https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 22 May 2026 21:15:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1495602 Sun, 24 May 2015 04:48:43 +0000 Barbara Diane 1495602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've lost a lot of weight, and I bought less items to replace what I had before. I had a dressy travel material skirt that just needed straight seems to take in, so that was an easy choice. Most clothes needed to be replaced, and I also did pants and bras first, as they tend to look baggy and brought my spirit down. I also started to wear more scarves and jewelry to have more variety with less clothes.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1495238 Sat, 23 May 2015 00:32:25 +0000 fathenry 1495238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Ladies, Thanks for all the ideas! My bottom half is smaller than my top half in general so pants look ridiculous now but I can probably get away with most of my tops. </p> <p>All my tops are fluid fit.&nbsp;My whole body shape is the same except smaller. &nbsp;</p> <p>Angie, I'm okay, thanks for asking. I got stressed out and the weight just fell off. Bizarre but nothing traumatic. &nbsp;All those beautiful Banana Republic/Ann Taylor pants from last spring hang off me and it's so sad.</p> <p>Dakotacheryl- thanks so much for the blog in addition to the capsules here. Buying all the items so they coordinate is a good thing to keep in mind.</p> <p>Based on what everyone said I will buy new stuff rather than alter. Until then there are some pretty funny outfit combos going to work right now that could have come right out of the Random Outfit Generator :)&nbsp;Thanks for your help and suggestions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494766 Thu, 21 May 2015 23:19:55 +0000 annabelle 1494766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After reading the recent helpful replies, I wanted to add that for me, altering jeans and blouses was something I chose to not do. However altering my leather bomber jacket and shearling 3/4 coat were well worth the investment. Get your leather items altered *only* by a leather expert and ask for referrals. </p> <p>I'm Seattle, that is Carole McClellan, who also does Fur Services and Restyling. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494560 Thu, 21 May 2015 15:04:51 +0000 Author Linda 1494560@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your problem's a familiar one! I lost 60 pounds last year (long story) and NOTHING fit anymore. So... whole new wardrobe. I found YLF while trying to figure out how to be cost sensible and stylish. I have a casual lifestyle now and transitioned out of a working wardrobe four sizes larger than the one I have now.</p> <p>My advice falls in line with what you've already gotten. You need undergarments that fit the new you. Not only will your new clothes fit better, but it's quite lovely to be wearing underthings you enjoy. I splurged, to be honest, on bras and camis. Well worth it.</p> <p>For myself, I find tops more forgiving than bottoms, so some of my older tops were able to stay the course. Baggy pants, not so much. Each time I went down a size, I bought a new pair of jeans and practically lived in them. Only recently have I bought other styles of pants. Black pants, a pair of summer weight/color pants (or winter, if that's your season), and jeans can get you through most of your fashion needs during transition. I would buy new. Alterations might be worth it if the garments are excellent and you are certain you won't go down another size. The suggestion to look at less expensive brands while making the transition is a good one! I love designer jeans, but while losing weight I bought Land's End. On sale.&nbsp;</p> <p>The next order of business after pants was tops. When starting from scratch, pants can be very basic, a foundation, and tops can be where you let loose your sense of style. I started my rebuild during winter, so bought a few nice sweaters: black, gray, and a pretty cerise that brightened things up. At least one item should be something you absolutely LOVE. Buying only practical things can feel... boring, I guess. It would be sad to resent the rebuilding process.</p> <p>If your climate gets cold, you'll eventually need to consider outerwear. I certainly did. I toughed out our frigid weather in my too-big coat and just bought my new winter coat last month, well into spring, at a huge discount. I used my savings to buy a few nice summer things.&nbsp;</p> <p>Hope you enjoy dressing your new you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494535 Thu, 21 May 2015 14:12:19 +0000 Angie 1494535@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fathenry, I hope you are okay?</p> <p>20 pounds at your stature is 2 sizes I think. Alterations probably won't work.&nbsp;</p> <p>HIT THE END OF SEASON SALES. Start with work bottoms, tops, a few toppers and a pair of jeans.&nbsp;</p> <p>The NAS is around the corner. Book your pre-selection app, which starts on the 9th of July (my birthday, actually). &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494494 Thu, 21 May 2015 12:16:59 +0000 dakotacheryl 1494494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm back to suggest this blog:</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://into-mind.com/2012/12/20/building-a-capsule-wardrobe-101/">http://into-mind.com/2012/12/2.....drobe-101/</a></p> <p>she also has some great capsule wardrobes on this site...just click till you find them. Many of the pieces are for a young/casual lifestyle but can give you some useful ideas for how many looks you can get with very few articles of clothing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494474 Thu, 21 May 2015 11:52:05 +0000 retailgirl 1494474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I lost about 25 pounds 10 years ago and had most of my things altered but was not happy with them after. And recently I lost about 10 pounds, and rather than altering everything, I bought new pants in basic colors, black, gray, navy, tan, and some chinos. (I'm not a jeans wearer...imagine!). Most of my tailored jackets were taken in a little through the waist, and look OK, but when buying new, I go down a size from my old size. Sweaters were OK and my shirts are a little big but OK under a jacket or sweater. I buy new ones a size smaller in shirts now, too. I have to remind myself to try on a smaller size. I'm 5'9" and I'm buying 4's and 6's ! To me that's crazy! But unless you love the item and it's irreplaceable, and you have an excellent tailor, buy new. