Weight Loss & Clothes - How do I make the most of what I already own?

Isis

I think you need new clothes. Can you consign or ebay the size 18's? If you are only temporarily a size 12, tailoring will be expensive and that is a large size difference to tailor and have it look great. Perhaps you could try to thrift a size 12 wardrobe so that you have clothes that fit you now. Buying a few things at Target in your current size might also be a good idea.

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Congrats and welcome!!

Your goal is ALWAYS to dress the body that you have right now. Start with a bra fitting and underwear. Head off to Nordies!

Keep the closet inventory tight as you loose more weight, but you must find items that fit well along the way. Otherwise - what is the point of the journey?

I wouldn't spend money on alterations with this amount of weight loss. It's risky and expensive. Buying clothes that fit on sale in the US will be cheaper.

Select your favourite pieces from your larger size days - and pop them into a holding zone. Don't select too much though because there is no sense in that either. New body, new clothes! Pass on your stuff to someone who can really use the items. That in of itself is a great feeling.

Others will chime in too, but this is how I go about things with clients who are on a weight loss journey.

Again, congrats and well done!

13 years ago

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Hi Tanveer! Lovely to see you here!

Well if your clothes are Indian like kurtis, I'm sure they can be taken in the sides. As for saris, all you need are new blouses. As for western clothes, I do think Angie has a point. Look for sales and deals and pick up some well fitting stuff, it will really help you enjoy your newfound weight loss

13 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I too have been on a weight loss journey and I agree that dressing the body you have is important. Just have fun all along the way and celebrate as you go down in sizes.
I will say that when going down only two sized I was able to shrink some sweaters and jeans jackets by washing then in hot water and drying them on high. I don't know what your style is but skirts and dresses last longer and be belted. However, right now slouchy is in so some pants may work a little longer but not more than 2 sixes. I shopped a lot of thrift stores for everything except pants . Good luck on your continued journey!

13 years ago

lamireille

Active Member

I would suggest investing more in knits with some stretch than in clothes made from woven fabric. This occurred to me because I'm sitting here wearing a long cardigan over a pair of NYDJ leggings that are super comfy and would probably be very comfortable if my weight were to change by 10 pounds in either direction.

Until you reach your eventual final weight, you might have more fun varying your look with accessories than with buying a bunch of clothes that you won't be in for long--and of course they'll still be useful once you've reached your goal!

Have fun!

13 years ago

moira

Veteran

I would agree that catching some great sales for a few new basics and thrifting is the way to go.
I just bought 3 pairs of skinny jeans from Macy's for $42, inc. shipping and tax. AT is having some great sales as well.
Allot yourself, say, $100 for each time you go down a size. Shirts and sweaters should take you through more weight loss then slacks will, but some pants may be allocated to slouchy or BF status as you continue to lose weight.
Congratulations on the weight loss and welcome.

13 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

One thing I did while losing weight was making sure I washed new items on cold and hanging them to dry. Then when I lost a bit more and the things felt loose, I would wash and dry them on hot and suddenly they would fit better. Obviously don't try that with wool unless you want to pass your things on to a small child.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Congratulations on you weight loss! I first came here a few years ago with those same questions while losing weight. Besides a couple of bras that fit and underwear, I tried to have a pair of jeans, a pair of trousers, a blazer, a denim skirt and a plain sheath dress that fit. I could usually find those things at good thrift stores. Belts are your friends for cinching in tops. I crisscrossed my too big cardigans and even some jackets like a wrap top and belted over them.
Alterations are not worth it over a size or two. Good luck and let us help you along the way. Go slowly because everything you try will start looking good to you and to others.
It's a good idea to start now to think about what styles you like.

13 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

The ideas about knits are great. A cardigan can start off fitting snugly as a top, then when looser, layer over a shirt or wear open over a T or belt it. Same for simple V necks. Move between the fitted look and the.volume look whenever the clothing item will allow that and make it look intentional. Put more time and money into finding up a good- fitting pair of trousers and/ or skirt for the changes you go through though you may wear .more forgiving knits more of the time.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations on your weight loss!

I found YLF after having lost a significant amount of weight and needing to learn to dress my new body.

Angie's advice is terrific, as always, and the others have also given good pointers.

