Fat Girls (and Former Fat Girls) - I Need Help!

indignantgnome
indignantgnome Posts: 60 Member
in Chit-Chat
I just got a new job (yay!), but it's a stark contrast in dress code between the last 8 years (and 80 pounds) of jobs I've had... and I need business clothes, on a budget because I don't want to blow all my hard earned cash on clothes that are going to fit for hopefully next to no time.

I currently wear either a 22 or 24 in jeans, 2xish in tops. I have severely limited access to 2nd hand stores and Goodwill and the like, because I live in the middle of nowhere. So, any brilliant solutions? :D
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Replies

  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    What type of job is it?

    My generic suggestion is to buy a few (2-3) pairs of pants and use those as the core of your work wardrobe. Pairing them with different shirts and accessories can really help you mix it up well with only a few choice pieces.
  • chantwizzle83
    chantwizzle83 Posts: 82 Member
    Look at this guy LOL. he needs to be your style guru. But I agree. Buy a few key pieces. As you lose weight, you can just add fun belts and stuff. Walmart has some decent plus sized stuff by George.
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    Look at this guy LOL. he needs to be your style guru. But I agree. Buy a few key pieces. As you lose weight, you can just add fun belts and stuff. Walmart has some decent plus sized stuff by George.

    I have watched far more What Not To Wear than I reasonably should have. :laugh:
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Zulilly.com is pretty awesome and reasonable. I got some fantastic dresses for $35 a piece. However, it may take awhile to get to you because they act like a wholesaler - they show you what they can get, you order, they then place one big order, it gets shipped to them, then they ship to you...the last dresses I ordered took about 3 weeks.

    Target.com - might have some great deals
    Macy's always has great deals and if you have a macy's card you'll get a bigger discount. (They do have plus size clothes)

    Congrats on the new job!!!
  • do4fit16
    do4fit16 Posts: 5 Member
    wal-mart has some great stuff, so does Layne Bryant especially if you can catch a sale! Also try facebook buy and sells... my co-workers get BAGS of work and play stuff for like near nothing compared to buying new. Good luck with your new job and journey!
  • greentart
    greentart Posts: 411 Member
    Shop at Ross, if you can. Target and Walmart are normally pretty reasonably priced as well.
  • ilyahna2014
    ilyahna2014 Posts: 45
    I grew out of my not-fat clothes over the winter, so before I get back into them, I'm all about the skirts! Get you some nice, stretchy and / or draw string skirts for bottoms, and some nice tops. I shop at the thrift store, especially in the well to do districts of town, because you get items with tags still on them for ... $3.00? That is the way to go for stuff you won't wear long. :)
  • PinkyFett
    PinkyFett Posts: 842 Member
    Goodwill, salvation army.
  • fullersun35
    fullersun35 Posts: 162 Member
    Check ebay too. I've purchased very reasonably priced suits and office wear from there.
  • QueenBishOTUniverse
    QueenBishOTUniverse Posts: 14,121 Member
    I love target. I'm actually going to second dresses, especially any type that can belt at the waist. I have several that I bought 30 pounds ago that still look great today, my pants and shorts however are pretty much a loss.
  • kethry70
    kethry70 Posts: 404 Member
    Yep... A few neutral pants or skirts and then mix up shirts, scarves, jewelry, etc. I second roosts or Marshall's, eBay and target
  • indignantgnome
    indignantgnome Posts: 60 Member
    What type of job is it?

    My generic suggestion is to buy a few (2-3) pairs of pants and use those as the core of your work wardrobe. Pairing them with different shirts and accessories can really help you mix it up well with only a few choice pieces.

    I'll be an account manager, moving up shortly after (within a year or so).
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    What type of job is it?

    My generic suggestion is to buy a few (2-3) pairs of pants and use those as the core of your work wardrobe. Pairing them with different shirts and accessories can really help you mix it up well with only a few choice pieces.

    I'll be an account manager, moving up shortly after (within a year or so).

    Pin striped slacks, a more neutral plain slacks, and maybe a darker plain slacks.

    I'd go with darker colored button up shirts, stay away from pastels with your skin tone, and keep any embellishments to a conservative level.
  • indignantgnome
    indignantgnome Posts: 60 Member
    Pin striped slacks, a more neutral plain slacks, and maybe a darker plain slacks.

    I'd go with darker colored button up shirts, stay away from pastels with your skin tone, and keep any embellishments to a conservative level.

