After wearing a flannel shirt for years and coveting the stripey sailor shirt around age 15 or so, I decided I was a fashionable teen and wanted nothing to do with them – give me belly shirts and flares. I’m still on the fence now, as they make some quality things, but their clothes so often are a bit too frumpy, especially in the Women’s sizes I’d worn a few years ago. I always thought they could do that preppy with a twist thing better than the mall shops, if they put their mind to it.

So they finally did come out with LL Bean Signature a few seasons back.

It’s a bit pricey and a bit too formal for me, but there’s some lovely pieces. I wondered with the trimmer cut if the sizing would run a bit too small. But Bean’s main line is running bigger every year, so I put in an order for a 16. The jacket fit like it was made for me. It seens equivalent to Gap sizing They also carry 18s. Look for the designs online and in their outlet stores.

At one time I was a 20W in most major brands (Elisabeth, Tommy Hilfiger, etc.). Now, due to my own downsizing and size upsizing (a very real phenomenon) I fit in many makes of straight size 16, such as Gap. I don’t kid myself this is the 16 of my youth.

The thing is, I am plump still. I’m working to change it. But some things will never change, and I was born with a large frame body – wide shoulders and large muscles that never fit into baby onsies since birth and then came some boobs.

I cannot bear to read one more miraculous weight loss story about a women dropping five sizes. OK, if you had a size 2 frame body to begin with, were very chubby and you lost many pounds, you might go back down the sizes . But the reality of structure and stature is that some of us are XL and shall remain XL, no matter how sleek we might get. I will always need an L or XL sweater or jacket, I just might keep taking in the sides further and further.

Plus-size is cut wide, and is often drapey and shapeless. And it is often just dreary or horrible or just not my taste – either overly loud with matronly embellishments or ultra-sexy clubwear. All I want is a classic, yet funky look…jeans, a camisole, a cashmere sweater that reads cool, quality, FITTED. Yes, there are some wonderful plus-size fashions out there, but you really do need to dig!

So, dear reader, I only list retailers that offer things I love. If I wouldn’t wear it, due to fit or taste, it’s not here. It’s a dream list, as my budget is small and I’m not a fashion diva. I like the feel of clothes, softness and quality are equally important to me as presentation. I will continue to list a small amount of plus-size shops that offer the smaller sizes and suit my taste. If you’re larger than a US14-20 or OX-1X, this blog might not suit you, but follow the links to some wonderful blogs that will lead to some great clothes for you.

I love Jessica’s home workouts. I bought her Look Better Naked video, when the title made me laugh. It’s great! There are beginner modifications, but you can also do a more challenging tack, with alternating days of cardio and strength (though both workouts feature some of each). She telegraphs the moves well and gives just the right amount of encouragement, that while you know it’s pre-recorded, it does feel like she’s talking to you. You can try a beginner’s workout featuring her Mom and her dog, on jessicasmith.tv and she’s many more titles recently.

A gym is great if you can afford it and get to it regularly, a walk and jog in the park is wonderful, but it’s a real revelation that you can get sweaty and sculpt some powerful muscles in a little spot in front of your TV.

Edith has designed her own dress for Dutch brand Yoek, who ship internationally. Their sizes range starts at US8, with their size L being a US16/18.

While sometimes I’m more just buying some clothes to fit and not so much fashionista, I had a bit of a moment and am heading to Manhattan with some new style – everything from a Junior L to a 1X sweater. And then I came home and shopped my closet, putting things together in new ways and realizing the vintage jacket that was in the attic for years does now fit (vintage size 20).

I haven’t seen the new Muppets movie yet, it’s only been out a day, but Miss Piggy has been everywhere on TV. Meanwhile, this long-dormant blog will get a polish over the holiday weekend.

Posted too soon! They’ve put up a link in their FAQ: Mod Cloth (additional sizes). Still flawed in the search, but this is dangerous information.

And no plus-size models aren’t necessarily plus size. And being size 16 and firmly (or softly, really) in the middle of all of this yack and forth…good for lovely and healthy her.