blue striped pants from Lane Bryant with a HUGE flowy blue caftan top. That shopping experience and the fear of meeting those people were part of the catalyst for my big change which happened the next month.

Hey - speaking of pics, didn't you promise us more pics? Did you save a big skirt? If so, you GOTTA do the "hey, look how ridiculously big my old skirt is over little ole me" pic, love those!

Susan

My very stylish friend Carly is always after me to wear more camisoles under sweaters. When I was heavy, I wanted to wear button down shirts so badly (my boobs were too big to wear button downs), with cardigans. It seemed so clean and crisp. And...apparently, 10 years ago. My friends are dragging me kicking and screaming into 2007 fashions. It is hard for me to feel comfortable with clothes that are "fitted" to me - if I can feel my clothes, they must be "tight" becuase I am fat! It is a tough mental block to get through.

Hey Susan - how about something like this for your LBD (Little Black Dress)?

That dress is lovely! And those shoes! I'm browsing black pumps right now.

Thin layers ... thin layers ... I hear ya ... I wore shirts over turtle necks. The longer the shirt, the better.

Ooo, I :love: that dress! Susan, you'd be a knockout!

Here's a news flash from the world of insane sizes and shopping ...

I was in Macy's today, picking up some things that they held for me overnight while I could find my coupons. I had to ask the sales clerk to undress a mannequin in order to get the ONLY size small sweater in a style I wanted (the rack was full of Ms, Ls, and XLs of course). So I said: hey, we need to tell the buyers to order more smalls.

She said that's not how it works any more. Apparently stores buy "packages" of clothing from manufacturers that are all pre-sized. For example, the sweater I wanted came in a group with assorted other styles and they all came in predetermined sizes. She said, for example, there would be one "small", two "mediums", three "larges", and two "XLs" in a package.

It still stinks that it's so hard to find smalls, but that's why. It's not the store's fault; it's the manufacturer's for the way they "package" the clothes sizes. Crazy, huh??

Your best bet is still to undress the mannequins. :lol:

That's how I got my black pencil skirt yesterday ... size 2 ... she stole it off the poor mannequin!

OMG. That's EXACTLY what I do. I can't find my size, I head to the mannequin. They always put the smallest sizes on them. Now, why do you think that is? It's funny, because I even remember when I was shopping for clothing for my girls when they were little. I would see the small size on the mannequin and then I would look for their size. As they were getting older, the sizes on the mannequin were no longer what they needed and truth be told. The clothing DID look better in the smaller sizes.

I understand it's not the stores fault, but sheesh, I can't stand that all the small sizes sell out first just because there's so few of them. The manufacturers need to make some adjustments.

Who would have ever thought that I would go from wearing the very largest size in the plus-sized stores to the very smallest in the regular stores? Certainly not me. And in less then a year, to boot. Mind boggling. Simply mind boggling.

Glory, clothing was a huge catalyst in my decison to shed the pounds as well. I was wearing the very largest size in the plus-sized stores and that was only if it was full-cut. If it wasn't full cut, it wouldn't get around me. I was TERRIFIED that I would wind up naked. I mean can you think of anything scarier? I think not. :o:o:o

Glory, I love all the clothes you picked out. Looks like a very successful shopping trip.

Whilst debating an olive green suit that I adore ... I found this site about colors for fall. Thought you might like it.

http://www.pantone.com/downloads/art...0Fall%2007.pdf

Glory - you will be gorgeous this fall! Love all that you bought. I love Eddie Bauer, but will be happy when they start making longer shirts again. No matter what size I am, the past couple years' fashions of midriffing bareing shirts just don't work for us long-waisted folks. (And a bare midriff at any size is not a good look for a 62 year old! :lol: ) But aside from that, I do love that most things look good. Oh, and while I'm not sure I've lost anything, my "pants-o-meter" tells me I'm at least shifting some. Both my jeans and my black capris keep falling off my waist to my hips, causing me to hitch up my pants several times a day. :rofl:

Susan, that's so interesting about the color palette for fall! I'm seeing exactly those shades of yellow, red, greens, and brown. I haven't seen the cashmere rose, purple wine or dusk much but would love to since those are more my traditional colors.

