Tips on how to not buy all the clothes when you've dropped a size? (but still have more to go)

kiela64

I went on one impromptu shopping spree because my pants kept falling down at work and I saw 60% off sale and a not-too busy store and it lured me in. I spent lots of time trying things on and finding my size (2 sizes down, but different store/material etc so I figure it's more like one), and I found some really lovely new pants that actually fit and aren't threatening to slip off my hips!! And haven't been worn to shreds - a lot of my older clothes actually had to be tossed out because the thighs had worn holes.

I did a bit of a purge then, going through my clothes and tossing ones that were too worn out to wear and got a moderate-sized bag full of things that are nice but I either never actually was the right size for (too big even at my biggest) or just didn't really hang well. I kept my falling-down but still functional pants for layering in the winter. Or in case this whole endeavour fails, ya know, positive thinking.

But after replacing my pants I've noticed that my shirts are loose and stretched out too. Ones I thought I'd kept quite nice were slipping off my shoulder and made me look really bag-lady-ish. I saw a massive difference in the mirror when I tucked it in versus left it out, but didn't feel like I could leave it tucked.

...So I ordered more shirts and pants online during this big sale. Including again this morning. And I ended up spending the equivalent of a month's paycheque total (which is low because I'm part time and minimum wage but it's still like....I could have saved that...idk I feel weird about it).

But at the same time I just feel so excited to a) feel more confident in my body, and b) wear nicer, newer, non-stretched out clothes that actually fit!!! That it's really hard to calm down and step away from the "complete order" button. But I've got like more than a work-week's worth of new pants and a bunch of tops now. Plus a blazer, and a cute dress, and a belt. (It was a good sale though...)

I think I went overboard. Especially considering that this is NOT my goal weight/size, and if I get there I'll have to buy different clothes at least a couple more times if not more.

Bleh. Anyway, TL;DR just: what did you do? How did you avoid falling into this? Or what did you do with regards to changing clothing sizes over the course of your journey?

Idk I was so doubtful that losing weight would really happen/even that it was happening at all until I saw the difference in new not-falling-down clothes like....gosh that excitement is addicting!!

RelCanonical

I shop at thrift stores.

WholeFoods4Lyfe

RelCanonical wrote: »

I shop at thrift stores.

Ditto. I've gotten some great stuff for like $3-$5 dollars. Luckily, I go down in pants sizes quicker than tops, so my shirts tend to last me a bit longer as I go down the scale. That, and because I have so much to lose, it takes longer between pants sizes. I started in a super tight size 18 (probably should've been in a 20) and 2XL tops, and nearly 70 lbs down and I'm just now getting in to a size 14 in some brands for pants and am still an XL in tops.

Also, summer is great for dresses and the flowy ones that are popular now last longer because they look good from being a bit snug all the way down to a bit loose.

Also, I buy as little as possible. For example, work clothes. I'm in the office 4 days a week. I currently have 4 pairs of pants that fit, and I won't buy more than that, I just switch up the tops that I wear and mix in some dresses.

hesn92

If it were me I would shop at thrift and consignment stores. I got a really nice dress that I wear to weddings and such at Goodwill for $6. Amazon has a lot of clothes as well, if you only order things with free shipping it's risk free. There should be a weight loss clothing swap group where people give away clothes that don't fit anymore. I'm not at risk of going up or down in sizes anymore, but I do a capsule wardrobe which helps w/ my spending and it helps me create a smaller wardrobe with only things that I really like and wear regularly. The key is to find shirts and bottoms that can easily be mix and matched. No impulse buying things because they "look cute"

Fursian

I quickly got acquainted with boot-sales and charity/thrift shops/stores. BUT a warning... I sorta now can't bring myself to shop in normal shops... paying normal prices. This isn't really a problem in and of itself, but even less guarantee that I'll find what I want.

hesn92

WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »

RelCanonical wrote: »

I shop at thrift stores.

Ditto. I've gotten some great stuff for like $3-$5 dollars. Luckily, I go down in pants sizes quicker than tops, so my shirts tend to last me a bit longer as I go down the scale. That, and because I have so much to lose, it takes longer between pants sizes. I started in a super tight size 18 (probably should've been in a 20) and 2XL tops, and nearly 70 lbs down and I'm just now getting in to a size 14 in some brands for pants and am still an XL in tops.

