Wardrobe building frustration - ETA pants fit photos - YouLookFab Forum

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Wardrobe building frustration - ETA pants fit photos

anchie

Veteran

As you probably already know, since beginning of this year I lost 17kg and reached my target weight and size sometime in September.
But beginning of October I started with Pilates 3 times per week. And now even though my weight didn’t go down much more, I am down one more size. Not sure if it is only from Pilates or maybe my loose skin after weight loss is shrinking back. I was so happy when I reached my target weight and size in September - I bought a lot of new clothes. And I bought the best quality I could afford thinking that I can finally start building my dream wardrobe. I don’t want to even think how much money I spent. Well, this morning I tried all my new pants and they are all too big. Some I think I can save by taking them in, but I don’t want to rush again. Fortunately blazers are little loose but still OK. How long you think I should wait to be sure that my size is finally stable? I don’t want to spend any more money and have any more transitional clothes. At this point I don’t even care what size I am, I just want it to be stable. Last 12 years I was never the same size from one season to another and have been every size from 10-2 US. I had to constantly buy new clothes, and because I couldn’t replace everything at once all the time, I always had to wear some not very well fitting clothes. So much waist and frustration.

I really need some guidance now of how to build and maintain my wardrobe without going broke or insane.

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Latest reply was from Tina

RobinF

Veteran

I wonder if some of them could be taken in but in a way that they can be taken back out if necessary? I would try to make them work until you are pretty sure your weight is stable. You mentioned in your other thread that you aren't trying to lose weight any more so maybe this is a temporary loss?

There is always consignment but I have a hard time finding things to work for me there, you may have better luck. Or just work with a really reduced size wardrobe until you are stable. Pick the best fitting items and make things work around those specific pieces.

To be honest, this has never really been an issue for me. My weight stays pretty stable (higher than I would like unfortunately) and my size doesn't change a whole lot but I can really feel the pain of a new wardrobe that isn't working, very frustrating.

anchie

Veteran

RobinF - you are right, I was not trying to loose more weight, and I even managed to put some of my recently lost weight back by increasing carbs after I got worried about it. But my size still went down.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I don’t know how old you are, but in my experience women put on a few to a lot of pounds around menopause. Or, the weight shifts around. So I guess I would say that constant weight flux is real and it gets hard to predict from year to year what will fit.

Maybe just wait a few months and see where you are at in the spring? I am assuming you are talking about your winter wardrobe, so perhaps by next fall you will have stabilized and can make an informed decision on what to do. I know it stinks to have purchased all these clothes and now have them baggy but I think that’s a better scenario than having them too tight, which for me can make things unwearable.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I would caution against altering everything now while you feel like your weight/size may need some time to stabilize. I’ve made that mistake once and fairly promptly went back up a size...and eventually another after menopause.

anchie

Veteran

Aquamarine - I am 50, but don’t have any menopause symptoms yet, and have checked my hormones recently and they also don’t show any signs. But it will happen sooner or later and I dread another round of weight fluctuations because of it. I have been on too tight end way too often, you are right, now at least I can do something about it, I can alter or wear with the belt, and it doesn’t pinch, but when it is too tight, it is much harder as there are no options.

anchie

Veteran

Janet - I already made mistake by building expensive wardrobe way too soon, and now I am kicking myself. I will try to be patient now and wait as long as possible before making any more purchases or alterations, but not sure how long to wait is realistic?

Helena

Veteran

Anchie, what a frustrating situation for you. I like Robin's idea of asking a tailor if items can be taken in without being cut, so that they can be adjusted if need be. Or, chose a workable number of clothes to alter to keep you going, and leave the rest until things feel more stable.

I know budget, time and energy restrictions are real, but also try not to be too hard on yourself. You do need clothes; this is legitimate and not a mistake! And if your weight is prone to fluctuation, it may be that you need to have a couple of different sizes in the closet. Just take it slow. Good luck. xx

nuancedream

Veteran

Anchie, I echo Janet's recommendation to avoid hasty clothing alterations until your weight stabilizes. Even the most skilled tailors can't take in and later let out clothing items if your weight is still fluctuating. As someone who also practices Pilates two or three times per week, I can cetainly vouch that your body shape can change drastcally with Pilates without a corresponding change on the scale. I'm sorry the wardrobe buliding process has become so frustrating, but please hang in there and don't give up on those lovely purchases from your time in Seattle.

