Just curious-when did you first go shopping?
I bought one pair of dress pants every size. Then I bought a pair of jeans or shorts so I had one in every other size.
5'4" SW=285 PreOp=-13 (surgery @272#,1/14/14), 2week=-12 (260#), 1M=-20 (252#), 2M=-9.5(242.5#), 3M=-18 (224#), 4 M =-10 (214#), 5 M=-11 (202#) 6 M=-11(190.5), 7M=-7.5 (183), 8 M=-6 lbs (177) 9M=-5 (172) 10M=-7.5 (164.5#)
I already had a lot of skirts and flowy tops that I was able to wear and last for a while, but then tops just started looking.... not good. By the time I was buying new clothes I was several sizes down and went from wearing about a 24 top to being in either an L or XL in normal sizes. I was just pretty much wearing all dresses or skirts and tops because of them being more forgiving. I still have trouble finding dress pants now that fit because my hips are so wide, plus I still have some stomach (on day I'll need plastics), but then my thighs are smaller, so everything that buttons and zips is huge in the butt and legs and looks HORRIBLE!
I actually just bought some cute sweater dresses and leggings and long sleeve tops since i had no winter clothes (I actually got stuff at walmart that was pretty cute, which is amazing since I feel like they used to only have pretty ugly stuff).
I went shopping in my closet at week 4. I went from 18 to 16. Last week (week 6) I was able to get size 14 on. Now the button and loop are not friends, but they made it past my thighs, which has been a show stopping area. From my last big weight loss (65 lbs) I have LOTS of size 14. Now after that, I am in trouble. I have 1 size 12 skirt and only club clothes from size 8-10. Those 8-10s are so NOT appropriate for me now. LOL!!
I am an avid couponer, so Target (believe it or not) will probably get the bulk of my funds from size 10-12. My mom wears 6-8 and loves to shop, so I will be raiding her closet once I hit that size! Once I get to 6 I will be in maintenance mode and will go all out!
A lot of people suggest thrift stores but I have a mental block on that. I can't imagine putting Miss Kitty in the same spot some stranger had hers 
...even after I wash the garment. I'd rather wait for sales and use coupons and get something new.
