I can't be the only one...

wolfchild59

I hear ya. Last year when I lost all the weight I purged my closet and drawers of everything that didn't fit anymore. And went on one shopping trip with some gift cards and a little bit of money I had available at the time.

And those are all the clothes I have that fit. >.< I literally have five pairs of pants, four zip up sweatshirts, two sweaters, two thin pullover tops, a few polos and a handful of tees in long and short sleeve. And they're all already falling apart because they're the only clothes I've had for over a year now cuz I haven't been able to buy anything new with how tight my budget has been.

And I'm still trying to find an actual warm jacket that fits and that I can afford, I just mostly spend a lot of time cold during the winter now. lol

asaba1013

Thrift stores are wonderful options for the in between times. Many have brand new clothes and they won't break the bank on your downward journey to the final wardrobe.

THIS!!!!!! YOU SHOULD REALLY CONSIDER THE GOODWILL, SALVATION ARMY ETC... IM ON A STRICT BUDGET BUT NOT ALL THE TIME AND I STILLLLLLL SHOP AT THE GOODWILL! I AM A VERY YOUND AND FASHIONABLE PERSON AND I FIND SOME OF MY BEST ITEMS THERE!!!! ITS HIT OR MISS. SO JUST BC U DONT FIND ANYTING THE FIRST TIME, GO BACK AGAIN!!! PAY ATTENTION TO THE TAG COLOR DAYS AND YOU CAN REALLY HIT BIG THERE LOL!!! I LOVE LOVE LOOOOVE THRIFT STORES, BROKE OR NOT!!!!

Pebble321

It's a tough one isn't it? Losing weight is great, but it's expensive, and it's frustrating to buy new clothes only to have them looking baggy in another month or two (great, but frustrating!)

My solution has been to buy black pants or skirts that fit (from Target when they have a sale, or from the op shop) and to buy colourful t-shirts/singlets for a few dollars each. Then I wear these under cardigans/jackets that I already have, the cardigans are looking a bit big but not too bad.

I also got out the sewing machine to take in the outside seam of a few pairs of pants. It wasn't a very professional job at the waistline, but i wore a shirt over them so I got away with it!

And accessorise! I've hunted out some long necklaces that I don't usually wear and they dress up a plain black or white t-shirt to make it look more professional and less "weekend".

ruby_red_rose

Old Navy has a lot of good sales, and their prices are more reasonable than a lot of other stores. Perhaps you can check them out.

Lozze

I've just hit the op shop and got some good bargains. I'm lucky as when I go home for Xmas my mum is getting me some new clothes and since we're now the same size I can raid her wardrobe. Not the best option but better than buying new clothes.

Try Freecycle too. Possibly for free there!

cerrajean

Old Navy has a lot of good sales, and their prices are more reasonable than a lot of other stores. Perhaps you can check them out.

I actually boycotted Old Navy for YEARS (5 or 6?) because I went to their Flagship store here in San Francisco because they had their plus sizes in the store as opposed to online. I went in one day and it was gone- I asked the sales associate where it was moved to and she just looked at me and said something to the effect of:

"Oh, plus sizes? Yeah you have to order those online, we don't carry them in the store anymore."

I politely told her I'd be taking my money elsewhere, because I refuse to buy clothes I can't try on. I'm far too busy to be running around town returning things. :P

Thanks for all the great tips everyone! I do have a sewing machine, and I do mend and alter what I can- it just gets so frustrating, and at least I'm reassured now that I'm not the only one who's loathing one (tiny!) aspect of my weight loss.

cerrajean

And I'm still trying to find an actual warm jacket that fits and that I can afford, I just mostly spend a lot of time cold during the winter now. lol

I threw away my wool pea coat last year when my lovely cat actually turned it into a 'real' pee coat. >.<

This year I sprung for a new one from Ross. $23.99, satin-lined, heavy 'wool'-ish pea coat. If you have a Ross or three around, I definitely recommend them for coats.

4thehardman

We have a clothes swap here every 6 months. Everyone clears out their wardrobes and takes the clothes to the village hall. The next day each person pays 10chf (about the same in dollars) which goes to charity and then they can take one, two or even ten black bin liners worth of clothes home. I have found great clothes and shoes for myself there and soon some of them might even fit LOL. This year I am organising it so I get first pick of the clothes, I cant wait! Maybe you could organise something similar for after the holidays, you might get good donations of unwanted gifts!

Kymmu

Invite a group of ladies from all of your cirlces to have a clothing swap party.
You get a peg for every item you bring in - Those pegs are your money.
You spend 1 peg per item.
It's amazing what people have lurking in their wardrobe, sometimes they have put on weight and no longer wear them , orin your case lost weight and have larger clothes to give up.
A couple of glasses of wine, and some nibbles, and you can have a great time.
Even if you don't get anything, everyones old things can go to a charity so someone else can have a look.
You have to remember to enter into the spirit of the party and not belittle anyone's items or they may be offended.