Also, summer is great for dresses and the flowy ones that are popular now last longer because they look good from being a bit snug all the way down to a bit loose.

Also, I buy as little as possible. For example, work clothes. I'm in the office 4 days a week. I currently have 4 pairs of pants that fit, and I won't buy more than that, I just switch up the tops that I wear and mix in some dresses.

That and when they get a bit loose you can always add a belt to make it more fitted at the waist

BigRed2525

I try to snap up deals at consignment stores, and stick to garments that I have a good "range" in--something that will still look OK a bit down the road. Nothing too fitted or tailored, stretchy and flowy fabrics, that sort of thing. Belts and safety pins can also be your friend. :-)

ExistingFish

I bought clothes. I'm not losing weight fast enough to wait until I've lost all the weight. I started as a large/XL

At the beginning of the summer, I bought summer clothes (shorts, tshirts) in a minimum quantity to last me through the summer in medium. Honestly in my head I thought I may never be smaller than a medium. They have lasted well all summer. I bought 10/8 in pants (depending on the fabric).

Now, middle/end of the summer, I have to wear a belt with the 10s or they will fall off. The 8s are comfortably loose, I bought some size 6 jeans at the thrift store. The medium shirts are started to look stretched out and baggy, but I'm going to keep wearing them until I am ready for fall attire.

I will buy my fall/winter wardrobe in my new/final size, I'm guessing a 6 in pants and small/medium in shirts, depending on the style (my boobs are still a medium!). I plan to recomp when I hit my goal, so I don't see myself ever being a 4 (feel like I said this before about mediums...) or anything smaller than a small (until I get a breast reduction, I'm a 30H/28HH)

Losing weight is a long term lifestyle change. You have to wear clothes in the mean time. I would buy basics in your in between sizes. Pants and tops for work is a must, but not a fleshed out wardrobe - just the basics. Just enough to get you through. It probably isn't a good idea to NOT buy work clothes, especially if your work is something you have to dress nice for.

apullum

Go to thrift stores and shop sales. I learned that I could buy bras pretty cheap on Amazon if I didn’t care what color they were.

Tops with a little stretch to them will last longer than a plain cotton top. If it’s slightly clingy but still wearable now, then it’ll be less clingy in a few months.

Get some belts. Belts are usually cheaper than pants.

If you can sew or have a good tailor, many things can be altered down a size or two.

Only buy a few things that you really need, and buy them in basic colors so you can mix and match. A few different cardigans, for example, can be paired with one t-shirt.

Don’t buy the expensive version of anything until you’ve been at your goal weight for a few months. My bra style still changed a little in the few months after I started maintenance.

Or you can just do as I did: run a lot of races and then live in race t-shirts for a few months

hippiesaur

When I had clothes that I didn't wear for more than a few of months I either sold them or gave them for charity.

jemhh

I don't shop at thrift stores because I've yet to find one whose prices are lower than what I can find on the sale racks elsewhere and that have clothing I want.

I lost 50 lbs and went from size 18 to size 6. I bought clothes all along the way. My method was to buy a pair of black dress pants and a black skirt each time I lost size, plus I bought plain black t-shirts (usually Merona brand from Target for the latter.) I also bought a few brightly colored twinset-type cardigans. I would start out air drying everything and as I shrunk I would switch to putting them in the dryer. The cardigans were fairly forgiving, size-wise, in that they kind of covered up when the t-shirts got a bit baggy. This was for work clothing, by the way. I would usually end up getting at least one other pair of dress pants and a dress but I pretty much kept my clothing very basic during that year.

GOT_Obsessed

Oh I fell into this trap myself! Lol
It was so nice to get out of the plus sizes that I bought a lot of clothes in a short time. Some of the tops are now big but I can still wear them, but the pants are useless to me now. If you really can't help yourself then yes I agree to the thrift stores.

Perhaps Try to remind yourself that there will be plenty of clothes to buy when you get to goal. I know it's hard but save your money for the smaller clothes to come.

