I've had a lot of suits altered to fit, in my previous life phase. If a jacket fits at the shoulders and around the upper arm, you can alter. Trying to narrow the shoulders would cost a lot and still not come out as well as a smaller size. That is, if you're talking about a classically cut suit jacket or blazer. Perhaps raglan or other styles are more adaptable.

Lyn67 speaks painful truth. I've kept tight capsules in larger sizes, because what if I've ballooned and suddenly have to attend a funeral, or want to wear white jeans and an attractive jacket? On the other hand, how much mental and emotional freedom would I gain if I let go of these? Something to consider. Or just to do and try.

I am in kind of limbo at the moment, did not buy anything since loosing weight (except some shoes and lounging tees) because I am afraid of makig mistake. What if I lose more or gain back?

I have no real advice. But I understand your dilemma and the associated concern .... especially when you have a beautiful wardrobe.

I haven't read through all the comments, but although the sweater is okay, the pants and jacket are too big. I think you need to slowly start wardrobe rebuilding. It sounds like you have made a lifestyle change that you are going to stick with. I feel your pain with the changing sizes and all it implies for wardrobe flux.

ETA: I don't think you can tailor those pieces. I don't think it would be cost-effective. They don't need tweaking. They are really at least a good size or more too big.

I also think the jacket is starting to get big but can do in the interim.
Your post has been a very interesting read. At first I thought, it's interesting to have that problem. When I lost weight I was more than happy to go a few sizes lower and so on, but I did not have a beautiful wardrobe like you do. I also love jackets as they make for a professional look and I know it is hard to find a good fitting jacket so I understand how you feel.
I am happy for you that you are feeling healthier with the change in your diet.
After being on a successful weight loss journey, shedding the last 5-10 lb can be another challenge. Maybe it's different for you and you are still actively losing weight?
I also think that if you lose more weight you may need new clothes. It is not a bad idea to have a few slimmer clothes and also a few with a little more space to allow for possible weight fluctuations.

I think they are 1 or 2 sizes too big.
At this point, I think you need to start buying smaller things. Perhaps a really small "I'm dieting down" work capsule of mix-n-match pieces.

Maybe you can increase your clothing budget for this? It seems very justifiable.

I agree with those who thinks the blazer looks a bit big. But not by very much, Anchie. Perhaps of your collection of 20 some will look better than others? And you could just buy one or two new ones and keep also the ones that look better at the moment, so it is not too costly to buy more. Remember that much of weight loss does tend to go back on over time, because the body tries to return to a set point. So I would only be culling the very biggest ones, if any. I'm not trying to discourage you from losing more weight if you prefer your new way of eating.

You will have your body longer than your clothes. Do what you feel is best for yourself eating wise, see where you weight settles, and slowly start buying clothes for your new size.

Is your work dress code business formal with only matching suits and delicate shoes allowed? I have a lot of experience with weight loss and gain affecting wardrobe and a lot of advice, but it hinges on being able to wear separates and more contemporary pieces.
Also, if you have a cold winter, you can layer a lot more of your warm clothing under your business clothing, if you can be wearing these items more casually.

We don't have a dress code at work as such so in theory I can wear whatever I want, even jeans. But I am often only women in a meetings, and men are in full suits with ties, so I would feel weird if I don't look at least somewhat professional. I don't always wear full suits, but I need to have at least one.
Jenni NZ, unfortunately all my wardrobe is the same size and more or less fit the same as this. Knits and dresses are more forgiving, pants I can wear with the belt, but I probably need to start with getting at least one new blazer. Not sure if I should spend a lot on it or get a cheaper version for now. When I gained weight I first bought few cheap ones at Zara, but replaced them with better versions later. So it was a double expense at the end, but more doable over time, Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about losing weight, I am very happy about it. But I am dreading the effort and expense of replacing the wardrobe, because I have been through it just few years ago after I gained a lot of weight. And I am putting my son through college at the moment, so this is not the best timing budget wise either:)

Oh dear, I'm probably one of the most frugal people who post here, and even I am not wearing trousers that baggy. Though in the work situation you described, that suit might still be just fine.

Can you get one pair of neutral jeans or trousers that fits you perfectly? Then at least you'll have one outfit that feels really good. Even if it's "just" for casual wear; you need one option that feels excellent right now.

