What did you do with clothes that are now too large for you?

CarvedTones

So I pretty much cleared the closet of long sleeve shirts and went ahead and took the short sleeves that were left. I had been wearing a lot of oversized shorts because you can kin of get away with it, but they don't look good.

I also looked for shirts at Goodwill. Long sleeve "office casual" patterned dress shirts. For whatever reason, you can find those in really good shape, often with tags. I understand that as I have bought some that I never wore; seemed to look like something I would wear at the store and then was never quite what I wanted when dressing.

Anyway, I now wear medium and trim/athletic cut fit best. I even try some smalls as a few fit. Looking for those really fives you some perspective on the shape the general public is in. There are probably more 2XLs than mediums and smalls put together.

Sizes in general are wack. I had a couple of larges that I never wore but kept because they were too small. (could have become one of those nearly new shirts at Goodwill). They now fit, though they are a little loose around the belly. I have a small island shirt that fits extremely well; I get a lot of comments about how much I have lost when I wear it. That's just crazy. I am a trim fit medium.

RetiredAndLovingIt

I think you can find a lot of good wearable clothes at second hand shops.. a lot with tags even. One place near here is a more "nonprofit charity supporting" type of place. Clothes that are the color of the week are 25 cents and the 2nd week they are 2 for 25 cents. Of course, if I find something I really like I will pay the $2 for a shirt, because either it or I won't be there during the 25 cent week, lol. Really spoils you...don't even want to shop at Goodwill anymore.

somethingsoright

RetiredAndLovingIt wrote: »

I think you can find a lot of good wearable clothes at second hand shops.. a lot with tags even. One place near here is a more "nonprofit charity supporting" type of place. Clothes that are the color of the week are 25 cents and the 2nd week they are 2 for 25 cents. Of course, if I find something I really like I will pay the $2 for a shirt, because either it or I won't be there during the 25 cent week, lol. Really spoils you...don't even want to shop at Goodwill anymore.

What great deals! There are only two major second-hand stores near me. One's a Salvation Army and is very expensive. It's ridiculous that they want upwards of $10 for shirts and pants that have holes/stains/pilling on them. The other store is very reasonable with its prices and has better quality clothing, but they use some kind of detergent/deodorizer on their clothes that has an 'old-fashioned' scent. Luckily, it goes away after a few washes.

CarvedTones

Goodwill isn't terrible and there are three within 5 miles or so. I got 3 shirts at one and three at another, a couple look brand new and none are old/worn. Total for all 6 was around $25. Having ~10 shirts suitable for work (it's always semi-casual) is a good rotation. Another nice thing about smaller shirts is that my arms weren't longer when I was heavier so cuffs were pretty much always annoying. Now they aren't trying to creep up to my palms!

psychod787

Keep then in a box in the attic.

Ed_Zilla

Goodwill got 'em all

CarvedTones

psychod787 wrote: »

Keep then in a box in the attic.

That seems like it would make it too easy for me to accept some gain with the "I will just get a couple of pairs of pants that are a little more comfortable while I lose back down". Slippery slope. I decided that gaining needs to cause a real problem; I absolutely do not want to buy larger clothes and I think I would resist that better.

psychod787

CarvedTones wrote: »

psychod787 wrote: »

Keep then in a box in the attic.

That seems like it would make it too easy for me to accept some gain with the "I will just get a couple of pairs of pants that are a little more comfortable while I lose back down". Slippery slope. I decided that gaining needs to cause a real problem; I absolutely do not want to buy larger clothes and I think I would resist that better.

Well, I am regaining slowly for some health reasons. Most of my current clothes are thrift store finds. Now my 400lbs cloths are all gone except 1 shirt and one pair of pants. A reminder of what I never want to return to. Actually, I will sleep in the shirt sometimes.

eva_regnier

Donated

MissLotte

I used to keep them but then I had a wardrobe blitz and donated those that were still good, recycled the older ones and altered a couple.

