Losing weight, losing money on wardrobe

acogg

How will I know when I have reached my sustainable end weight? I partially went through my clothes closet and I had new clothes that I bought months ago, still with tags, that I will have to give away. I have almost nothing that fits me, but then I go shopping and then lose more weight. I can't imagine losing more than one size, but that's obvioulsy what I thought when I bought size twelve. I have wasted a tremendous amount of money on clothes while trying to have a decent wardrobe. I don't want to do it again.

My hairdresser is getting my 12-14's, but that's not the point. How does everyone do/afford this life change?

maricash

I have been having the same problem. I bought a few new things when I got to size 16 and they are now falling off. I have been trying to stick to Goodwill for the time being. The clothes are cheap and it's a good way to figure out what size you are in different brands. I don't know when I'll decide that I can really shop again though. Maybe after I've maintained one weight for six months?

chio_04

Congrats on your weight loss!

What i tend to do is get shirts that might fit just right when I buy them, but will still look great loose. Also use belts around your waist. You can also buy smaller spaghetti strap shirts, which aren't expensive, and keep using your cardigans and use belts with them. When it comes to pants, I suggest buying just a couple blue jeans with no special designs, that way you can use them very often and no one will know but you.

Hope this help!

CamillaBeaumont

I also shop at thrift stores for the moment, just bought 3 pair of jeans for $10 last week!

mrsburghart

I have almost the same problem. I used to be thinner, so I have a closet full of things that will fit me in about 20 pounds, and things that fit me 30 lbs ago...but nothing for the time being. Thankfully I hit some black friday sales that allowed me to get a few pair of pants pretty cheap. There needs to be a group dedicated to the exchange of clothing so that people can attempt to do it cheaply!

Josh_H

I had the same prob, Rather than buy every size of clothes I went through. I just waited until I lost almost all of the weight and bought clothes then. I knew I wouldn't be in the transition clothes long.

onyxgirl17

I'm waiting till I'm at goal

dakotababy

When I go shopping - I try stuff on, but always buy it in a size or 2 smaller than what fits me. As I am losing weight, I fit into those clothes and I just keep going down like that.

fattypattybinger

Get the clothes tailored. It isn't as expensive as giving the clothes away for free.

Amlong1977

I bought a lot of new clothes when I first started losing. I don't think I really believed I'd come as far as I have, 102 lbs lost so far. Unfortunately that was a huge waste because I didn't get much use out of them. I'm thinking of taking them to a resale shop hoping to get a little money for them. I've been lucky that I had quite a few smaller clothes, but I have had to buy new jeans. I make sure they're stretchy so they'll fit through a couple sizes. I still have about 50 lbs to go before I reassess my goal, so until then I'll just buy clothes that are as cheap as possible. I love the idea of a clothing swap that was mentioned above. Great idea!

acogg

Thanks everyone! I will use every suggestion. Keep the tips coming because it is an expense that every weight loss experiences.

Bob314159

Win some - lose some- I have winter clothes I bought last year that were too small to button up but fit now - with some spare room - so I'll get more wear out of them. I was about to go out tonight to get some new casual pants - there was a 20% sale at the store I buy from - luckily I checked the very back of my closet and found a brand new pair that I must have bought at the wrong size and fits perfect now (would have been too small 2 weeks ago) so I didn't have to buy any tonight. Sadly (or maybe not) I found 2 pairs of pants that are now too big and were never worn.

I bought one light weight winter top a month ago that was on sale- and its the next size down - I'm hoping I can get into it before next year. I had a chance to buy some nice coats 40% off on Friday, but restrained - I have no idea what my final right size will be.

knittingwitch

Buy belts and just deal with baggie cloths for a while. I don't buy pants until I go down two sizes, and I always buy a little tight so it will last longer. Its just to expensive to get new cloths each time you go down a size.

hypocritelecter

Shopping at thrift stores, combing through sale racks.
I generally only wear two pairs of pants (jeans, because my job is casual) in a skinny fit: black and dark navy wash.
I like the look of oversized shirts regardless, and try to go for men's v-necks, button ups, etc. Same goes for coats- although this season will probably be the last season I can wear my large winter ones! Basically I try to be flexible and forego really good finds because I know that later down the road I'll look fantastic, but won't be able to wear it.

2essie

I am ever the optomist. I kept my clothes on the way up, so that I can wear them on the way down. Lol

jesz124

eBay, buy new smaller clothes and sell your old clothes!

AZKristi

I buy one pair of jeans, one pair of dress pants, a few inexpensive workout clothes, and a few inexpensive tops, and maybe a skirt or dress in each size. My mother in law finds a lot of the tops at thrift stores and I get the rest at Costco or JC Penney and get great deals. This way I don't feel bad donating it when it no longer fits.

smilesalot1969

i sold all of my too big clothes on ebay and used the cash to buy smaller things. Like you i had lots of things with tags on and no way was i giving them away. I was lucky though as i also had a wardrobe full of things that were too small since i refused to see my true size and bought things i told myself would fit or i imagined i would diet into them

pixietoes

I'm a fan of second hand clothes, especially when I know I won't be wearing them for long. I'm not a tall person and for me size change can happen in as little as 15 lbs.

