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while you're losing weight?

qfbrenda

Veteran

How do you transition without looking like everything is baggy all the time? I'm afraid to buy stuff now because it will just have to be replaced again.

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from LeahJanes

JayS

Veteran

First, how much weight do you want to lose? If its only 10 lbs. by all means wait until you're finished. However, if its 20+ lbs, you're probably going to have to buy clothes in the interim. This is a good time for thrift stores and clearance items. Also, getting a nice pair of jeans that fit is a good way to reward yourself for all the hard work. (I'm talking something from Kohl's..not a new pair of COH jeans You might also look for tunics that can be belted. These will last longer and not look as sloppy as fitted tops. I lost 70 lbs 2 years ago... went from a 16-18 to a 2-4. I replaced clothes about every 2 sizes. Btw, Coldwater Creek's online outlet has some great bargins. I'm not wild about their clothes, but that is where the majority of my losing weight clothes came from.

Steph

Veteran

Several years ago I went from a size 10 to a size 0 (I am now a size 4, because a 0 was very difficult for me to maintain). I found that skirts were a great thing to wear. I would wear them with an untucked top when they got a little big, and you really couldn't notice they were too large for me. Skirts also seemed easier for me because when I was bigger they might sit on my high waist, and as I lost weight the skirt would start dropping, with the waist eventually hitting me at the hips (I actually prefer to wear my skirts low). So the skirt would hit a little bit longer, but that didn't bother me much. I found skirts far more forgiving of weight loss than pants, which would sag and look way too baggy quite quickly.

I also agree that you should think about how much weight you expect to lose and how long you expect it to take. If you're going down several sizes, you might just need to buy clothing in interim sizes. Also, I know this goes against the advice of many, but if you are losing a lot of weight and aren't sure how you will feel when you hit your goal weight, keep some of those interim sizes for awhile. With me, I loved being a 0, but it just wasn't a realistic size for me because I had to stay on a very low-calorie diet to maintain the weight. I decided to be happy at a size 4, because that was much easier for me to maintain, and I'm glad that I held onto some of the clothing I had purchased in that size, rather than tossing it all when I hit size 0.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I lost 65 pounds, and I just kept a very small wardrobe of cheaply gotten items while I was losing (it took me about a year and a half). I agree that it depends on how much you are planing to loose, but you should always keep some things that fit now.

Liz

Good luck with your weight loss! I hope you are finding it reasonably easy to make the lifestyle changes that go along with losing weight. I faced the same dilemma a couple of years ago, when I lost about 20 pounds, which on my frame was a LOT. Like SuzyCue and Steph mentioned, the need to buy new clothes while you're losing kind of depends on how much you want to lose. I lost the weight over the course of a hot summer and fall, so it was easy to buy inexpensive t-shirts (Angie would not approve, I fear, but this was pre-YLF for me!) and simply belt my shorts. I also wore tunics, so I second SuzyCue's advice there--they looked very pulled together and not sloppy. I'm not into skirts and tunics are great choices. I was also afraid to buy new clothes until I was sure I would maintain my new weight, so I gave myself until New Year's Day to settle into my new size, then I shopped the sales.

qfbrenda

Veteran

Thanks. I've lost a total of 25 lbs in the last year, 8 of which were lost in the last month since getting recommitted to losing the rest. I have 10-15 lbs to go. That doesn't sound like much except that many things in my closet are already too big, and I'm only 5'1" so that 15 lbs is a lot! LOL

I appreciate the help and hope others will chime in.

Joy

Veteran

It is very encouraging when losing to feel good in what you are wearing. You will get more encouraging comments. I shopped sales, thrift and consignment while losing but kept my wardrobe small. Skirts and wrap skirts, dresses and tops work well. belting a shirt or jacket that's a bit too big extends its use.
Good luck on your weight loss.

teri

Veteran

Over the course of 2 years I have had to 100% replace my entire wardrobe, even shoes.

I went from an 18 to current 10-12. (77 lbs total lost)
I was losing weight quickly because I had lapband surgery. I went thru a time where I was purging and replacing very quickly. I mainly stuck to buying cheaper clothes because I knew my goal was to lose 50+ lbs. I was wearing some clothes until they almost fell off me....lol
During this time I wasn't as fashionable as I now am

Cilleena

Veteran

Such a great post! I'm wondering the same thing. I've got about 10 more pounds to go as well. My wardrobe is in horrible condition at the moment though. I literally have nothing but jeans, LS Tees and a single sweater that fit correctly and look nice. I do not want to go through the rest of our long winter with just that. So, how much do I buy in the size I am now? Just a few pieces? How do jackets and sweaters look when you go down a size?

Brenda, I hope I didn't take over your thread. I figured these would be good questions for you too!