Depending on how your trousers are constructed, it might be possible to have them taken in at the inner thighs, for not too much money. IIRC, in some cases the crotch seam would still be too long, but it's still an improvement. I had a few suit-trousers altered this way, mid-way through a long work assignment when shopping was not really an option.

minimalist, thank you so much, your response was sort of wake up call for me. I did not honestly thought that it looks that bad and that I still have some time to figure things out. I didn't wear this particular suit to work since losing the weight because it is from my fall/winter capsule and I started this change sometime in April. I reached this current size end of June, but then I went on vacation for most of July. August was pretty relaxed month at work, with lot of people still on vacation and almost no meetings so I managed to get by. But now I am facing the change of season and more hectic work schedule. So I need to come up with a plan sooner than I thought. Any input greatly appreciated.

And another thing is I mostly shop online and I am not sure what size I need now. Do I need 1 or even 2 sizes smaller?

"You'll have your body longer than the clothes"--I want to remember that!

I'm sure you are missing your FiL. I'm sorry. Perhaps you could take a blazer to several tailors to see what they would each charge to alter it, what changes they propose, and generally how you feel about them. You could get a handful done for the price of a new one, and have the comfort of your own clothes instead of new.

I do most of my shopping online and usually find size guides helpful, along with reviewers' comments. In the US, most stores have free shipping if you order above a certain amount, so if there is a local branch of that store, there is nothing to stop you from ordering multiple sizes and then returning the extras. If you can't do that, you could start by going to the physical store and trying things on to find out what size and styles work best now, and then ordering and trying in in the peace and quiet of your own home.

Why double the shopping time necessary by starting with cheap blazers? If you can consider a full-length Burberry, you certainly have room in your budget for one full suit that fits you well now and can be expected to last a decade. Then get a couple pairs of pants you can wear with the blazer, then another blazer to work with some of the pants...

fahiontern, apologizes if I have given wrong impression with my Burberry coat post. Money for this is not coming from my wardrobe budget but is supposed to be a present from my DH that he has saved for for a long time and wanted to give me for our 20th anniversary that was actually last year.

If it's a matter of looking comparable to men in business formal at meetings, I think you should start with a basic plan which is comparable to what men do. I don't know about Austria, but when my husband worked business formal in Boston, MA, and that was about 15 years ago, I can still tell you the 6 suits that he wore to work.
(1) Black with thin bright white pinstripes (2) Black with muted golden brown pinstripes (3) Dark gray with muted white chalk stripes (4) Muted olive green (5) Muted mushroom brown (6) Deep cerulean blue with a very subtle navy plaid overlay. Six was the best way to not look the same for one work week at a time and still have allowances if one of those suits had to get repaired. So my first advice is to find your most essential six which look different from one another, yet are basic enough for adding accessories easily.

This might mean having six tailored, or it might mean buying six new ones. I think that it will depend on whether your existing clothing needs to go down more than one full size or not.

If you are going to buy new ones and budget is tight and you still also might lose more weight, then if it were me, I would unlined bottoms which can coordinate with unlined blazers: also including either boiled wool or thicker sweater-knit blazers. Basically, I am thinking about items which can be further narrowed without having to first undo an inner lining and then put it back again. You will also find this type of item is more forgiving if your weight fluctuates a bit.

Also, two of my quick fixes for times when I don't have the time to restock. I will wear my older bras with added half a cup silicone inserts so as to keep filling out the tops of jackets. I also tend towards chunky shoes and boots, because they make less of a contrast to pants which are a little bit loose.

My biggest tip is that if you can tolerate wearing skirts a lot, skirts are the easiest to camouflage with a sweater on the top or they're cheapest to make smaller around the waist.

Also, I am not loving the pink sweater with this suit. I think that it would be nice with jeans, but the way it bunches around the bottom around your waist seems too casual for a suit, in my opinion.

Personally, I like to make oversized clothing look more deliberate by adding one bolder accessory up top, like an interesting silk scarf or interesting brooch on the jacket or a deep color like cobalt on the blouse. I think that it manages to take the focus away from the looseness and make it seem more like a relaxed vibe than a sloppy one. It also helps if only one piece seems loose. Furthermore, it seems like a lot of the problem is that your clothing is now too long. In the US you can usually find dry cleaners who also shorten sleeves or hems for cheap and don't have the skills for full alterations so they charge much less. If it were me, and such a service is available to you, I'd probably start with just shortening sleeves and pants on two or three suits and not worry about the middle. People notice the length more (because it looks like hand-me-down items) whereas looking like your clothing is a little bit roomier just indicates you have lost weight and doesn't carry such a stigma.

