Clothing and weight loss

RespectTheKitty

I've lost enough weight now where my current clothes are too big, however, I still have a ways to go before I hit my goal. I want to get clothes that fit, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on stuff that won't fit me in a couple months as I continue to lose weight. But I also don't want to be in ill-fitting clothing for months while I wait to hit my goal.

How do you handle the "in-between" stages with clothing?

Fancyedit

Have you thought about getting some of the clothes you currently have tailored? I have done that and it saves a ton of money! If you can get a skirt taken in for 10-12.00 that's much cheaper than purchasing new.. There is also consignment shops you can sell your old and get some new (well used) as well! Good Luck to you!

Ruatine

I am also in this predicament. I've been shopping at a local thrift store for my clothes. I can't bring myself to buy full-price clothes when I know I have another 50 pounds to lose, so I'll be hitting up the thrift store until I reach goal. I've generally been waiting until I look in the mirror and say "these clothes look ridiculous" before going to buy more, but that's just because I hate clothes shopping.

she_lived_wholly_forevermore

I was getting hand me downs from my sisters for awhile but now she refuses to share because she thinks I'm skinnier than her now ugh. I love thrift stores and the varagesale app now.

jaynee7283

I wear belts with pants that have loops. I put up with "hiking up" my pants and have even been known to use a stealth binder clip at the waist to make them a bit tighter (I only do this when I'm wearing a jacket or a long top).

I actually have a stack of pants that USED to fit me, and I'm about 5 pounds away from being able to wear some of them again. At that point, I have two pairs of pants in particular that will be donated so that I don't even have them anymore.

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage

Consignment stores! You can find some really great stuff in consignment stores.

Kait_Dee

I'm a competitive bodybuilder and a fat loser (-110lbs) and went through this on the initial stages of my journey and go through it annually between competitive seasons. I tend to purchase items that are scalable in my closet, such as leggings and tank tops and then have a variety of tops to go over the tanks that fit me regardless of my weight (generally a bit baggier, but still classy and acceptable). I also wear a lot of hoodies or suit jackets (depending on the day).

I REALLY struggled with this when I lost my initial 60lbs and ended up needing to buy a small interim wardrobe of neutral(ish) items that I could dress up or down depending on shoes and whatnot. I love the idea of thrift store shopping - it's a cash saver - and I was also a hand-me-down hoarder. If someone had it to give away, I was willing to take it if it fit at the time (especially jeans!!).

Congratulations on your success so far and good luck with your upcoming goals!

SezxyStef

I shopped at places like Winners.

Keep in mind a size up from what I wear now isn't bad esp in the winter....for example pants I can fit tights under when it's cold.

Shirts I got cheap at places like walmart aka Tshirts etc.

the only thing I found difficult were bras...they can be expensive...so I bought them on sale and replaced as needed.

the only other thing was undies...expensive to replace so again cheap ones for the mid term.

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RespectTheKitty

Great ideas here. Thank you!

suruda

buy cheap at this point...not sure where you live and what your options are but stores like old navy, TJ Max, Marshalls, target and sale racks pretty much everywhere are good options for some basics to carry you through your journey!

ClosetBayesian

Thrift/consignment stores.

sunflowerhippi

I use ebay. I will go try stuff on in store to get sizes then look on ebay for it.

laur357

I find dresses fit nicely for a longer time than pants . . .

Also, some friends and I recently went to a giant clothing swap hosted at a bar recently. You could take as many articles of clothing (or shoes/accessories) as you brought, and anything leftover was donated to local charities. You could try a similar, small-scale swap with friends if some of you are close to being the same size.

Lounmoun

RespectTheKitty wrote: »

I've lost enough weight now where my current clothes are too big, however, I still have a ways to go before I hit my goal. I want to get clothes that fit, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on stuff that won't fit me in a couple months as I continue to lose weight. But I also don't want to be in ill-fitting clothing for months while I wait to hit my goal.

