So in a mad fit of frustration (and because it was pay day) I went shopping yesterday.
This is the first time that I have really allowed myself to go shopping since I started this crazy adventure. But it was really long over due.... For the past couple of weeks I have been absolutely miserable. I have been swimming in my wardrobe and seriously at one point just wanted to gain all my weight back so that I would look decent in clothing again.
It was strange because when I has shopping I honestly had no idea what size I was, my first instinct was to grab the 18's in the plus sized section and a few 2x tops--- but no! I had such a hard time forcing myself to grab the misses XL tops--- but they fit--- they fit and they weren't even stretchy material! I got two misses XL button downs and they didn't gap at all-- they fit perfectly! I even got a normal Large size sweater! I even got my butt into a pair of juniors size 17 jeans (I generally prefer juniors jeans because I am rather rectangular in shape).
It just boggles my mind in the difference in the quality of clothing between plus sized and "regular sizes"-- I got a work skirt that actually had lining! None of my "womens" work skirts had it! I don't understand why you have to be a size 16 or less to get clothes that aren't a shapeless sack made of some horrible poly blend!

I've noticed that, too. I can wear "regular" jeans from gap & old navy, and the material of the jeans is so much better than plus size jeans. With any plus size jeans I've worn, the material is usually stretchy, so they get super baggy in the thighs and knees after like an hour.

One thing I want to get when I reach goal is a pair of good quality jeans. I don't have a single pair of jeans right now that I like because I can't find a pair without being made of thin material. I have several pairs of jeans in the back of my closet from my size(18) all the way to 12, and I agree with you. The regular sizes of the same brand do seem better.

Try a store called fashion to figure. It is awesome I love that store. very cute and quality clothing for PLUS SIZE chicks. and the best part..... It is very affordable. Torrid has cute stuff too but they are WAY overpriced!

It seems to me like almost all women's jeans are thin no matter what size. I'm amazed at the difference between the material used for my husbands jeans versus mine.

oh i hate shopping for jeans or pants. seriously, i go to express about once every 2 YEARS to buy ONE pair of jeans and then wear them basically daily. with jeans, it's all about the brand. express fits me perfectly (i never even shop there normally!) I am very tall with thin legs, no butt, and flabby tummy. gap and old navy fits me HORRIBLY, i could never ever wear pants from either.

Hmm I have a similar figure to you (ie NO butt, though I am shorter with thin legs, and a belly)..I'll have to try Express when I gain enough confidence to actually go in and TRY ON a pair of pants (currently humiliated by my gigantor size to step foot into a dressing room to try on pants).

I hate shopping jeans too! I have the most idiotic body shape ever, where my butt is concerned. Where it starts it looks like a swimming circle and then it goes completely flat It has no curve. All jeans look buggy on that area. T.T

HAHAHAH I've been complaining about jeans shopping all week. The problem I have right now is my "normal" jeans are major saggy butt... and the pair I can squeeze into now fit, but they're still pretty tight. I don't have to suck in or anything, but compared to the pair that are loose, these are an adjustment. I mean, I've lost almost 20 lbs so I guess that's my "reward" to myself. I have the HARDEST time finding pants because I'm shaped funny and have hippo thighs.

I canNOT wear pants from Old Navy. They always pull through the thighs and look horrendous. I usually get frustrated at Lane Bryant for whatever reason. I recently ordered a pair from Aero and I guess we'll see how those look.

Here is my beef with plus sized clothing: WHY on earth do they make things in unflattering material? I'm sorry, but most bigger women don't need to attempt to pull off satin-y materials OR knit materials because it shows EVERY roll and bulge you have. It seems like that's the only things tops are made out of now a days. UGH.

I just bought an uber cute jacket from Torrid. LOVE it. I also ordered an asymmetrical tank from them that WOULD have been cute if it didn't SWALLOW me (same size as the jacket mind you). Also, it's made out of satin. I will be returning it ASAP.

RAAAAAHHHH!

EDIT: I'll share some of my badonka donk butt with you guys that have no butt. Yesterday when I was looking at my tighter pair of jeans I was like "DANNNNNNGGGGG.... My a$$ is HUGE!"

Same here! That is the problem I have with jeans.. I am very full in my thighs and butt. If they fit in the butt they gap open in the back. My DH like to point out to me all the time how big my butt is.. haha. Not really in a bad way though.

I do have a pair of PJ pants with frog faces all over them. I bent over in the kitchen putting away some dishes and he started laughing.. I said what? He told me that the frogs on my butt smile bigger when I bend over. LOL. Gotta love em.