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K/R Plus a Confession

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Remember that Anne Klein navy suit I ordered a little over a month ago (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ed-and-its) and it was too small?

Well, I still have it. I had every intention of returning it, got my return authorization form and everything but just never got around to it. I dug it out on the weekend intending to pack it up but this suit still pulls at my heart a bit. I even PM'd poor Suz late last night lamenting on what I should do and decided to stick to my guns and return it.

Here's my dilemma - I've joined the year long Lean Eating program that Suz is part of and am thrilled to be back to caring about my body and health. Prior to starting that program, I had already lost a wee bit of weight just making smarter choices. I am currently a size 12/14 and I would ultimately be happy if I were to get back to a size 8. I have no desire to be a "skinny minnie", just a healthier body weight for my height and age.

The suit is a petite size 12 so I thought I'd try it on one more time and lo and behold, I can now get the trousers done up. I suspect it would fit perfectly in about 10 pounds from now. I am fairly confident that thanks to LE, I will achieve my goal size and weight which means this suit should fit me in a couple of months.

I realize it doesn't fit now and isn't particularly flattering but if you are able to look at these pics and imagine me a bit slimmer, do you think the suit has the potential to work? Suz asked me an important question and that was whether or not in a few months time, I would still like the suit and the answer is "yes". The fabric is actually more spring/summer weight and has the most gorgeous drape and flow. I have contacted Nordstrom and there is no time limit for international returns as long as I keep the return authorization number.

So over to you...do I keep it for a while and see how it fits in a few months based on what you see here? or do I return and look for something completely different in spring? keep in mind that with my weight loss journey, I actually will be working towards shrinking out of this suit but I will be needing clothes to fit along the way.

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Dressing

42 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

rae

(website)

Veteran

Do I remember you saying in another thread that you are not sure how your body sheds weight (e.g. all over vs in certain spots)? IME weight doesn't always come off in the places you expect it to, and if you are aiming for a size 8, I say wait and see before investing in something that should be long-lived as a two-piece-er.

Anonymous

I would keep it -- you aren't out anything but closet space, and can return it at any time. It would be a concrete mark of progress!

I like it on you!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Just my opinion - I'd return it. I've been there & keeping things never worked for me:)
There is always something great out there.

Tina.b

Veteran

One of my best friends is a personal trainer and she emphatically believes that everyone should have a goal outfit hanging in their closet. Just one, that you try on every few weeks, as opposed to stepping on the scale. Because the number on the scale is truly irrelevant. Shannon you are very close to this looking amazing on you and I think you should keep it. I love the colour, the shape and the drape of the suIt! And you can always tailor it down if the need arises in the future... I've done that several times, post baby.

Anonymous

That's wonderful, Shannon! I think I'd be inclined to keep the suit because, as you point out, you'll need clothes to wear as you "shrink". Do think maybe post-weightloss the jacket might work layered over a sweater? Could a tailor take in the jacket &/or the pants? And I seem to recall you got a good buy on this suit & that there would be expensive shipping across the border if you returned it, so I vote keep.

Megan

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

If there's no penalty for hanging on to it for a few more months, I'd keep it. Congrats on being able to button it! Try it on again in one month and then after 2. If it doesn't fit after that (or is close to fitting), I'd send it back.

Sara L.

Veteran

I say keep since there aren't any drawbacks to keeping it. You can try it on again in a month or two after you've lost those pounds and see how it looks. Also, as Tina says, it's a more tangible goal than just a number on a scale.

Anonymous

You are petite and may lose sizes faster than you think. The more you lose, the faster the sizes change. I'm 5'3" and it takes less than 5 pounds for my size to change now.

Raisin

Veteran

Shannon I see no problem in keeping it with the plans to wear it once you lose your weight. I think a little motivation is great, and you can look forward to it. My only worry is, if you achieve your goal of getting to a size 8, and I have no doubt that you can, will the suit be too large? It may fit perfectly 10 lbs less from now, but what about at 20 lbs or more less? I'm sure you could do some tailoring, but taking it from a 12 to an 8 may be hard. It's a gorgeous suit, I can see why you love it!

K. Period.

Veteran

If you love it and can keep it for a while and return it still, I would keep it for now. I would set a goal of a month or two out to either keep it/fit it or return it. Such a great suit! I would definitely keep me motivated.

moira

Veteran

With such a lenient return policy, why not hang onto it for awhile? It is a very pretty suit and you are not too far from having it fit you well.

