Clothes Solutions

kaitlinfurby13

So I am just starting to lose weight and have lost almost a clothes size. The thing is I have many sizes that I'm hoping to lose and don't want to go buy new clothes that I (hopefully) won't fit in for very long. Any suggestions about what to do during the time between the size I was and the size I want to be in?

ktekc

I live out of goodwill..I've gone down 4-5 sizes and I would say 90% of my wardrobe is from there.

Jbell0213

Agreed. Shop consignment. You can find some good stuff, almost new sometimes.

RedLipsRedDress

Good question. I haven't bought any clothes since December and now my mom wants to give me some money to go shopping for my birthday next month but I still have 26 lbs to go. I've got some old clothes from before I gained all of weight (66 lbs) but most of them don't fit yet. Basically, I'm wearing things that are either too big or too small. Meanwhile my new year resolution was not to buy and wear cheap clothes anymore as I don't want to look cheap. It's not the impression I want to make, especially at work. Finding something that looks good enough at second hand stores takes more time than I'm willing to invest so don't know what to do.

OhMsDiva

I have gone from a 5x/30-32 to a 2x/22-24 in a year. I love to shop, even knowing I am going to lose more weight. I just stick to stores like Ross and I won't spend a lot of money on clothes that I don't have time. The tops that I can still wear I put a wide strap tank top underneath. That way when my blouse falls off my shoulder it looks like it was meant to be that way. I can't do thrift stores so this is my solution

mlinci

I just bought a big bundle of clothes (I think 7 dresses, a jacket and a top) on eBay - they are all by the same brand whose sizing I'm familiar with, so I am reasonably confident they'll fit. Together they cost less than one new dress from that shop would have cost.

xX_PhoenixRising_Xx

I agree with second hand clothes wherever you can find them. Also clearance sales and anything with a really good price reduction.

I went from an (Australian) size 26 down to a 8 or 10, most of the size drop was in the space of a year. There is definitely no point in spending a heap of money on clothes that you'll just shrink out of

CollieFit

mlinci wrote: »

I just bought a big bundle of clothes (I think 7 dresses, a jacket and a top) on eBay - they are all by the same brand whose sizing I'm familiar with, so I am reasonably confident they'll fit. Together they cost less than one new dress from that shop would have cost.

Another vote for Ebay here. I sell stuff I shrink out of and put that money towards used stuff in familiar brands which I know will fit. When I get to my goal weight I might then treat myself to a new wardrobe.

VintageFeline

I've shrunk about three sizes so far. I didn't buy much at all until the smallest size and just shopped the sales. Because I wear vintage or good repro I'm lucky that it mostly retains its value so I sold my big clothes to pay for the new clothes and will do the same again when I hop down another couple of sizes (which will hopefully be goal).

greaseisstilltheword

Just my two cents...thrift stores are a great idea, but make sure you DO treat yourself to the occasional piece at your new size. You've worked hard to lose weight & sometimes it's hard to even see the loss if you're wearing clothes that are too large. Yes it's annoying to pull something out of your closet that's now too big even though you bought it not that long ago, but you deserve to have at least one outfit that hugs your new curves properly. I personally feel so much better when my clothes fit! And you can donate those too big clothes, so that someone just like you will be thrilled to find them at the thrift store! Good luck!

Francl27

I only bought bottoms at the change of season, and for tops pretty much went from 1X to medium (which was a mistake. Should have waited longer before buying those).

But I only buy cheap clothes anyway (Target or Kohls on sale and 30% coupon).

MikaMojito

I've actually got clothes in sizes 38 to 46 (German sizes), so I just tend to shrink back into clothes. But I do believe in buying new things when I can afford it because well-fitting clothes make me feel good about myself and also because I need to look neat for work. I just bought new jeans because the big ones were ripped and too big and the small ones not quite fitted just yet.

Unfortunately thrift shops aren't really a thing in Germany, there's only one in my town and I've never really found anything I like there.

Lounmoun

kaitlinfurby13 wrote: »

So I am just starting to lose weight and have lost almost a clothes size. The thing is I have many sizes that I'm hoping to lose and don't want to go buy new clothes that I (hopefully) won't fit in for very long. Any suggestions about what to do during the time between the size I was and the size I want to be in?

It kind of depends a bit on how you are changing and the kind of clothes you wear.
I've changed the most on the top part of my body. I had to get some new tops after awhile. I am still wearing the same sweaters I had though. My stretchy waist pants and skirts already fit my goal hip size so I have not bought new bottoms yet even though I lost 5" off my waist.
You might be able to wear a dress and add a belt if it becomes loose.
Head to the thrift store and buy a few things.
You could get your clothes altered. If you sew you could do it yourself. There are things on pinterest or you tube about altering clothes to be smaller.

samchez0

Goodwill and just making the bigger size last for a bit longer than I probably should.

jabjbab

Depending on how much you want to spend, getting items you love tailored or taken in with your local seamstress might be an option.

spookycomet

Have you tried thredup.com? It is an online consignment. You can sell your too big clothes and you can buy clothes from their site.

Heartisalonelyhunter

Thred up is amazing!

But I second goodwill. You get better quality clothes at cheaper prices and help a good cause. And personally I think life's too short to wear cheap crappy clothes. They make everyone look worse whatever their size. Once you get to the size you want to be buy something beautiful.