Crafty_camper123

I've been shopping clearance sales, or buying things on Amazon. I had to ground myself from ordering amazon though, until my size is more permanent. I have bought new pants at thrift stores too, but often times I find things brand new on clearance for the price that a lot of thrift stores are selling worn items for. The key is trying to shop "off season" for the things you want. Retail is always a month or two ahead of what the actual season is. So like right now, "Fall" merchandise is coming in to stores and they are beginning to clearance out "summer" merchandise. Which is great because there is plenty of summer left. The spring stuff is 60% (or more) off already, so you can find "spring colored" long sleeve shirts, or "spring" jeans. My most recent find was a $40 pair of ankle crops for like 16 bucks. Sears and Kohl's usually has really great clearance. I was just in at Kohl's and they were selling all their spring sweaters for 80% off (I think).

ETA: It is really easy to get excited and go a little nuts with the new in-between clothes. I can not offer much advise on this, except to try and pick clothes that will still look good as they get a little loose.

pinuplove

Another non-thrift store shopper here. I too shop sales and 'off-season' and have lived with a very basic, limited wardrobe while losing. I've started buying a few more things now that I'm closing in on maintenance but still not going crazy. I usually had 2-pairs of work slacks in basic colors (black/grey/tan) and a few shirts to rotate through with a couple of cardigans. For casual stuff, I had one pair of jeans at at a time that fit and a few t-shirts.

Have you lost out of your shoes yet? I'm having to replace all of those as well

Lounmoun

I wear pants or skirts with a stretch waistband. My hips are at my goal size but my waist is bigger so I buy pants that fit my hips. I have a few maternity bottoms that don't look like maternity wear really. I have not had to replace pants unless they were worn out and have not replaced skirts at all.
I bought some new tops that were in my new size. It will be awhile before they are baggy. I will still wear my larger sweaters and coat.
I have gotten things at a thrift store that were really new looking for super cheap. The one I go to periodically has a last chance rack where the low prices are further reduced when they want to make room.

peggym4640

A seamstress is my best friend. I have been in 3 times this year tailoring my nicer more expensive clothes. I rotate what I take to her so I’m not tailoring everything at the same time.

I also wear things with a belt and untucked shirt to hide how big they are.

It’s a nice problem to have.

MichelleSilverleaf

I'm cheap. At this point I only buy what I need, I can't justify spending too much money on clothes I eventually won't be able to wear. Saving my splurging for goal weight, I already have a shopping list lol

emcclure013

I've shopped at thrift stores, but found that a lot of what I found wasn't my style in the least. I really like consignment stores and resale shops (like Plato's closet) where they get higher quality items. I may pay a bit more than I would at a Goodwill, but in my experience I've been able to find a lot more in my style and in great condition for less than I would pay at a retail store.

I've become a huge fan of JC Penney and other stores that have great sales. At the beginning of summer I was able to find tank tops for $4 which will last me through the season, and I plan on getting cardigans to wear over them in the fall. I don't buy anything that's only going to be worn once or twice. If I get a dress, it's going to be worn to work, and weddings, and funerals, and parties... not one for each. Everything I get has to be versatile. I have to be careful to not buy things just because they fit - I have to love them! Belts are your friends (both for holding baggy pants up and for cinching in oversized blouses and dresses).

Use your best judgment and enjoy the new clothing!

kshama2001

I work from home, in my pjs until lunchtime, when I change into exercise clothes

tirowow12385

I'm just not buying until I get to my goal weight.

malibu927

Working in a women’s department I have everything in my face. I usually know when things go on sale, and if I know ahead of time that we have extra discount days coming up I usually wait for them. A few months ago I got some of our jeans for about $12 a pair.

GOT_Obsessed

To the OP:

Oh definitely don't feel any guilt for treating yourself. You have worked hard and deserve nice things too. And for sure dress to fit your new body size as it changes. I was taken aside by a close friend who said my clothes were becoming unflattering the way they were sagging. I bought better fitting clothes and suddenly everyone noticed. It boosted my confidence a lot.

You go girl!

Crafty_camper123

malibu927 wrote: »

Working in a women’s department I have everything in my face. I usually know when things go on sale, and if I know ahead of time that we have extra discount days coming up I usually wait for them. A few months ago I got some of our jeans for about $12 a pair.

