GIVE THEM AWAY OR SELL THEM! Don't keep any clothes that are too big.
I altered a few things myself. I gave everything else away. One of my daughter's friends was about the same size as I was. She took most of it, even some relatively new bras, and after sorting what she wanted, she gave the rest to her Church's "women's program." They help low income women get jobs, offer support, etc.
Underpants got thrown away or used once to clean the bathroom and then tossed.
There is no option but to maintain now. I have no clothes except those that fit.
For the most part, I wear them until they look ridiculous and/or until I can find affordable replacements at garage sales, thrift stores, discount stores, clearance racks, or I break down and have to pay full price.
Right now I have only one pair of jeans and one other pair of pants that fit well (both of which I bought recently at Goodwill). I also have one pair of stretch jeans that are still too tight to wear (I ordered them online at a ridiculously low clearance price, so when I found out they were too tight I just saved them for when they do fit). The rest of my jeans and pants are so loose they're just about falling off.
Tops are a bit more forgiving, so I wear them longer. If they're not good enough to donate, I use them as night shirts or to slip over my clothes when I'm painting, cooking or doing other messy craft projects.
Everything that is in good enough shape to sell/donate I take to consignment shops. Anything the consignment shops don't sell, I donate.
If it weren't for the consigment shops, I'd be up a crick, because our budget is too tight for me to buy new clothes at full price.
Right now I wear about a size 28/30 depending on the style for bottoms and about a 26/28 for tops. If I check the local consignment and thrift stores at least once a week, I end up being able to buy most of my clothes at thrift stores (and the occasional online purchase from BCOutlet.com).
We just got back from Goodwill today. I didn't find anything in my size that I liked, but I did notice that (as usual) there were a lot of nice clothing in size 26 and smaller. I only need to lose a little more and I'll be able to replace my too-big clothes much sooner.
Every fall we have a garage sale and last time I lost 50lbs I got rid of a lot of my "fat" clothes. Plus size clothes sell really well here. But, when I gained most of it back I was kind of regretting that decision. I got rid of all my 20s especially jeans and capri jeans and all but 1 pair of jeans and capris in size 18. I was wearing mostly 14s and a few 16s at the time. I guess it was okay because I had too much to start with and when I gained back and the one pair of 18 jeans and capris got too tight. I had to do something about it. It was either wear (badly fitting) sweats, yoga pants, and pajama pants nonstop or lose weight. I can already wear the 16s again and the 18s are starting to get big, but still okay with a belt. So, I am not ready to get rid of anything yet.
I am getting a new sewing machine soon. So, I have been collecting tutorials (simple ones.) They make it look so easy online, but I am not so sure about my skills. Here is one that looks easy. http://www.andreasteed.com/node/1266
Mariposssa - LOVE that link to make a fitted t-shirt. I am going to have to try it out! Thanks!
I hope it is as easy as it looks. Between me, hubby, and the two teens; I have an endless supply of big, sloppy tshirts in every size and color of the rainbow to use for practice. If I ever run out of those hubby works at several marathons during the summer. The runners toss clothes everywhere as they get hot. They end up with bags and bags full to donate. I am the one who gets to wash and send them to Goodwill...or cutting, altering, and while I practice sewing if I wanted.
GIVE THEM AWAY OR SELL THEM! Don't keep any clothes that are too big.
I altered a few things myself. I gave everything else away. One of my daughter's friends was about the same size as I was. She took most of it, even some relatively new bras, and after sorting what she wanted, she gave the rest to her Church's "women's program." They help low income women get jobs, offer support, etc.
Underpants got thrown away or used once to clean the bathroom and then tossed.
There is no option but to maintain now. I have no clothes except those that fit.
Lin
You nailed it, Lin! I don't save any bigger clothes except my very first pair of jeans from '08, in a size 22 (which were impossibly tight, I should have been in a 24) and one shirt from the same era, for comparisons and remembering the journey. But the minute something is too big I box it up to either give away or sell, so I never have an excuse to do anything but maintain or lose more. It has worked splendidly