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494468 Thu, 21 May 2015 11:42:33 +0000 unfrumped 1494468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What rizamei said! Bottoms really show fit issues the fastest in either direction and to me " feel" the worst/ best and affect my outlook, but luckily also can be in heavier rotation, so focus on having a few good options there. Tops are easier to skew tailored or loose and also easier to pick up a few new at low prices. Great time to think, what do I really love to wear?<br /> Great time to read all the blogs on capsule, mimimalsim , " French wardrobe", not to be limiting but because they focus on focus! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494416 Thu, 21 May 2015 05:23:38 +0000 Marit K 1494416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A new bra! That is going to be a big change after a drop in weight like that. Congrats! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494412 Thu, 21 May 2015 04:59:24 +0000 greycat6 1494412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congrats on your weight loss! &nbsp;I echo the good advice given above, especially about undergarments. &nbsp;I went through a similar circumstance two years back and found that it took me a while to get used to dressing the new body. &nbsp;Depending on how your weight has come off, your proportions may be different and you may find new silhouettes that you like and that flatter.</p> <p>If any of your wardrobe has come from Nordstroms, you can take those older items in to be altered. &nbsp;There will be a cost, but I have found their alterations people are very good at what they do. &nbsp;They altered two of my favorite pairs of premium jeans after my weight loss. &nbsp;It was not an easy or inexpensive alteration but worth it because replacing the jeans would have cost more. &nbsp;I still wear those jeans today.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494408 Thu, 21 May 2015 04:14:55 +0000 dakotacheryl 1494408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congrats to you both on your weight loss!</p> <p>Rizamei gives good advice. Some basic pants and skirts that fit seem critical. Business Casual makes a new wardrobe more versatile as you can wear the pieces outside work. Tops can be easier to choose too. </p> <p>Have you looked through the capsule photos that Angie and others have posted? They could really help you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494407 Thu, 21 May 2015 04:12:41 +0000 annabelle 1494407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I dropped 30 pounds, a few years ago. (I hope your drop is healthy, and, if so, then you can plan on keeping it off.) I figured that jeans would just have to be bought each time I dropped a size, so I tried to keep two pairs of good fitting jeans, all the time. I evaluated whether to get blouses altered. But when I thought, I can spend $80 to get two blouses altered, or put that towards fewer but new tops, I elected to replace. I felt like I would be getting just what I wanted each time. One way to look at it is "Is this Old Navy blouse (which you own) worth $40 to "buy" in my size, or would I rather have 2/3 of that [insert favorite color, pattern and brand] top?" Unstructured tops are more forgiving if your weight will continue to fluctuate.</p> <p>It's expensive replacing a wardrobe, so don't forget about thrift stores and the ol' Old Navy I mentioned. Especially if you are making style or quality compromises while you buy just enough to get you through a work week, you don't want to spend bank.</p> <p>Get some quick stuff now, and have fun thinking through your style and patiently purchasing over the next few seasons. Try to have fun with it, no matter what your budget. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494406 Thu, 21 May 2015 04:08:52 +0000 Anonymous 1494406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Start with the bra, then great fitting jeans. I've never had success having pants altered. It's a waste of money. Go slowly building your wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494405 Thu, 21 May 2015 04:02:12 +0000 rizamei 1494405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alter/Buy New - I think this depends a lot on the item: its quality, how much you love it, what the alteration would entail. I lost a fair bit of weight in the last year (+30 lbs), and for the most part, I chose not to alter items. The alteration would have been too significant for the most part. For others, there were signs of wear that made alteration a poor investment.</p> <p>If you think you may lose more weight, or regain what you'd lost, I would probably think about what could tide you over until you reach a more stable weight. For example, it was important to me throughout my weight loss to have at least one pair of jeans that fit well--but I tended to buy Old Navy rather than premium denim considering the likely timeframe.&nbsp;</p> <p>For me, the most important things to have were a pair of black or gray work trousers that fit well, a black skirt that fit well, and a pair of jeans that fit well. My tops were less crucial--they started running a bit large, but were still workable for the most part. I dress business casual during the week, so work clothes were a higher priority than casual clothes for me. And don't forget foundation garments. A bra that fits well makes everything better, and if you've lost a significant amount of weight, it's likely your size has changed there as well.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/weight-loss-and-new-wardrobe---where-to-start#post-1494401 Thu, 21 May 2015 03:43:53 +0000 fathenry 1494401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I unexpectedly lost about 20 pounds in the last 4 months and I am suddenly realizing my clothes no longer fit. Primarily pants, skirts and some tops. I have only two pairs of pants that really look ok: casual distressed pale blue ankle skinny jeans and white skinny jeans. I am planning to comb through the site this weekend to figure out what I might want to buy. Just curious, would you alter clothes, buy new? What would you buy first? It feels like a good time for an update. I work in tech, business casual.Thanks in advance! </p>