Clothing NSV
 

I had to shop for a fancy dress for my husband's 25th reunion. I dread clothes shopping. Dread it and procrastinate on it and wait until the last moment when I'm extra stressed on top of KNOWING there will be nothing that I like or that fits or that isn't a flowered muumu (yes, I grew up with "fat lady shops" selling those things *shudder*).

So the day before the party I braced myself and went into Dress Barn Woman, fully expecting to find nothing I could wear, and with a mental list of the other fat lady shops in the area I might try. I could feel the anxiety rising as I went through the oretty casual clothes and nice work clothes, but none of them were fancy enough for what I wanted. I haven't bought a "cocktail" dress in... um.. ever!

Then I saw them. Hanging on the back wall were a selection of lovely sheath dresses. Most had ruffles (my first reaction was NO WAY) but they weren't obnoxious. I figured I might as well give them a try.

I pulled two off the hook, revealing a lovely slinky black dress underneath. It was just the sort of swishy, feminine dress I wanted. At a 24 I figured it MIGHT fit, but would probably emphasize my drooping tummy too much. I took it in the dressing room anyway. Since it was the one I really wanted, I waited to try it on last.

The first two were okay. They actually fit and the ruffles worked with my body, not against it. Surprise number one.

I finally tried on the black number. Wow. It covered my belly. It didn't emphasize my thighs. Yet it still showed my curves.

But you know what? It didn't fit well in the bosom. For that kind of money I wanted a better fitting bosom. But the clerk said they didn't have it in 22. Only 20. With a sigh, figuring I'd end up with the droopy 24, I tried on the 20.

It was perfect!!

I haven't worn a 20 dress in... well.. probably a good 30 years. Granted, I'm sure part of that is the much-bemoaned "vanity sizing" I hear about in these forums. (I don't buy clothes often enough to notice) But I'll take it!

Had a great time at the reunion, felt wonderful and sexy, and am looking forward to wearing the dress for Christmas parties this year.

YAYAYAYAY! What an amazing non scale victory. And a size 20??!! That's awesome.

Congrats. on finding a dress! I understand how difficult shopping can be. I really hate shopping, but when you find something that looks good not to mention in a smaller size than expected it feels sooooooo good. :)

Yay!!! That's excellent!!! Congrats!!! That must have been the best shopping trip ever. Going in thinking you were one size and coming out 2 sizes smaller! Wooooot!! :carrot: :carrot:

Awesome!

What a beautiful story and NSV!!!!

That's great! Remember, don't wear baggy clothing ... it really doesn't do you any good and doesn't hide anything. I bet that 20 looks 10x's better than the baggy 24 you almost settled for. :)

So awesome! Congratulations :hug:

And word, word, WORD on what oneLess said about no baggy clothing. It was when I finally embraced that concept that I could finally start to see that my body's actually changing. :)

I know... I know! No baggy clothing! But I've been hiding SO LONG (and I'm so cheap) that it's hard to break that habit. I keep thinking, "Well, I'll go shopping after another ten pounds..."

Oh, to have that problem more often!

What a great story! I hate to shop as well. Mostly because after years of being so heavy I have basically forgotten how!

Those victories are better than the scale victories.

Sandi...I went to your blog and saw the pictures of your ring...You have very pretty hands.
And you will lose a lot more weight in your fingers and hands as time goes on.
They'll get nicer yet. And you WILL have to resize the ring...but smaller.
:goodvibes

Synger...You must be thrilled to wear clothes you really like now.

Congratulations!

Congrats!