I'm actually really glad that I don't keep them now. My current wardrobe fits my current size and although I still have plenty to lose if they start feeling a bit tight it's a reminder that I'm slacking off and need to work harder. I have to wear them, they're the only clothes I've got!!

kdbulger

Too big clothes don't make me feel good in my skin, so I give them away to friends who are also going through body changes and need new items, or I sell the good quality ones, or donate the average stuff.

I vividly remember how good it felt to get rid of some of my bigger stuff when I first started - stuff I bought because it fit and not because i loved it. A lot of wasn't even good enough for donation after being worn out either through pregnancies or stretched out with weight gain. So long and thanks for the memories.

sytchequeen

When I started losing I created a "fat bag" with my good clothes, just in case, and got rid of the rubbish. Then as I progressed lower and lower the "fat bag" went to charity and I started a new one.
A couple of things I had tailored, because they were too good not to keep.

Luckily I had a lot of smaller things I got back into - my fattest of fat clothes were cheap supermarket buys to see me through when I ballooned post-injury.

I still need to go through all my t-shirts and find the ones that look ridiculously big and get rid of those. Some tees look cool baggy, others not so much.

I'm not replacing unless it's a good quality item, to encourage me to keep a minimal wardrobe. Some of these good quality items are from charity shops... good label, good cut, good material, hardly worn.

samsanti007

I've donated a lot of too-big clothes, but I've had to take in the waist on a few pairs of jeans because I can't afford more right now. Thrift stores are awesome for a college student that's lost twenty pounds

tbright1965

gcibsthom wrote: »

Unfortunately, my two sons are now wearing my fat clothes...and I am wearing their old skinny clothes...

My son can wear some of my fat clothes. But not my pants. He's even bigger in the waist than I ever was. He's 26 and watching me do this and not changing his approach to diet and exercise.

Not that I know it all. But I do know from having been 26 and now being 2x26 and then some that it was easier then than now.

SueSueDio

Just a thought for people who might have a lot of shirts/T shirts they like or that have sentimental value, but are now too big - turn them into a throw or wall hanging!

https://www.projectrepat.com/

Those who are handy with a sewing machine (or know someone who is) could probably do this themselves too, since this service isn't cheap. But it's a way to actually use those shirts and still get some enjoyment from them even if you can't actually wear them any more.

(I keep thinking I'm going to do this with the concert souvenir shirts hubby and I have packed away, but at the moment can't bring myself to cut them up. Maybe one day. )

DaisyHamilton

I kept mine for a while but then realized it was like giving myself an "ok" to gain weight back. I don't notice I'm gaining weight as easily if my clothes are all baggy. I don't think I have anything from my bigger days.

The nice ones I give to my sister in law. Everything else goes to my mom's house for her occasional yard sales.

AJB1014

nowine4me wrote: »

I actually went into Goodwill at donation time and got a $150 pair of jeans for $8

Talk about good timing! Does your store put out new stuff at the same time every week?

AJB1014

gfitzsimmons wrote: »

Sent all mine to ThredUP and used the credits I got to buy new, smaller clothes

I dont know why I never thought of this! Thanks!

CarvedTones

I just donated a few more that were just a little too big; getting confident, which I think is a good thing. Clothing sizes are wack; I donated some 32 slacks that I could pull down without unbuttoning and bought some 32 dress slacks that are only very slightly loose; I could wear them without a belt. They are what I am likely to wear to the company Christmas party. I tried on some 29s! Pockets were open a bit too much and the last thing I want to do is look like I am busting out of clothes. But I could button them (2 different pair) and still breathe. I bought a pair of 30s that are snug at the waist but fit nicely through pockets and legs. I look really good in those, if I may so myself. Amazing.

k8eekins

sunshine84841 wrote: »

Keep or donate? If you are keeping them, why?