I work from home so for about six months, while I was losing the weight, I rarely wore anything but yoga pants (no joke!!) I realize that's not terribly helpful. I did buy an "interim" pair of jeans to wear when I was about mid-way through the process.

Still, even after I had lost all the weight I wanted to lose, I confined myself to thrift store and consignment purchases for a few months until I started figuring out my style direction. I didn't want to invest a lot in clothes I might not want to wear later on. Now I am starting to buy (mostly) higher quality items.

I did, however, say good bye to most of my former clothes. I had a couple of beloved dresses altered to fit...but you know what? I really haven't worn them this way. They just aren't the same. Don't look as nice on me as they used to look. It is time for new, fresh things.

13 years ago

dizzys

Active Member

I know how you feel. I have gone from a 20-22 to a 10 and am hoping for another 15 pounds to get to an 8. I have lived in Goodwill and on clearance racks for the last 15 months. It is actually kind of liberating. I have been able to use the time to more clearly define my style and find out what I like. Get your self a bra fitting and get rid of the old clothing. Consign it and buy your self some better fitting duds. it will make you feel better.

I am out of my 12's now and am in the market for a few new clothing items. I am thinking about a small SAHM casual capsule and have a very minimal wardrobe for now of things that I really like.

Good luck!

13 years ago

T

Active Member

Thank you all for such helpful suggestions!

@Isis: Thank you for your suggestions. I agree. The more I think, tailoring for a temporary size doesn't make sense. I guess I cld pass on my old clothes to others or to an orphanage.

@Angie: Thank you for the warm welcome! My inner wear does need an update. You are right about finding clothes that look good along the way. It is such a thrill to fit into relatively smaller clothes. It is sale time in India too in the local shops as well as Zara & all.

@Kirti: Hey! You are here too!! So awesome! I've been lurking on the blog & forum here since the last 6-8 months. Kurtis & Salwar Kameezes I plan to get re-tailored once I'm my final weight. I'm re-discovering saris now for the wedding season - like you said just the blouse needs to get done again. I do plan to check out some sales over the weekend. When i was bigger I kinda tended to buy looser fit clothes or bigger. It has become such a habit that I get scared to buy clothes that fit well.

@Tracey: Thank you! The hot water idea is very good as I do have some denim shirts & jackets. I'm a trousers & jeans girl because I always felt my legs look big prior to weight loss. But I have been reading YLF for the last 6-8 months and have incorporated some dresses & skirts. I still have to mentally condition myself before wearing one though.

@Iamireille: That's a good idea! Thanks! Accessorize is on sale now in India, I could pick up some cute stuff

@Moira: That's very helpful, you know, allotting a certain budget for each size. That way I can control spending & at the same time not feel like I'm being drowned in clothes. Thank you!

@qfbrenda: I never thought about this.. I kinda tend to wash all my clothes on cold. But there are some tops whose wear I could extend by shrinking them a bit. Thanks!!

@Joy: Thank you! That is a good list to go on for basics. You mentioned that everything will start to look good - and that's so true, and good advice to go slow. Because I can finally try clothes in normal shops, and I'm wearing styles & clothes I never dared to try earlier. I really do need to figure out what my style is, considering I spent the last 6 yrs of my twenties trying to hide behind voluminous clothes.

@Unfrumped: That's a good thought! I've had my eye on a cream colored cardigan - but that fits a bit snugly right now and could work as a top.

@Suz: Thank you!! And congrats to you too! That is a good suggestion to buy thrift or lower end brands till I figure out my style, because to be honest I have no idea what my style is. And I kinda get what you mean about the re-fitted clothes. I have been thinking through what you said & to me, those clothes might represent something I was and seem jaded as a result.

13 years ago

T

Active Member

@dstalksalot: Congrats!! It is so liberating to be able to try styles & fits I had kept myself away from because I was convinced they wld look terrible on me. But as a result I do feel confused at times, and it might be a good idea like you suggest to first experiment with more economical clothing.

13 years ago

Hil

(website)

Veteran

Hi Tanveer - Welcome! I am also quite new here, and I am also in the middle of a weight loss journey. I am down about 26kgs and I still want to lose some more weight. Lots of tips here that I have picked up... what an exciting journey we are on!

