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The tale of two wardrobes

Lynette

After all the great suggestions on conquering wardrobe orphans and doing outfit creation sessions I am on duty to document my wardrobe. First off I am working on a list. I have come to the surprising realization that I actually have two wardrobes, one in a size 6 and one in an 8! All of my adult life I have fluctuated between a 6 and an 8. Right now I am on the heavier side of the 8. (I would like to blame this on COVID-19 but I think ice cream is the actual culprit!) Usually at about this point I get serious and buckle down with a healthy eating plan until I am back in my sixes.
Both wardrobes are small but the size 6 wardrobe is the larger and nicer of the two. Of course some items can cross over but pants and jeans can not. I am seriously lacking these in the size 8 wardrobe. But I am reluctant to keep adding clothes to this wardrobe when I like the other better and would really like to stay at that weight! So the question is, do any of you maintain wardrobes in two sizes? Do you continue to add to both? Does this work out well for you? Or is it better to get rid of clothing that no longer fits even though you tend to go back and forth between sizes?

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

slim cat

Veteran

Well, I have jeans in different sizes and some tops that only work with weight gain. I gave up a few things that were too tight and then was feeling sad when my weight dropped low again.
I'm in favor of keeping things for now ( unless you don't love them anymore ).

rachylou

Veteran

I really used to fluctuate sizes and did once upon a time and felt it was worth it. That doesn’t happen anymore curiously enough.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I don’t have any advice for you, but plenty of commiseration! I keep good pieces across weight fluctuations, sometimes for decades, and I do wear them again. I’ve been wondering lately exactly where I should cut this off.

There was an unhappy period in my life when I put on weight like never before. I had to buy clothes because nothing fit. I hit the clearance racks hard, happily said I was shopping for fat clothes, got stuff I liked and wore it til I shrank out of it. Those items are all gone now. There is one pair of shorts I remember fondly, but I don’t pine for them.

Now I’m sort of in your 6/8 situation, but with one more level. The pants I got when we moved here (“8”s) are too big now. It pains me not to wear them, but the thought of putting the weight back on pains me even more. I want to lose 1 more inch around my waist, and then those REALLY won’t fit. I have some things at that smaller size, but most of my wardrobe is in this middle size (your 6). When I gained weight, I kept things I loved because I had faith in myself that I would eventually take it off (and that things would get better). Now that they fit again, I’m very happy to wear them. Keeping things one size up is a smart way to hedge our bets against gaining, I think. But how far up do we want to keep, and at one point does it turn into a self-fulfilling prophesy (asks the woman who just ate a cookie for breakfast)?

I don’t expect anyone to be able tell me what to do, because this is mostly about how I want to maintain my body, which is beyond the purview of this forum. Just wanted to tell you you’re by no means alone.

N

I always was between a 6 and an 8 too and now i'm sort of on the higher end of 8 just like you, if we are talking US sizes that is. If its UK then between 10-12. I think I hit the sweet spot on the lower end of 12 (US 8), so would get all my new clothes in that size. I'm now on the higher end of 12 and realised the pants were getting a little tighter after Christmas. I weighed myself and low and behold I'd gained like 3.5kg. I'd love to be a 10 but I think maybe my shape changed after giving birth because even when I'm much lighter they still don't seem to fit anymore. I'm on a little bit of a diet this past week to get back to my regular weight though. I just feel my healthiest at BMI of around 20 (currently 20.8), so need to lose around 2.5kg more. Can lose 1-2kg a week so shouldn't take me too long. Then I just need to watch my portion sizes, which usually isn't too problematic in Japan. I just cooked from western cookbooks for Christmas and had way too much food to get through. I also cooked Japanese Osechi for new year celebrations so that was two big meals within 10 days of each other. It was an

