Need to shop! Suggestions?

MsMary

I am losing weight and am going to have to some shopping because even my smallest clothes are starting to get noticeably too big. I don't want to spend a lot of money because I'm 35 pounds down but have 25 pounds to go. I'm going to hit the consignment store after work today to look for as few pieces as possible to carry me through the next few months.

I've seen mention on here of wardrobe "capsules" and it's intriguing but I'm not sure I totally know what it means -- anybody care to enlighten me? Any suggestions for workhorse pieces I should be looking for? I need to dress up for work -- anything from business formal to business casual-but-not-too-casual is appropriate. And on the weekends I like to look put-together.

Help me out here, ladies!

15 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Congrats on your weight loss!
I'm a big believer in capsules, and I've also dealt with weight loss (64 pounds), so maybe I can help.

A casual weekend capsule would be pretty easy to do, I think. I would probably look for jeans first. I'd probably get two different pair- either one for flats and one for heels, or two different styles (bootcut and skinny, etc). Think about what footwear you already have (unless you're needing to replace that, too) as you're shopping. Add some tops that would go with the jeans and footwear (maybe a jacket), and you have a capsule wardrobe for casual weekends. You could also go the tunic/leggings route- or ponte knit pants for cold weather.

A workwear capsule might be a bit trickier. I'd start with basics- maybe a suit that can be broken up. Again- take current footwear into consideration. If you did a skirt suit and a pants suit, then a couple of blouses/dress that all coordinate you will have lots of options without looking liek you're wearing the same thing every day.

Hope that helps!

15 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

That helps a lot, chewy (may I call you chewy?)! Congrats on your big weight loss!!

One thing I have is plenty of footwear -- I did a giant shoe-shop a month or two ago so I'm pretty well good to go there.

Yes, I was thinking I would start with some skinny jeans (and excuse me while I faint dead away from amazement that I am even considering such a thing!) and another pair of jeans for higher heels. Any suggestions about styles of tops?

Workwear is actually easier for me -- I've been a lawyer for 22 years so one thing I know how to do is dress for the office! I like to do non-matching skirts/pants and jackets so I will keep an eye out for suits that can be broken up as well as separates. I really need to find some more interesting blouses than the plain knit tops I've been wearing all summer.

Thanks for the help! Keep those suggestions coming!

15 years ago

Veteran

Have you thought about dresses? Get a neutral sheath or one in a color that is gorgeous with your skin tone which you can dress up or down depending on the accessories.

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Tunic length tops are a foolproof introduction to skinnies x

15 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

I would recommend the perfect bootcut jeans from Gap that Angie blogged about, as a second pair of jeans that are not skinnies. They come in several washes and lengths, and have a great mid-rise. With a coupon, they would be pretty inexpensive.

Re. business casual, and after seeing some of your looks, I would try talbots.com in their sale and outlet sections for inexpensive yet polished looks. They have lots of skirts (pencils, A-lines) and dresses at deep discounts.

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I love me a tunic top- and you can't go wrong with them over skinny jeans. Look for woven tops, rather than knits- they look more pulled together and camouflage an appley tummy. Floaty tops in more sheer fabrics seem to be popular now- both in prints and solids. Old Navy has some woven tops at lower price points right now, and Loft has more work appropriate tops.

15 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

Right now if you buy 3 prices at Ann Taylor you get 40% off. You might find a few things for work and or casual. Just a thought.

15 years ago

Anonymous

MaryK, congratulations on your weight loss! I also had this problem of continued weight loss and wardrobe. I'd suggest wrap dresses, blouses and tops if you can find them. I can still wear some in larger sizes than I normally wear. A wrap skirt also works. These aren't the style right now, but you may see some on consignment. Really stretchy tops in nylon mesh like Sweet Pea have been good. I used buttondown shirts (inexpensive and abundant at second hand shops) and belted everything for better fit. They also took up more room under a bit-too-big cardi or jacket.
I lost about 40 pounds total. At about that point I even found that my shoe size has changed a half to full size, so be careful about footwear purchases. I salvaged some by using foam inner soles from Target or extra thick wool socks but had to donate a big bag.

15 years ago

Donna

Active Member

Some great suggestions here.

I just wanted to mention that I find straight leg jeans quite versatile. I have some where the leg is about 13 1/2" at the hem and they will work with both flats and heels. With these you might be able to get away with just one pair of new jeans now. Also I find I can wear regular length tops. Tunics have been difficult for me to find to wear with my skinnies.

Congrats on the weight loss!

15 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Huge congratulations on your weight loss, Mary! That's quite an achievement!
The girls have gotten ou off to a great start in terms of basics and places to buy them. I second Joy's suggestion of a wrap-dress. They hide a multitude of weight fluctuations (sins, in my case), and can be rendered suitable for either work or weekend occasions depending on the style.
Another option would be to keep the wardrobe very basic and pour extra cash into accessories like scarves, necklaces, cuffs and bags to keep your look feeling fresh and current. The transformative power of accessories is very surprising!

15 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

So... I went to the consignment store yesterday and had some very good luck. Found a Kaspar pantsuit, black with a lovely teal pinstripe, brand new, fits perfectly. Awesome for work -- can break it up or wear it as a suit. I have a teal blouse already so that will be a nice look.

Also found:

A great pair of skinny-ish jeans (size 4! squee!!) that I love and you all are right -- a slimmer jean makes everything look fresher!

Lovely animal print top from Banana Republic, a tiny bit tight in the bust area but it was $7 so I bought it in anticipation of shrinking into it soon.

Basic Ann Taylor knit top in a beautiful lavendar, great as a suit layering piece.

Black Jones New York coat/dress, just the right length for being brave and trying the dress-over-leggings look. (Now I have to find some leggings!)

Carlisle navy short jacket with nipped waist and stand-up collar -- for $3.50!!

Nanette Lepore red jacket with red lacy detail on the sleeves -- it looked awesome with the dress/belt/shoes I was wearing yesterday. (here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-labor-day)

Fab, fab, fab Anne Klein black/white/gray Chanel-style tweedy jacket, similar to the ones in this thread: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....eed-jacket

Pair of red workout pants with the name of my alma mater embroidered across the, uh, rear. (Almost certainly not Angie-approved, but fun for sitting around the house watching football!)

Necklace with topaz drops and various other beads, goes really well with a pair of my fave earrings.

Total cost: $152.00!! I love the consignment store.

I was inspired and cleaned out my closet and started a "to be consigned/donated" section in the guest room closet, and I am a happy camper.

I am still on the hunt for:

Leggings
Another pair of jeans
A few new bras
A pair of black dress pants for work
A couple more tops

I'm thinking I will hit Nordstrom's Rack and Marshall's today. Maybe Talbots because I have a coupon.

Oh, and I have a DSW rewards coupon and I'm going to hit them and see about finding a killer pair of oxfords for fall casual footwear.

15 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Mary, what a great hawl!! Well done! Be sure to get pictures up for the ladies asap!

15 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

another bonus of slimmer pants, it reminds you all over again that you have great legs and it was worth it!

15 years ago

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