Clothes Shopping After Loss (women)

I'll definitely second the "intimidating" thing! lol I agree that it's hard to know where to start.

My primary feeling was as if I had previously belonged in a cage, and now I've been set loose! A pretty crazy feeling. But at the same time, I'm afraid of being "caught" and reprimanded and told to go back to my cage of plus sized clothes.

Anyways, these were some of the humorous thoughts that run through my head:
"Um... Am I allowed in here? *internal eyebrow raise* People are just going to let me wander around wherever I want?!"
"Really? I've been set loose to terrorize all of the Misses sections in town?! *internal evil laughter--no, just kidding* Are they sure about this?" lol

I don't really have a good solution to this, either. Great idea to look online, first! I didn't think of that. And I bet shopping with a friend whose style (and price range) you really like would help, too. I've been meaning to try that.

It's been a month or so, and I'm starting to adjust. Usually I just linger in the hallway of the mall and peek in the stores, slowly, for my "first pass". Then come back to one that looks like my style. And being transparent about my journey (and resultant confusion) with the sales people seems to really help.

At one store (I forget which), I walked in, and just said, "I'm just curious what sizes of jeans you carry, here". That seemed to work. No embarrassment of standing around trying to find the right thing only to discover they didn't carry 16's.

Another time, I went to The Buckle, and was just honest/transparent with the sales ladies that I had just lost weight and didn't know what size I was. They were really helpful, and gave me a lot of jeans to try on. (maybe too helpful--it was hard to escape without buying anything!)

Another thing that helped was when I went to a different mall than I've ever been to. And I realized that I couldn't possibly know what was were in each store, since I'd never been there. And I bet that happens to skinny-shoppers all the time at new malls. So it helped to know that I wasn't the only one stumbling around searching.

My biggest question is: Where to find good quality bras. I'm soooo used to shopping for them at Layne Bryant/Cacique, and I LOVE how well they are constructed. Great support, and very sturdy. I'm at a transitional size, and will be sad when I'll have a million more choices to try to weed through. Does anyone have any suggestions of where to find high quality and great support bras? (And hopefully not too expensive?) Although, as I lose weight, maybe the support question will be less of an issue.

My biggest question is: Where to find good quality bras. I'm soooo used to shopping for them at Layne Bryant/Cacique, and I LOVE how well they are constructed. Great support, and very sturdy. I'm at a transitional size, and will be sad when I'll have a million more choices to try to weed through. Does anyone have any suggestions of where to find high quality and great support bras? (And hopefully not too expensive?) Although, as I lose weight, maybe the support question will be less of an issue.

I definitely want to know this too. I've been shopping at Goodwill for regular clothes, but bras are a sticking point for me. I bought some relatively cheaper ones at JCPenny, and while they're nice looking, one of them is already developing a hole near the clasp! I might try some sports bras just to make it easier while I'm "in progress".

My biggest question is: Where to find good quality bras. I'm soooo used to shopping for them at Layne Bryant/Cacique, and I LOVE how well they are constructed. Great support, and very sturdy. I'm at a transitional size, and will be sad when I'll have a million more choices to try to weed through. Does anyone have any suggestions of where to find high quality and great support bras? (And hopefully not too expensive?) Although, as I lose weight, maybe the support question will be less of an issue.

I definitely want to know this too. I've been shopping at Goodwill for regular clothes, but bras are a sticking point for me. I bought some relatively cheaper ones at JCPenny, and while they're nice looking, one of them is already developing a hole near the clasp! I might try some sports bras just to make it easier while I'm "in progress".

Fredericks of Hollywood, I know they are more expensive, but they are made so much better quality. Catch them on sale, which happens pretty frequently and they carry bras from 32A up to 46G.

One other tip, stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls have the designer brand better quality bras without the designer price tags.

