Ask Angie: I'm getting skinny! Help! - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: I'm getting skinny! Help!

kidmom3

Member

Hi Angie - I am in the process of losing 75 lbs. I've lost almost 50 lbs. and for the first time in many, many years, I can shop in the regular stores. It is overwhelming and I don't know where to start. Help!!

I am an inverted triangle - broad shoulders, large bust, (38 DD, down from 42 DD), long torso, no defined waist, narrow hips, no butt, and thinnish legs (I'm 48, so they aren't great, but getting more defined by weights & pilates). I have read a lot on your fabulous site about my body type, but wanted to get any additional advice for my changing body and what I can wear.

Oh, I am not buying much now, but am salivating about the day I can really start building my wardrobe - in another 4-5 months, if I can stay on track.

Thanks, Liz

Body Type

16 replies

Latest reply was from Alecia

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I'm not Angie, but I'm in the same process you are, Liz. Congratulations! I too have lost 50 pounds recently and have another 15ish to go. Up until a few weeks ago I didn't buy anything new because I thought it was a waste since I'm only in one size for three months at the most. Angie and others encouraged me to dress for the body I have now. And I can tell you it is definitely worth it.
So I am investing more in skirts (that fit better than pants when I change a size) and have several wrap dresses - which also transition well from size to size. I bought two pair of jeans and several cardigans that probably won't fit in a few months. But I needed them. I also bought two jackets, and we bought the size that fit my shoulders the best. I don't imagine my shoulders will change size much. They are both volumnious jackets so I'm expecting that they will fit from here on out. I wear straigh jeans and a fitted top underneath so that it looks purposefully volumnious vs. big and boxy.
Good luck!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

PS: While I am buying clothes now, I'm not 'investing' in more expensive pieces. Try Old Navy or Express since you aren't needing the clothing to last a long time. Or hit end of summer clearance racks. Just make sure they fit your new body perfectly.

Nicole

Veteran

Hi Liz, Welcome and Congrats on your weight loss!

I am an inverted triangle myself, and find the hints and tips for our body shape very helpful, yet sometimes difficult to find in stores, since our body shape seems to be in the minority.

I look for bottoms that will add some visual interest (cargo pants, flap pockets, front patch pockets, and interesting detailing), and tops that have elongating necklines (mostly V necks), open collars, and rouching details that detract from my ample bust.

I am surprised to find that straight skirts and wrap tops work well for me.

I like to wear layers (cami's under tops, and cardigans over just about everything when the weather permits).

Things I try to avoid are any kind of chest detailing--be it pockets, pleats, gathers. Empire seams (they never land beneath the bust), puffy sleeves (my shoulders are broad enough), high round necklines, and anything "oversized" on top. I don't wear belts over tops well, because it makes my boobs look a lot lower than they really are. But don't be afraid of finding your waist and showing it off with other tricks (like wrap tops and cardis buttoned just under the bust).

Oh and I absolutely insist on THE BEST BRA you can find. Even if it means you pare down the rest of your shopping to afford the right bras. If you are holding your bras together with safety pins, or are wearing a nursing bra and you youngest is off to college...then 20 lashes with a wet noodle! It all starts with proper placement of the girls. Once you have the girls in their proper place, everything else will loook a bazillion times better on you!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks Nicole and Sarah. I couldn’t have said it better myself. You are in the best hands kidmom3 and welcome to the forum. Congrats on the weight loss!

kidmom3

Member

Ladies - thanks for the great advice! And congrats to you, SarBear - I just found out that I had weighed even more than my starting weight this year, so I know the feeling of accomplishment. How long have you maintained this weight? That, of course, is the next hurdle.

It's so exciting to shop, but I have to be careful to buy too much too fast - I hit Marshalls and Ross to find some cheaper intermediate things. I have already "undergrown" two pair of jeans I bought only a month ago (they were too big to begin with - old habits die hard!) But like SarBear, I have bought a couple hoodies and a really great fitted navy cord jacket because while my waist will be smaller, my shoulders and the girls are here to stay! It looks great with jeans or a pair of khakis.

And Nicole. you are so right about the bras - I have gone down one size around, but nothing in the front, so I bought three basic ones to get through until I start maintenance.

One question/observation - a lot of the clothes in the major stores don't fit the rules we've been talking about. Are there any stores or manufacturers that make things that work for our body type?

Thanks again, ladies - you are fabulous!