    I should just hire you to dress me every day. I suck at this. :P
  • miss27035
    miss27035 Posts: 1
    Depending where you live - Ross, Bealls, Marshalls, etc. They usually have very reasonably priced things especially clearance items. Just start out with 2 pairs of pants one being black and then you can mix and match.
  • JoanneLynn
    JoanneLynn Posts: 156 Member
    Pin striped slacks, a more neutral plain slacks, and maybe a darker plain slacks.

    I'd go with darker colored button up shirts, stay away from pastels with your skin tone, and keep any embellishments to a conservative level.

    I should just hire you to dress me every day. I suck at this. :P


    Me too
  • DarbiB
    DarbiB Posts: 88 Member
    I don't know how formal this job is, but when I had my first job out of college here's what I did:

    -2 plain black pencil skirts (This one from Torrid http://www.torrid.com/torrid/Bottoms/Skirts/The+Pencil+Skirt-515611.jsp )

    -As many shells/tank tops/plain v-neck tshirts as possible (Old Navy is pretty good for this http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=70744&vid=8&pid=977065002 )

    -6-7 cardigans (Target is excellent for cardis http://www.target.com/c/sweaters-women-s-clothing/-/N-5xtbx#navigation=true&viewType=large&sortBy=newest&minPrice=from&maxPrice=to&isleaf=true&navigationPath=5xtbx&parentCategoryId=9975766&facetedValue=/-/N-5xtbxZ55zkq&RatingFacet=0&categoryId=4646 )

    -1 plain black blazer (Probably best to spend the most money on this item. A Cheap blazer looks terrrrrible)

    -a couple colorful scarfs

    Basically wearing the same skirt every day, and mix and match your shells and cardigans. Add a colorful scarf (or statement necklace or whatever) for special days, and you've got a wardrobe! I personally like a plain one color shell, and have a stripey, or brightly colored cardi, but that's just me. Plain cardi and bright t-shirt/shell/tank obviously works as well.
  • RUNNING_AMOK_1958
    RUNNING_AMOK_1958 Posts: 268 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/21001-thinner-threads
  • indignantgnome
    indignantgnome Posts: 60 Member
    I don't know how formal this job is, but when I had my first job out of college here's what I did:

    -2 plain black pencil skirts (This one from Torrid http://www.torrid.com/torrid/Bottoms/Skirts/The+Pencil+Skirt-515611.jsp )

    -As many shells/tank tops/plain v-neck tshirts as possible (Old Navy is pretty good for this http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=70744&vid=8&pid=977065002 )

    -6-7 cardigans (Target is excellent for cardis http://www.target.com/c/sweaters-women-s-clothing/-/N-5xtbx#navigation=true&viewType=large&sortBy=newest&minPrice=from&maxPrice=to&isleaf=true&navigationPath=5xtbx&parentCategoryId=9975766&facetedValue=/-/N-5xtbxZ55zkq&RatingFacet=0&categoryId=4646 )

    -1 plain black blazer (Probably best to spend the most money on this item. A Cheap blazer looks terrrrrible)

    -a couple colorful scarfs

    Basically wearing the same skirt every day, and mix and match your shells and cardigans. Add a colorful scarf (or statement necklace or whatever) for special days, and you've got a wardrobe! I personally like a plain one color shell, and have a stripey, or brightly colored cardi, but that's just me. Plain cardi and bright t-shirt/shell/tank obviously works as well.

    This is brilliant. I love the dress pants Torrid sells, so I'm sure their skirt won't let me down.
  • Sunitagt
    Sunitagt Posts: 486 Member
    JC Penny! I have found some good (cheap!) stuff there in recent months when I've needed nice work clothes. They had a good selection in store.
  • callas444
    callas444 Posts: 261 Member
    Maybe you know someone who has recently lost weight and might donate their clothes to you? I have lots of clothes I would like to get rid of at this point as soon as I find someone who might want them. (You're not in Ohio, are you?)
  • HWeatherholt
    HWeatherholt Posts: 283 Member
    Buy a pair of black dress slacks, and if you can wear them a pair of black capris and a pair of kaki capris. You can pair all three with a ton of different tops. And tops that are a big, especially button ups can be continued to be worn as a open top with a cami, can still be pulled off fashionably. Just make sure that the pants have belt loops and you will be set at least through the summer and possibly into the fall.
  • danicaone_101
    danicaone_101 Posts: 40 Member
    It is all about layers up top and having the essentials. I suggest having a nice black blazer (or something similar like a dressy cardigan), business look blouse, white/black spaghetti strap top, and black or grey slacks or pencil skirt. Always nice to have different colors of each but it depends on you. Right now, I have my go to business look outfit which is black slacks and a dressy white blouse all from Ross.

