How bad is it that when I do actually go out to buy new clothes, I'm buying them in a size or 2 smaller since I'm saying to myself, "well, I'll fit into them in a month or 2" Money is a problem for me too, so I'm trying to buy clothes that sorta fit now but will fit better later... I know probably doesn't make sense.

I know how you feel though! I have 1 pair of jeans, that is it.

I love JC Penney for work clothes in plus size. And with their new pricing system, there is a lot of selection in the $30 range. They also have lots of jeans! Check their clearance racks too! I have found amazing dress pants and jeans there for $12 and under! The ANA brand is really cute and they carry the regular size styles into plus so you have cute options, and its not all just some horrid print.

I've so been there too. :hug: After losing 20 pounds now, I have quite a few more options after 'closet shopping'. At my highest though - one pair of jeans and that was wearing out. :( I lived in fear of needing dress pants - all my size 20's were too small, and there was no way I was buying more as I have 8 pairs of them, practically new! ;)

But if you have an interview, I agree - you have to spend the money. Yes it sucks to have to spend the $70, but if they're a fabulous fit that makes you FEEL good, then it's $70 wonderfully spent. (I know as a fellow tall girl, that pants shopping when both large and tall is AWFUL). So I really don't care what a pair costs if the fit is great, I just get it. Invest in yourself, how good you feel will transmit during your interview.

PS And while you're at it, get yourself one nice pair of jeans and one cute dressy top that you can wear to a variety of social occasions. The way you feel knowing you look good and are ready to say 'yes' to any social opportunity is worth the price.

I just wanted to say I did this for my wedding dress (at the time I was losing weight rapidly and had said that to my consultant - who must have been new, who said, well in that case we can order a 22 instead of a 26 since a 24 wasn't available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Long story short I gained 9 lbs 3 months before the wedding and while I got it all done and good, my dress didn't look as amazing on me as it did in the store and I was a nervous wreck until the final fitting.

I appreciate all the suggestions, and mostly it's good to know I'm not alone!!! I think it's going to be good motivation. I want to wear my old clothes again. I just really want to wake up and put anything on and not the same 3 outfits, not have to worry about hiding this roll of fat or worrying about things riding up. IT SOUNDS AMAZING.

I could have written your original post word for word! It sucks that we are in this situation, but I have to say, it really feels good to know I am not alone, not the only one having these problems. I can totally relate to all of the posts! Especially buying clothes too tight and saying "if I buy the bigger size, it wll be too big in 15 pounds.". Unfortunately, my 15 pounds has yet to disappear, so the clothes are still tight!

Quoted for so much truth! I have always used thrift shops to supplement my wardrobe at every size I've ever been. Pickings can be slim if you don't know the "good" days at your particular store and sometimes the better Plus Size stuff is at another store altogether. If you live in a larger town, find out if they have several stores and which one caters to a certain market.

I bought a $90 pair of Ralph Lauren jeans at my size 22/24 weight because I had to have jeans right then and there and couldn't find anything suitable at the thrift store. The jeans lasted me fit-wise until I reached size 18. A little later on I needed a dressy skirt for jury duty the next day when the zipper on my original "dressy duty" outfit broke. Again, I was out buying a $40 skirt that I shouldn't have needed in a size I was on the cusp of leaving (16) but I had to have it.

Those are necessary investments. Splurge on necessary investments and fill in with blouses, loose pants/skirts and the like to get you through. Thrift shop, haunt the clearance racks at Target (I have made some great finds there, even bought maternity stuff if it wasn't too obvious) and above all make sure things fit well. If it doesn't fit well at ANY size, you will not be a happy camper.

I have a stash of very nice, dressy/better made clothing from sizes 24W to 14R that I am holding onto for just a little while. Some are able to be taken in and look good and some I'm hoping I will rehome to someone in need like all of us have been. You may know someone who has lost weight recently. They may have a stash like this. If you like their fashion sense, be sure to bug them about their wardrobe. :)

I have few clothes, lots of clothes that are smaller, from when I was smaller and STILL bought things too small hoping to lose weight.
About a month before I started losing weight this time I realized I had just give up trying, always wore my hair up, ALWAYS in yoga pants and t-shirts, never even wore makeup. So I went on oldnavy.com and bought some super bell bottom jeans in my size that we're like $20 bucks (they have sales all the time), and I ended up buying another pair (and, I'll admit, a new pair of yoga pants which I still wear all the time because I love them) as well as a couple of shirts. Just wearing a pair of jeans I like (that are now way too big, and became so almost immediately, boo) made me feel better about myself and less helpless and less GROSS, you know? I kind of think that helped me get started losing again. I didn't want to be a 22! But it was lovely to have a couple of pairs that fit, it made me feel much better about myself instantaneously. Girls on my campus get dolled up every day so I feel even worse than I normally would about looking sloppy.

