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How many sizes do you have in your closet?

Roxanna

Veteran

I was looking through my closet and realized that I have clothes for a variety of sizes - mostly two sizes, but a few items for the one higher and the one lower. I know decluttering experts say top throw anything that doesn't fit, but that to me is ridiculous, as I normally vacillate between two sizes. How many do you keep? And do you feel bad about it, or do you recognize that though normally vacillate? (I have recently added back 10 pounds, so this is very pertinent

Dressing

39 replies

Latest reply was from amiable

Staysfit

Veteran

I have size small, 4 and 6 for clothing, oh and sizes 27 and 28 in jeans, then for shoes I have sizes 8.5, 9, 39, 38.5, and 39.5.

So, how many was that: 10

What were you asking? Do we have multiple sizes in case we gain and lose weight? In my case the answer is no, my weight has been remarkably stable and so has my size, but I suspect I am unusual in that regard. I think the variety in sizes in my closet reflects differences in how the various brands do their product sizing. I do not have more than one item in two different sizes unless I use the looser look for a specific purpose and the snug look for another.

kkards

Veteran

well this is a hard question to answer, as different brands have different fits, so different sizes….

Roxanna

Veteran

HI Stays fit! I didn't realize that the question could refer to manufacturer sizing issues too...I meant, do you keep different sizes in your closet for when your weight vacillate? I am normally between a 2-4, but I have 0 and even a 6 in my closet too did when I go up and down. Wondered if others do this too. But you're right, manufacturer sizing males this a while different game!

frannieb

Veteran

No different sizes for weight gain - I'm a pretty steady curvy girl. Different sizes depending on clothing
Dresses are one size - fit and flare look best on me so I tend to be straight sizes anywhere from 12 to 16 depending on dress
Blazers - again straight sizes anywhere from 12 to 16
Shirts - all over the place
Pants - curvy size and all over the place a range of about 3 sizes depending on the cut, style and manufactuar - even with that I get most tailored in the waist
lastly skirts - pencil skirts one size and a-line another

Upwards of 10 and like stays it I don't keep items in more then one size.

interesting question

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have different sizes because of manufacturers' different sizings, not because of weight variation. My weight does fluctuate a bit, but generally only by a few pounds -- not enough to throw me into a different size. Whenever it starts to feel as if I might be gaining enough to feel uncomfortable in my clothes, that's when I start to increase activity and reduce portion sizes.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

No, not for weight gain. When my clothes start getting a bit tight, that's my cue to cut down on snacking. That being said, I do have some clothing that is looser fitting just due to design or the fact that looser fits have been trending, so there is a bit of leeway.

Anonymous

I do gain and lose weight. A five pound weight change means a different size for me in order to be comfortable. This is one reason why I only buy pants that have belt loops. Sometimes I just need a belt to keep my pants up. I have two different sizes in my closet.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I think this depends on whether or not your body weight tends to fluctuate, and whether or not you care if it does. I don't personally keep clothes that are too big or too small. Once in a while, if I find my pants are a bit tight, it's because I have been eating too much (usually around Christmas!) and so I pay more attention to my food intake until clothes feel normal again. But I do have some clothes that are naturally looser and more forgiving than others -- boyfriend jeans versus skinnies, etc.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My weight does not fluctuate, and everything in my wardrobe fits. 90% of it is one size, but occasionally things go up or down a size due to the inconsistent sizing of manufacturers. I have noticed though - that yoga has made me straighter - unless age has contributed to that too. And some bottoms are a little roomier on the thighs. But my weight does not fluctuate more than 2 pounds in either direction.

That said, I have clients whose weight fluctuates a little more so they keep a few sizes in their wardrobe for a 5 to 10 pound fluctuation.

Staysfit

Veteran

Roxanna, yours is an excellent question as I suspect many people do have multiple sizes but I see that so far most everyone who has answered are people who have stable weight and stable sizes.

I'm going to add that my weight does vary slightly between winter and summer but never enough to create a need to change my clothing sizes. My fluctuation is more like 4-6 pounds. Angie's point about exercise changing the shape of her body slightly applies to me seasonally because I can more easily get out and run in the warmer months and I do see my legs look slimmer when I run outside vs. on the treadmill. I think the authentic hills make all the difference! Pilates has also improved my posture and instead of getting shorter as I get older, I have become taller by 1/2 inch, maybe 3/4 inch. I have to watch that dress hems aren't too short!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Chiming in. Like you, I fluctuate between two sizes. I have clothes in both sizes, and I won't change that no matter what decluttering experts say! After all, I own those things for PRACTICAL reasons!

