If you can't afford new jeans as you lose weight, try this.

CoryIda
CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
Here's a few things you should know about me:
1) I am fat, but I am not nearly as fat as I was when I started on here (down to 228.4 from 280) four and a half months ago.
2) I am broke. Well, I can pay my bills, but I definitely can't afford to replenish my wardrobe with clothes that will only fit me for a few weeks or a month at most (even at thrift stores... IF I can find clothes that fit there anyway - they usually don't have a big "plus sized" variety)
3) I am not a very good seamstress.

That being said, I have been able to make a few of my Size 22W jeans (I started at a 24 but those are looooong gone) work on my 18 and almost, but not quite yet, Size 16 body.
It does take a needle and thread, but it doesn't require much skill. Look at the picture below:

pzijeandark-766397.jpg

See the red "V" I put on the picture? I cut that area out of my jeans (I've had to do this several times as I have continued to lose more and more weight) on each side - make sure you either measure or pinch and mark the fabric when they're on you or you might cut too much.
Then I put the two edges together and sew them up - it doesn't have to be pretty with neat, even stitches because the stitches are on the inside and, honestly, who looks at the side seams of your jeans, anyway?

Anyway, I hope this helps if you're in the same boat as I am. It doesn't completely eliminate DBS (Droopy Butt Syndrome), but it reduces it and also makes sure you don't lose your pants when you walk around.
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Replies

  • Sara1978
    Sara1978 Posts: 213 Member
    I wish I'd have seen this back when I started losing weight: I've spent a small fortune keeping myself in blue jeans!
  • chiliflea
    chiliflea Posts: 695 Member
    That's a fantastic tip! thank you! I shall definitely be using that (hopefully!) in a few months time!

    x
  • What a great idea! I have a hard time getting jeans to fit anyways, as my butt and hips always seem to be too big for my waist, and I always have a gigantic gap at the waist, and it all bunches up when I wear a belt to hold up my ever-loosening jeans... I did manage to find some of my old jeans yesterday (which I never let go of because I knew that someday I would get back into them!) but I love the jeans I have been wearing and this would be a great way to get a bit more wear out of them.

    Thanks :)
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    What a great idea! I have a hard time getting jeans to fit anyways, as my butt and hips always seem to be too big for my waist, and I always have a gigantic gap at the waist, and it all bunches up when I wear a belt to hold up my ever-loosening jeans... I did manage to find some of my old jeans yesterday (which I never let go of because I knew that someday I would get back into them!) but I love the jeans I have been wearing and this would be a great way to get a bit more wear out of them.

    Thanks :)

    I have the same issue as I have a classic hourglass shape and my waist is significantly smaller than my butt/hips. Doing this has helped A LOT to make my jeans fit better (and for a longer period of time). :)
  • MOMvsFOOD
    MOMvsFOOD Posts: 654 Member
    The best part is they are gone! You cant just back into your big pants when they are small now!
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    The best part is they are gone! You cant just back into your big pants when they are small now!

    Exactly!
  • PonyTailedLoser
    PonyTailedLoser Posts: 315 Member
    Thank you! I was was wondering how I could make my jeans last longer once I start losing. I'm pretty cheap so I hate wasting good clothes.
  • jessemerson86
    jessemerson86 Posts: 174 Member
    This is such a great idea. I'd just stolen my boyfriend's elastic belt, but I like this idea a whole lot better (and he might want his belt back sooner than we can afford new clothes) lol
  • mrnls
    mrnls Posts: 92 Member
    Thank you for the tip! This is a huge help.
    People keep saying "you need new clothes" and they don't seem to understand - Clothes cost money :grumble:
  • NeuroticVirgo
    NeuroticVirgo Posts: 3,671 Member
    this is a great tip! I have some pants that don't have any belt loops that I really like, and this might let me save them...when I finally start to shrink...which has yet to happen...but I'm only 24lbs down...with a long way to go. lol
  • Alysgrma
    Alysgrma Posts: 365 Member
    Bump
  • fuhrmeister
    fuhrmeister Posts: 1,796 Member
    Awesome! thanks!

    They should have a place on this site where people offer to trade clothing. I would send you some jeans but were are almost the same size. I'm putting away my szie 20s for now in case i get pregnant sooner rather than later.
  • fitoverfifty
    fitoverfifty Posts: 192 Member
    DBS??? Droopy butt syndrome Hahaha that was great! That has always been my problem....droopy butt...nothing to fill out the jeans :-)
    The only way to fix it for me is to stay very slim....that way i can wear tight jeans with getting a muffin top....and get rid of the droopy butt as well.....that's why I need to lose about 10 more pounds...

    I love the tip for the jeans, thank you!
  • kimcat73
    kimcat73 Posts: 687 Member
    Great tip, thanks! I'm actually "fortunate" that I've been every size from 16 to 28 (yo-yo dieter) and saved a lot of my old clothes. I can't wait for the day I get to pull it all out and see what fits! LOL
  • SevenisHeaven
    SevenisHeaven Posts: 163 Member
    Love the tip!
  • dnb3333
    dnb3333 Posts: 22 Member
    Great tip!
  • jsecret
    jsecret Posts: 606 Member
    bookmarking :bigsmile:
  • CorydonCutie
    CorydonCutie Posts: 185 Member
    Do you cut one side or both? This is a fantastic tip and like one of the other posters said...you can't save your "fat clothes" just in case. I did that...BIG MISTAKE.
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    Do you cut one side or both? This is a fantastic tip and like one of the other posters said...you can't save your "fat clothes" just in case. I did that...BIG MISTAKE.

    Both sides, equal amounts - otherwise you'll have a crazy Quasimodo look going on. :)
  • I've been having this problem...I can't say I drop a size every month though, unfortunately! Thanks for the tip!
  • BUMP!
  • pinstripepirate
    pinstripepirate Posts: 605 Member
    Do you cut one side or both? This is a fantastic tip and like one of the other posters said...you can't save your "fat clothes" just in case. I did that...BIG MISTAKE.

    Both sides, equal amounts - otherwise you'll have a crazy Quasimodo look going on. :)

    LOL!
  • MollyNan
    MollyNan Posts: 21 Member
    Great tip! I will keep this in mind when I need it - and I AM going to need this! Congrats on your weight loss!
  • superhippiechik
    superhippiechik Posts: 1,044 Member
    Bump!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Bump
  • MzBug
    MzBug Posts: 2,173 Member
    Pssst, you don't even have to cut them if you don't want to. Just sew them up as if they were cut. This way you can still donate the jeans to either another person of size or to charity. If you have trouble sewing them over that huge mass of cloth there at the side seem you can move back a bit to make the new seem between the side seem and the back pocket. I have ALWAYS had the issue of the large hips and much smaller waist, and have had to do this my entire life. :ohwell:
  • noveleigh
    noveleigh Posts: 10 Member
    Thank you so much for posting this. My jeans are already starting to fit loose and I was starting to wonder the same thing. I also like MzBug's idea of not cutting the jeans so that they can be donated. :D
  • Gemini_at_36
    Gemini_at_36 Posts: 207
    Awsome idea, thanks. And congrats on your weight loss.:flowerforyou:
  • Janworkingitout
    Janworkingitout Posts: 434 Member
    I love it...great idea, thanks!
  • AWESOME! i only know what to do when your gaining weight :P
This discussion has been closed.