    As for the layers, if you have different colored spaghetti strap tops then you can match it with blouses to mix it up a little and of course, it helps with giving a more slimmer look.

    Example: black pencil skirt or slack, plain white blouse, black or grey undertop, simple black cardigan, and flats. Accessories--watch and simple studs. Hair in a medium high pony tail or pinned
  • liftingandlipstick
    liftingandlipstick Posts: 1,857 Member
    How is your budget in general? I know you don't want to blow on clothes you can't wear long, but can you afford to spend $100-$200 at once? Goodwill (or another large thrift type shop) is seriously your best bet. You can get pants/skirts for $5 a piece, shirts $3-5. I'd say follow the advice as to WHAT to buy that everyone here has already given. Take a day trip to the closest, largest Goodwill you can get to and buy that wardrobe in the 22s/2XL you currently fit into. Then buy some in the next size down. Depending on how fast you lose, these should last fyou a few months, at which point you can repeat. I live far enough from a Goodwill that I can get the trip in every 6 weeks or so. I usually try on a TON, and buy a few things that fit, and a few things that almost fit. I occasionally also pick up something I really, really love, but is definitely too small, then hang it up in my workout area as inspiration :)

    For reference, I started at a size 24. In the past 4 months, I've lost 40 pounds and can fit comfortably in 18/20s depending on the brand, so less than one size per month. Apparently the sizes do go faster once you get out of plus sizes, so do just a few sizes at once.
  • indignantgnome
    indignantgnome Posts: 60 Member
    Maybe you know someone who has recently lost weight and might donate their clothes to you? I have lots of clothes I would like to get rid of at this point as soon as I find someone who might want them. (You're not in Ohio, are you?)

    Unfortunately, not in Ohio! :P
  • indignantgnome
    indignantgnome Posts: 60 Member
    How is your budget in general? I know you don't want to blow on clothes you can't wear long, but can you afford to spend $100-$200 at once? Goodwill (or another large thrift type shop) is seriously your best bet. You can get pants/skirts for $5 a piece, shirts $3-5. I'd say follow the advice as to WHAT to buy that everyone here has already given. Take a day trip to the closest, largest Goodwill you can get to and buy that wardrobe in the 22s/2XL you currently fit into. Then buy some in the next size down. Depending on how fast you lose, these should last fyou a few months, at which point you can repeat. I live far enough from a Goodwill that I can get the trip in every 6 weeks or so. I usually try on a TON, and buy a few things that fit, and a few things that almost fit. I occasionally also pick up something I really, really love, but is definitely too small, then hang it up in my workout area as inspiration :)

    For reference, I started at a size 24. In the past 4 months, I've lost 40 pounds and can fit comfortably in 18/20s depending on the brand, so less than one size per month. Apparently the sizes do go faster once you get out of plus sizes, so do just a few sizes at once.

    I am looking at spending probably $75ish later this week, and then I'll be out of town *for* this new job in a couple of weeks and will have access to a decent selection for those few days. Hoping that plan works out, at least.
  • chunt87
    chunt87 Posts: 161 Member
    I started as a 16, I loved loved loved VS clearance for clothes, lane bryant, catherines, and the avenue. If you find some classic things and mix and match, solid black bottoms with a printed blouse and a blazer will get you very far.
  • grho
    grho Posts: 71 Member
    I have found some great deals at Kohls and JCP (Clearance racks!). I would agree with a lot of the advice given-Black pants are great and I do a cardigan/sweater and dress tank almost every day. Ross/TJ Maxx/Marshalls are good too, if you have the patience to look through everything and try on (Usually the stuff I find there is different brands than I am used and I have to try it on to determine what size I need).
  • auntiemsgr8
    auntiemsgr8 Posts: 483 Member
    Look at this guy LOL. he needs to be your style guru. But I agree. Buy a few key pieces. As you lose weight, you can just add fun belts and stuff. Walmart has some decent plus sized stuff by George.

    I have watched far more What Not To Wear than I reasonably should have. :laugh:

    Absolutely nothing wrong with this!!

    You have some great advice.


    My advice is to try Kohls if there is one near you. And look for more simple cuts that can possibly be tailored as you lose weight

    Two black pants/skirts should be your base. Then add blouses/sweaters

    Navy is also a good choice

    Congratulations on your new job.
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    I would try Amazon or Ebay.

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