I am in the rotten stage of almost too small for plus sizes --- which seems unreal at 233 pounds. I am finding though that my size 16W are just getting too loose and I don't find baggy clothes very flattering. After years of hiding under baggy ill fitting clothes its been rather nice wearing the size 16W quite well. Problem is if I leave the plus size stores and try to fit into a regular 16 they are too small -- size 18 just doesn't exist in regular stores.

I guess this is coming out like a complaint --- certainly not a complaint about my shape changing just wishing there was an easy transistion from plus size to regular sizing. Its also dismaying when you find your 16W getting loose and I start thinking I am not too far from 14 -- but 14W doesn't seem to exist. I know this is a regular beef from women about how different our sizing is.

If anyone has any suggestions of a store that might be a good source of large but not plus size clothes I could use the help. I am heading to Oregon next month and have promised myself a bit of a shopping spree (oh I really don't care for shopping) if I get down to 225 or there abouts.

Thanks for any and all help and understanding.
Joanne

Old navy and gap have 18's..

Any department store and major mall store should have 18s and some even have 20s. I recently bought some clothes from New York & Co, Eddie Bauer and J. Jill. All of those were 16s, or 18s in bottoms and L in tops. Also Lane Bryant should have size 14 pants but I've found their size 14 tops are way too big on me and have been for quite a few lbs.

Liz -- thanks this is what I have to wrap my brain around -- that I can shop at places like Old Navy and the Gap. When we were in NYC last year I went to Old Navy but I was 30 pounds heavier and nothing fit.

Nelie -- I am glad to see you also have problems with Lane Bryant -- I wore the 14/16 last year and its now just baggy on me -- I guess they really "undersize" their clothes. We don't have LB in Canada but I was hoping to shop when I get to Oregon. Again I might be able t rethink.

Its actually quite nice to see all my old t-shirts (which I used to wear baggy) and just reject them for being too huge.

Thanks for the help

AMerican eagle online goes up to 18

I don't understand how you can fit into a size 16 though being 233? Wow that is awesome, I was only able to fit into size 16 when I was under 200 lbs.!! Great Going and keep up the good work!
Fashion Bug and The Avenue are great as well.

I second sassy chick. I'm the same weight and I only fit into a 22/24. I'm 5' 5". How tall are you?

I'm only 5'6 and I'm fitting into some 14s right now at 222, I think they are plus size but they were from a regular store. It really depends though. I am glad to be completely out of plus size although I do have a couple plus size items, 16s and 18s. The 18s are way too big on me, the 16s are ok although for me, I just enjoy the misses size clothes.

I was going to say the same thing!

I was taking a size 20 at 215, sometimes an 18

Now I am an 18, haven't been able to squeeze into a 16 yet.

well, that is really weird. I can fit into size 16 plus-sz jeans (from a plus size store) and I am 159lbs!!
Why the heck do i take such a big size for my weight?!? (i'm 5'2")

In my experience, some of the variation in sizing has to do with who the clothes are being marketed to - clothing for teens/young adults tend to be cut smaller, while clothing aimed at those who are a little older tend to be roomier, even though the label says the same size. I've found that one of the side benefits of getting older is having a broader range of choices in clothing (e.g. in stores like JJill).

I have similar issues...right now I'm in a 16...a year ago i was at the stage that you're in...but I got a lot of clothes from NY&Co and Old Navy. I like NY&CO also, because their pants come in lenghts...it's hard to find pants that are long enough!

Lane Bryant's clothes have NEVER fit me properly. I guess I'm built kind of weird...but the crotch area in their pants and jeans is saggy and way too big, even in their smallest sizes.

This is the experience I am currently having I bout a few pair of size 10 pants that fit perfect but found a great deal on a pair of 11 Junior jeans. I cant even get the things over my pouch. Yet I have room to spare in the 10's.

I'm 236(yay I've lost some since I last weighed myself) and size 18 Levis fit me, but i wear a 22 in juniors? Life would be a lot easier if sizes actually meant the same thing.

Well, in canada we have addition-elle, which goes from 12 to 26, but I don't think you guys have this store.

I find it so funny, I'm a size 18 at 5'7" and 227 lbs.