How do you handle the "in-between" stages with clothing?

My clothes are fairly casual.
I got some new tops and underwear. I wear the same sweaters and jackets though because I don't mind those being a bit looser. I'm still wearing a lot of the same pants, shorts and skirts because my hip measurement didn't change much and the waists were stretchy. I had clothes that were too tight that now I can wear again.

I think it kind of depends on the clothes you wear. A dress might be something you could wear longer and just add a belt. Something like leggings might fit longer. There are videos on you tube about altering clothes yourself.

moniyq1994

also if you have a sewing machine or a friend who has one (and is maybe willing to do it for you) taking in and alternating your current clothes can be really easy and sometimes fun. For example a t-shirt that is two or three sizes too big can be turned into a tank top. In this regard YouTube will become your best-friend.

CrabNebula

Goodwill is where I buy 80-90% of my clothes.

DearestWinter

Until I hit goal I try to get by on as few pieces as possible. Consider looking at minimalist (and capsule) wardrobe blogs - they've got good ideas for getting by with a bare minimum of items.

Also check Pinterest for styling ideas. You can reinvigorate a wardrobe by wearing pieces differently. Belting, tucking, etc. During this journey focus on making your outfit interesting with accessories so your essential pieces (trousers, etc.) can be pretty generic and scalable to lots of situations.

ridge4mfp

I have been buying as little as I can to get by. I shop Goodwill, thrift stores, consignment stores, Ross, Marshall's and the clearance racks of the major department stores. We also have a Dillard's outlet nearby, which can sometimes be a treasure trove of cheap, well made clothing.

I also try to size down in pants by concentrating on stretch fabrics and elastic waists. I am losing in an apple shape, so my waist is larger in proportion to my legs. I buy stretchy pants that are really a bit snug in waist, but fit my legs better. This allows me to wear them longer, as they start to fit my waist better, the legs will be a bit loose, but I can go with that for a while.

SarahJeanine1

If you have lots of pants without belt loops, I've also made them work with my left over maternity band (just a stretchy fabric you put over pants when you are first pregnant). I've found the band also works to keep too-big pants up for now. I have a black one (you can get them cheap at target/walmart) that looks like a black tank top if anyone sees it under your shirt.

rachelr1116

I try to shop thrift stores and end of season sales. The DAV I like is closing so they have everything 50% off right now. I bought a dress and two skirts on Sunday and spent less than $8 and they were all department store brands. I'm 5'11" so that makes finding pants at thrift stores a little harder but when I do find longer pants I'll buy them even if they're a size smaller than I currently wear so I'm covered for the next couple of sizes. Like someone else suggested, I find that skirts and dresses take longer to start looking too big. And I didn't get rid of all of my "skinny" clothes so I can also shop in my basement as I get smaller!

faidwen

THRIFT STORES FTW!!!!!! (ftw=for the win)

It is like Christmas shopping for brand names clothes.... thrift!!

chulipa

I have been buying pants that have draw string in them and can tighten them as needed and change sizes as the seasons change and i have lost 100 lbs and i buy t-shirts and my clothes come stores like walmart but like stores like Roses its a discount store

dolliesdaughter

Thrift store, drop some off, pick some up.

ashliedelgado

All of my basics come from walmart - tshirts, tanks, and underoos.
I am busty, so I hit up Torrid for bras as they are affordable, well made, and actually attractive. I watch sales.
Ross, Marshalls sometimes.
We do a lot of thrift shopping and pawn shopping in general as it is something we enjoy to do, and I've found some good steals that way.

