So, today I went out to buy some clothes since all the winter clothes are on sale this weekend. I was quite excited because after 64 lbs lost I figured I'd have a wonderful time trying on all the smaller sizes. No, this is not what happened. First I tried on a coat, 2X (I am now wearinng a baggy 3X) it was too tight. This scared me so I tried on several 2X and 3X shirts - most did not fit me. I cannot believe it. Those are the sizes I have been wearing for several years and all my clothes are way too big. The only thing I can figure out is that I have only been buying clothes from the Lane Bryant catalog for a long time and they must run much bigger than the women's sizes in stores like Penneys and Sears. I'm hoping this is the answer but boy was my balloon burst. So, I'm swearing off shopping until spring, I'll just muddle through the rest of winter with what I have. I'm not going to buy clothes at the same size or larger after all I have been through! This put a major damper on my whole mood today. Tomorrow I'm making my husband take some new pictures of me because I have not done that since I started (except for a couple random shots at Christmas). I'm sure that will perk me up, everyone keeps telling me that I look so much different. We'll see. You may or may not remember that I am the one that has to jump on the scale every morning because I'm afraid all the weight loss has been a dream and is not real. Today did not help. Sorry I'm down in the dumps today, hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.

Awwww, different brands vary so much in size. Even the same brand can vary a lot because all the manufacturing is outsourced. I just bought a 2X shirt that is smaller than my old 1X shirts that I have. And, my size 18 jeans are finally loose and now I can fit into a pair of 20 jeans I have that were too tight before. Also, if you happened to try on any brands that are marketed towards 'Junior Plus', they run a whole size to two sizes smaller. So, a 3X Junior Plus may fit like a regular 1X.

So, please try not to get too caught up in the sizing. You KNOW you are smaller because your clothes are getting loose. Don't let a silly little label make you feel bad. You know what I do to labels that make me feel bad??? I cut 'em out!!! LOL

I have to agree with adagray... buy what looks good... don't worry about the sizes. They are all so different. I can wear XXL tops from old navy but some of my 3x tops from Ross are too tight. Lane Bryant is deffinately sized on a bigger scale as that is who they market to, and the other stores are sized in etheopia...haha.

My grandma told me a couple years ago to quit bothering to look at the size... it's better to look good in a 20 than look bad in a 16. Don't let it get you down... buy what looks good and cut the tag out! Sizes mean nothing, it's how we feel that counts!

And btw... Way to go! You are doing GREAT!!!

dont look a the size!!!! look at how good it fits you! i had that same experiance and i have only lost 26lbs. i am trying hard not to go out an buy clothes since they r on sale. But what i will do is look for stuff i like and put on the size that looks the best on my body at the time. Brand names differ so much...i swear some of them should not make Plus sizes cuz i dont think they have a clue about a "real " womans body.

You are doing great... cant wait to see the new recent pics.

Misses sizes and Women's sizes are different in both sizing parameters and actual cut.

If you look at the size chart for JC Penney or Macy's, for instance, a 3x is a 22-24 and it is their largest size. In the Plus Size Women's stores (Lane Bryant, Avenue, even Old Navy) a 3x is a 26-28 or so. A 14 (please Lord let me get there someday!) in The Gap is NOT the same as a 14 at Lane Bryant.

And, everyone is right - let the fit be your guide. Size is just a size. A good fit will flatter you every time.

Wow, you guys made me feel so much better. Especially learning that 3X at penneys is a 22-24. Thank you all so much!