I have to say that I am loving clearing ouit my closet as things no longer fit me, and passing them on to others. I have a friend who is also losing weight although she was always a little larger than me, so I have passed on quite a bit to her. I am also just trying to buy basics and essentials where possible because I don't want to spend a fortune on clothes now that I wont wear in a few months. But at the same time, I feel like it's really important to look good while on the journey, otherwise you lose the motivation to continue if you constantly see yourself in big baggy clothing.

Good luck! x

13 years ago

jamesparker

(website)

Active Member

Congratulation for loosing weight ! ! !
As per my opinion you should go to boutique and modify your clothes.

13 years ago

T

Active Member

Dear All! Thank you so much for all the lovely suggestions. Just thought I would round up things here by providing an update.

I am now a size 8!

I used a lot of the wonderful suggestions provided here, and did make my clothes go the bit extra mile

1. A loose straight fit jeans is now my version of the boyfriend jeans

2. Dresses when worn with a elasticated belt helped me through multiple size changes.

3. I passed on a lot of clothes, especially Indian tunics to my mom who wears them now.

4. I do have a small collection of clothes from at my biggest. I have stowed them away for a rainy day.

5. I haven't been size 18 always. I was a size 10 before I put on weight. I still had clothes from my college days, but they didn't really turn out to be useful as they felt very dated and not fun to wear. Also my body shape has changed. Earlier I was a pear with heavy hips & things. Now I'm an hourglass, so some of the clothes didn't fit very well - especially jeans! So I gave away a lot of these clothes as well.

6. Talking of jeans & office pants, this was an area I always ensured I had pairs that fit me well. I like skinny jeans & pants for office. Wearing loose / comfy pant styles is just not me and makes me feel frumpy! So I looked out for sales in low end brands and kept my wardrobe minimal but very updated to my size here. I also always bought pants / jeans that were just a wee bit fitted or with a bit of lyrca for better fits.

7. Believe it or not, I even lost a shoe size! Who knew I could get fat feet? Other than extend the wear of some closed shoes with thick socks there is little I could do here than give away the shoes to an orphanage.

The change in my body shape has left me grappling a little bit. While I'm overall rather pleased to be hourglass rather than pear (just a personal preference) it has meant that certain preconceived notions of style are no longer applicable. As a pear I used to avoid pencil skirts & preferred skirts with flare. Now I can't get enough of pencil skirts. I'm also a lot more comfortable wearing belts and tucking in tops. In terms of style I still haven't been able to define it completely, as I am still in awe that I can walk into regular stores for clothes & styles, but I have noticed that I love wearing jackets & blazers!

Thank you all for the support!

12 years ago

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

First, CONGRATULATIONS!! Your journey sounds like an amazing one.

I can relate to all of this. I've gone from an 16/18 to an 8/10 this year. I had to buy smaller tops almost immediately, but I knew the new size would last all along. I had bins of jeans, pants, and shorts in 12s and 14s so I was able to make do. Once those got too big, about a month ago, I started shopping, but kept prices down, $30 or much less. Yesterday was my first splurge in my new size range, and I'm still not sure I did the right thing given that this new size and shape is still so new. Maybe I would be better off shopping the clearance sales a bit longer.

I especially relate to pear morphing into hourglass. I'm still a pear for sure, but so much less than I used to be. It's strange trying to reprogram my brain between what I think in my head vs what I see in the mirror. And as for fitting into regular clothes...I cry sometimes in the dressing room! I still can't believe it.

But again, congrats!!!

12 years ago

vibgyor004

Active Member

Congratulations Tanveer...it's a big achievement! Just went through the entire thread and read about your weight loss journey to reach your target weight! Enjoy your new hourglass body and stay stylish!

12 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

Congrats Tanveer! I have to agree with everyone has said above. It don't know if it would be worth tailoring. Besides Goodwill and second-hand stores, have you tried looking at a couple of online stores like liketwice.com and thredup.com? I've bought nice clothes from them and depending on the age and brands of your things, they may be willing to buy them. If you're interested, I can send you my invites so you get $10 your first purchase at each store.

Again, congrats on your weight loss!