It's worth a shot!
P.s I was delighted when I had to downsize my jeans, a young girl at my work bought some off me. They were all good quality expensive jeans already taken up by a tailor. She got them for $20 a pair. With the money from the sales went shopping for one really good pair in my new size.
It's good incentive for me to stay my current shape because of my new clothes!

Clinno

Op Shops are your best bet I reckon, I stop in at 4 different ones walking to work each day and I usually find something to spend my loose change on weather it be clothes, toys, appliances.. you might even get the odd thing you know for sure you can double your money on re-selling

fionarama

Personally I hate second hand clothes life is never that desperate surely. But a big believer in a capsule wardrode. Buy a cheap suit - skirt, trousers, one jacket which works with both, some lycra tops and one or two dresses and your'e done for work. If you buy as much as possible in stretch fabric it will move with your body. Buy belts to cinch things in. Its really not that expensive. You

SheRa1964

Goodwill is a a great option. My son buys all this clothes there. I buy all my transitional clothes there. If you go to an upper class part of town you get nicer stuff! I shop there even when my money isn't super tight. Sometimes you can find things for $3 that would cost $30 at Kohls. I like to save money and I LOVE clothes. Plus you are helping people who work there stay employed. They hire people with special needs. It's win-win.

CashierCantin

Goodwill was my saving grace. I had to buy business casual clothes and its amazing how many things were now my size where before I could never find anything that fit because I was too big.

I went every weekend and bought a shirt here and a pair of pants there. I've quite a collection I need to get back into once I get the rest of these pounds off me.

ccmccoy09

I just thought of something! Head over to the resale shops in Berkeley (Crossroads, Buffalo Exchange, Plato's closet) and sell whatever you can for credit, and then buy yourself some new duds. When you lose more weight and grow out of those, take them back, resell them, and buy new ones with the credit. You won't get a 1:1 trade on price, but it will be cheaper than donating your old clothes to charity and paying cash for new stuff.

Depending on how generous your friends are, you might want to ask them for their cast-offs so you can try to sell them too. You might be surprised how willing they are to forego selling their clothes for a bit of cash in order to help you out.

Be prepared for the staff at those places to be picky, and don't take it personally if they don't offer what you think your clothes are worth. If your cast-offs are too big for you, and you're committed to never being able to wear them again, those clothes are essentially worthless to you anyway. Congrats on your weight loss!!

skateboardstef

My strategy is every time I drop a pants size, I only buy a few pairs of jeans because I plan on losing more weight. I do a good bit of laundry but at least I'm not wasting too much money on new clothes when they might not fit me in a few months. Also I look for tops that are made of stretchy fabric or stylish loose fitting tops that will still look good on me when I lose weight.

steffiejoe

I know the feeling. I have two bags of nice work clothes (size 10 &12's)some with taggs in my gargage that I need to donate. I wish I new someone I could give them to. I'm wearing a size 8 now and they are getting lose.

For black friday I purchased two pairs of size 6 slacks. They are just a lttle snugg in the thigh area but im sure when I lose 5 more pounds they will fit perfect.

cerrajean

I just thought of something! Head over to the resale shops in Berkeley (Crossroads, Buffalo Exchange, Plato's closet) and sell whatever you can for credit, and then buy yourself some new duds.

My experience with these types of resale shops are that they have NO plus size sections, therefore aren't really keen on buying plus size items. I'll definitely try them again, especially since I'm now in an 18, but I know when I was a 24 or 26 it was virtually impossible to find anything at Plato's Closet and I had heard Buffalo Exchange wasn't accommodating for plus sizes either.

Also in Berkeley, there's Says Who/Seams to Fit, but the style of clothing they look for isn't really in line with the business casual styles I wear/need. (Nothing against them, they've been doing what they do for 30 years, but I've never been the earthy-tent-like garment kinda girl.)

cerrajean

I know the feeling. I have two bags of nice work clothes (size 10 &12's)some with taggs in my gargage that I need to donate. I wish I new someone I could give them to. I'm wearing a size 8 now and they are getting lose.

For black friday I purchased two pairs of size 6 slacks. They are just a lttle snugg in the thigh area but im sure when I lose 5 more pounds they will fit perfect.

You should look up domestic abuse / women's shelters in your area. They're always looking for donations, and it's a great cause.

Gongrats on dropping so many sizes! I look forward to being that small! (maybe not a 6, but definitely a 10-12!)

bampitt

Thrift stores are a great option. Or if you sew, you can alter your own clothes.