I'd advise against Zara suits and such, because I find that they can shrink even more than the amount which you are loosing weight. And they do this in unpredictable ways. I'd get some trendy blouses or sweaters or accessories there or someplace similar, to liven up the look, if you can find things which are to your taste.

3style, so much great advice, thank you very much. I have not thought about deference between lined und unlined blazers and pants, will keep that in mind. Shortening only the length to improve the visual effect is a great tip that I may try.
I agree that skirts are easier to wear during the transition, this is how I survived this summer without buying anything new yet.
BTW - this outfit is not really styled or something that I will wear as is, just demonstration how loose my wardrobe is at the moment. But I did feel sloppy in it and like I am wearing somebody's else's clothes which is not a great feeling:(

Perhaps continue with your hearts desire to lose weight, and retire one outfit a month (or as budget allows)? That would get you through the fall/winter and reevaluate in the spring. But I agree, something new now that fits you perfectly so you have a comparison.

My apologies for misreading the budget situation.

But if you can swing a full suit, it still sounds like a good idea to me, or altering a blazer or two and getting new pants.

I have found this an interesting thread.

Well done on finding a solution that works for you Anchie, and I am pleased you are feeling so well and healthy. That is by far the most important thing.

As others have said a very small capsule should assist until you know where you are sitting sizewise. Probably two pairs of pants, one dress or skirt and one blazer will work, mixed in with the too large blazers etc..

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Anchie, that looks like a pantsuit in the photos. If you're willing to wear separates instead of suits, you could possibly get a few pairs of pants altered and wear them with a couple of new blazers during this transition. The blazer you show is too big in the shoulders, which can't be fixed. But pants are easier and cheaper to fix.

Congratulations on your returning health. I know there are practical and financial issues with your wardrobe but--your health is returning! I hope you'll commit to that process with at least a micro-capsule that you're happy to wear, not just whatever will fit.

I wouldn't make any assumptions about what can and can't be done as far as alterations and would seek out a truly excellent tailor for your lovely clothes.

It could be that either a few of the suits could be adjusted to your current size, a few of the pants and/or a few of the jackets.

Even if you have to break some of the suits apart you might be able to find a sufficiently formal companion item that would give off the "suit" look, like a sleeveless dress or a Chanel woven type jacket which might be more harmonious with different pants.

I am glad for you that you found this dietary change that is so beneficial! It's exciting to hear self help stories with happy endings!

I like the idea of a small capsule wardrobe that can be mixed and matched. And the idea of skirts instead of pants is smart.
I think the pants in particular are too baggy and should be replaced right away. If the men are wearing suits, this looks sloppy in comparison. And, unfortunately, it could affect someone's professional opinion of you. I don't know what you do, so maybe I am off base, but it is worth considering,

It does seem that as soon as I have my wardrobe almost complete, my weight changes. And it is hard to let go of the clothes. But I have found that I look and feel better, and have more confidence, when my clothes fit properly, even if I have a small transitional wardrobe. I would try to buy enough that I feel like I can make at least a week's worth of looks, but not so much that I would be upset if I lost more weight and had to replace them.

You might also keep enough of the too big clothing for a weeks worth of clothes. I confess, I keep the smaller sizes when I gain weight, but purge the bigger ones when I lose weight.

The most important thing is to be healthy. I would never put on weight to make clothing work.

If your old favorite clothes can't be tailored to look as good as replacements, I would replace them. But I would think about how many items to buy and I wouldn't assume that they would last 20 years. Who knows how your body will change, how the work world will change, etc.

Perhaps the part of Kon Maring your closet where you thank each of your clothing items for how it has served you, brought you joy, etc. would help the transition?

Good luck.

My mega-amateur guess is these clothes are two sizes too big. I usually can't tell when people post something that's only one size too big.

Congrats on your weight loss, Anchie. I'm happy that you're feeling fab and healthy - after your health scares especially. That's a relief and a brilliant life change. WELL DONE. My hat off to you.

As for your wardrobe, I am an absolute stickler for fit. We ALWAYS dress the body we have now.

You can't lose 8 kilos - that's 17 pounds - and expect your items to fit reasonably well - unless they were too small to begin with. The items you're showing here don't fit well. Two sizes too big.

My suggestion is to purchase a few new capsules that fit. Keep the capsules tight as you continue your weight loss plan.