Shrinking size - should I buy new clothes for temporary use?

PCOS_No_More

Hi All,

I'd like to know your opinion about the following...I've lost 25-30 lbs in the past few months but I am not even close to my goal (50 lbs more to go). I have become kind of demotivated to hit the gym and go to other public places because I have clothes in bigger and smaller sizes than my current size but I keep on telling myself this is a temporary period so I shouldn't invest in clothing in this size. The smaller sizes are not even close to fitting me. I have bought some new clothes but very few since I already have such a huge closet with clothes that don't even fit.

Does it frustrate you if your gym clothes don't fit you so well? I have some that are huge on me while some of them look like I had a baby's shirt on. I feel completely ridiculous in them but I can't buy clothes every month. Should I buy some again, even if it's temporary? Maybe this is sabotaging my exercise routine a little bit...I'd like to know about your personal experiences.

Meerataila

Thrift stores are your friends. I have found some decent gym clothes here and there, too. I draw the line at tennis shoes unless they still have a tag, and I don't buy bras or underwear used, but everything else is fair game.

_Resolve_

it get expensive but yes, get used to it until you hit goal. I started in a 4xl shirt and size 54 pants... I had to go out almost monthly and get smaller clothes. Now im in a XL and size 36 pants and will have to go out this fall and get all new winter clothes.

Bess_74

It is important to feel comfortable in your clothes! If you have lost a size or two, buy that size and get rid of the too big stuff, BUT buy it USED. Check out thrift stores and yard sales in your area or start a clothing exchange on facebook.

Loralrose

Two words: Thrift. Store.

Buying new pants isn't a big investment when you're paying $5 each.

seltzermint555

Thrift stores are your friends. I have found some decent gym clothes here and there, too. I draw the line at tennis shoes unless they still have a tag, and I don't buy bras or underwear used, but everything else is fair game.

I totally agree with this.

I definitely think it's a bad idea to buy a whole new wardrobe for every size you go down (unless you have tons of extra funds) but especially for workout wear you need to feel good, comfort wise, and I do think it's very demotivating to wear workout clothes that are baggy...almost WORSE than wearing workout clothes that are too small.

Get minimal "for now" items...like 1 pair of pants/shorts and 1-2 inexpensive tops that fit you well now.

PCOS_No_More

I wonder if I should get rid of all the clothes that are too big. A relative said I should keep them since "you never know when you get that big again". I am a cheapskate, I don't throw away clothes...I have donated plenty of them but still have a lot left just hanging in my closet. I hate it though because I am not sure if it is healthy to think one day I will be that big again. I do know it could happen, it has happened before that I gained the weight back.

PCOS_No_More

I may be setting myself up for failure by keeping them?

ew_david

Just buy a few things. You don't have to get an entire wardrobe. You'd be surprised at how much better you feel about yourself when you have clothes that fit you the way they're supposed to fit.

DBoone85

If you look good and feel good in your clothes, everything else that you do will be better and you will be more motivated. bite the bullet and get some stuff that you like, and that fits.

Fatandfifty3

1.ebay.
2.Don't let that relative drip poison in your ear! Resolve never to go back up there! (Ok. 2a.Keep some clothes that are a little roomy for 'fat days' but chuck the rest in the charity stores direction.)

nikkylyn

Declutter your closet. Box up all the too big clothes and donate or sell them.

Then yes buy some clothes that fit you.

First hit thrift stores and ebay/craigslist for smaller clothes to save money.

I wouldnt go out and spend 100$ on a pair of jeans ya know but yea get some in between clothes because who knows how long it will take sometimes weight loss stalls and in the meantime you want to feel confident the way you are right now.

GiveMeCoffee

I donate my clothes as they get too big, I keep a hamper next to the dryer so I can put them right in there, once it's full I drop it off.