I have nothing that fits right now. I haven't gotten rid of the clothes that are to big yet because there will be nothing in my closet

One of the things that prompted me to lose weight was having nothing to wear. I could wear baggy pants outside of work, but I have to dress professionally at work and nothing fit. I was so big that even the biggest sizes I could buy through mail order were too small. I had two pairs of black pants and a couple of blazers (which I couldn't even button) and that was it.

As I have been losing weight, I STILL don't have much to wear. It costs a lot to buy new stuff, and since I still buy a lot thru mail order (I still feel awkward going to department stores) sometimes things are baggy.

In fact, while I get a lot of compliments at work on my weight loss, sometimes people will say that I need to buy smaller clothes. One person today said I need to get my clothes altered because they aren't doing me justice. Which was a compliment, but made me feel bad because it means that I look bad due to not dressing well.

But tomorrow is casual day - and I finally fit into the nextvsize down in jeans. I have had this pair a long time and they are probably out of style but I don't care because they fit now :). And I also finally fit into one of my all-time favorite blouses, so I'm going to look awesome tomorrow :cool:

As a lifestyle thing, it's super important to get rid of baggy clothes. Of course cuddling up at night in your pjs and watching a movie is one thing, but to make a habit out of it? Not a good idea. Oftentimes people dont realize how much weight their putting on because of all the bagginess, a good pair of fitting jeans can save you a whole lot of trouble later. It's a good way of staying in check.

Sheesh, I hear you. Every so often I'll go out shopping but basically I only have 'work clothes,' and even the ones I do have aren't adequate. I have 3 pairs of jeans and only wear one. :lol:

A close friend of mine is a total clothes horse and recently lost weight. She gave me her old clothes (she recently lost a lot of weight) in sizes 12-14. Bags and bags full of gorgeous clothes that I loved, many with tags still on them. I'm trying to use that as motivation- I'm so broke, it's hard to spend money on clothes, and I don't want to spend it on clothes that I'm hoping won't fit me for long. I know you should dress the body you have, but most of the time I can't even stand going into the dressing room and looking at the stuff. Ugh.

Old Navy, Torrid, NY&Co........and I also second the thrift stores.

I feel the same way, especially since I graduate next month so money is gonna be tight for a while. It's not like my parents wouldn't help some, clothes are kind of a necessity, I can't go to work in things that are twice my size...but I hate to ask for help when they've already given me so much. So I try to go as cheap as possible. I check out Wal Mart and Target to a lesser extent. I think I might check out Goodwill next. I don't want to make any big purchases until I'm between 120 and 130 or it won't last anyways.

I just purged my closet of the "someday they'll fit" clothes and everything too big for "just in case." I had hung on to smaller clothes so long they were completely out of style, and I NEVER want to fit into a size 26 *gasp* EVER AGAIN! It wasn't admitting defeat, it was completly freeing! Junk the stuff you're not wearing, especially if you feel insecure and gross in it. Who want's clothes like that!? I agree with dressing the body you're in, just get a decent pair of jeans and a couple of tops to start, enough to hold your head up high at the grocery store. New, flattering, well fitting clothes WILL help you feel better about yourself, no matter what size they are NOW. Sizes can and will change, and self respect can be a catalyst for that change! (Check out Target, I imagine we might be similar in size though your taller, and that's where I go for a cheap wardrobe refresher!)

When I'm in between heaviest and goal weight. I shop at the dern Goodwill! I will however drive to certain ones that always have a better selection. I've found 90% of my work clothes there and am constantly complimented. Plus, it's super cheap same brands and you can afford "new" clothes all the time! lol

Anyhow, just a suggestion. Good Luck!