I tend to gain a few inches on my bust (it's awful!) mid-way through my cycle. I have tried everything - it doesn't change. Sometimes weather fluctuations also make me gain weight slightly. And I'm NOT ok with tight tops or dresses, anything that starts to press down on my bust. It's the main reason I have two sizes in my wardrobe, and I wouldn't change that for the world. When you're feeling bloated and iffy, wearing a top too tight will only exacerbate your misery (it could even be pants). I would rather be comfortable than have a tight wardrobe that just doesn't cater to my needs for those days, even if it's 3-4 days a month. Some months this fluctuation doesn't happen at all, but I'm still ok keeping those roomier and comfortable clothes. I do have 3 bras in a bigger size too btw.

As you'd have already guessed, I do not feel guilty about this at all. And I do have regular home wear tees, nicer tops, simple dresses and even dressy dresses in the larger size. Basically - I'm prepared to feel happy and well dressed in any situation even if my weight is up.

rachylou

Veteran

Heh... Technically... S, M, L, XL, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14... also no doubt have 12s somewhere in storage... so that's eleven total. But size v. label varies so widely. I'm pretty sure everything I own is the same size... lol

Oh... I didn't count shoes...

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

My size in tops and jackets is stable, also dresses. Where my size changes is in skinny and bootcut jeans (normally size 27). Boyfriend jeans are a whole other thing and sizes are all over the place so I'm not going to include those sizes in this discussion. So I have two different sizes of skinnies to accommodate weight changes . I used to keep three different jeans sizes, but the smallest size 26 almost never got worn (maybe a few times a year). I now simply prefer my typical size 27, but worn looser and with a belt, to squeezing myself into that smallest size. My weight fluctuates easily 5 to 10 lbs.

A few times I have thought of purging my bigger size so I won't be tempted to grow into it, but I think it's ok to accept fluctuations.

Oh I also have two different sizes of bras -- I go up a cup size when I gain. Because so many tops are loose these days I don't need different sizes of tees and blouses.

I think it helps to have plenty of space for storage (which I do) to carry different sized clothing.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, I forgot jeans... that's at least two more sizes.

Anonymous

My weight has always fluctuated - over my entire adult life. Much of it I cannot influence without resorting to literally drastic measures. I go through periods of being very upset about it, and that's when my closet gets a big purge. On my body, a 5 lb gain or loss is absolutely another size. I don't purposely keep a range of sizes for this reason - it's just ended up that way. I have size 2 pants that fit one summer, and then not at all the next. Then the third summer I'm wearing them again. I also have size 6 pants that fit, and even a size 8 bought from the size 2 place - during that same period. Jeans are a moving target - so I keep a few different pairs in diff sizes. Menopause has definitely kicked in and changed my body this year - and I'm not sure yet where I'll stabilize. I have to battle my ego when shopping and not get hung up on sizes - but it's tough. I know, I know, get over yourself Lisa But for keeping a range - not intentionally.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I recently packed away some favorite too-small and too-large clothing, using the Konmari method of folding, so each batch fit into a relatively small bin. Non-favorites get donated almost immediately.

Not accounting for weight fluctuation, I now have 3-4 sizes (size 8-14) in my closet, because different brands fit differently. They all fit me right now. I also have some size 16 shorts that are a little loose, but they have tons of pockets so I still wear them when I need that function. They're not as loose as I would expect them to be, given that I usually fall around size 10! That is just nuts to me, but I've gotten to a good place where I can ignore the number and go by fit.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I keep about a two to three size range around. I've varied in weight on and off 20 pounds my entire adult life, so I have no reason to think that'll change anytime soon. I keep the best of what doesn't fit me right now, because in the past I've regretted getting rid of things I really liked, and could have worn in six months or a year. For some people it's a psychological thing to not have those reminders around, whether too big or too small, but for me it's miserable to not have any clothes that fit, especially if I've been ill or dealing with stress and that's the reason my size has changed. In those situations the last thing I want to have to do in a hurry is go shopping and spend money that I may not have budgeted.

Obviously I do the usual check of current-ness and fit whenever I bring something out from the stash, and sometimes stuff is donated without getting worn. And I have designated containers for clothes that don't currently fit, so I have a size limit that I can keep!

kerlyn

Veteran

I do keep a couple different sizes in pants because my weight has varied by 5 pounds or so over the last couple years. This summer I bought a couple new pairs in the bigger size because I was so sick of squeezing into too-small jeans! I find if I'm really consistent with my running I can stay fairly easily at the smaller size, but if I start to slack I have a hard time maintaining. I realized this year that I'm OK at this bigger size and I don't want to be a slave to running! So I'm just doing what feels good, like a walk, hike, or maybe a run and not stressing about it. What's funny is I think I look slimmer in my new larger size pants and shorts...I guess they just fit better!

UtahDesert

In the past I've always had a range of sizes within reach, since my weight has fluctuated. A year ago, however, I got down to the weight where I want to stay, and I got rid of a lot of things. (Some of these things were smaller sizes that I hadn't worn for years or even decades that I found I just didn't like any more!) Now I may have a bare handful of items in larger sizes in the basement--just a size or two too large to be wearable now--but everything in my closet is more or less my current size. (Some tops are kind of loose and I don't know yet if I like how they drape on me now--are they JFE or not?) So far I've managed to maintain at this size--I let my weight creep up five pounds last month and I'm working on taking it off again, but that didn't change clothes fit noticeably, at least in my summer clothing.

