A copolyester composition comprising units of residues of a) about 1–40 mole % of trans 3,3′, trans 4,4′ stilbene dicarboxylic acid and the combination thereof, b) about 99˜60 mole % of cis,trans, and the combination thereof of 1,4 cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, and c) about 50˜100 mole % of cis, trans, and the combination thereof of 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol. The resulting copolyester may be characterized by its clarity, as well as enhanced heat performance due to the presence of the stilbene moiety.