I was wearing Bras in a 44C, and now wear a 40DD -- its amazing what a proper-sized bra will do for you. I love the Cacique line for bras and panties -- they wear like steel even if you accidentally run them through the washer and dryer.

Thanks for all the links -- I'll check them out. I just tend to wear pants and shirts so I guess I'll have to expand my outlook on clothing. I'm only 5 feet tall so you can imagine how hard it is to find clothes that fit and are flattering. Now that I can wear some shirts that are XL, I find the upper arms are too small -- and I have to go back up to a 1X just for the arms. I end up wearing way too much stretchy stuff just to accommodate arms and calves that are not getting smaller as I lose weight.

Huh, looks like you and I both went two band sizes down and two cup sizes up when we got fitted - I wonder if that's a rough estimate of what people should be trying. Have u gotten the back smoothing bra from cacique yet? It's fantastic! I hear you on the needing different sizes thing. My waist is about three sizes smaller than my rear - I've gotten used to buying things big and taking them in!

eta: didn't see your post Lisa! let us know what you think about PUG

Another good one on Ebay is Hollywooddiva and DQFashion. I think Hollywooddive is down right now. But they always have great deals and cheap!

great links, gals, thanks!

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I love the vintage colors and patterns at Pinup girl, and I really liked that Kiyonna has some dresses with sleeves! That is so hard to find these days, IMO.

I really like Zaftique for tops. www.zaftique.com . Lots of empire waists, you can find the same tops in different colors (mostly solid, deep colors, which I like), and they're soft, cool, and stretchy.

Thanks for this thread!

Wow, I always thought Zaftique was a bit too conservative for me, but they have some really great stuff - lots with sleeves too. I actually like my arms, but I still hate that you can't ever find formals with sleeves anymore, since I get cold. This Dress is so cute!

Alsomwanted to put a plug in here for Lane Bryant's jeggings - super comfy and they fit really well. They are actual denim too which I think makes them so much more flattering. Only downside is the rise is kind of long which cd be a problem for you unless you're really shortwaisted (I am, and they're even a bit high on me). http://www.lanebryant.com/pants-jea...at=14878%406000

Chell, I love that dress! I think I'm going to buy this one

I like this one: Sactuary Designs . They carry women's sizes 1x-9x and are reasonably priced.

Bumping for a big sale thru Feb 21 at old navy - code is on the website, it's 15% off if you spend $50 and 20 off if you spend $75. And free returns if u buy plus size stuff. Theynhave some cute stuff right now in clearance plus, too, it u are bubble size (12-16) like me. I'm still baffled that their 1x fits much smaller than their xl, but it works for me.

Here's a place that was new to me and carries some smaller-end plus size stuff. Of course all the stuff I fell in love with is sold out. =(

shopruche.com

And a local place with gorgeous, classy (don't be thrown by the name), *expensive* vintage-styled things - they claim in their new ads that they carry up to size 24 although I didn't see much on their site larger than 18. Traditionally I've found their sizes run very small, but I will report back next time I get over there.

www.trashydiva.com

Trashy Diva - like their styles, their fabric - not so much. (Wish my arms looked good enough to go and wear styles without sleeves. Perhaps I should just go and DO MORE RESISTANCE TRAINING!)

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I've bought a lot of dresses from www.igigi.com - they have never steered me wrong. Super flattering and I always get LOADS of compliments on the dresses, even when I've worn them for years and years.

Thank you for all the awesome links ladies! It's time to through my grey sweatpants away!

So, where do you go to get a decent bra fitting? Whenever I go bra shopping I end up miserable, hating myself and the world and everyone in it. I have no idea what size I should be wearing, but I can tell that everything I try on is NOT RIGHT. I end up with the least not right bra I can find, three of them, in white and beige. I wear them until they fall apart, then start the whole process over again.

In the past, I have had good luck with the "better" department stores (like Nordstrom). Recently, I was able to find two good sports bras at the Hanes/Bali Outlet near me. Look for a store that specializes brassieres and lingerie. Call them first to make sure they carry "plus" sizes.

Of course, if you happen to be between sizes, whatever you buy might not fit perfectly. In that case, I would go with something that is a little on the tight side, as wearing it and washing it will loosen it up a bit.

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