Buying Smaller Clothes

AlannaWulf194

I've got an amazon list of size large clothing (I wear a size X-large). I've been debating whether or not to buy an outfit or two in size large to try and motivate me to get to that level. Did anyone do this with success?

callsitlikeiseeit

different things work as motivators for different people. If buying clothing in smaller sizes helps motivate you, then go for it!

I have a ton of clothes already in smaller sizes, so the idea of purposely buying them when there's no NEED to doesn't jive with me. I'd have to get smaller than an 8 before I didn't have anything that fit. I'm a 12/14 currently.

When I was actively losing a LOT of weight (130 pounds), I primarily went to thrift shops. cheaper, I knew I wasn't going to be in that size forever, or even long, no need to spend $50 on a pair of jeans (or more) when I can get them for $5. That doesn't mean I wont buy random pieces new, but I abhor paying full price for pretty much anything LOL

We purchased a horse (yes, a horse LOL) this weekend, and she wont be on our farm for a couple of months yet. I want to be able to ride her. She needs to gain some weight, and I need to lose some weight, so right now ... being able to ride her is MY motivation LMAO

Lietchi

I personally didn't do this, simply because I know that clothes won't necessarily fit me well, even if they are in the right size. So I might have bought clothing that I could eventually fit into, but not necessarily look nice on me and therefore never get worn.
Also, I found that buying 'intermediate' clothes was pretty much a waste of money since I would outshrink them before getting much use out of them (particularly true in this pandemic, spending 99% of my time at home).

I did however have some old smaller clothes in my closet, that I tried occasionally. It didn't motivate me particularly, but then again I'm not someone who's big on motivation I prefer just getting a good consistent routine going.
I would say: go for it, if you think it will motivate you. But perhaps stick to cheaper brands and/or second-hand clothes, to keep the cost reasonable?

springlering62

I found an incredibly cute little pencil dress at TJMaxx for $9.99.

For that price, I had a “why not?” moment. I bought it and hung it sideways in my closet so it was the first thing I saw every time I walked in.

I would talk to it, and stroke it and whisper “Some day you and I will walk out that door together”.

The first time I wore it was an utter thrill. I could not believe I was wearing the thing. Such a sense of accomplishment.

Having one item like that was very motivating.

But I wouldn’t buy a lot of clothes for two reasons.

As your body changes, your taste is probably going to change, too. You’ll have the opportunity to try exciting new clothes.

And second, my goal weight went by in a flash. I treated myself to a new wardrobe and within a couple of months, they were all too big. I really regretted wasting the money.

I was more cautious the second time, only getting a few pieces to tide me over, splurged the third time, thinking I’ll never get smaller than this, right? I’m currently on my fourth or fifth set of clothes, and even some of them are too big or fit wierd , due to recomp.

AlannaWulf194

Thanks guys! I should probably clarify that my "outfit" would consist of like a t-shirt and jeans or sweat pants. so they should fit pretty well on me. I def am not going to buy an entire wardrobe unless I have decided that I'm staying at that weight.

wunderkindking

I've bought some smaller stuff throughout - mostly used on Poshmark. Not so much as motivation, but rather that there is only so sloppy and oversized even I can stand to be.

MsCzar

Unless it was an absolutely incredible bargain, I don't think I would buy the smaller clothing - especially something like a tee and sweatpants. Plus, it's a lot more fun to lose weight and then buy new clothes. As for jeans, I have noticed that my smaller size jeans from back in the day don't fit my body the way they once did. So when it comes to jeans - I would say that is a hard 'no' - simply because jeans need to fit fairly well.

Speakeasy76

The one time I bought a dress in a smaller size because it was really pretty AND a really good deal, thinking "someday...." Well, when it finally was "someday" years later, I didn't really have an occasion to wear it. For me personally, I know buying clothing in smaller sizes isn't motivating, and can actually anxiety-provoking (strange, I know). However, once I reached my goal weight, I was ready to go all-out.

More recently, I went down a dress size in reaching my new goal. My old pants fit loosely, but I bought a bunch in smaller sizes because I thought If I continued to wear those now too-big pants, it would be too easy for me to fit right back into them again.

DezYaoified

Shirts I don’t really worry about because I can always tie them off or just wear them baggy (tshirts)
Pants and shorts tho, I do have a few in smaller sizes. I take pics of trying them on at different points in my progress. Nothing too crazy, just a few sizes smaller. I bought some size 14/12s when I was size 20. I’m size 16 now and for me it’s really helpful to see the difference in how the smaller clothes are fitting. Before I could hardly get the shorts above my knees, now I can get them all the way up. I can’t wait until I can button and zip them.

AndreaTamira

I kind of do this.

When my pants get loose I go to the second hand store and find a pair of jeans a size smaller than my pants. I don't fit in it yet at this point, but I take it home and try it on once a week till I do. I did this twice now (NZ size 16 and 14.)

I also have an older t-shirt I am waiting to fit into.

I don't think I would buy truly new clothes (especially trousers) in a lower size as they may just fit for 3 or 4 months or so and that's just a waste of money I don't have.

mpkpbk2015

During the journey to my goal I shopped at resale shops. Because they had a variety of nice items at reasonable prices. And since I knew I wouldn't be in them for a long time why spend 100 for a pair of jeans your only going to wear a few months. Also if I was gentle on some of the designer stuff I resold it back to them and got more stuff. A lot of the stores are consignment/resale shops in my area even have brand new overstocked items.

rosebarnalice

The "buy it and diet into it" strategy never worked for me-- it stresses me out and makes me feel like a failure to look at that pair of jeans or pretty skirt that JUST DOESN'T fit.

Honestly, I think it goes back to a Christmas present my dad gave me when I was 12, namely, a "junior miss" mail order catalog that carried size 10 and below (I was a 14 at the time), with a note that said I could have a whole new wardrobe from the catalog as soon as I could fit into anything in it.

I'm sure he meant well, but I never did it, and I felt like a failure.

AlexandraFindsHerself1971

I like having a pair of jeans one size down available because my pants have the habit of going from wearable but loose to entirely too loose to stand (I can't handle it if the crotch bags. Drives me insane) overnight. So it's nice when that happens to have the next size down available to put on. But that's one pair of jeans, that's not half my wardrobe.

littlebabekitty

I bought one outfit . now the shirt is big after I lost weight. Try to not buy so many as your body will change quick.

darabiyanehamide

It's like leveling up in a video game, but in real life, right? Those moments when you realize you're dropping sizes are pure gold. It's like your body's way of giving you a high-five for all the hard work you've been putting in. And hey, speaking of celebrations, how about treating yourself to some personalized bucket hats to go with those new threads? I mean, why not add some extra flair to your look? Keep crushing those goals!