If you are buying transitional clothes that you know you will wear for only 3 months then shop at the clearance racks, whether you shop at Macy's or Target or Walmart you can find things ridiculously cheap that way. I bought a $10 dress that used to be $120. I can wear it with a long sleeve t-shirt to get it through the season and in the spring it's simple cut will allow it to be taken in if I want to do it.

Jean waistbands can be sucked in a bit. I don't wear a ton of jeans so I'm only replacing them every other size as I change. This tip helps with a pair that is getting too big: http://tipnut.com/customize-jeans/

Bob314159

I was lucky though as i also had a wardrobe full of things that were too small since i refused to see my true size and bought things i told myself would fit or i imagined i would diet into them

This! I have a pair of new pants I bought maybe 4 years ago that won't fit me till February, and the last time I would have fit into them was over 30 years ago.

Willbenchforcupcakes

For work clothes, I tend to stick with more affordable basics, and have one week's worth of outfits. I feel better and perform better when I'm in clothes that fit properly, rather than loose and baggy. When I feel like I have stabilized at my final size, I will start investing in some higher end clothes - because at that point tailoring will be worth it for a wardrobe that fits perfectly.

swingsintherain

When I hit 175 (about 10 pounds from now), I'm planning a trip to a goodwill outlet store (which is about an hour away). I figure I'll probably need a few new things by then, at the very least pants, and I'll probably get some in a size or two down as well. I've been itching to go there for a while now, so I figured it would be an excellent non-food reward! (I might plan another trip when I reach my goal weight.)

So yeah, definitely rock the goodwill/thrift store, and the clearance racks, and take things in if you are able. The nice things with tags still on could probably be resold, though.

LadyPakal

I just buy cheap clothes for now - but if I find something I really like, I will get it in a lower size for later. I also kept old favourites as I got too big for them - currently I go through my wardrobe every 15lbs or so loss to see what I can start wearing.
The stuff I have shrunk out of is bagged and donated (or thrown - depends on condition) so there is no temptation for backsliding later...

zombilishious

Find a seamstress to take your good clothes in for you. Most work out of their home and are very inexpensive. That's what I've done with my work clothes. It's well worth $15 to save a $100 pair of slacks! Casual wear - stick to clearance racks and thrift stores until you're at goal.

angel79202

Goodwill, resale shops, Kohls..have been my best friend

AshleighPhilp1

I purchased a few things in a size 12 that are meant to look baggy so I am hoping I can get away with them for quite a while yet till I finally get down to the 8/10 i'm hoping to be

P05T5CRIPT

I give my old clothes away, but things I have hardly worn I sell on eBay, and that pays for the next round of clothes. I only buy just enough to get me through that size, I'm going through a size every 6-8 weeks so it doesn't make sense to spend too much. I try to get as much wear out of what I have as possible.

hulkklogan

I've had to replace some of my wardrobe 3 times now. My brother is a big man and I give most of my old clothes to him or dropped them off at Goodwill, but I kept my biggest shirt and pants and will always keep them as a reminder.

mdbs2004

Its tough. I've gone from a 4x with nice wardrobe to currently a 1x. And still have about 25lbs to loose. I am 1 size away from starting to buy nice pants. I know what you mean. I buy clothes as I need them. I check first at used stores like salvation army. Then when I'm done I give them back to them. That helps. It tough also because I'm dating and need to look presentable lol. GL

blink1021

I go to resale shops my favorite is Thrifty shopper I can find pants for $3.00 and when I outgrow it I can give back for credit to buy more. Or I hit Kmart and I can usually find shirts for $9.00. and pants for $11. I will not buy more expensive clothes till I am at goal.

ashharris424

Look and see if there's a "yard sale" Facebook group for your area. You just list the things you have and meet up with local people to buy them. (Similar to Craigslist but less shady because, odds are, you know somebody that knows somebody that's buying your stuff lol) Use the money from that to purchase clothes that will fit you now. A lot of times these yard sale groups have lots of people in your situation that might have the size you need so you'll come out pretty much even.

As far as getting clothes to last longer, look for tunics for shirts. You can wear leggings under them (which you can find leggings pretty cheap as your size changes) and they usually look good even if they are a bit big. Fit & flare dresses are great too. Get the ones that flare at the waist and you'll be able to wear them for a bit longer. Jeans are the hard part. You can either buy a size smaller and squeeze into them until you lose more or just buy them second hand. Also, check Pinterest. If you're crafty there's always projects you can do with old jeans on there.