As for clothes while losing what I did was every size I dropped I bought one decent fitting pair of jeans and top (not top end but something that I felt great in) the rest I would go to the wealthier areas and hit their thrift stores and fill in my wardrobe with that. Have gotten some great clothes there with tags still on them for a couple dollars.

verptwerp

Oh for goodness sake, of course get clothes that fit you ........ who wants to look like they're wearing clown clothes ......

Great ideas here for inexpensive clothing ....... donate yours & find replacements ....... just do it !

And congrats on losing weight :drinker:

Pipsg1rl

Buy some basic pieces in neutral colors that you can accessorize! Go to Pinterest and look up something like "6 piece wardrobe" or "wear one item multiple ways."


As for workout clothes, off price stores such as Ross, Marshall's, and TJ Maxx are really great.

laurie04427

Yep like the others said, thrift stores.

I've lost enough to be down two pant sizes so I actually hit up the Goodwill myself today (finally!) and ended up buying 5 pairs of pants and about 8 tank tops/t-shirts. Was all about $5 a piece.

I've got about 20+ pounds left to lose so I didn't want to waste money on going to a regular store because I'll be getting rid of this stuff eventually.

OP if you invest in some workout pants with drawstring waist you'll be able to use those forever even if they get really baggy (it's actually motivating when they get super baggy for me anyhow lol).

simplydelish2

I think that when you feel good about yourself that it is a motivator to feel even better about yourself. I'd invest in a few outfits that fit now. Shirts/tops are easier to wear when they are a couple sizes too big than pants are. Belts, scarves, anything that you can cinch in the too big is your friend. My best advice - if you don't feel good in it - toss it (or give it to charity if it's in good shape)!

Congrats on the weight loss so far - and best of luck in the future!

plumsparkle

Ebay!! Sell the clothes that are way too big and use the money to buy stuff off there that fits. I've practically replaced my whole wardrobe and it is a good way to try out different styles on your new body shape. If you don't like something, sell it on! I personally think that keeping your old larger sizes is admitting to yourself that your weight loss is just a temporary thing. Getting rid of them says you are committed to your journey!

Meerataila

1.ebay.
2.Don't let that relative drip poison in your ear! Resolve never to go back up there! (Ok. 2a.Keep some clothes that are a little roomy for 'fat days' but chuck the rest in the charity stores direction.)

2. for sure. Never tried to find clothes on ebay. Might now, though!

Unknown

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PCOS_No_More

You all have so many good things to say. I tend to be so cheap when it comes to myself. I guess that does give a bad impression to other people. I don't want that so I will do what you guys just said.

heather_hearts_travel

Thrift! eBay!

btanton27

I got rid of 3/4 of my closet and only bought a few pants, capris and tshirts but everything was on sale. I refuse to pay more than $10 on something that will possibly be too big in 6 months or so. I figure besides work clothes which I work in a factory so I just recycle my old stuff to wear, I don't really need more than 5 or 6 outfits to get me thru the rest of summer...

Jinnie69

A few pieces to make yourself feel good, and look good. It's good positive reinforcement. I gained 15 lbs due to illness and medication, now I am trying to get it off in time for my fall wardrobe. Good luck to you. My #1 rule is don't by pants that give you muffin top. This way when they give you muffin top, it's a huge red flag!

lee91356

If its strictly workout clothes then not really, if you can do without; i.e. drawstrings and the like. Save the money and keep wearing it until you just cant. Tops you can totally keep no matter how much you lose because you just toss on top, bottoms, undies, and sports bras (if you are a girl) are the problem generally.

However, if you reached the point were the bottoms are falling off (happened to me :blushing: ) then shop cheap and look for lasting alternatives for the next phase - again drawstrings. Some good places to hit up are thrift stores or walmart/ kmart/ tjmax, etc.

If its normal clothes like for work, then yes, you cant wait until they start falling off, but look for sales and deals and stick to the thrift stores or w tjmax/ marshalls/ etc and load up on basics like plain shirts and pants.

This is the hardest time because your wardrobe will be the plainest and most limited, but when you get to your goal, whooo nelly will it be fun!!!!