Runcarla

Veteran

Toban wrote one of the best posts on wardrobe management during weight loss. In her case it was a deliberate and managed weight loss program.

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ransitions

If you fluctuate a lot between sizes (as you say you have) you may have to manage your wardrobe accordingly. Rather than constantly discarding what doesn’t fit, and have a couple of capsules for different sizes.

anchie

Veteran

torontogirl and runcarla - I still have essential capsules in sizes 10-6, but I am tired of keeping and maintaining all this different capsules, I just want my weight to be finally stable. Unfortunately this also doesn’t help me since 4 is now too big, and 2 is a completely new size for me, don’t have anything in that size and I don’t want to invest in that size too. Unless I am really sure that this is my new size - but how to know? Is there maybe some guideline like 6 months without changes to be sure it is stable? I haven’t been stable for 6 months since my daughter was born 12 years ago

anchie

Veteran

nuancedream - I was disappointed at first that I didn’t find pants while in Seattle, I only got one pair, but I am happy for it now. Most of my Seattle purchases are still great, issue is with pants that I bought here before and after my trip.

anchie

Veteran

My smallest pants - picture taken this morning while desperately trying to get dressed. They were cropped before

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

Anchie, those don’t look bad to me. There is ease in the fit, but they don’t look like they’re falling off of you. If that helps at all!

anchie

Veteran

Janet - I know it is difficult to tell in the pictures, but I hate when crotch point is about 4 fingers lower then it should be I feel very manly;)
I had to use belt to keep them in place.
Found the picture how they used to fit.

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nemosmom

Veteran

The weight fluctuation and having to maintain multiple size capsules sounds so frustrating, Anchie! I have no advice for you, but wanted to send hugs your way.

Dana

(website)

Veteran

Congrats on your weight loss! It is definitely frustrating when clothes are too big or too small. I agree with others that you should wait just a bit.

I'm not sure if this will help but it might give you some food for thought...

The first time I did weight watchers, I lost a bunch of weight and got down to somewhere between a 2 and 4. I bought a few things but not a lot. (That was 2002, so it's hard to remember.) I decided that I was sick of counting points and didn't see myself doing it for the rest of my life.

My life didn't change for the better and I decided it was too hard to stay at the really low weight (I like eating, not depriving!) ) Especially because ww doesn't teach you how to maintain your weight, I gained and went up and down.

I got sick of clothes being too big or small, so I chose a weight I feel great at and stick to about 2 pound on either side. I know my clothes fit me at this weight. Sure, I'd like to weigh less, but I know at this point I'd just lose it in my butt...not where I need to.

Hard as it may be, be patient! You should be proud...and you look fab!!

anchie

Veteran

nemosmom - thanks, you are lucky that you don’t have this experience

Dana - I am so with you on being sick of clothes being too big or too small. I also don’t want to maintain impossible low weight for me - I would rather be somewhere 4-6 but stable. I just don’t know what stable is, how to get there and how to maintain it.

Runcarla

Veteran

It doesn’t sound like a clothes/wardrobe issue if the weight fluctuations have been going on for 10+/- years and no shopping strategy is going to help. Sorry for the hard truth.

karen13

Veteran

Anchie, such a bummer to have successfully meeting a challenge turn into a stressor! FWIW I worked hard to drop from a size 10 to a 2/4 and then also continued to drop sizes. I have found that at my current shape it only takes a few pounds for the fit to be off. And I tend to gain quickly when I travel, so I have been fluctuating up and down over 3 sizes for a couple of years. I don’t have a solution, but just wanted to commiserate.

