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Weight loss and clothes

Sally

Veteran

I've lost 10 kilos since Christmas and have another 9 or so to go according to weight watchers . At the moment my old clothes still fit me but if I lose another 9 they won't.
Has anyone ever been in this situation? Did you alter your clothes or did you wait till you had lost all the weight and go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. I suppose in a way its exciting being able to change my whole look but it seems a waste when I have new clothes but I'm sure all this exercise and new habits are good for me and a better investment after all.
Included a photo taken at new year with a photo taken today in the same dress.

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Momo

Astrid

Veteran

You look great! Congratulations. I have lost around 12 kg in 2014. I'm not tall, so that meant two to three sizes difference in pants! I think you can easily wear one size too big with a belt which I did, but any bigger than that and I felt terribly ill dressed and self-conscious. I still wear some of the tops I had, but then I like slouchy and oversized on top. I had a few skirts altered, which was fairly easy and inexpensive. Otherwise I just bought new. My mum did weight watchers last year for health reasons and lost a lot of weight. She's back in a size 36/38 from a size 44/46. The last time she had that weight I was a little child, so she had no clothes to fall back on. She bought everything new - a few pieces while she was losing weight to be decently dressed at work and more now that the weight is stable.

Aquamarine

Veteran

It's a good problem to have. Congratulations...you look great!

It depends on the item and where you carry your weight. Some things will still look ok 10-15 lbs. in either direction, while others will not. In general, things like jeans will need to be replaced, but maybe not some sweaters. So perhaps you can slowly add new items while wearing some older ones until you feel you are at a stable weight.

For example, I am an IT so my shoulder fit rarely changes. Looser, relaxed tops fit just fine at a variety of weights. But even 5 lbs up or down will wreak havoc on the bottom half of my wardrobe.

Helen11

Veteran

Way to go, Sally! I bet you feel different at 10kg less.
No real advice about clothes, except that it might feel good to have a mini capsule that fits well now. Maybe like packing for a holiday!
Congratulations. You look great!

Liz

Veteran

I think Astrid has the right distinction -- there's a line where a garment goes from OK to "ill dressed and self conscious." You'll probably feel you've crossed that line one day when you're wearing an item, and know it's time to retire it and get a replacement.

For me, that's usually pants before tops. I'd get a small number of replacement items to see me through, and then plan on a larger refresh when I hit my goal weight.

Anonymous

I love you in that dress! Well done on the weight loss. I went out and bought a whole new wardrobe. It was tons of fun, but a mistake in hindsight. Now all my clothes belong to the same era (4 yrs ago), and I feel I can't justify buying more up to date stuff. Plus, I gained almost 10 lbs over the winter and didn't keep anything that might accommodate that, so now I'm out buying replacements for the replacements, ack! My advice, just like weigh loss, is to take it slow and steady.

Murph11

Veteran

Cheers to you, Sally, on your success! Don't you feel empowered?! (I took off 30+ lbs following WW seven years ago, and still weigh in EVERY first Thursday as a lifetime member.) During my weight loss, I bought a new, economical pair of jeans at each 10 lb point, and that worked for me -- as a reward and for good fit. That said, I work from home and don't require a vast wardrobe.

Some goal weight shopping advice: Don't purchase a whole new wardrobe right away. Dressing a new body is a process, and just because something fits doesn't mean you should take it home. I went a little nuts

Keep up the good work!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Congrats! You look terrific.

Having been through this process I would echo what others said. I am lucky enough to work from home so I didn't need a huge wardrobe. I simply bought a few pieces to "tide me through" and luckily I had some other items that were stretchy.

At the end, I went a little crazy but since I had a small budget it was all from consignment/ thrift until I figured out my new style and how to dress my new body. .It was a fun adventure and I wish you well!!

Marilyn

Veteran

Congratulations. You look great!

I'm going through the same thing at the moment. I've lost 6 lbs since January.....thank you, Fitbit! (that's about one size on petite me). I've been replacing jeans and pants. Luckily I sew so I can alter the skirts and dresses I still want to wear. My tops and toppers are a bit looser through the bust but they still work....whew!

I wouldn't go crazy buying new things until you have settled into your new weight. But definitely pick up what you need to tide you over....it's important to feel fab and a good motivator to keep up your healthy habits.

karen13

Veteran

Sale - That is amazing - you look great! I know how hard it is. I'm in a similar situation, although less dramatic. I'm down 2-3 dress sizes (myfitnesspal is working for me) and my shape is changing. I'm going on a cruise with my extended family in 3 weeks and I am deeply stressed about clothing, as I was 20+ lbs heavier the last time I went tropical.

I second the idea of going to a consignment store. I bought 3 pairs of jeans and a top last November after losing 10 lbs and they are all now too large - I'm happy I didn't pay full retail. But I encourage you to buy a few things that show off your hard work! For me it was a pair of yoga pants and some premium denim - too big now, but they marked a milestone for me.

I am about to pull out the sewing machine and see if I can alter a couple of dresses to fit me for the cruise. I shopped for hours yesterday and found nothing I loved, so rather than overspend on items I'm justsettling for, I hope I can take a few things in. It doesn't work with everything.

Part of my problem is my shape has changed quite a bit. I think I need to pull out the camera and post pics for advice about body type before I spend another fruitless day in the stores.