MsMary

Veteran

Although normally I wouldn't recommend buying anything that doesn't fit perfectly at the moment you purchase it, you might want to consider buying your new pieces on the snug side of fitting comfortably, so they will last longer as you shrink.

I have lost almost 50 pounds since last March, and I was lucky in that I had a ton of clothes in sizes from 14 down to 8, so I didn't have to worry about replacing anything until maybe last September. But then all of a sudden it was like every single thing in my closet was too big all at once. I've made good use of the consignment store and inexpensive stores like Target to fill in.

I have about 15 lbs to go and I'm planning to SYC until March, at which time I hope I'll be at my final size.

qfbrenda

Veteran

Cilleena, those are very good questions. I look forward to the answers.

So far, I'm gathering that skirts are better... preferably with belt loops. LOL Tunics... not sure about those on my short self. While I would rather do more woven fitted tops, I'm thinking maybe I should stick to knits while my body adjusts. They are more forgiving.

I'm going to need a couple of knee length skirts to tide me over... maybe 1 black and 1 denim. I just ordered two LS sweaters and 2 tops in a smaller size, so those will help.

My poor hubby.... I warned him today that I'll probably have to replace most of what I have by the time I'm done losing. He's being a pretty good sport.

JayS

Veteran

Oh, I wish I had it to do over again...when I hit my goal weight, I went on a shopping binge. If it fit well, I bought it. Now, a year later, I find that although my weight has stayed the same, my body has changed to the point that those clothes don't fit. I ended up dropping another size (from exercise maybe?) Also, it takes time to grow into your new body mentally..I've found that my style now is totally different from those first clothes I bought. My advice is to take it slowly. But as Joy said, you do want to get some clothes that fit well. You've earned it!! Also, just go shopping without the goal of buying. Try styles you never thought to try before. It takes a while to get away from going back to styles you have always bought.
Congrats on the weight loss!

qfbrenda

Veteran

Found this article:

http://www.suite101.com/conten.....ht-a238476

Kate

Veteran

I can't provide much advice from experience, but I would recommend buying items that aren't fitted and using belts. In terms of avoiding fitted items, opt for cardigans (which can be worn open both when they are initially a bit snug, and also when they are a bit too big) instead of jackets. Skirts and knit pants are likely to be more forgiving than woven pants. If you're comfortable wearing a belt at your waist, you can get more woven tops to fit after they're a bit too big.

qfbrenda

Veteran

I appreciate all the comments.

I found this article too... very helpful:

http://www.webmd.com/skin-beau.....ose-weight

Melissa

It's different for everyone, but I'd advise having one slightly nicer item (must make you feel FAB) that you give yourself permission to splurge a bit on. For me, having at least one thing in my closet that made me feel great and didn't look frumpy, baggy, or saggy made a huge difference.

Ironically, I found that as I lost weight, I felt fat all the time simply because none of my clothes fit, and having baggy clothes on made me feel really dumpy, so it was crucial for my psyche to have one great item that I could throw on and know I'd look okay.

In my case, my splurge item was a pair of amazing jeans (something that I'd never, ever, spent real money on before). I even had the waist taken in as I shrunk, so they lasted me through quite a few size changes. I don't regret the money I spent on them at all, even now that they are too big for me.

As others have said, thrifting can also be a great way to get through weight loss. I'd add one thing that helped me, which was to try and stick to things I considered "basics", ie knee-length black skirt, etc, because basics can be easier to find at thrift shops, and also because having a palette of basics to work with allowed me to play around with accessories. I wore a lot of really basic outfits and let myself spend a bit of money on fun accessories that would still fit later, like scarves and jewelry.

Good luck! Hope you'll keep us posted on how it's going.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

One thing I didn't see mentioned, and think might work nicely, are empire waist dresses - since the ribcage is your narrowest point, it's likely not going to change drastically for those last 15 pounds. Good luck! Sounds like you got great advice and are well on your way.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

True wrap dresses are what fit me longest.

LeahJanes

I'm going through this at the moment.

Things that stay the shrinking course are: skirts, shift dresses, leggings, floaty blouses, empire line or sack dresses, wrap dresses. Buy a few stretchy belts and belt everything. Buy new shoes if you want to update your look and your clothes are looking loose - I've had too many lovely new items become too big for me!

Also look into doing cheapo alterations. Straight skirts and blouses can be easily run in at the sides so they fit better around the torso.

I have lost a lot of weight in my top half so my Tshirts all got too big - luckily they are cheap to replace and I have done as MaryK suggested and bought replacements on the snug side. I am waiting to buy jeans, trousers, tailored tops, pencil skirts, sheath dresses and woven skirts until I have stopped losing.