Clothes that are too big? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Clothes that are too big?

Bijou

Veteran

Do you keep clothing that is too big for you, just in case you eventually need it? Unfortunately my weight has fluctuated in the past so that I currently have some items that are one size too big for me. I am wondering if I just got rid of all the "currently too big" stuff, whether this would make for a happier wardrobe.

I tend to be quite ruthless in getting rid of things that are too small. However, on the flip side, I am not so good at getting rid of items that are too big.

I am also debating on whether to get the things that I really liked altered, so that there is no turning back (so to speak).

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from The Cat

Sisi

Veteran

He-he, if only ! My weight never fluctuated, it just continued to go up and up and up and up. To answer your question, my friends who have a fluctuating weight usually keep some larger clothes, just in case. Sometimes you are bloated, or you just want to feel more comfortable in your clothes. .

cindysmith

Veteran

I have experienced weight fluctuations throughout my life. I tend to keep a few pieces that are too big ATM, for the exact reason Sisi does. Sometimes, I feel bloated or just want to relax on the couch with Netflix or whatever.

I don't keep a lot, since my fluctuations happen infrequently and I don't want to look dated (and my tastes do change); what I do keep is fairly minimalist/simple and something I really love to wear.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Bijou, I am just the opposite! I am too quick to get rid of clothes that are too big, in my eagerness to believe I'll stay a smaller size. I hang onto too-small things too long sometimes.

It really depends on how much I like a piece, I think. The more I love it, the more reluctant I am to let it go. I've altered some things after weight loss only to regret it when a few pounds crept back on. I'm learning to let go.

Anonymous

If it's only a size up or down in pants, I hang on to them. I agree with sisi and Cindy that there are times when a size up feels better.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Holding zone for a wee while, and then decide what to do with them. If they fit in a year - integrate them back into your wardrobe if you still like them. If not, pass on.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've also purged things too quickly after a weight loss and regretted it. Now I keep favorites and a capsule in a size up and a size down. I don't intentionally buy things that don't fit me but I do keep things I already have if they meet all my other requirements.

Christina F.

Veteran

I'm currently losing some weight,
and have kept things in a smaller size in hopes of this. I am going to keep some of things too in my larger size. My reasoning is that I have a hard time finding pants and jeans that suit me - those are mainly what I keep. I also gained weight rapidly due to medication, and hated to get rid of things I only wore for a few months.

I only need a couple of sizes for my weight changes. Due to the size of my hips, it takes me about 20 lbs before my pants and jeans size changes. I believe it takes less for others. So I don't need to keep a whole lot of sizes on hand.

Scarlet

Veteran

I am reading the advice here because I have too big and too small. I am also afraid to buy too much now because it might change. Women's bodies, time, hormones, whatever, it's complicated.

Becky

Veteran

I only keep a few things that I really *loved* in a size that doesn't currently work. And usually only very versatile basics or a true statement "me" piece.

Bijou

Veteran

Thank you so much for these wise words. It makes sense to put the items out of sight in a holding zone and also to be realistic about weight / fluid fluctuations. There is nothing worse than wearing clothing that is too tight (hence why I am usually ruthless and get rid of the too tight clothing)!

Staysfit

Veteran

My weight fluctuates about 6 pounds between summer and winter. It's just enough to make some of my Spring and Summer clothes feel too snug at the beginning of the season so in the past I often purchased them in two sizes. It made for an overstuffed closet. I have decided it's a better practice to look for items that will look good regardless of this type of weight fluctuation. Any items that are of a size that don't fit currently are kept in a holding zone.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I keep a few items for weight fluctuations. Five pounds in either direction causes me problems, I've found, so I've also added more "fluid" pieces and pointe-type pants to my wardrobe the last few years. They are more forgiving of weight changes.

minimalist

Veteran

I'm going through this right now, and received some good advice here:
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....uctuations

What I'm doing for the moment is keeping a very small capsule of workhorse and joy-sparking its for the top size. Plus perfect white jeans, in whatever size; they're are so hard to find, it's worth storing them for now.

The Cat

Veteran

Seldom too big. Sometimes too small. Will keep a few items in a holding zone for maximum one year, after which they will be donated if they still don't fit.