Congratulations pennink!
I loved that turtleneck dress too - wow...really pretty, and simple too.
I took a look at the Coldwater Creek, and there are some things in there that might work for me too. I think I saw one of these stores at the Flatiron Crossing mall.
I must admit that part of the problem I'm having is making myself venture into stores that aren't plus size. Awhile back, I was really surprised to find that things in the Eddie Bauer store fit me. I tentatively sort of wandered around...afraid to actually try anything on, for fear it would be too small. Kept grabbing extra-larges, thinking I'd be lucky if they fit. Turns out I was a 'medium' in that store. A month or so before that, I actually bought a couple of shirts from their store without trying them on - extra larges...thinking, "I'd rather try these at home and if they don't fit I'll just bring them back".
Um - I think 'shirts' are a difficult thing when one's body shape is changing. I don't think I'm going to buy too many shirts for now. More sweaters and knits I think. I've got tons and tons of tailored shirts that are all boxy now.
You know what? I don't know what size I am! So I grab a whole range of things, and after fumbling around in the changing room and then going back and getting more sizes - I sometimes just end up walking out in a huff.
And the other thing is that I think the sizes have changed somehow over the years. I've got a beautiful dress that I kept - something my parents gave me years ago. It's a size 12 - and I'm very close to fitting into it now. But when I try on a 12 in stores...well, it seems like things are bigger, or the sizes are all skewed or something.
Is it just me or is it that I'm a completely different size depending on the brand, the store, the item? Anything from a ten to a fourteen? That it's impossible to tell what to try on? Gah!
Hopefully, as I shop more and try on more things, I'll develop an understanding of what my size is - that somehow I'll decipher which brands work with what size on me etc. It never used to be this complicated.
I am vowing to get into more stores this fall, if only to educate myself on what clothes I like, what fits where and so on. Maybe I won't buy a whole lot, but I do need to get out of the "I'm a size 2 or 3X" mindset.
Maybe I'll even try on a skirt or two.
I haven't worn a skirt (except on my wedding day) since gaining the weight. Funny how I developed all these 'rules' about what I can and can't wear - maybe those 'rules' are all wrong???? For instance - no skirts, no belts, no light colours on the bottom, hardly any colours at all (think black, navy or rarely..grey), plain loafers, lots of 'all black' ensembles, no patterns, hardly any jewellery, no coloured shoes or socks...
Hmmph.