Question:
Dealing with Changing Clothes Sizes
For those who have lost at least 120 lbs., how have you effectively dealt with the rapid changes in your clothes sizes? For the first 6-8 months, I endeavored to use the various sizes I had (even from the "skinny" closet) and, of course, relatively quickly shrunk out of those. I have made some strategic purchases from consignment shops and places like Marshall's, Kohl's, TJ Maxx, etc., but have reached a size (size 10P from a 24W) that I need to completely re-tool my wardrobe. While this is in no way a complaint, I'm almost at a loss (literally and figuratively) of how to keep up with my shrinking size while not breaking my bank account. Any insight is greatly appreciated. — Kimberly L. A. (posted on September 30, 2003)
September 30, 2003
have you tried looking at the link for the clothing exchange, also try your
local support group maybe you all can do an exchange yourselves. We had one
this weekend in San Antonio and it was a great success in fact we had so
much left over that one of the ladies was taking it to a woman's shelter.
— c ..
September 30, 2003
you've pretty much answered your own question, strategic purchases from
consignment shops. Thrift stores and consignment stores (the nicer ones)
are my saviors..Even after I settled at my final weight/size which is a 10P
like you, I continue to make the rounds of the consignment shops in my
area. There is no reason to give them up-good quality designer clothes at
a fraction of the cost new. If you plan to continue to go down in size,
you can take the clothes you grow out of back to the consignment shop and
consign them, that way you get back a little of the $ you spent on
purchasing them. I have taken a few of the nicer outfits and had them
altered but I find alterations are fairly expensive so I only do that for
the really nice stuff.
— Cindy R.
September 30, 2003
I have become the queen of thrift stores like Salvation Army and Goodwill!
I usually go with a specific idea in mind like: a pair of green pants that
I can buy a red blouse or some other colors to go with it and what might
they have also go either blouse or pants. I have found some great
professional clothes as well as kick around clothes. I happen to have a
good support network and I guess I have complained enough that my friends
are cleaning out closets and happily passing things on. Having a big mouth
or at least a whining one works sometimes!
— Janet F.
September 30, 2003
Don't forget Ebay, both for selling and buying. You can get rid of the
stuff you're not going to wear anymore and with the money you make, bid on
new stuff at really good prices! You'll often find people selling whole
'lots' of clothing in a particular size so you can buy a new wardrobe in
one fell swoop.
— Frances C.
September 30, 2003
i have bought a few things in each size mostly in solid colors/simple
styles that mix together, lots of black, pants shirts, sweaters , and
finding things on clearance. Got a pile of t shirts at target last fall for
$3 each. so I got a few in each size. Overalls are great, they look cute a
little baggy and have worn my XL ones since last winter and >50 # loss.
even tho I'm a 12 petite/Medium they look ok. I am weird in that I grew up
in hand me downs and as an adult won't wear used clothes. fortunately my
husband encourages me to go buy new stuff as I shrink down.
— **willow**
September 30, 2003
When I was losing size fast I started buying clothes in the same color hue
that way it looked like I had many outfits. Everything was interchangable
and I replaced items as I needed to do so. Try goodwill, salvation army
stores and www.shopgoodwill.com has good deals. But if you were like me, I
lost so strangely that I never knew what would fit so I had to go were I
could try clothes on....good luck...you will so enjoy new clothes and
becoming a new you!
— Oldsoul
September 30, 2003
Like you, I don't want to 'complain', but I just did the thrift store
rounds one and a half and three weeks ago and ended up with a 'mini'
wardrobe for around $100. The problem is that now, three weeks later, half
of the pants I bought are already getting big in the waist and apparantly I
didn't get enough shirts to effectivly 'mix and match'. So, now, I'm
frustrated because I don't think I should just run right out and buy more
pants quite yet, but I'm not sure I should spend more money on tops to
match those pants either! AAAAAAH! I know it's only $100 but, it's
difficult to think I spent it for clothes that were only going to last a
month. Of course, I don't exactly want to go naked either! And I thought
I was going to save all this money by having surgery! LOL! I guess it
could be worse though...I could have to spend $40 on one pair of elatic
waist pants from Lane Bryant!
— eaamc
September 30, 2003
I have found that skirts are much easier to size down (with safety pins)
than pants are and I can wear them for more sizes down than pants. Just an
FYI :>)
— [Deactivated Member]
September 30, 2003
We have consignment shops here in Ohio called Platos Closet/Clothes Mentor.
They are great!! They only accept certain brands of clothing (abercrombie
& fitch, the gap, etc.) so you get a better brand of clothes. I have
made some wonderful purchases in there. I got 9 shirts and paid $51!!!
They were all designer labels and in excellent condition as the shop won't
accept badly worn clothes. Check for it in your phone book and see if they
have it. I've noticed there expanding into other states.
— Patty H.
October 1, 2003
Hi, just wanted to put my 2cents worth in. There are many consignment shops
in my area, as well as yard sales. So what I did was first have a yard
sale to sell what clothes I could that I could not wear, then what I could
not sell then, took to the consignment shop to sell the rest. With the
money I went to yard sales and consignment shops to get clothes that I
could wear. That way it didn't cost me extra money that I didn't have. You
can keep alternating your clothes that way to finance your new wardrobe.
Good luck. Janice
— betterfitness
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