Liz

Nicole

Veteran

Liz, what "rules" specifically are you referring to?

I have great luck with Esprit (www.espritshop.com) New York and Company (www.nyandcompany.com) and for bottoms Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft.

Hope this helps.

kidmom3

Member

Nicole - I used the word rules, but maybe guidelines is a better one. I have been collecting info from this site and others to figure out what I should buy, so I can focus on what looks best on me, developing a guide for shopping.

Thanks for the recommendations - I'll check them out.

Liz

Nicole

Veteran

Liz, I know what you meant by rules...I meant...what kinds of clothing are you having a difficult time finding? Like are you having trouble finding tops that are plain enough or give enough waist definition? Or are you having a hard time finding pants with patch pockets? If you tell me what you're having a hard time finding, I can tell you where I find such things....

Ellen

I have the inverted triangle shape and have had weight fluctuations this year from pregnancy and I know where you're coming from, especially wanting to look good while losing another 25 lbs!

I've found that one good pair of dark-wash jeans with a good amount of stretch in them and some minor flare at the bottoms to balance out the top-heaviness does all kinds of miracles. It's only been the past month or so that I've been buying a couple new pairs, since I'm within 10 lbs of my goal. For a long time, I basically switched up tops with those jeans and a couple of skirts and that really helped with the budget and the style quotient.

Wrap tops are great... they are adjustable and create a waist. Jackets - I know this is a risk because you're not sure how it will fit later, but I bought a couple of jackets that were VERY snug in the waist but fit my shoulders... wore them open for a while until they buttoned smoothly. That's a risk depending on where you lose your weight - mine was from pregnancy belly, so I was pretty sure where I'd get smaller.

And long camis underneath tops are excellent. I have some long tube-top camis with a wide lace band on the bottom which always stuck out under my tops. They really pull the eye away from belly bulge and also create the look of having some hips - I have none, so I like this!

Also, a shoe with a heel, at least a small one, does great things for the posture and helps with how clothes look!

shiny

Veteran

Sarbear, kidmom - how tall are you two?

I just want to add that, if you are petite, there's a possibility that you could drop as much as 4 sizes in the next 25-15 lbs!!

I'm only 5'0" and recently (well not recently anymore - have maintained for 18 months) lost about 25 lbs and that's how many sizes I dropped. I'm now in a 0-2p range. It may simply be a petite phenomenon though - it seems it only takes a few pounds per size difference. If you compare petite size charts to regular size charts, you'll see this is true.

Definetly agree: dress for the body you have now. Get yourself a minimalist wardrobe that makes you look and feel fab - but don't overstock or buy expensive items. Check out second-hand shops or even swaps (swap with people who are also in weight loss mode).

Nicole

Veteran

Wow...I have to lose more than 12 pounds to go down a size!!

shiny

Veteran

The diet group I was in, general rule of thumb was 10 lbs per size. Unless you were petite - and especially as you neared your ideal weight - it picked up the pace to something more like 5 lbs per size.

That's just general rule of thumb. Everyone is different, of course.

kidmom3

Member

Nicole - I have two problems. I have not found a pair of jeans that fit. If they fit my hips and thighs, they are large in the waist or they are too tight across the hips, but fit in the waist.

I have trouble finding cute, modern tops that look good. The baby doll style hangs off my bust and makes me look fat, which of course isn't what I want. I have found a couple of tops that are fitted under the bust, which adds some definition, but I would like to find some more tops that are flattering and don't look like maternity blouses.

Liz

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The jeans are easily altered. Have the waistline taken in and make sure the jeans fit perfectly everywhere else.

Stay away from baby dolls. Try a few woven tops with stretch too. Nicole wrote an essay recently on tops that are best for her shapely bust line. Perhaps she can link to it for you.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Shiny, I just saw your question and I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner. I'm 5'6.5". I wore a 16 at 200 pounds; 14 at 180-190, 12 at 165-180, 10 at 157-165. And now I'm in 8's typically at 153. I've always "carried my weight well" - whatever that means. According to various sources, my 'ideal body weight' is 139.
I carried most of my weight in my stomach, and I had to steer clear of all baby doll tops. I was asked when I was due several times, which was crushing as I wasn't pregnant.

Alecia

Veteran

kidmom3 - I have to get almost every pair of pants taken in at the waist. I can hardly ever find pants that fit both my hips and my waist.