Any tips for making wardrobe last as you're losing?

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Replies

  • katherine_startrek_fan
    katherine_startrek_fan Posts: 425 Member
    Dresses will definitely get you the biggest bang for your buck! I can still wear ones from 50 pounds ago and they remain flattering.

    Shirts typically work for awhile, so I try to add 5-10 every 3-5 months and rotate out whstever is far too big.

    Pants definitely drop the fastest. I tend to go to Old Navy when they have 40% sales and stock down 1-2 sizes. I only buy 2 pairs in each size, supplementing with yoga pants that seem to last a few more sizes.
  • heyhey2015
    heyhey2015 Posts: 26 Member
    Resale shops and thrifting are fun. As you go down, sell back what you bought at resale. Its not much money, but its less expensive and they get a lot of name brand items. From your own closet, knits can be belted, jeans are tough once you go 2 sizes down. Looks Luke good advice all the comments through.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    havent read all the replies so sorry if this is a repeat, but Goodwill, or othe secondhand stores, will save you! You can get entirely new wardrobes for a fraction of the cost!
  • AlciaMode
    AlciaMode Posts: 421 Member
    On a side note. If you have bras that are only lightly used and no longer fit donate them at Soma. They have a great bra recycling program. Plus I love their bras and undies, expensive so not for weightloss in betweens but once you reach your goal I highly recommend them.
  • AmazonMayan
    AmazonMayan Posts: 1,168 Member


    I'm wearing belts now which I haven't done in quite awhile, but that is almost to the point where smaller pants are needed. I'll try the thrift store, but honestly with being tall and big, my choices are very limited. May just have to switch to skirts with leggings. Not many shirts are really long on me even if they are supposed to be because of the style.

    For shirts, I do sew and very soon I'll need to start doing some altering. I wear a lot of now way too big t-shirts that blow in the wind if I step outside. I saw something on pinterest about putting some darts in the front to help tailor them. I do have some patterns for swim tops that I may make into some bras with some stretchy material. I've had to dig into my box of bras purchased over the years that didn't fit and only have 1 or 2 that work for now with limited success. They are better than the ones I had to throw out that were popping off when I moved lol (the adjustments in public were quite embarrassing but happy at the same time knowing I've lost). I'm too large up top for sports bras, so.....
  • Ooci
    Ooci Posts: 247 Member
    Dont be afraid to try on, pin, and then side seam if you have a machine. Dont cut the garment until you tried it with the new tighter side seams though! Altering is a process of trial and error. Look for the seams that are easiest. Things like complex dresses and jackets need pulling apart and most seams bringing in. Not easy but once you've done a few confidence builds.

    Skirts can be re made by entirely chopping off the waistband and creating a drawstring style seamed fold.

    As you lose weight bringing up the hemline is a good idea especially if you want to show off your lovely new pins!
  • Annabear3
    Annabear3 Posts: 92 Member
    First off, way to go on needing new pants! sucks for your wallet, but it sure feels good when your clothes stop fitting. For me, I gave up the jeans and just got some leggings and stretch pants from Walmart and Old Navy. I decided during the transitions, I'm sticking to the cheap stuff with elastic that will shrink with me. Since they cost about $10 each, I could replace a weeks worth of pants for not too much and they've lasted me a while.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,029 Member
    My wife had the same issue after losing 30lbs on her small frame. She just bought new clothes and gave the old ones to her female cousins who are her previous size.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • Nessa_the_Wild
    Nessa_the_Wild Posts: 17
    Leggings and dresses for me.
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    edited February 2015
    Have np with buying in secondhand stores...but for sure i wont buy at Goodwills. The volunteers dont get payed.
    They get their goods for free and make millions The owner(s) of Goodwills are stinking rich.
    So something principal of me to not buy there at all.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    My bariatric support group has monthly clothing exchanges, which is a godsend. I take in my former size and trade in for the new one. I am on my third winter jacket and it is so nice to have something that fits right. I keep a size chart on my bulletin board and measure myself every couple of months to get a sense of what new size I am. I punched holes in my old belt and that lasted a few months until I out-shrank it completely.