To keep - dresses, skirts, blouses and shirts due for alterations because they were meant to last me the 2 Seasons (2018 Autumn/Winter). I'm due to shop again, time-permitting.

I couldn't donate much of my big-mass clothing items, for clothes can not be gently worn with my body type, me massive or me tight, so we'd had them repurposed.

debrakgoogins

Consignment stores are a good option while you're still losing. You can trade clothes for ones that fit and keep doing that until you reach your goal. It's less expensive than buying new.

allmannerofthings

I have a one in one out policy for all my clothes. If I get a new (smaller) pair of pants then one old pair has to go. Same for each type of item. Keeps the closet tidy and the spending under control. My Mum had a thrifty policy, you never need more than 3 of any item - on to be wearing, one in the laundry and one in the drawer, While I have definitely increased the numbers I still have limits.

mgookin

I will keep everything until after maintaining goal weight for after a year and then donate them. I put them in the vacuum sealed and store them in my shed.

sgriska

Gave them to a friend who's just starting her weight loss journey, and she's sharing with some friends from church that are in similar situations. Glad to help, and to be rid of them!

Styggian

Keeping them as I can fit into them now cant afford new ones anyway, the only stuff that looks weird on me now are my business suits, the jackets are way too big.

Just saving them in case I need for a job interview, will try to pad them out by wearing some sports gear under my shirt:)

rsb1023

I started at a size 16 & now I'm a 8-10, after the first year I donated the size 16's after the second year I donated the size 14's I have the size 12's in storage boxes in a spare closed just in case.

Tacklewasher

pinuplove wrote: »

Tacklewasher wrote: »

I'm keeping a pair of jeans (52W) and a shirt that was my Homer Simpson outfit a few years back. I'm going to wear it all again for Halloween one year.

I'd like to say I've donated the rest, but truth be told I have a pile in the bedroom (like @pinuplove a few pages back) that I need to sort and donate but I just haven't gotten around to.

Oh, and I went through my suit jackets last night and my wife laughed as I put them on.

@Tacklewasher And they are still there I've given up on the bags and just started piling things on top.

Hey @pinuplove.

Got my piles in bags.

4 industrial sized garbage bags full.


2 for Sally Ann and 2 with cold weather stuff for the Gospel Mission. Everything 2XL and larger is now gone and just a few XL things I want to keep, otherwise its gone.

pinuplove

@Tacklewasher *kitten*, you're going to shame me into doing something about my pile. It hasn't moved I'm about to have to add a couple more pairs of work trousers to it...

I'm sure your wife is rolling her eyes and saying 'Finally!'

Tacklewasher

pinuplove wrote: »

@Tacklewasher *kitten*, you're going to shame me into doing something about my pile. It hasn't moved I'm about to have to add a couple more pairs of work trousers to it...

I'm sure your wife is rolling her eyes and saying 'Finally!'

@pinuplove it was more like she was laughing at me as I tried stuff on to be sure I wanted to throw it out. Going from a 52 waist to a 38 waist apparently makes a difference in how clothes look on you.

pinuplove

Tacklewasher wrote: »

pinuplove wrote: »

@Tacklewasher *kitten*, you're going to shame me into doing something about my pile. It hasn't moved I'm about to have to add a couple more pairs of work trousers to it...

I'm sure your wife is rolling her eyes and saying 'Finally!'

@pinuplove it was more like she was laughing at me as I tried stuff on to be sure I wanted to throw it out. Going from a 52 waist to a 38 waist apparently makes a difference in how clothes look on you.

I kind of want to try on my biggest stuff one more time. Maybe I'll keep one pair for the days I'm feeling particularly fat. Guess we have to wait until next year for that Homer costume?

On the opposite side of the equation, I can button and zip my 'UG' (ultimate goal) pair of jeans. I wore them on my first date with now husband and yes, they are so 90s but I don't care! A bit muffiny, but I see worse every time I go to Walmart, heh.