I donate everything once it hits the "OMG THIS IS RIDICULOUS" phase, or my fella makes a comment about my jeans making my butt look saggy. I don't want them around to fall back on. The exception is my one pair of go-to jeans that I wore forever. I put them on every now and again, and I hope to one day have the crazy pic with one of my kids standing in them with me.

llwolford

Hi! I am in the same boat...have dropped three sizes since January. I think it is important that you treat yourself with a least one outfit or pair of jeans that truly fit. It is also helpful...because if you are wearing clothing that is too loose you can not tell when they are getting a little snug. Gives you more opportunity to go backwards. Clothing swaps are great. Especially if you belong to a gym or an accountability group. I used to keep all my clothes...now I get rid of them. I just gave away all my clothes to some who just dropped weight themselves. If not, I agree clearance racks, thrift shops, etc. But look to see if there are clothing swaps in your area....you get blessed and you bless someone else.

kthompson601

I totally get you! I've lost a lot of weight and gone from a size 28 to a 14 (still not finished losing, obviously), and it's really hard for me to move on with my clothes. I feel like 1) I spent money on this shirt, I'm going to wear it even if it's 3 sizes too big and 2) I don't have money for something new.

Definitely thrift stores--Goodwill, Am Fam, consignment shops. You also might want to do more of a "bare minimum"--no reason to flush out your wardrobe if you are going to continue with your weight loss. Also, if you have friends or family who are willing to help, see if you can raid their closets. My mom has lost a little weight (not nearly as much as I have, but about 2 sizes), so I've got a lot of her hand-me-downs.

Also, depending on your size, you might be able to shop at places like Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, and other stores that tend to sell cheaper clothes. I used to be too big for those places, but I was pleasantly surprised when I recently went to Old Navy and fit in their extra-large size.

scolaris

Thrift stores are your friend, plus consignment shops and sites like Craigslist or Freecycle. For professional wear there are internet rental sites like Gywnnie Bee. My daughter was a big fan of Rent the Runway for special events like prom. If you have a black tie wedding or fundraiser to attend you can rent a beautiful red carpet look in your current size for about $100 and enjoy the photos forever.
Read up on capsule wardrobes. Like a travel wardrobe they carry you through a season or two with a minimal number of easily mixed and matched pieces. I live this way even when I'm not losing weight. I create a main capsule wardrobe for fall semester each year. Then I add things for spring and summer sessions. At the end of my vacation break I reevaluate everything. Some items go on into my new work capsule and others get downgraded to weekends/lounge only or donated. I hate jumbling through a closet stuffed with crappy choices just to get dressed in the morning. And with capsule planning you cut down on the random accessories and underpinnings you need too. I've gone from a 12 to a 6 in jeans over 9 months. In tops I've gone from large to medium. Fortunately I have broad shoulders and long arms so my size large jackets are fine, just a little slouchier than usual. I work as a school sub so I don't wear heavily tailored items, more something like a jean jacket, motorcycle jacket, ponte stretch blazer or trench coat. All very forgiving silhouettes. I used to get very attached to my quality denim but now I view all my clothes as more transitory in nature. I keep it simple, minimal & fluid. My frye boots, gorgeous sandal collection, and artist made statement jewelry is forever. Jeans, tees, skirts, button ups and even sweaters or jackets are just for a few seasons at most. I wear the hell out of what little I have & then I move on to some new pieces and looks.

sllm1

I buy new pants - try to find them on sale. Shirts generally last a bit longer and don't have to be replaced as often as pants.

When you do wear clothes that fit again, everyone will notice your weight loss.

GreenIceFloes

I mostly wear free size clothes or treggings, the latter usually from Marks & Spencer (unless I'm going somewhere dressy). The treggings are almost like pregnancy pants Usually buy them one size smaller. For example, I bought a UK size 16 when I was an 18, and wore them until I was a size 14. Then bought a 12, and finally an 8. Good quality, not too expensive and one size can outlast a lot of weight loss.

(edited for typo)

scolaris

The person who creates the 10 piece weight-loss capsule with modifications to take a wash and wear but professional looking assortment of basics through about 3 sizes could make a FORTUNE! you know, things like the inner button adjuster in kids pants, and tees and jackets with inconspicuous venting that could be let in or out...