Accommodating weight gain...

I haven't been around much lately. I was traveling for work a fair bit in fall (not eating well) and then dropped a 25 lb weight on my foot (limited activity for a month), closely followed by the holidays (lots of eating) and then three weeks in Mexico (restaurants daily). Sadly I am now 15 lbs heavier than I was in early fall and have almost no clothes that fit well. I am trying to put together a small wardrobe that will get me through until spring when I plan to be back to normal weight.

My black ponte knit pants fit (just), as do my two halogen skirts (deep purple and fushcia). I also have the brown Very Moda skirt which luckily was a bit too big when I got it from ASOS so still has room in the waist. The short black gap dress fits and is quite versatile and one more dark olive faux wrap fits. I bought a short black dress with a drawstring waist before vacation that I wore over the ponte knit pants last week and that looked pretty good. The thin part of my legs was exposed which gave a slim look. I also have the teal Joie silk top. My larger pair of ON skinny jeans fits but I have tummy muffin in them.

I decided to try to get a few tops that would work with the skirts and a few either shorter dresses or longer tops for with the pants and heavy tights/leggings. I picked up a white cotton knot front shirt, an inexpensive blue/white print 3/4 sleeve belted dress, a long grey knit sweater dress that is lightweight but drapes quite well, and a sleeveless Tahari midnight blue shirt yesterday. I have two black jackets that work (one wool with the brass zippers and the other simple) and I think the cropped faux brown grommetted one fits. I have a nice collection of low heeled boots and seem to be wearing boots every day.

The post about superbowl Sunday shopping made me think this may be a good day to try to get a few more items to round it out. I was thinking a few neutral camisoles to give a smoother appearance and facilitate better draping.

Any suggestions for other items that would extend this very small wardrobe for two months or so? I am joining Weight Watchers on the way home from work tomorrow so expect to be back down to 130 by spring which is April here.

Thanks for any suggestion.

14 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from velvetychocolate

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like you already have a working capsule, honestly. Well done! I was going to suggest tunics to go over the pants that do work and then saw you had done just that with short dresses/long tops part of your post. Layer camis are a great idea. Maybe just add a sweater or two, if you normally wear them?

14 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Like Mo, I think it sounds like you've done pretty well with your capsule and I suspect it will get you through to April. Maybe just add a couple of accessories so you don't tire of these items?

And don't you worry one pretty hair on your head about that 15 pounds - it will be gone before you know it!

14 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

Sounds like you can definitely get by on what you have! I really like the halogen skirts a lot of YLFRS have modeled but haven't got one decent skirt in my closet!! Sadly, I know that when I have gained weight it takes me a little while to lose it. I don't ever lose more than a lb a week! I gained some weight after a summer trip to Paris. I was down to 128 and now am at 136 and my pants are starting to feel a little "constricting" shall we say? Bummer!

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

We have missed you and your stylish outfits! I am so sorry to hear you're facing weight loss but you seem to be handling it with aplomb and excellent organization. It sounds as if you are pretty well set for the next few months; it may be fewer clothes than you are used to but it is not for very long and maybe when you've reached your goal you can celebrate with a few new purchases?

14 years ago

Anonymous

You seem to have this under control. Have you tried Spanx or other shapewear that may allow you to wear more of your closet?
Be sure that anything you buy fits perfectly or even a little tight in the shoulders so that you may be able to wear it later belted.

14 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

I understand (all too well) what havoc a weight gain can wreak on you wardrobe :-\

It sounds like you've got some good working pieces and there's some variety too (pants, skirts, dress)

I'd be tempted to add another jacket or two to put on top for these cooler months and get them different vibes: denim jacket? the BR gold button cardi (quite jacket-like), a bright spring color blazer?

I find jackets still fit for over a fairly wide weight range too. . .

14 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone. I am going to look for a jacket or longer cardi and a sweater or two to add to the mix and then do some wardrobe mixing. I just read Scarlet's post on column of denim and think I will look for an appropriate black top or navy bottom to do the column of neutral and add elements to it. I will try to pick pieces that are structured well for continued wear.

I wish I was one of those whose weight rarely fluctuates.

Perhaps I will start posting WIW again as a record of my survival with a small wardrobe.

14 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

It sounds like you are already off to a really good start. In these cases I really find dresses so much more forgiving than anything else. If there is something that you usually wear a lot (in my case this would be jeans) I would bite the bullet and buy a fab new pair in a bigger size so that you don't have to torture yourself trying to wear your usual style. I had to do this a couple of years ago, and those items have come in really handy this year when I gained some weight at Christmas time.

ETA: while I was writing that I didn't see your comment. Columning is probably a good approach too. The skinnies I show in my post have a fair bit of stretch so they can go up or down with my weight, and the blazer I am wearing in that post is made out of jersey, so again, very flexible, but belted at the high-waist, so slimming. The denim shirt is tailored but roomy, so again accommodating.