This was my favorite part of working retail. We basically got first dibs on clearance items. So I would often wait until things went 80-90% off before buying them. If my size and style were still there, I could get things for $5 and under. One time (more then once, actually) I got jeans for $2.00. I wish I had that insider knowledge now, lol. But without the part of dealing with the general public. It would sure come in handy with getting clothes that fit properly for cheap!

kiela64

RelCanonical wrote: »

I shop at thrift stores.

We've had a bad thing of bed bugs in my city, so my mom put a blanket ban on all second hand clothing/books etc. It didn't even occur to me to try there because it's been out of the question so long. But tbh when I've gone to them I haven't seen ANYTHING in my size, usually size 10 and under or 20 and up, and everything was really....not nice. Might just be where I went though.

jemhh wrote: »

I don't shop at thrift stores because I've yet to find one whose prices are lower than what I can find on the sale racks elsewhere and that have clothing I want.

I lost 50 lbs and went from size 18 to size 6. I bought clothes all along the way. My method was to buy a pair of black dress pants and a black skirt each time I lost size, plus I bought plain black t-shirts (usually Merona brand from Target for the latter.) I also bought a few brightly colored twinset-type cardigans. I would start out air drying everything and as I shrunk I would switch to putting them in the dryer. The cardigans were fairly forgiving, size-wise, in that they kind of covered up when the t-shirts got a bit baggy. This was for work clothing, by the way. I would usually end up getting at least one other pair of dress pants and a dress but I pretty much kept my clothing very basic during that year.

That sounds really sensible! I should have had your foresight maybe next time! How did you get through a whole week with only 1 pair of pants a skirt and a dress though? Maybe in the winter it's not so hard but I sweat a ton and yeah I'm not going to re-wear clothes a second day

ExistingFish wrote: »

I bought clothes. I'm not losing weight fast enough to wait until I've lost all the weight. I started as a large/XL

At the beginning of the summer, I bought summer clothes (shorts, tshirts) in a minimum quantity to last me through the summer in medium. Honestly in my head I thought I may never be smaller than a medium. They have lasted well all summer. I bought 10/8 in pants (depending on the fabric).

Now, middle/end of the summer, I have to wear a belt with the 10s or they will fall off. The 8s are comfortably loose, I bought some size 6 jeans at the thrift store. The medium shirts are started to look stretched out and baggy, but I'm going to keep wearing them until I am ready for fall attire.

I will buy my fall/winter wardrobe in my new/final size, I'm guessing a 6 in pants and small/medium in shirts, depending on the style (my boobs are still a medium!). I plan to recomp when I hit my goal, so I don't see myself ever being a 4 (feel like I said this before about mediums...) or anything smaller than a small (until I get a breast reduction, I'm a 30H/28HH)

Losing weight is a long term lifestyle change. You have to wear clothes in the mean time. I would buy basics in your in between sizes. Pants and tops for work is a must, but not a fleshed out wardrobe - just the basics. Just enough to get you through. It probably isn't a good idea to NOT buy work clothes, especially if your work is something you have to dress nice for.

I'm losing fairly slowly as well, and tbh it'll probably slow down once school stress hits in Sept. I'm not sure I'll manage, but I do want to plan optimistically.... I was a size 18/XL and 32lbs down I'm a size 16/14/L (in stretchy/forgiving clothes). I did try to keep an eye out for belt loops! Most of my old clothes didn't have them and it was so annoying. Now I feel like I can definitely cinch things in when needed. Maybe they will last a bit longer than my old stuff....

Yeah one of my jobs feels like I should dress up, and lots of people dress up quite a lot for school. It's something I'm not used to but I do need "nice things" to be on par. I don't really change up my wardrobe significantly by season. I just add sweaters, wear leggings under my pants, and put away the shorts. Sorta rarely wear shorts anyway, mostly just at home. So there's no reason I'd need to get anything new/different once snow hits.

But yeah next time I'll probably calm down and just buy a few staples like that....I shouldn't need new shirts for a while....

RodaRose

A seamstress can usually tailor your clothes for two sizes. Past two sizes, you need new clothes. Buy basic clothes that can be tailored. Some people do well at second hand and goodwill shops -- buying inexpensive clothes that you will wear for a short period.

kiela64

apullum wrote: »

Go to thrift stores and shop sales. I learned that I could buy bras pretty cheap on Amazon if I didn’t care what color they were.

