new clothes?

knyagrl

I'd like advice from you all. I've never before lost weight, and now that I've been on this site for several months, have managed to lose some. Now some of my jeans and slacks don't fit so great. I'm excited (cautiously) to be healthier, but not sure how to know if the weight will stay off. How do I know when to go out and buy some new clothes? I'm a grad student on a tight budget, and I don't want to buy needlessly, or buy then not have them fit if I put weight back on during the maintenance phase. Advice?

Bassgirl51

Buy new clothes. Put your bigger ones in a plastic storage bin from Walmart and put them under your bed. Keep doing what your doing, and you a throw the big clothes out next year and fill the plastic bin with the clothes you are buying now. And buy once again more smaller new clothes!

Koldnomore

If you're on a budget you can check placed like the second hand stores / Value Village and discount stores for 'interim' clothes. I wouldn't do any huge shops until you are closer to your goal.

MinnieInMaine

I like Bassgirl's idea!

Most towns have either thrift shops (Goodwill, Salvation Army) or consignment shops that can help with the costs of clothes shopping. You can get really decent 2nd hand stuff for very little money and in some cases, the tags are still on so they're like new! Just check them over carefully for stains or small holes before you buy. You don't need a whole new wardrobe either, just get a few key pieces for when you need to look your best.

Anna800

I have to have pants that fit me, everything else I can wear too large.

cnelson1974

I agree with the others. I've hidden my older clothes and just bought used jeans (name brand even!) from 2nd hand stores. My shirts still fit ok so I'll wait for a few more sizes before I get rid of those too.

Keep one pair as a reminder of where you where and how great you feel now!

misskerouac

I agree with the others to just buy new pants. Thrift stores can be good, but I myself never seem to find pants that I actually like at thrift stores. I just go to cheaper quality places and buy pants since I know these aren't "investment pieces" i'm buying, I don't plan to stay this size for very long, so I go buy a brand new pair of pants for 15$ that I actually like the style of, and i've even taken those pieces in on the waist to make them last longer, just a quick run through the sewing machine and they're good for a few more months.

kmadki4

I'm a broke medical student and this summer I had no shorts that fit me. I went to a second hand store (Plato's Closet) and got all kinds of stuff for so cheap! I got J. Crew khaki shorts for $8, for example. Shop around thrift stores for your clothes during your weight loss process. Then you can sell your old clothes to make some extra cash. Once you get to your goal, you may invest some extra money in a few key well-fitting pieces.

olores

Just buy new underwear, you deserve that thrill! Loose clothing is a reminder of where you came from! Just as long as they're not falling off! Congratulations!

bridgeto1984

Find an excellent tailor to take in your pants at the waist (or you can sew them yourself). I generally get an extra two months out of pants that way.

Shiroi

I'd buy clothes that you absolutely need (undies, jeans, etc). Especially if they are getting too big that they become a hindrance. Sometimes it's good to get new clothes as goal clothes, and yes if you get rid of/hide your old clothes it will definitely keep you motivated to keep going or maintain your weight.

Fat2Fit145

I'd like advice from you all. I've never before lost weight, and now that I've been on this site for several months, have managed to lose some. Now some of my jeans and slacks don't fit so great. I'm excited (cautiously) to be healthier, but not sure how to know if the weight will stay off. How do I know when to go out and buy some new clothes? I'm a grad student on a tight budget, and I don't want to buy needlessly, or buy then not have them fit if I put weight back on during the maintenance phase. Advice?

you decide if you get bigger or not....... so work toward NOT getting bigger.....

DesireeLovesOrganic

I'm a big fan of getting rid of clothes that are too big entirely. If you have them there as a crutch (even hidden), it's easier to get back into them again because the option is there. You're mindset has to be "I am not ever going back to that." When you invest in new clothes and notice them getting tight, you will do something about it, ykwim?