Kyle

Veteran

I would not chance it, Shannon. You will certainly take off those 10 if that is what you want to do, but who knows for sure how everything will fit and flow at that point? Your style quotient is too high to try and "make" something work, IMO.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

You are all wonderful to pop in here and give me your time on something that is purely selfish on my part - seriously, I always feel so lucky to receive your opinions

I think I knew what to do all along but just needed someone else to come out and say it - Rae, Caro and Kyle, thank you. I think you're right and I need to return it. I don't know where this journey is going to take me and I'm better off seeing what happens.

For those who suggested I keep it, I love your faith!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Speaking from experience, return. I once bought a pair a Burberry pants that were about ten pounds too tight. I was convinced I was going to lose those ten pounds. I did and then some, but that was three years later. I lost so much weight the pants became too big, and due to the interesting cut I couldn't alter them.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Since there is no time limit on the return, why not hang onto it?

Congrats on the weight loss!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm another return vote. You just don't know how your body and style preferences will change.

I LOVE the suit and wish it fit you 100% right now, Shannon!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I know you have decided, and you are being very rational, and I try not to represent the evil inclination, but, since you can still return it in a few months, would it hurt to keep it and see if you like the fit then? I can already visualize your wearing it and it looks good!

Anonymous

I'm still voting return. Now that i see it, i notice the fabric has a sheen, which I am very familiar with, that is not that flattering. It highlights everything. Also, without you knowing how you will shed the weight, this might not be the best idea, long term.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Heading downstairs to find the box to send it back in.

Could it be I'm finally, after two years on YLF, learning PPP? This is two returns this week (the suit and the Jessica Simpson tux blazer) and I actually feel kinda good about it. I am wanting less and less to have things that aren't perfect in my closet.

Thanks again for the feedback everyone.

Thistle

Veteran

My 0.02 is shop for the body you have today. Love the body you have today. Yes, you will move on your journey and get to that size 8, but I firmly believe in no baggage to get there.

Once you are there, buy yourself another beautiful suit. There will always be beautiful clothes out there!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Thistle - I am sending you one HUGE HUG!!! Thanks.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Nonetheless, I am sad to see it go because it's truly gorgeous and looks wonderful on you! But still....an even BETTER suit will come along when you're at your goal weight, and will be well-deserved then.

unfrumped

Veteran

in theory there is no right or wrong answer as it can play both ways and with sustainability their is mostly the psychological aspect of the deal. And so.maybe if you keep it and it doesn't work out you learn a lesson but is not a terrible lesson like obe you might learn while skydiving or something.

Here's one way to look at it. Keep the mantra of dress the body you have now..That doesn't mean you have to buy at the same pace as before, if you're on a health plan, but it means you can buy anything you want ( can afford, etc is assumed) ANYTIME as long as it fits and looks good when you buy it. That means you can buy something tomorrow even if you're on your program . In a month you can buy something, even a fab something, and not say, oh, I can't because In another month I may lose 5 more#. You keep.your same compass when you look in the mirror because you use your same standard-- what looks good TODAY. That is how you evolved hour fab style and that will stay with you.

unfrumped

Veteran

Sorry for typos-my Kindle invents words , including sustainability was to be returnability; plus others.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Return and be free, Shannon. Make the clothing work before you give your well-earned money for it. You don't need to make the suit look good, and you look 10 lb thinner already in some of your best items. And judging from the menswear trend I've been seeing, we'll be seeing more fabulous suits!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Don't just return it but take the money and put it aside. For every pound you lose and every week that you achieve a goal, add to it until you are where you want to be. When that happens, take the money and buy a PERFECT suit because you deserve it and have worked for it.

That's my two cents.

Echo

Veteran

I agree about returning, but I am sad that this suit doesn't fit you perfectly now because I think it would be really flattering. The jacket seems just the right length, and the pants structure would make your legs seem very long. It is a great style for you, but if it were me I would want to shop new clothes for my new body and not save something in the hopes that it will work out.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I can relate to the desire to hold on to it, I would have the same inkling, but glad to hear you are going to return it.

catgirl

Veteran

Although I love the suit, I say return and buy the suit of your dreams when you are at the weight you hope to be... Sounds like you've already made that decision, Shannon!

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