Tops with a little stretch to them will last longer than a plain cotton top. If it’s slightly clingy but still wearable now, then it’ll be less clingy in a few months.

Get some belts. Belts are usually cheaper than pants.

If you can sew or have a good tailor, many things can be altered down a size or two.

Only buy a few things that you really need, and buy them in basic colors so you can mix and match. A few different cardigans, for example, can be paired with one t-shirt.

Don’t buy the expensive version of anything until you’ve been at your goal weight for a few months. My bra style still changed a little in the few months after I started maintenance.

Or you can just do as I did: run a lot of races and then live in race t-shirts for a few months

YES! I only had one belt in my old clothes and only one pair of my pants and one capris had loops. So annoying I paid attention to that this time, and got a new belt. Hopefully that will help!

I actually have a pair of black pants at size 18 that were too long and I was planning to take in, maybe I can have them taken in at the same time when I need "new" pants.... (They were still in the bag! Disorganization.....)

I've honestly just been living in sports bras and that may continue. I've always been a weird size and my ribs are really sensitive so I detest underwire.

kiela64

GOT_Obsessed wrote: »

Oh I fell into this trap myself! Lol
It was so nice to get out of the plus sizes that I bought a lot of clothes in a short time. Some of the tops are now big but I can still wear them, but the pants are useless to me now. If you really can't help yourself then yes I agree to the thrift stores.

Perhaps Try to remind yourself that there will be plenty of clothes to buy when you get to goal. I know it's hard but save your money for the smaller clothes to come.

I'm glad it's not just me! If I get the pull again maybe I'll give them a shot. I definitely need to save my money....

collectingblues

I'm another "nope, not doing thrift" person. For me, I replace as absolutely needed. So dresses and shirts that are slightly big? Not replaced. Dresses where I look like I'm playing dressup in someone else's clothes, or with an event where I need to look like I'm wearing my A Game? Replaced as I need something.

Pants are replaced when it becomes physically impossible to wear them. So baggy on the hips is fine. Falling down when I put them on? Not fine, and time to replace.

collectingblues

RodaRose wrote: »

A seamstress can usually tailor your clothes for two sizes. Past two sizes, you need new clothes. Buy basic clothes that can be tailored. Some people do well at second hand and goodwill shops -- buying inexpensive clothes that you will wear for a short period.

This. I kept a small pile of high-end clothes that I really want to have altered -- and I'll readjust them when I get to a size and weight where I'm mostly happy. But for the run-of-the-mill Ann Taylor, J Crew, etc. type stuff, I'll just donate them -- it would cost more to rebuild them than it would to buy new.

kiela64

Crafty_camper123 wrote: »

I've been shopping clearance sales, or buying things on Amazon. I had to ground myself from ordering amazon though, until my size is more permanent. I have bought new pants at thrift stores too, but often times I find things brand new on clearance for the price that a lot of thrift stores are selling worn items for. The key is trying to shop "off season" for the things you want. Retail is always a month or two ahead of what the actual season is. So like right now, "Fall" merchandise is coming in to stores and they are beginning to clearance out "summer" merchandise. Which is great because there is plenty of summer left. The spring stuff is 60% (or more) off already, so you can find "spring colored" long sleeve shirts, or "spring" jeans. My most recent find was a $40 pair of ankle crops for like 16 bucks. Sears and Kohl's usually has really great clearance. I was just in at Kohl's and they were selling all their spring sweaters for 80% off (I think).

ETA: It is really easy to get excited and go a little nuts with the new in-between clothes. I can not offer much advise on this, except to try and pick clothes that will still look good as they get a little loose.

Ooo Amazon is too scary for me, I won't order online unless I've tried that store's clothes on before. What I got was definitely the 60% off Spring/Summer clearance I got some pretty neat sales. A $100 blazer was like $30 and $40 tops were like $10. So at least I didn't go nuts at full price

debrakgoogins

I took advantage of local consignment shops. That way, I could sell the clothes I was outgrowing and buy new-to-me at a lower price. Rinse and repeat. When you reach your final goal, buy new clothes - truly new clothes.