Kenazwa

Learn to sew so you can take in your clothes. That's what I'm doing. I also like to check thrift stores, discount stores like Ross and Burlington, and clearance racks.

Adc7225

Maybe just a few items! I bought clothes all along and though it has been somewhat frustrating getting rid of clothing along the way I don't regret it.

Right now just about all of my workout shirts are too big - I prefer long sleeves so I am waiting for the fall stuff to come in. I usually buy my workout clothes from Old Navy, the Gap or Nordstrom Rack - I would rather get rid of them then have them fall apart.

Old Navy and the Gap always have great sales, Nordstrom Rack has stuff that goes on clearance.

Personally I do not know how some people keep up their motivation while wearing clothing that does not fit - being in a nice fitting outfit sure does motivate me to get into the gym.


Good Luck and keep up the good work!!!!

Also, my now too big workout clothes replaced my old really too big houseclothes!

Momjogger

Hi All,

I'd like to know your opinion about the following...I've lost 25-30 lbs in the past few months but I am not even close to my goal (50 lbs more to go). I have become kind of demotivated to hit the gym and go to other public places because I have clothes in bigger and smaller sizes than my current size but I keep on telling myself this is a temporary period so I shouldn't invest in clothing in this size. The smaller sizes are not even close to fitting me. I have bought some new clothes but very few since I already have such a huge closet with clothes that don't even fit.

Does it frustrate you if your gym clothes don't fit you so well? I have some that are huge on me while some of them look like I had a baby's shirt on. I feel completely ridiculous in them but I can't buy clothes every month. Should I buy some again, even if it's temporary? Maybe this is sabotaging my exercise routine a little bit...I'd like to know about your personal experiences.

Good for you for losing 30 pounds. That is quite an accomplishment. I am closing in on 50 myself. I had lost 60 and gained twenty back this winter. I had gotten rid of all my bigger clothes and it KILLED me to buy a couple things that fit, but I had to. Looking good is part of feeling good and you need to reward yourself. Your best bet is a few basic pieces that you REALLY love. For example, I bought one burnt orange dress in XL, and an off white dress in L. I got them at Sears in the Jrs. Dept. for $15 a piece. I now fit back into the size L dress, and I kept getting compliments and women asking me where I got it (of course I shared my secret)! I am also glad I got the XL because I wore it to my son's graduation party and it looked nice and I felt great, which restarted my motivation. It was NOT wasted money. Going to the store to try on clothes is the best part of weight loss! If you only buy what you absolutely love, you will be able to make due with less. I will be back to my size M. in no time thanks to some hard work and it's all because I am feeling good about myself again with some nice clothes and exercise! Also, workout pants and t-shirts are stretchy, so you can usually get away with the same size for about twenty pounds, so buying two work out outfits you feel good in is worth it. Stores with good clothes for good prices for both men and women: Bobs, Old Navy, Sears, TJ Maxx, Marshalls.

Momjogger

I wonder if I should get rid of all the clothes that are too big. A relative said I should keep them since "you never know when you get that big again". I am a cheapskate, I don't throw away clothes...I have donated plenty of them but still have a lot left just hanging in my closet. I hate it though because I am not sure if it is healthy to think one day I will be that big again. I do know it could happen, it has happened before that I gained the weight back.

I made the mistake of getting rid of most of my clothes, but I did keep a few that I loved, thank God, since I gained some weight back. I think it is normal to go up and down a little even after you finish losing. All my skinny friends have a closet with a range of about three sizes. I would keep what you love and things that are in good condition and donate the rest, but put the "what if" clothes in a bin in the attic so you can't see them.

Momjogger

By the way, the two outfits in my pictures are smaller than what I can wear now....just waiting for me in my closet! I got them at more expensive stores as a treat and I am trying to get back into them!

qmmanager69

What about a consignment shop....sell your bigger clothes to buy smaller ones.