MrsLMKing

Elastic waistbands for now!

Wynterbourne

I go to Goodwill. It can be hit or miss some days, but my current two favorite pairs of jeans are from there. Nothing like pre-broken in jeans and they usually cost like $6. I've actually found a quite few awesome deals.

guinevere96

I use www.vinted.com! I use it to sell the clothes I no longer fit into and to buy used clothes on the cheap in whatever size I need. Frankly its saved my life and helps my budget a whole lot. Theres also giveaways and theres seller ratings so you can find trusted sellers.

melonaulait

I haven't had to buy new pants or shorts yet, but when I buy clothes now I try to buy tops that I'll be able to wear even if I'm 3-4 sizes smaller. I like a lot of my tops loose fitting anyway, but we'll see. The stuff I won't be able to wear anymore I'll either give to my best friend or take to the flea market.

For next winter, I'll have to get a completely new winter jacket though, because my old ones are already ridiculously big on me now. Well, it won't be completely new because I saw some cute ones at the second hand store and that's where I'll be getting mine next!

NaturalNancy

I think if your shirts get too big, you can pair them with leggings and a belt if needed. The proportion of "loose on top" and "tight on the bottom" balances nicely. Especially if the shirt is longer covering your butt, worn with leggings and flats or a longer shirt with leggings and ankle boots is a nice look. If you feel that you would like more shape with that look, you could use a tie belt or a long scarf and wrap it around your waist.

Get a good belt to sinch at the waist for jeans, one with a lot of holes in it so that you can adjust the size of the belt with your changes in size. I like the look of baggy jeans that fit casual with a nice shirt.

Suit jackets are very versatile and you can pair them with many different items, and dress them up or down. You can definitely find a nice suit jacket for cheap that fits you at a second hand shop. Wear it with a skirt, pants or jeans.

I would get a few pieces that you can wear with everything at the size you are now. (1pants or 1skirt, 1jacket, 1sweater and 1shirt) in a neutral color (black, grey, baby blue or brown) so you can mix and match it with different items until you are at the size you want.

Have fun with it, try different styles and looks. Clothing can make you feel really good when you find the right pieces that look good on you.

ElizabethOakes2

Thriftown! I love me a good thrift store.
I'm also a huge fan of safety pins and whip-stitches for quickly taking in the seams of favorite items. I just whip-stitched in the side-seams of one of my favorite shirts. (In about another ten pounds, even side-stitching won't save it, though.)

My heartbreak is my corsets, though. I have dozens of costuming corsets, and am down to about three. I really need to find a good corset seamstress who can remove panels and moving the boning, because those things aren't cheap.

chandanista

I use schoola.com because the local thrift store is terrible. Also I am wearing a lot of dresses and skirts, certain cuts are good for 2-4 sizes. Very forgiving styles.

cross2bear

Find a good tailor! It can be even more economical than buying new. I have had waists taken in, sleeves taken up, darts put in to follow curves - a good tailor is worth their weight in gold!

gradchica27

VintageFeline wrote: »

I've shrunk about three sizes so far. I didn't buy much at all until the smallest size and just shopped the sales. Because I wear vintage or good repro I'm lucky that it mostly retains its value so I sold my big clothes to pay for the new clothes and will do the same again when I hop down another couple of sizes (which will hopefully be goal).

Just curious, where do you buy your clothes? I love vintage dresses but have no idea where to buy them! I'm looking to splurge when I reach goal

Kimberly_Harper

kaitlinfurby13 wrote: »

So I am just starting to lose weight and have lost almost a clothes size. The thing is I have many sizes that I'm hoping to lose and don't want to go buy new clothes that I (hopefully) won't fit in for very long. Any suggestions about what to do during the time between the size I was and the size I want to be in?

I went to Target and thrift stores in between sizes and only bought a couple pairs of jeans.

murp4069

If you can find nice secondhand clothing in your area, go for it. It also depends on what you are dressing for - work or casual? In my experience it's easier to buy secondhand for casual clothing. I am still about 10lbs from goal but could not wear any of my work pants anymore (literally falling off me at work), so I was forced to get some new pants. I have a long inseam and I could not find anything secondhand that fit me properly and looked appropriate for office wear. So, I picked up some pixie pants from Old Navy on sale this weekend. About $20 each and I bought a few pairs to get me through this last few months. Once I go into maintenance I intend to restock my wardrobe a bit with some of the higher end work clothing that I would normally purchase. But I can't justify it right now because I know in a few months I'll be in one size smaller than I am now. I'm also holding off on tailoring a few more valuable items I have and want to keep, as again I just can't justify the cost until I'm ready to go into maintenance.

smcrimmon84

I made a lot of things that were too big work for as long as I could - using belts and cardigans, etc. but eventually just bit the bullet and bought new.

While I was still losing, I did a LOT of dresses and tunics/leggings for work. They tend to last longer size-wise and I didnt have to buy expensive new dress pants!

I've lost 60+ lbs so basically NOTHING fits anymore..jeans, tops, dresses, bras, bathing suits - but its been really fun to shop new smaller sizes and feel GOOD in clothes!

cerise_noir

Go to a thrift shop, or get your existing clothes altered.

valente347

I have to look professional for work, so I buy on eBay.