Need to lose weight to fit into workout gear??

The problem with many items of workout gear is that the synthetic fabrics tend to be shiny as a property of the individual fibers, so even when you get a good fit, the shine highlights every curved surface. While this is great for a glitzy, tailored cocktail gown in a low-lit setting where you are not moving much, it is less desirable when you're wearing nothing but stretchy knits in a brightly lit environment where the whole point is movement.

The other problem that I find is that even workout shirts that fit are not quite long enough for my torso, so if I were to raise my arms above my head, I would be showing my belly button. Cute at 118, but not so much at 290. While I don't wish to be sausaged into workout gear, I also don't want to be drowning in extra material. My compromise is that my gym uniform is a pair of deep, flat black stretchy yoga capris with no shine whatsoever, a high-performance support bra, and a long, lightweight fitted-but-not-tight t-shirt that I would be comfortable wearing with my jeans. Yes, by wearing cotton blends I am missing out on all of the great wicking fabrics available, but I don't have chafing problems and I'd rather be wet than not at the gym.

Once I found something that didn't make me feel self-conscious, I find it's my toys that help motivate me. Awesome new running shoes that don't make my feet hot and have great arch support. My tiny ipod that clips anywhere I need it to. My heart-rate monitor. And my fitbit. I even like my gym lock. These things make my gym time fun, give me joy, and best of all, they give me positive feedback that is independent from how I happen to be feeling about my appearance.

started with yoga pants and a larger t-shirt with a moisture wicking tank underneath. While I am certain that no one in my gym gives a crap what we look like - I was also very self conscious. Just put your earbuds in and ignore everyone and get your sweat on. You are doing this for you, not other people in the gym. Note: in my gym, the people there would cheer you on.

Whatever happened to gym shorts and a t-shirt?

I just wear baggy (and getting baggier) t-shirts and basketball-style pants. I wouldn't, especially at this point, wear fancy that 1.) I will probably shrink out of before I get my $'s worth and 2) would fail to hide the lumps and bumps I currently have.
As long as it's comfortable and doesn't restrict my movement, it's fine.

What I have been wearing was cotton capris and tshirts. But I was looking at the "fancy" workout gear 1) for motivation to go more often and 2) because after my workout I am drenched in sweat and the capris (that are grey) are plastered to my bottom half (uncomfortable). The large (read: loose) tshirts I have, while covering all this, rub under the arms and at the neckline (when damp)with certain exercises and when I run on the treadmill. Hence, why I was looking at moisture wicking and non chafing.

That's understandable. I hate wearing clothes that are uncomfortable in any way, especially when working out! Hope you find clothes that work!

When I started going to the gym, I wore yoga pants and t shirts. Now that I'm a bit smaller, I have some nice(er) gym clothes. Most of which is pretty tight, but that's also motivation for me.
I'm looking forward to the day where my gym clothes are too big!

Where did you shop? If it was a fancy workout store, but it could just run small, or only cater to very athletic people. Maybe just keep shopping around. I've also heard that some places make shapewear workout clothes, that have pants and tops with tummy control panels (like Spanx) but I've never tried them so I don't know if they are even comfortable to work out in.