I decided to go to Dress Barn over my lunch hour. I figured I’d try on some size 16’s (the size I usually buy, if I can fit into “non-plus” clothes) and some size 14’s (in a moment of optimism). 
First thing (little suit) I tried on was awful. Skirt (which was only available in size 14) was like trying to shove a way-too-generous sausage into its casing. 
Second thing (pair of pants) – grabbed the non-14’s first… a TINY bit snug in the belly, but pretty nice… looked at the 14’s sadly, no point trying them on if they are smaller than these. 
Took off pants – and OMG, they are a size TWELVE! No way… double check tag and tag sewn in pants – YES, they are a size TWELVE!!!!
I can wear a size TWELVE!!!! 
So, I bought those pants, which are now my hot-cat-mama-skinny-pants… and another pair of really cute pants in size 14 (they didn’t have a 12 and the 14’s fit pretty good – maybe Julia-the-seamstress-angel could take in the waist a bit) and a cute jacket/blazer on sale that was a MEDIUM! MEDIUM! Not X-Large, not Large – MEDIUM!
I also got four pair of bamboo socks – they are SO soft! 
I love your little happiness icons!
I know exactly how you feel – it feels great to fit into smaller clothes! Not sure if I will know that feeling any time soon!! LOL