12 years ago

Von

Veteran

I would like to add, buy a wrap dress in a great fabric, you would be surprised how many sizes you can make a wrap dress last through! I have one that I bought from Target (of all places, I swear it was a fabric FLUKE!), but I had it when I was an 18, and at a 12 now, it's still my go-to dress. If wraps don't fit your body type, find something equally as versatile.

I've worn that dress in spring, summer, fall, winter, with sweaters over it, cardigans over it, boots, heels, blazers...you name it, it's a great foundation piece. Ann Taylor occassionally has the perfect wrap fabric (medium weight with enough drape to skim everything), as does Lands End (you must test in store, their sizing is often way large), and Banana Republic (crazy overpriced, but on sale off season, you can catch one under $30).

Also, use belts to hide extra fabric or to change the look of clothes that may be slightly big on you as you shrink. When you start looking frumpy in your tops, it's time to let them go. Don't be afraid to make the perm move to a smaller size. Best of luck in your weight loss journey!

12 years ago

rute

Veteran

I have lost some weight 2 years ago and my advice is to give away or sell on ebay the old clothes (this was an advice given to me on ylf), than you buy a fab capsule wardrobe (to start). This way you feel the need to mantain the weight. I can say it worked with me.
Tailors are expensive and in some cases the clothes never seem to fit well.

12 years ago

T

Active Member

Hi All!

Just reporting to let you all know that I have now dropped
down to a size 2/4 (depending on brand)! It has been a roller-coaster journey.
Initially I even refused to try on a size Small / 2 / 4 convinced there is no
way it could fit me.

Some days I feel amazed to slip into clothes that size,
other days I continue to feel fat (left over emotions from being fat almost all
my life). I struggle when wearing clothes – wanting to wear a Body Con fit to
show off my figure & at the same time feeling very conscious about getting
attention for my body. I have always been ashamed of my body and it feels wrong
to get attention for it now. I always have tried to hide it under looser fits.

@Pastrygirl! Thank you so much & Congrats to you as
well!

Isn't it a wonderful yet scary journey to wear clothes so
much smaller! I totally relate to your feelings of being unsure after shopping!
I feel the same way – caught between a fear of “What if I put on weight again
& this pretty dress doesn’t fit me?” to “What if I lose more weight &
this looks frumpy?”

Coupled with the fact that one wants to show off their new
figure in pretty clothes by meeting friends & attending parties – it can be
very frustrating!

@vibgyor004 Thank you!

@K: You are a sweetheart for offering to set me with these
sites for new clothing! I really appreciate it! I stay in India though and am
not sure these sites do business here.

@Von: I too do the belt thingie! I use an elasticated big
belt to fit dresses at the waist so that they look less frumpy.

I want to try wrap dresses, but unfortunately we don’t get
them in India. Getting good skirts, jackets & dresses is still a pain, even
though I stay in Mumbai, which is the financial capital of India

@Rute: I agree. I have got some clothes tailored, but I
somehow don’t enjoy wearing them!

I've added a pic of me at my largest and me now

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12 years ago

JayS

Veteran

Congratulations!
You've gotten some great advice here. I totally understand the uncertainty of dressing your new body. My advice to you is go slow. Your body will continue to change and settle for a bit. Also, when shopping try a couple of things you wouldn't normally try on. Shedding those preconceived notions of what works with your body is tough. Try new and different things...you'll be surprised at what you can wear. For the first year after my weight loss, I would just go shopping to try things on..no intentions of buying. Explore! Be daring! And most of all, have fun with fashion!

12 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

Yay for you Tanveer!!! You look fantastic!
I also come from a weight loss journey and I can relate to many of the things you say.
It takes a while to get used to the new you, both for you and for people who know you. Enjoy your new figure, you earned it!
There is always the fear of going back but if you remain vigilant and aware of what can give you trouble you can handle it and not let it set you back.
That's what weight maintenance is all about.
Keep on doing healthy things for yourself and all the best for your weight maintenance journey.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Congratulations! You look wonderful. I second the advice to go slowly. You will find that everything looks good on your new body, so need to experiment a bit yet keep focused on what makes you really look your best. I Lund that I did best shopping alone because friends and family liked and wanted me to buy too many things.

12 years ago

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