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Star

Veteran

I think it is sensible to keep the clothes in the different sizes, especially as you know you fluctuate. From the replies it seems like most of us do. I kept some classic clothes that you were too small for a long time, even emigrated to another country with them, and low and behold after a few years I lost the weight and those clothes fit me now. They all great quality which I would struggle to replicate so I am really glad I did not toss them out. Now I have some that are a size too big in the closet and I have not purged them. Sometimes if I feel a bit bloated or like being really comfy they come out for a wearing.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well now only one size doesn’t seem to make much difference to me. I went steadily up in my 40s from an NZ/UK 10 ( US 6) to 12 ( US 8) and then to 14 (US 10). There is a big difference between a 10 and a 14 but I am also very sentimental and there were some items I just really didn’t want to let go. Eventually though there was no way things would do up! I didn’t think to do like FashIntern and keep stuff from my 20s. ( Had nothing left from my teens). But in the end I am happy that I only kept 2 dresses that I no way fit, and my wedding dress, and 2 skirts.
Interestingly I have lost weight the past 2 years ages 58-60 ( recently turned 60) but only just noticing a bit of looseness now after 6 kg. Perhaps because I wear elastic waists? I am still buying size NZ 14, although now the occasional 12 which may also be called “Medium” instead of “Large”.
I would tend to keep a small selection in the bigger size but edit more easily anything tired, worn out etc in that bigger size? But then you really would want to edit out tired and worn out stuff in either size I suppose. Hmmm- I’m no help! Sorry

Bijou

Veteran

N your food pic's are amazing, Angie will be impressed!

I have clothing in varying fits (usually the same size, but some is more roomy than others to accommodate my normal weight fluctuations) and just like you once the larger stuff gets too tight, it is onto watching my portion sizes and maintaining a vigorous exercise regime. If I disposed of clothing that becomes tight, I would lose some of my favourite pieces, only to want them back later. For me, clothing that is a bit tight is an incentive to train harder and really consider the nutritional value of what I eat. I don't think of it as being on a diet, but rather to prioritise my health and put in some effort to reset my behaviour.

Sometimes we just need to eat the ice-cream and that is absolutely fine too, everything in moderation is my mantra.

N

Oh I totally agree Bijou and I pretty much do the same! I generally eat pretty healthy overall but I will have a burger and fries now and again, same with icecream and chocolate. Of course vegan ones...and yes I feel the same. The clothes getting too tight is the motivation to check my diet a little. That said I know exactly how I got a few extra kg...overboard eating at Xmas and new year and i'd do it again haha. Its only once a year after all, plus we couldn't go back to the UK for Christmas this year.

I will admit I'm not the biggest fan of exercise, especially like gyms and what not. I'll walk every day and I do housework and gardening but no like actual planned heavy exercise. I probably should do more but i'm happier just eating smaller portions if it means like no gym haha.

Glad you like the look of the food. Its all Vegan. I made like everything from scratch apart from the cheese and crackers on the (vegan) cheese board. We dont get things like Christmas pudding, mince for the mince pies, trifle or much in the way of vegan festive meats etc. I made all the Japanese stuff too, aside from the vegan "fish".

RainB

My weight fluctuates a LOT! Apart from major weight gains and losses and gains again, which is it's own story :), I actually even go up almost an entire bra cup size and waist size everytime I pms. And there's nothing worse than too tight clothing when you're anyway not feeling your best imo. Since you fluctuate between these two sizes, it makes sense to keep both, especially jeans and pants.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

N, set another place—I’m coming for dinner! I’ll even do dishes
Seriously, all that looks delicious and I think you and Bijou make excellent points that deprivation isn’t the key—consistency and joy are. We should enjoy our bodies, what we eat, and how we move. I love being able to push up the whole stack of weights on the leg press, and even get a kick out of feeling my metabolism racing for a few days after. Other people say they get a high from running, which is a slog for me. It’s all good—they say the best type of exercise is the one you enjoy and will therefore continue. When I had a garden, I really enjoyed nurturing plants and watching their progress. I bet yours are beautiful and bring you pleasure to work with, look at and maybe also to eat. I’ll stop now, have gone on too long on someone else’s thread anyway. But those food pix are incredible.

Anonymous

My weight has fluctuated a lot since my mid 30's. I have worn everything from a 0 to a 10 in the past 25 years (although the 0-2 and 10's were extremes) , and it's hard emotional work to figure out how to keep a nice wardrobe with so many fit concerns. Right now, I'm the same as you: 6's and 8's. S's and M's. Because I'm too vanity and ego-driven, I buy more when I'm feeling good about myself, and had a problem (now in the past, hopefully) of buying clothes a little on the small side when I was feeling particularly lithe , just because I could get them on. And I've since learned, duh, that just because you can fit into something doesn't mean it fits. Anyways, a 2 -size range is all I'm willing to keep (I don't have endless storage space) and seems to cover my usual fluctuations . And no, I don't add to both - I buy for the body I have at the time.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lynette, this is common with clients. They maintain a wardrobe with a few sizes to accommodate weight fluctuations, especially in fitted and body con bottoms like skinnies. Some just wear the larger size at their lower weight with an invisible belt. No one sees that with an un-tucked top. Or wear the larger size a little roomier.

