Etiola:
I'm not into it, but I just can't bring myself to start shopping at "plus size" stores...  
But waistbands can only stretch so much and I hate for my belly button to be visible through my tops...  
Before, size 14 pants were very tight on my thighs but a bit "loose" at the waist.  Now, not so much...  
I try to find XL t-shirts with thicker cotton fabric to "hide" my belly button and fat rolls, but nowadays companies use really cheap fabric so I need to wear a tank top underneath t-shirts.  
It gets really hot in the summer...
Let it shine, girl! Summer is for showing off how beautiful you are!