    Spandex is my friend. Mix and match neutrals with cheap bright t-shirts that I can wear as shells under a sweater or vest. I have a large selection of scarves I can still wear.

    Right now my bra is adjusted with a safety pin. I have to get re-sized soon.
  • VryIrishGirl76
    VryIrishGirl76 Posts: 1,167 Member
    edited February 2015
    Can't help you on bras, other that maybe clearance?
    Try goodwill or thrift stores?
  • enterdanger
    enterdanger Posts: 2,447 Member
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    Target, Wal-mart or the goodwill.

    This. I also hit Old Navy since they are cheap and I like their skinny jeans.

  • joseccastaneda
    joseccastaneda Posts: 267 Member
    I bought a sewing machine and learned how to sew. Still a bit afraid of modifying garments, but everything i wear now looks like i dont know my clothing size.
  • kamakazeekim
    kamakazeekim Posts: 1,183 Member
    I have dropped 130 pounds so this has been a big struggle for me! I try to buy as much as I can from a NICE second hand or consignment store. Here in Minnesota I've found that Clothes Mentors has some really nice stuff. Black yoga pants and leggings have been a staple as well as cardigans, dresses, belts, and Maurice's tank tops
  • fat2strongbeth
    fat2strongbeth Posts: 735 Member
    Lots of dresses! I also buy most of my stuff on sale. I'm not replacing more expensive pieces until I am done losing weight.
  • markja
    markja Posts: 270 Member
    I wear the same stuff a lot. I mostly work in jeans, they seem to be more forgiving than trousers, which seem to fall off if I lose 10 lbs. My jeans seem to hang in there longer. I've donated a big pile of 3X shirts and will donate more. I'm solid into a 2X now so, I won't be buying 3X ever again! I've been in size 44 jeans for the last 6 months, looking to getting into a size 40 by the beginning of May. I could most likely wear a 42 now but, why waste the money?

    One funny thing that works well for me is suspenders instead of a belt! I wear the shirt out so they are invisible. Belts just don't seem to work in holding up the pants anymore. It surprises me but, suspenders really do work better.
  • terar21
    terar21 Posts: 523 Member
    Not sure what the weather is like where you are but definitely invest in some leggings/jeggings. I have on the same jeggings in my pictures. As you go down, they really keep form for the most part. Skirts are very forgiving and will look good for a while.

    The work pants is the most annoying part since the are more structured. Stick to black or basic colors (dark grey) so you can slip by with multiple wears and that aren't super structured so you people don't notice when they start to hang a little. I alternate between a couple good fitting pairs and some that are looser but made to be a looser fit so it isn't really noticeable.
  • krdews
    krdews Posts: 124 Member
    I'm more of a skirt/dress/jeans or dress pants wearer - I recommend having them altered. A pet peeve of mine is ill-fitting clothes - rather too small or big. It's pennies on the investment to have them altered. I've had some dress pants altered twice as I lost weight.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    Dresses, or else have super wide hips like me so you're just reducing your muffin top for a few sizes.

    Some friends of mine have done clothing swaps as well - I haven't participated since I'm the only one over a size 4 but it could work out if you have people of actual different sizes.
  • kismea
    kismea Posts: 45 Member
    I buy more skirts than pants, and I take all my bottoms to be tailored. I can tailor MULTIPLE items for less than it costs to buy 1 new. I do this until my tailor looks at me and says "We are done with this one" (meaning she can't really take it in any more for a cheap cost and keep it's shape looking nice without it being an expensive tailor - at which point I would just rather replace it with something new :D). As for tops - I suck it up and wear them until they look really bad, and then I buy a few new ones.
  • sodakat
    sodakat Posts: 1,126 Member
    edited February 2015
    Personally, I WANT to enjoy every size on my way down, not wait until I'm "there" to buy smaller clothing. So I shop every couple weeks at thrift stores and consignment stores. Wearing clothes that fit, especially clothes that aren't worn out and stretched out like most of my "wardrobe" was when I was at my heaviest, is really, really fun and very rewarding. The little bit I may spend every couple weeks (under 30 bucks normally) is so worth the feeling of looking good.