14 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I can sympathize, Dianthus, because I had surgery two months ago and I spent the first month with a very swollen abdomen and none of my pants fit. However, I did notice that all of my jersey a-line dresses fit just fine, and not only that, they were still flattering. All three of them have a wrap-style top part, a waistband on the high side, and a flowy skirt part. I would recommend looking for a casual dress like that.

Also, many of my skirts fit -- even the structured ones -- but they sat a little higher than normal, which hiked up the hem a bit. Since it was December and I was wearing woolly tights anyway, this wasn't a problem. I didn't feel too exposed.

14 years ago

HelenInCanada

Veteran

I can sympathize, dianthus. I had to deal with this for a while, also. I wouldn't invest an enormous amount of time or money on a whole new wardrobe, since 15 lbs should be relatively easy to lose if it's your goal. Sounds like you're all set! As long as you have a couple of pants that can accomodate your waist, you should be fine. A good cotton stretch pant is super comfy during pudgier times! Jacket and looser-fitting blouses/tops will help flatter.

14 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'd suggest a wrap dress -- can be worn with a jacket until the spring thaw, and will adjust with your waistline as you return to your former size. Look forward to seeing you post again! I've learned a lot from your style in the past year!

14 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all for your comments, suggestions, and empathy.

I went out but did not stick to the game plan. I made what was to be a very quick stop at the Jones New York store to check for a jacket. While there I tried on about 20 dresses and bought 4 of them. Three of the four should work post weight loss and the fourth was 80% off and then another 30% off so it was only about $25.

In order of preference (mine and the very helpful sales lady).

1. A very pretty tailored dress in ink blue with short sleeves. It has structure and nice detail and will work in winter with a top layer or in summer alone.

2. A lined jersey knit in a deep green teal with a cowl neck and waist detail. It is two sizes larger than my usual size but this was the one on deep discount so if I only get two months out of it, I am okay with that.

3. A grey v-neck with elbow length sleeves. The dress is very fitted on top but not tight and has a sewn down pleats that go about 4" down from the waist and then a bit more fullness.

4. I probably should not have bought the last one but loved the color. It is a deep purple/blue knit that has texture to the waist and then plain skirt. It is fitted but should work with tights or spanx until I lose. It is above the knee by a few inches but I may have it shortened to mid-thigh next year and wear it with leggings.

I also bought a black lace lined t-shirt. I tried it over a satin blouse and it worked well but I decided not to get the blouse.

I tried a dress in a rich coral color that was really pretty. It would have needed a slight alteration to take up the shoulders but was really nice on. I may go back after the loss and see if they still have it in the smaller size. I never thought the color would work but I liked it on. Lesson learned about trying things on.

I also remembered a navy J Crew skirt that was too big before. I hope I didn't give it to charity during the last cull. I will try on a few skirts later and a B&W graphic print silk BR dress I found. It might fit with a top over it.

14 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I'm so glad you got some new dresses - I was about to suggest dresses as the most "weight fluctuation friendly" items you can have on hand, and you've already got that under control.

Only other suggestion is to second what Scarlet said about getting one more pair of really nice jeans. While I haven't gotten into premium jeans yet myself - and I'm not suggesting expensive jeans in particular - I *am* suggesting that jeans are an important wardrobe workhorse, even if just on weekends, so if you got another pair that fit you nicely, and only wore them for a couple of months, it would be worth it, in my opinion.

What are your favourite style of jeans to wear? I haven't yet found a good pair of skinnies that I particularly like, but I did discover a nice pair of very dark wash flared jeans from Target, thanks to ClearlyClaire, who posted a thread quite awhile back comparing GAP's "Long and Leans" with Target's new-ish "Mossimo Premium Flare" jeans. From her photos, I really liked the look of the Target Mossimo Premium jeans and went off to try them myself. They're extremely comfortable and forgiving of weight fluctuations, and ...get this - they're under $30 a pair. They're quite light weight and very dark - and because of this they look more dressed up. The fit is quite nice - I found the "Fit 3" (have no idea what that means) looked nice. I liked them so much that I went and bought two more pairs - one in my current size, and one another size down, since I am also working on ditching a few pounds. I'm not sure if it's the material or the fit, but I find these jeans create absolutely no muffin top whatsoever. The waistband isn't binding in any way (feel like lounging pants almost, but certainly don't look it) no matter what size they are or what size I am. For $30 or less you can't go wrong. They have skinny jeans in this line too, but I haven't yet tried them out myself - they are next on my "worse than bathing suit shopping" jeans shopping trip.

Meanwhile, kudos to you for being so matter-of-fact and having a great attitude about it all. Best wishes for Weight Watchers, and it sure sounds like you're on track.

14 years ago

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