AmyP619

I am trying not to buy new clothes until I absolutely have to. I am down almost 40 lbs, but I can still wear a lot of my clothes because I always wore them kind of snug. Most of my pants are baggy and slip down in the butt, and I look like MC Hammer, but I'm wearing them until they fall off me!! Lol Losing weight can get expensive when you're constantly buying new clothes, but if your clothes still fit..wear them. I bought a couple pairs of pants a size smaller, but that was it. I will replace stuff here and there as I go and as necessary, but I plan on treating myself to new stuff when I hit goal weight!! Not for a while though! lol

Jasminebianca

I'm going baggy til I'm done and I got rid of almost any clothes that were tight last year. I kept only enough to keep from freezing during this fall and winter. I feel like if I gave them away then I won't be able to go back because I will not be able to buy a skinny warddrobe and then another plus size wardrobe! I just putting holes in my belt! Feels great though!

thelovelyLIZ

Buy new clothes. it's a big part of keep up the healthy mentality, and it will make you feel better about your body! Getting rid of some of my too big clothes was a great experience, because it made me say "I am never going back there again."

These days, I do most of my clothes shopping at Good Will. If you know what you're doing you can get some really nice clothes there for dirt cheap. I've picked up stuff from The Gap, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, The Loft, and Charlotte Rousse, to name a few, not to mention both of my Fossil purses came from Good Will. Find one in a nice, higher class area and go frequently and just DIG. Make sure to try things on and inspect the clothes thoroughly for rips or stains before purchasing, and wash them before wearing one you get home.

Other than that, just keep your eyes pealed for sales and take advantage of them. But if you think you'll be losing more weight, thrift store shopping is the way to go. That way you're not spending a lot of money on clothes that you'll just grow out of in a few months.

Jasminebianca

I'am enjoying sexy underwear now instead of my olkd granny pannies! hehehe

claritarejoice

First of all, love this thread! Love clothes shopping I can't answer for you, I can only share what I do. I'm on a budget too. Personally I am trying not to buy new clothes right now, because since I haven't reached my goal yet, I do not plan to stay at this current weight long at all. I'm losing about a pound a week, so the clothes would only last me a week or two! Not worth it. If I do desperately need something, I like the used clothing store idea, or also try stores like Ross and TJ Maxx that get overstock and previous season (and even designer) clothes from brand name stores. I can't wait for my big shopping trip when I reach my goal! I hope this helps.

Laddiegirl

Do you have any clothes from when you might have been smaller? I had a few boxes of clothes like that in storage so I packed up all the too big clothes, put those in my storage and pulled out the smaller ones. I've also suplimented it with a few things from places like Target or Old Navy where you can get good deals but not feel bad if they get too big and you give them away later. I don't have the patience for Thrift stores and the ones near me don't seem to have these awesome finds everyone else finds! I also have some sewing skills so I found a few tutorials for taking in t-shirts and took in a few of my favorite t-shirts (its pretty easy, I was surprised).

Don't be afraid to buy a couple of new things here and there. Just look for a good deal and try to make them things that really interchnage with your wardrobe (black pants, jeans, things like that) that you can wear in many different situations. Oh and if you work an office job, a cardigan on top of a little too big shirt can let you keep wearing it for a little longer too.

pinkpanthers1995

I'm a big fan of getting rid of clothes that are too big entirely. If you have them there as a crutch (even hidden), it's easier to get back into them again because the option is there. You're mindset has to be "I am not ever going back to that." When you invest in new clothes and notice them getting tight, you will do something about it, ykwim?

^^ This all the way! I "dieted" before and kept my old clothes - certain times I'd feel bloated or whatever and would go back to those clothes for "a day" or so - then before I knew I was back in them full time. Now I take great pleasure in donating them as soon as they are too big. NEVER going back, and I am making sure if I do it is going to cost me in so many ways! No more diets just staying in my calories and making choices as good as I can. Only going down!

knyagrl

Thanks, everyone, for the ideas and advice! Much appreciated!

jenlipe

I get great clothes from Goodwill. I am picky too. Like name brands. Skip over store brands like Kohls, Target and JC Penneys.

jacquelyn_erika

I also agree with getting rid of anything that is too big. I have thrown out anything that doesn't fit anymore, so if I gain the weight back, well.. I am screwed.

I would suggest checking thrift stores and resale shops when in between sizes. Also, I've had great luck with the clearance rack at Kohl's, Target, Walmart, etc. I can't bring myself to spend full price on anything at the moment knowing that I still have weight to lose.

amann1976

just be ready to buy new clothes after you buy the new ones... i brought new jeans back in the spring and they had a nice fit now they are falling off... taking dress pants to the tailor tomorrow to get altered again...