Fluid fit tops are more forgiving. Fluid skirts, joggers and flared dresses are very forgiving of a size difference too.

Lynette

Thank you all! It sounds like I’m not alone. I do feel reluctant to add to the size 8 wardrobe but I really need some pants as I only have a few in this size. During the pandemic I have been wearing leggings most of the time but it seems that things are starting to open up here in time for spring. (Restaurants and churches may now operate at 25% capacity. Yay!) so I’m excited to get back into “real” clothes.
Lisa- I have done the same thing more often than I want to admit! I’m always so optimistic about how much weight I am about to lose. Lol!

Jenni- a small selection in the bigger size sounds like a good plan.

Bijou- I agree wholeheartedly! Moderation in everything is the key!

N-oh my goodness that food and the way you presented it! Beautiful!

Slimcat, Fashintern, Star, and Rain- sounds like we are all in the same boat! Glad to have some friends in the boat with me.

Angie- I have not tried any of the newer joggers yet. I did wear those back in the day when we just called them sweat pants. They are so much nicer now! That might be a solution while I am at a higher weight. And yes to dresses as a good solution, especially since it looks like spring is right around the corner!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lynette, try Athleta pants and joggers. You might need to size down. And maybe try a more relaxed pair of jeans.

cat2

Veteran

I usually keep my size, one up and one down. My sister and a dear friend and I swap key wardrobe pieces when one of us needs a different size. It’s amazing what the vagaries of life can do; an injury may put you up a size, an illness pull you down. I put the wrong size garments in another closet with my out of season things so I can figure out what I actually have to wear. I would buy half a dozen stretchy dresses or pants so you can get through the pandemic and then assess. Once we are let out of our hamster cages....

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I also keep clothes that work within an approx. 10 lb weight fluctuation, so it does mean my wardrobe has a range.
Currently a small smattering of 6s still fit, but I’m solidly in the larger end of my 8-10 range right now. That is always my sign that it’s time to address my eating habits and get control of my health because I don’t look or feel my best at this point, and I also refuse to start shopping for 12s. If I even try on something in a store and it’s too small in a 10, I put it back and won’t try the size up. It’s that ingrained in me that this is my warning point. I say this with full knowledge that my size is only my size and is not indicative of what is healthy or desirable for someone else’s body. I just know what’s right for me.

For me, size change happens slowly and gradually. So it’s unlikely I will have two distinct wardrobes at any given time. I have a few pieces in my holding zone from the last time I lost weight when I was running half marathons. These are special or timeless pieces though that would be expensive or hard to duplicate now, like a DVF wrap dress.

JAileen

Veteran

I have a lot of clothes that don’t fit me right now. When the pandemic shut down started, we started having an evening cocktail. I enjoyed it, but eventually we had to cut it out. I had a doctor’s appointment in December, and the doctor said half of her patients had gained weight, and half had lost weight. No one had stayed the same.

Lynette

Cat2- swapping with a friend is a brilliant idea!

Janet- that is exactly what I do too. Because we are both short waisted that extra 10 lbs really makes a difference! I also find that when I get up to a higher size there is too much extra fabric for my short waisted self. When I am in a size 6 clothing fits my torso so much better.

Lynette

Jaileen- that is so interesting! I would think that more people have gained weight sitting around at home so much.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I get rid of larger sizes and keep smaller pieces that I like that are in good condition.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I never keep clothing outside my current size. It feels like either a reproach or a license to indulge.

I have sometimes regretted this approach.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I do keep a variety of sizes because a small weight change makes a big difference on me. Sometimes my weight will stay the same but still my clothes fit differently. And even at any point a wide variety of sizes fit me. My boyfriend jeans are 4 sizes smaller than my highest waist jeans. Anyway I prefer to keep out what actually fits and put the alternatives in storage to be checked if and when things change.