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm not the best at following "take it slow" advice, but that sounds good.
I think you should get a few things along the way because it will just be necessary, and it will help keep up momentum and good mood to keep going.
The main reason I see not to go too crazy is not just size, but the actual styles and types of things you like best to wear may shift as well.
So, don't go too "deep"--meaning, do the capsule of a good-fitting pair of pants or 2, or couple of skirts, dress-take advantage of the huge range of acceptable fits in tops for "slouchy" being okay for awhile so you probably can keep more variety there--but don't duplicate a lot of items. Repeat wears of really good-fitting items and then you will feel free to add new pieces every couple of months if , say, pants fit keeps changing..
Here's where you can accessorize! Bags, scarves and jewelry always fit!

karen13

Veteran

Oh, and definitely invest in a few new undergarments. Just 10lbs dropped me a band and cup size in bras. You can't look good if your bra doesn't fit. I'm trying to wait to buy more bras until I settle into a new weight for a while, as the ones I bought in November are already a bit loose. But you have to have at least one or two well fitting bras.

Make sure anything you buy is on the largest hook. They will stretch a bit and you need to be able to tighten.

rachylou

Veteran

Quite a difference (!) The dress, tho, is great in both pics. I lost a lot of weight very fast (long story). I needed a whole new wardrobe, but these things take time to build. The first thing I needed was a few items to go shopping IN - cheap, quick and dirty - for a week's worth of get by clothes. Then I dug in for the long haul of rebuilding.

Sally

Veteran

Thanks everyone for your advice. Heaps of good ideas there.

Astrid You are are right about the line when things look too big. I think I can get away with loose tops but some jeans are already feeling too big. I've mainly lost weight off my legs and waist anyway. great that your mum had success with weight watchers too.

Aquamarine - yes like you I haven't lost much weight on my upper body so my tops are still ok and I can still wear my jackets. I don't have big shoulders but haven't lost much weight off my bust.

Helen - I like the idea of a capsule for now like going away on holiday. I"m actually planning on building a gear/casual capsule and a work capsule

Liz yes I have reached the point where I will need to give away some of my jeans as they are past that point. I think I should organize a clothes swap

Aliona - Thanks for sharing your story...yeah sometimes buying before your weight stabilises is a bad idea. I lost a lot of weight before after my baby. Then due to a number of events put it on again so had to get a brand new wardrobe. Now I'm losing it again, I feel I should just buy for the short term.

Murph11 congratualations on your weightloss. I do think weightwatchers is great and I do feel empowered because as well as feeling better, I've developed skills to help me maintain the weight loss. I think I will take the new wardrobe development slow and really think about it.

Suz- yes it is a good idea to go to consignment stores/thrift shops. My weight watch coach told me to buy my jeans in a thrift shop until I stabilize my weight.

Marilyn congratulations on your weightloss. Yes I am buying a few motivators...jeans in a new size do the trick.

Karen11. congratulations. do put pictures up of your new shape for advice. I find my shape has changed since I lost weight last time...this time I haven't lost much off my bust at all. It does mean my tops and dresses still fit. great advice about the undergarments....I really need to go and buy a sports bra that fits properly and it is something I will do this weekend. I have found my under pants have loose too and its a bit worrying when you think they might fall down.

unfrumped - I do like your advice about not going too deep. I think I need to take stock of my new shape when I have arrived there and decide how I really want to dress. I already feel my style is changing with a new shape.

Rachylou...that would be a difficult situation to be in where you had nothing to wear to shop. Your right a wardrobe does take time to build.

Tanya

Veteran

Congrats on the weight loss, you look terrific!

I echo what others have said. I build a small capsule of bottoms that you love and that fit you now. Depending on your life style, maybe 1-2 pairs of jeans, 1 pair of pants and a skirt . Wrap dresses/tops are also good because they are fairly adjustable.

Glory

Veteran

You have some wonderful advice here so just popping in to say congrats and you look terrific!

Sal

Veteran

Well done! No particular advice but you look terrific.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Congratulations Sally. That's a significant weight loss.

Everything everyone said is true. The 2 key items for looking good are pants and bras. And underwear- buy some now - I'd never want to worry about them falling off.
Mix and match clothes for a week, or less if you do laundry more often. Scarves work now and at any weight. Replace anything that depresses you. Buy some things that make you happy.

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations!
When I lost weight, at first I had my clothes altered, then when my weight was somewhat stable I started replacing them. I didn't have much money at the time, so this was what worked best then. I was able to slowly replace altered items with new ones.
If you are itching for a change (I know I would) I suggest accessories: you can use your new shoes and bags at the end of the weight loss too.

Kim

Veteran

You could also buy a few nice things in your new size (a mini capsule) and then when *they* are too big donate them to a women's shelter. They will not be heavily worn, and another woman in lesser circumstances will benefit from your healthy lifestyle as well as you. That way you are dressing the body you have right now, and enjoying some pretty things, but with far less guilt about not getting enough use out of these transtional clothes. Congrats on your hard work!

Sally

Veteran

Thanks Tanya, Glory and Sally.

Barbara I will definitely make sure my underwear is fitting. I haven't changed bra size but went and got new underwear.

Chiara - thanks for the great suggestions. I might alter a couple of dresses for winter.

Kim - thats a good idea. I will give my clothes to the women's refuge. I went out today and got a new swimsuit in my new size along with 2 pairs of jeans. They were not expensive but fit really well and I can wear to work because they are dark. Made me feel really good to have jeans that fit.

Momo

Veteran

Congratulations on your weight loss!
I a, hoping to be in your situation soon :-). It does make me think twice about buying things now. I am thinking keeping pants the right size is the most important part. Other things are more forgiving.
But if buying clothes that fit help you spcelebrste your hard work then I say do it! Maybe just less expensive things