Nmama

my friend and I hit the thrift stores one day and were amazed at how many of them had dress pants and jeans that were stylish and in great shape! I would defintley check them out!

sofaking6

Maybe you could get a group of women together and do a clothing exchange? My friends have been setting those up lately...everyone just brings all their clothes that they don't/can't wear anymore and trades with others.

http://www.wikihow.com/Hold-a-Fashion-Swap-Party

KavemanKarg

You will feel better thin, in baggy clothing, then fat in comfortable clothing.

I would think.

Just a guess

Also there are weight loss support groups and some of them share clothing they out shrink

HartJames

Personally I hate second hand clothes life is never that desperate surely. But a big believer in a capsule wardrode. Buy a cheap suit - skirt, trousers, one jacket which works with both, some lycra tops and one or two dresses and your'e done for work. If you buy as much as possible in stretch fabric it will move with your body. Buy belts to cinch things in. Its really not that expensive. You

Whoaaaa- offensive much? I'm surely not desperate and am perfectly happy buying clothes wherever the hell I like- thank you very much!

sal22408

Ok...so thrift stores can be time consuming but just go on a day you have time to pick through and make a day of it. Even if you walk out with only a few things, its still worth trying ..considering the savings. Sometimes Ill go just for the thrill of finding a great deal! I have found that although the shirts are generally grouped by color...they are also grouped by size. The jeans and slacks are generally hung by size as well.
If that really isnt an option for you then i suggest getting your favorite items altered to fit your new size...or try ebay where you can just punch in the size item you're looking for. I personally like to try stuff on ...but whatever works!
Im trying to lose weight so that i dont have to buy a new wardrobe....my clothes are getting snug and i REFUSE to go up a size! ...however, id be happy to go down one

cerrajean

Personally I hate second hand clothes life is never that desperate surely. But a big believer in a capsule wardrode. Buy a cheap suit - skirt, trousers, one jacket which works with both, some lycra tops and one or two dresses and your'e done for work. If you buy as much as possible in stretch fabric it will move with your body. Buy belts to cinch things in. Its really not that expensive. You

I wish it were just that simple. And I don't see used clothing as desperate, especially in transition from weight loss. To try and explain this as best I can, and in support of people who believe thrift stores aren't filthy and disgusting or for "desperate" people, here are the items you've listed, that I would need to replace every 2-3 months at my current rate of weight loss.

I'll base this on Ross pricing since it's the most familiar to me and by budget-

Cheap suit- My top is generally a smaller size than my bottom so someplace cheap like Ross isn't going to work, as they do not separate their suit pieces. You get one size, and as I established, I like my clothes to actually fit.
Skirt - $10-20 (avg $15)
Slacks $13-25 (avg $19)
Suit Jacket/blazer $20-40 (avg $30)
'Lycra' tops $9-$20 (avg $15) x 4 (avg $60)
dress - $15-40 (avg $28) x 2 (avg $55)

Based on the averages this totals $179 every 2-3 months. and I would definitely need some jeans, 2 pair, and another pair of work slacks, also bras and underware become too big too. So that would be-

Jeans - $13-25 (avg $19) x 2 (avg $38)
Slacks $13-25 (avg $19)
underwear $4/pair x 7 (avg $28)
Bras - $6-15 (avg $11) x 2 (avg $22)

This adds another $107, bringing it to $286 every 2-3 months by your strategy. While it would be nice to have that extra $1k to spend on new clothes over the next year, it's laughable for me, and I'm guessing a lot of other people. In fact, that $286 is less than is left from one paycheck after I pay rent out of it. When I say I'm on the strictest of budgets, I mean less than $50 I can part with per month for fun/non-necessary items, and even then that could go to paying off bills.

You may not have to focus on each dollar and keep track of every single penny, but I'm sure plenty of people around here take as much offense as I do to your claims of used clothing being a desperate measure. If it's truly not that big of a deal, you're welcome to buy my next pair of pants in a couple months.

pinkgigi

I love op-shops, and believe me I am not desperate!

This last weekend I was caught in a terrible rain storm while I was on holiday, on a long drive. My daughter and I popped into an op-shop and I bought a pair of Target pants, UK size 12 for $5, and I changed into them because my jeans were soaking, OK I was desperate to get out of cold wet clothes, but I'm wearing them today too because all my other pants are baggy in the bottom.

I love the idea of getting singlet tops and a couple of good pairs of pants and wearing your cardigans, that's what I wear most days to work.

GG

cerrajean

Thanks again everyone - I really appreciate all of your contributions, well- except one, but the rest of you- THANKS!

shopewell70

Theres only one thing left to do......Each and everyone of us are all of different height and size. We need to start a clothing swap!!!!! It would be like XMAS everyday.....Just a thought