You ladies have NO idea what your posts have done for me today! I've been sagging motivationally for about a week and not exercising and not counting all my food...then I read these posts and started thinking about clothes. Oh, my gosh! There is NOTHING in my closet that I like, only things I wear to conceal my body. I've been wearing baggy sacks for so long, I don't even remember the thrill of looking and feeling great in a pair of jeans. Favorite colors? Forget it - my clothes look like the discount rack for funerals - all dark to "hide" my weight. Style? Not a chance.

Don't get me wrong - I've never been a clothes horse. In fact, now that I think of it, I've hated shopping for clothes for a long time. That is, for as long as I've been 60 lbs overweight! So, here I sit thinking about the humiliation of buying clothes that fit but that I hate. The racks of styleless sacks, the elastic waists, the "old lady" look that drags me down. Heaven help me!

So, forgive me for being off point a wee bit in my post here - but in between considering the original post and feeling sorry for myself, I remembered what it might possibly feel like to actually buy something because it's pretty or because I love the color or because it shows off my body. It's possible and I've rediscovered my motivation!

Thank you, one and all, and a sincere congrats on your weight loss!

My biggest question is: Where to find good quality bras. I'm soooo used to shopping for them at Layne Bryant/Cacique, and I LOVE how well they are constructed. Great support, and very sturdy. I'm at a transitional size, and will be sad when I'll have a million more choices to try to weed through. Does anyone have any suggestions of where to find high quality and great support bras? (And hopefully not too expensive?) Although, as I lose weight, maybe the support question will be less of an issue.

If you know what size you need (You could always go somewhere else and get fitted then go home and order online) http://www.tiffanysbras.com/ is an AWESOME place to shop for bras. Much less expensive then I have found them in brick and mortar stores but still the same great quality bras. I mostly love it because I can find my size. When I am bigger it is actually easier to find bras as a larger cup size generally coordinates to a larger band - at this point I am a 36DD and it is a rare find. Even if I do stumble across one it looks like something my grandma would wear and always beige or white Here I have been able to find support, comfort and color.

I returned from Peace Corps 50 pounds lighter and with only two suitcases that included souvenirs and anything else I wanted to bring home--so limited clothes! I actually went shopping with a friend soon after arrival, and it was really helpful. She could take me to the "right" stores, and even encouraged me to buy smaller sizes than I was comfortable with. I still had a hard time with all of the choices coming from a country where it was hard to find anything at all, but my friend helped a lot...I really should thank her again

Oh you completed Peace Corps. Thats so awesome. Where did you go? What did you do? I'm so jealous, but that doesnt look like the path I'll be taking currently. Sigh

Oh and OP dont worry girl! Embrace it! Have fun with your clothes. When you shop look for outfits complete sets and imagine the personality you want to project. Maybe you want to project naughty librian, professional hippy, summer girl, anything just have fun! Look for colors and play with everything. Become one with that dressing room and be critical but not mean to yourself in the mirror. Imagine how youd do your make up or hair with this blouse or how this skirt will go with those shirts. Get the basics too you needs jeans, black slacks (if youre working), a couple nice skirts, tanks, jackets, shorts, and a few blouses. Oh and get some pretty panties and bras and a few nice foundational undergarments. Maybe it's time to bring the garter belt into your life. Have fun it's just clothing you get to change it everyday and sometimes more.

PS hit a secondhand store if you can might get some nice basics there just to save your money for the fancier new stuff later on.

Oh and to add I follow none of this advice I'm in this weird pregnancy limbo size. I lost weight and got to a smaller size, but those no longer fit and my too big pants I threw out all but 3 pairs and they are too big. I'm done to the bare minimum in clothes cant wait till I can dress myself again!

Go to a large thrift store like Goodwill, Salvation Army or Savers. Pick out lots of clothing items in different styles and sizes. My daughter and I try on clothes for hours at Savers. You get a good idea of what size and style looks and feels good. Prices are great too especially if the clothes will be too big soon anyway.

Thank you for this post because I will at a lost whenever I go clothes shopping in my 'new' size. I definitely keep these stores in mind!