anchie

Veteran

Runcarla - I don’t mind hard truth. I don’t know what the issue is. I used to be fairly thin until I had my daughter when I put on lot of weight during the pregnancy. I was 38 and my weight just didn’t come off as it did with my son that I had at 28. I had hard time accepting my new body and being trying to lose weight ever since. I tried lot of different strict diets and managed to lose weight temporarily few times, almost every other year. But unfortunately those diets where not sustainable in the long run and whenever I would stop dieting my weight would go back and some more. This time I am very optimistic, because I am not on diet, but changed some bad habits like alcohol consumption. But because of my past, I can’t relax and I don’t trust myself.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This sounds so frustrating, Anchie. If you can, just try to wait for a few months. I am wondering if wearing skirts and/or knit items would be easier than pants right now, until things have stabilized -- or really anything with a cut that doesn't depend on close tailoring to look good. At least on the bottom.

anchie

Veteran

Suz - this is great idea. Skirts have saved me last summer when I was in transition, I didn’t have to buy lot of things. Pants are the worst. Even jeans are easier because they have more stretch.

anchie

Veteran

karen13 - thanks so much for commiserating with me. Good to know I am not alone. Yes, it seems that smaller the size is, less weight fluctuations is needed for size to be off.

slim cat

Veteran

I would consider altering just couple of pants that you want to wear now in this season and no more. I've had some weight gain/lost and know that deep disappointment when nothing is great on me. I agree with @Suz on skirts and maybe casual camo pants with elastic as something for weekend to add some fun.
I'm sorry to hear you are feeling down and hope things will change. It can be stress that you mentioned before as a partial reason for loosing extra weight.

nemosmom

Veteran

Oh I have experienced weight fluctuations, but sadly my solutions are not elegant or fashionable at all. I've relied on hair ties through my button holes to hold my pants closed and long tunic tops to hide my wide open fly when I gained weight in the middle. I sewed button elastic in my pants (like they have in toddler pants) when my pants got too big. I was working full-time while putting myself through school, so I didn't have the means to replace clothes very often.

Penta Angel 2 Colors Elastic Sewing Bands 11 Yards 3/4 Inch Flatback Black and White Sewing Bands Spool with Buttonhole, Knit Stretch Cord Belt with 10Pcs 18mm Black Resin Button (3/4")

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Toban

Veteran

No answers really, but this is why I was slow to rebuild my wardrobe. It is still small. My size and shape still fluctuates around my goal weight. Not surprised pilates changed your shape without changing the scale. The more swimming and core work I do, the narrower my waist (and broader my shoulders... I went up a bra band size!). I find pants the hardest and least resilient to those changes. I’m the least happy with my pants situation right now, though jeans are in a good spot. Because I expect these changes to continue with my triathlon training I keep a small wardrobe and make sure I have what I need for the near future but don’t stress about long term. I buy a small number of quality items that I wear the heck out of, but may only get one season from. And dresses and skirts are work horses in my life.

Thanks, Runcarla, for your nice words about my wardrobe transition post. I am glad that it remains useful.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Anchie, I was in your position when my Mum got sick and died 20 years ago. The weight fell off me in 12 weeks due to extreme stress, and took a long time to put back on. I was down to 93 pounds and looked very unhealthy because I'm 5ft 6. Gradually I added back on the weight, and have fortunately been relatively stable ever-since.

Have you investigated a weight gain diet? I did. I added more carbs for starters. And protein drinks. I think your weight will settle back to wear it was a few months ago in Seattle, so don't be too hasty to alter items.

Unfortunately, pants are not that forgiving with weight fluctuations. Jeans, skirts and flared dresses are MUCH more forgiving.

If your bottoms have belt loops - wear an invisible belt.

anchie

Veteran

nemosmom - I used those tricks in first few months of pregnancies.
slimcat - I am thankfully over the hump as my health issue are improving.
Toban - I may just have to accept that only thing that is stable is the change. I want to continue working on my health goals next year and that can cause more changes. Maybe a small capsule is the way to go.
Angie - I did add more carbs and enjoyed few pizzas and my weight is now sam as when I was in Seattle. But for some reason, I am size smaller now. See my poor Seattle pants

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rachylou

Veteran

Pants are really truly wretched that way. The pants I’ve liked to wear most all have a good dose of spandex: ugly truth. I don’t miss working in an office, which meant proper trousers most of the time because it was always too cold for skirts.

Also: if I drop weight, I run out and eat a couple of McDonald’s breakfasts. I lose and gain weight eating/cutting fat. Adjusting carbs seems to have zero effect for me.

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