    My rule of thumb on buying these temporary sizes was that the zipper must close so I can wear the item soon. But, I've put that aside because I've realized that there are some super great bargains on the racks in jeans one or 2 sizes down that may not be there when I'm in that size. It has paid off and I'm now wearing pants that I bought a couple months ago. I don't have smaller sizes in my closet unless I buy them now because I was so fat for so long.

    Also, I get rid of everything that becomes too big. I am not going back there. No way. Some of the stuff I consign but most I donate.

    Today I'm wearing a pair of size 12 jeans. This time last year I was wearing a size 22. So much fun!!! I have a couple pairs of size 10 and one size 8 in a brand I could never afford new, waiting on me to fit them.

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  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    Leggings are not pants. Please do not wear them as such.

    Dresses and yoga pants are good bets. I like Ross, Marshall's, Tj Maxx, etc. for staples.
  • rungirl1973
    rungirl1973 Posts: 2,559 Member
    I also need clothes that fit whatever size I am now. I tend to shop the sales at the mall and supplement with some things from places like Kohl's or Old Navy or a secondhand shop (Plato's Closet is a good one) that are much cheaper.

    I have a corporate job, with some travel to more industrial sites. I have to have pants that fit me properly, yoga pants or leggings as pants would not be acceptable.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    ana3067 wrote: »
    As a woman, easiest thing is buying dresses and skirts. Belt them at the waist as they get looser. Buy cheaper pieces too. Pants are overrated and I've always hated them -- tight in the thighs, loose in the waist, and sometimes baggy in the butt (not so much now unless the pants are just way too big in the waist for me, but it was a problem before I started strength training properly). I am fortunate to have small boobs and will go braless whenever feasible, or honestly I'll wear my sports bras when I can. I'm not bothering to buy new bras until I reach my goal weight.

    You can also buy a skirt to fit you at your waist (or what ever the narrowest part of you is) and then wear them lower as you lose weight, like around the hips. You might have to hem it, but maybe that would work...

    How about stretchy pants? Also try going to thrift stores until closer to goal maybe? Then the clothes are cheap enough that they don't have to last.
  • kborton1122
    kborton1122 Posts: 914 Member
    I bought all my clothes while losing weight at a 2nd hand store, like Goodwill. I went from a size 24 to a 6, and there was no way I would have been able to buy a brand new wardrobe every time, so Goodwill was a lifesaver for me.

    Nice work on the weight loss!

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  • af_wife2004
    af_wife2004 Posts: 149 Member
    Thrift stores!!! I have to wear business attire for work so I've found the goodwills in the area that tend to get the nicer clothes (Ann Taylor, Coldwater, Lane Bryant, etc) and go there. I can get a basic wardrobe for $40-50 which helps a lot in the interim sizes.
  • Sugarbeat
    Sugarbeat Posts: 824 Member
    sodakat wrote: »
    Personally, I WANT to enjoy every size on my way down, not wait until I'm "there" to buy smaller clothing. So I shop every couple weeks at thrift stores and consignment stores. Wearing clothes that fit, especially clothes that aren't worn out and stretched out like most of my "wardrobe" was when I was at my heaviest, is really, really fun and very rewarding. The little bit I may spend every couple weeks (under 30 bucks normally) is so worth the feeling of looking good.

    My rule of thumb on buying these temporary sizes was that the zipper must close so I can wear the item soon. But, I've put that aside because I've realized that there are some super great bargains on the racks in jeans one or 2 sizes down that may not be there when I'm in that size. It has paid off and I'm now wearing pants that I bought a couple months ago. I don't have smaller sizes in my closet unless I buy them now because I was so fat for so long.

    Also, I get rid of everything that becomes too big. I am not going back there. No way. Some of the stuff I consign but most I donate.

    Today I'm wearing a pair of size 12 jeans. This time last year I was wearing a size 22. So much fun!!! I have a couple pairs of size 10 and one size 8 in a brand I could never afford new, waiting on me to fit them.

    55835802.png

    Great job! I love to dress to feel good, too. I will keep some of these ideas in mind. I'm not sure about leggings as they've never flattered me but I'm open to trying them again in the future.
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