I have not read any one else's replies but I hope I don't get booed off the thread I say keep it. If it pulls at your heart that much your will never be able to let that go and you will continue to look for it if you don't keep it (this has happened to me a couple of time where I didn't buy something I really loved).

The suit is sharp as a tack. I adore it (reminds me of a JNY suit I bought about a month ago). I love the texture the fabric and most of all the structure. You are absolutely correct another 10 lbs and you will look fabulous in it and you are almost there. I see no reason to jump the gun and send it back now.

Enjoy!

I vote return but have to say that 6 mnths ago I would have said keep - yeah for learning. I do love it but Shannon you have such great style and taste that I am certain you will find another fab suit at the right time.

I think you've already made your decision, but I would lean towards a return. Two reasons from personal experience: 1) it's hard to know how and where your body will change with weight loss, so even though the suit may be looser in a few months, the fit may not be right even though the size is; and 2) even though I'd say you have a great grasp on your style persona, I think you're still evolving and you may find something even better for you if you let this one go. It's very nice, but not one-of-a-kind.

I have one skirt in the back of my closet that I keep in case I lose another 5-10 lbs (it was a bargain eBay purchase that I made a sizing error on). Everything else fits the body I have now.

I only quickly read thru here but the back story I am not sure Shannon recapitulated is that she will lose a fair amount of money shipping it back (duties and such--she's in Canada). It would be like a quarter of the suit's value, right? Plus she has in total around a year to hold onto it. This is why I see no harm in keeping it for now, and recommend this course of action.

Day Vies & Mochi - you two definitely make a strong argument. According to Nordstrom, there is no expiry date for the return. And you are right Mochi in that I will lose $50 in returning the suit.

Ah, that is definitely a factor. No harm in hanging onto it for a while then, right?

It seems the main thing is to recognize the suit itself is only a suit--either way.

I do think that as a general rule it's bad, maybe even super bad, to buy something specifically "so I can fit in it later" ( because of the issues of "how" something fits that goes beyond mere size. That is not the same as keeping something you fit into last year or buying something that you intended to fit now but find it doesn't quite fit after all and thinking about the cost: benefits of returns. And it doesn't have to mean the suit is a "gateway suit" to a habit of buying those too-small sizes.

So the point is more about how you feel--do you feel fine and pragmatic--suit might fit so will see, if not will pack up and send back; or do you feel anxious and super-invested in this one suit and determined to make it work and start buying things to go with suit-that-does-not-yet fit so you'll be distracted from your main goal of health and finding fun new clothes all along the way?

In this situation I might project my feelings onto you, but that might not be what you will experience. But all of the points expressed might help you see shat resonates the most.

Dianthus's is an awesome idea!

The suit is all boxed up and ready to ship out. Although I will lose $50 in the return, I will lose more if I keep it and end up never wearing it.

Unfrumped - just to clarify, I didn't buy the suit deliberately too small so that I could fit into it later. I bought the suit with every intention to wear it now it just didn't happen to fit.

Dianthus - LOVE your idea and I'm actually going to build on it. When I get my credit back I am going to add to it every payday as a reward to myself for my hard work. When I finally reach the size/shape/weight I'm content with, I will buy myself something fab!

Shannon, that's what I meant--you bought it for you now, and so that's different even though subtle, because it represents a different pattern of thinking re: what to do with it after the fact. I was nattering on about different types of dilemmas that one might find oneself in.

Anyway, congratulations on your plan, and I think it will serve you very well!

Oh my--I'm just now reading this thread. I bought that jacket last fall in Chicago. I don't wear "suits," but do wear lots of jackets. I bought it at Dillard's.

I wore it once. On that trip I gained some weight, then gained some more, and then over the holidays . . . I do have the knowledge that once I settle down into my normal eating habits the jacket will fit me again, along with most of my jeans. It is a good jacket--classic but just a little bit different. I can understand why you are reluctant to give it up.

I know it's important to keep motivated while losing weight. You should feel proud at how well you are doing. No wise advice here, just commiseration.

Ouch. That is an expensive return.

Shannon I'm late to this but I agree return it for all the reasons already mentioned. I think sometimes we allow ourselves to think that there will NEVER be another item like this! I must have it...but you know there is always something new and exciting out there. Like you, I'm learning to walk away if something is not perfect.