I love knowing that everything in my closet is wearable!

Joy

Veteran

The current fit of clothing fluctuates as well as weight. When I started following YLF, a more short and fitted look was fashionable and my wardrobe was oversized. Then came loose boyfriend jeans and trousers followed by looser, draped tops. Then fluid fit which is a step looser than tailored but not oversized as I understand it. I have pieces that I have bought at all these times and it still fits but as it did then, not the current look. I guess that keeps us buying. I get rid of things that no longer fit at all and need to replace the short, fitted tops and toppers.

Keix

Veteran

My weight fluctuates 5 pounds, which would seem non-trivial on a 115-120 lb baseline, but 90% of it goes to my waist where most clothes have lots of ease built in. I definitely feel it in my fitted-waist dresses and skirts though! Some of my smaller-sized skirts (which seems to have no correlation with numerical size, my "skinniest" skirt is a size 6 from H&M several years ago) will fit in the morning but feel uncomfortably tight by afternoon if I'm on the heavier end of my weight range. But over time I've pared down my skirts to mostly stretchy/elastic waistbands that can accommodate the fluctuation. I'm lucky though that my jeans always fit--I fit low rise best and my hips don't put on weight.

Thistle

Veteran

Too many! After having had my second baby in October, I am all over the board. Five, maybe 6 sizes. I'd be sad, but I adore my little ones way too much to be sad about much of anything I had to deal with to get them

anne

Veteran

Kind of.

I haven't deliberately bought them for this, but while the majority of my clothes are at one size (which fits me most of the time) I do have a few "skinny" clothes which only come out when my weight is at it's lower side . One is handed down, one I made myself and made some sort of mistake, one is a dress that would fit at other times but I would be self conscious wearing.

I also have a number of clothes that are a size or 2 bigger than I normally wear because they were handed down to me. Sometimes these won't work, but sometimes, particularly if the style isn't fitted, they will.
My weight has fluctuated around 8 pounds in the time since I recovered from baby number 3, seen years ago (and joined the YLF forum) Like many of you, I tend to gain a little in winter and lose it in spring.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

My weight fluctuates but I have a tendency to shop when necessary to accommodate the changes and after a while I purge the stuff that doesn't fit any longer.

Colette

Veteran

I used to keep a few sizes because I've struggled with my weight my entire life. But, I made the conscious decision (thanks to YLF) to only keep clothes in my closet that fit me today. I find that has been helping me with my weight struggle. However, there is a certain time of the month that I absolutely cannot wear several of my bottoms because of severe bloating and I have to dress around that. Full disclosure: I do have a holding area in the basement where I keep cast offs and some of my larger sizes just in case. I'm slowly gaining confidence to let that go. Speaking of letting go, it's just about time to do another edit.

As far as range of sizes that fit me today, it is all over the board. I just purchased a pair of NYDJ pants in petite 4 and a pair of Zella pants in 8. Jeans are between 28, 29 and 30. Tops run the gamut from XXS to XL. I have gotten over the size an item is marked and only focus on fit.

Roxanna

Veteran

Wow. I find this conversation so interesting - I assumed everyone was like me and had weight fluctuations! I fluctuate about 10 lbs - sometimes even a few more - and because I am only 5'3' and curvy, this makes a huge difference. Usually 5 lbs means one size up. Because of this, even though I prefer pants, I've started buying more skirts because I just find they fit me through more fluctuations in weight (I gain in my hips and rear and I just can't stand pants that are too tight or too loose - I so hear you on the fit thing, Maneera!

I had 2 babies in just over 4 years and was all over with the sizes for a while - hang in there Thistle!

This makes me realize that weight fluctuation may be a huge contributor to closet structure. For example, maybe I do need a larger closet than others because I do fluctuate in size. And maybe I should choose to buy investment pieces in items of clothing where I don't fluctuate as much - like tops and blazers. And like I said before, even though I adore pants and find them may comfortable, maybe I buy more skirts and dresses because they fit me more often. I never thought of this as a factor determining the make up of my wardrobe but now I can see it has a significant impact.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Without even accounting for manufacturer and time period variations in sizing, I have at least two sizes in my closet due to weight and bloat variations. Small weight gains make a big difference on my shortish, smallish frame. I gained a particular lot this winter (I will say hormones were definitely a factor) and am losing some now as it is summer and I generally lose weight in the summer.

Lyn D.

Veteran

My weight doesn't change, but here in Australia sizes vary so much between brands that I have items in 5 different sizes!
Shoes are better, I would say 2-3 sizes.
Otherwise, I don't have anything in my closet that doesn't fit well.
If waistbands are too loose I have them tailored to fit etc.

Deborah

Veteran

I echo Lyn D. My size is relative consistent but sizing in Aust fashion is not:(

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