I looked to see if they have a color palette for spring 2008 posted yet, but no. Now I'm curious about what we'll start seeing in the stores this coming February.

Glory, I LOVE all the clothes you bought. We have identical taste. You must be so thrilled. I agree with Meg, though. Buy those are two tops you like. You won't regret it. I too have made a bunch of purchasing mistakes that started when I hit about 150. I thought I was close to being my permanent size and bought too many size larges, now I'm more like a medium. The larges are pretty baggy and I don't like to wear them because I prefer more form fitting stuff now, and I just don't like tags that say the word "large" anymore. Silly, I know, but i can't help it. I wish I could take it all back. I'm worried because most of my fall stuff is larges, and I shouldn't spend MORE money on clothes at this point. I do love that all my size 6 low rise jeans still fit or are a little roomy. That just pleases me to no end.
Pam

I did happen to notice in the store today that the Womens (plus sizes) and Junior plus (I guess this is a new section for "trendier younger clothes for the fuller figured teen") take up the majority of the floor space. Junior Plus had twice the floor space of petite.

Did I mention I am so tired of laundry that I am thinking of going the minimalist route? Everyone in my household is going to be allowed 2-3 outfits max and we just wash often :rofl: Think of what I could do with the closet space...I could rip it out and put in a soaking tub. :D Or maybe not...sigh...but it sounds good.

Sniff ... :cry: ... look at what it's come to. We're being marginalized to the corners of the store and forced to steal clothes off mannequins. Next, poor tiny Carolyn will have to mug grade schoolers for clothes. I think we all need to gain 30 or 40 pounds in order to fit in. :lol3:

And to make it worse....the clothes were cuter on the junior plus mannequins than on the petite mannequins....I console myself only with the fact that the clothes didnt fit me any better then.

Glory, those clothes are...glorious!

My latest project is remaking new clothes. This is REALLY annoying. I can't buy it if it's not on the super sale rack. There is nothing left in petites in small sizes in the few places that have adequate petites. Last week I found a pair of size 2 regular pants that match a jacket I'd bought and given up on finding the pants. The pants are so long, that I was able to take fabric from the legs, make a new waistband, cut down the top of the pants so they hit my waist instead of just under my boobs (OK, not sure whether that's a sag issue or not, but that's not where my waist is), and tonight's projects is re-hemming what is left. It's going to work, but it sure is a lot of effort just to get a pair of pants that fits!

You all are having so much fun shopping :dizzy: I still find it very hard to find clothes that fit. At least I'm not crying in dressing rooms anymore, but I seems to be made of spare parts from different sized bodies :( Ironically, about the easiest thing to find is a bathing suit :rofl:

I really should go work on those pants.....

Mel

Grrrrr. I just wasted 10 minutes of my life congratulating Glory on her great new clothes and b*tching about the sizes at Ann Taylor when my browser went ballistic and wouldn't let me finish typing :(

Glory, great clothes!

If anyone is looking for a GREAT source of basic black and white pieces that are cut AMAZINGLY and are pricey, but LAST...check out White House Black Market.

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/home.asp

The clothes are a little on the expensive side, BUT...they always have a clearance section, have GREAT special occasion dresses, and the pieces are so classic and go with everything that if you're looking for wardrobe builders, you won't be disappointed....last weekend on sale, we got a pair of tailored white pants, a suit jacket, and a gorgeous (SPLURGE) black tank with a tie at the neck for a total of $115, so you can get good deals.

Currently I'm drooling over:
http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...?PID=300108449

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...?PID=300108498

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...?PID=300108414

They have really nice, great salespeople too...they do make "suggestions" of what to buy, but they are usually spot on with my tastes.

Wow, this is a dangerous thread to visit. I love all the things you gals are posting. I have the fall shoe bug right now - I just picked up a glorious pair of purple suede peep toe pumps on my way home tonight...could not resist them, even though (or perhaps because) they have ridiculous heels. Practical is totally overrated, right???

