I went into Express for the first time yesterday on YLF recommendation - I'd always thought of it as too young for me and frankly a bit tacky. I tried on a ton of pants and skirts and ordered some stuff to be sent to me; I was surprised at how good the quality was for the price and at how well stuff fit me.
The SA told me they get complaints about that cotton sateen fabric - apparently it fades and stretches. But, this was about pants in the same fabric. She recommended anything but the cotton. So I basically tried on every non-mini except for the one you want.
In pants there I'm a 2, same as Ann Taylor. I ordered a 4 in the high-waisted pencil - the 2 was comfortable and looked good, but I thought it made me look a little too Joan Holloway for work. The editor pants and all the skirts I tried seem to be cut for a fairly hourglass body - I often need waists taken in, but these were good.