Glory, I totally agree with the others, this is one heck of as hopping spree, and you'll very likely have much fun wearing all of those. :)

Now to resist the need to buy again. Yep. This thread is very, very dangerous indeed. :dizzy:

(I definitely have to go on putting money aside for each day I eat healthily. It may seem silly, but hey, at the end I can buy a skirt or something, at least.)

Rachel! Purple suede peep toe pumps with ridiculously high heels? Pull up a chair and join us -- you definitely belong here. :D

Amanda, we just got a White House/Black Market in our local mall so I'll be sure to check it out. I've been to one in NM and loved it but didn't have much time then. Thanks!

Yes, I bought a purple wine shirt. A beauty. I mentioned it earlier.

All right, I caved. I'll admit it. Took my youngest for some new school clothes yesterday. And I bought one of those darn TRAPEZE jackets. It's a beauty though. Not as puffy. Gorgeous collar. Nice heavy weight and in a herringone pattern. And it was only $25.00!!!! I'm telling you if it was at Macy's or Ann Taylor it easily would have been $80.00. I found it at one of her junior stores. And it's a small I might add. Not only that I bought another jacket there for only $25.00. This was a lightweight, past the tush, black wool trench coat. So very chic looking. I can't believe I got 2 great jackets for only $25.00 each. This store always has tons of garbage-y clothing. But I do get lucky there every now and then and find fabulous jackets. I figured this was a good time to give it a shot and we got lucky. My youngest daughter and I bought the same exact trench coat in the same exact size (small). I was thinking that it was silly to buy the same jacket, but then I was thinking since we'll both get so much use out of it and for that money it was silly NOT to buy it.

Oh and I bought a really nice button downed, vertical striped blue and white fitted shirt that goes perfectly with jeans.

I must stay away from the stores for awhile, mustn't I? .......... Nah.

It's going to be 96 degrees on Saturday for our Western Night party at the yacht club. So I decided the the heavy seude, fully lined near full lenght skirt would be too hot to wear outdoors.

Back to my current favorite store I went...Goodwill. When I was there last week, I noticed they had a whole 12 foot long rack of denim skirts. I ended up buying 3! A black one with brown stitching that goes perfectly with my new black and cordovan brown cowboy boots (I wore them to the store to make sure the skirt(s) would work.) This one is a mini and comes mid way down my short thighs. I've never worn a skirt this short in my life, but I figure I'm wearing shorts that are much shorter than this skirt this summer so why not.

(All through my teenage and adult life I've thought my thighs were too big and have always tried to hid them by covering them up. Now that I've gotten back to my normal size, I look in the mirror and think, "What was I thinking, my legs look great!")

Then I found a pencil thin dark denim skirt that hits me at my knees so its kick pleat is actually in the right place. A major miracle! And I picked up a girl's size 16 mini with wide pleats and flap pockets on the front. Real cute. For $3.99 less 50%, how could I resist. There was a girl's size 14 that also fit, but I wasn't sure I could iron out the wrinkled up hem line, so I passed on it.

Meg had me LOLLING with that one! I was talking with my friend who's 2 inches shorter and maybe 5-10 lbs lighter and she does shop in the girls department.

While at Goodwill, I found a knee length black poly skirt that will be fine for swing dancing or wearing with the new cowboy boots. On the way to the check out counter, I walked by the shirts and picked out a chocolate brown knit colared v-neck with same colored embroidery on the neck line with 3/4 sleeve.

Total spent: $15.48

Plus, I've been able to find clothes small enough to fit. Can't say that about the regular stores...

Pam asked about the sweater I had mail ordered.

It came last week and fits well in the shoulders (often a problem area because my shoulders are so small and narrow. I love the color and the length and how it flares out at the bottom. I have to turn the sleeves up even though it a PXS, but that's statis quo for me. What I'm disappointed with is that the waist isn't as small as I'd like it to be. It hangs box like rather than being cinged in like the photo. I'll experiment with moving the buttons over to see if that helps.

Once again, it reinforced that I really shouldn't mail order anything.