I've recently started losing weight and my pants are already much looser. I'm just wondering how you are all dealing with clothing during your weight loss phase? I guess it's bothering me already that things are fitting loosely (which is good!) since I feel a bit sloppy.
My mom knows how to sew, and she altered some of my work pants, mostly by taking them in at the side seam, which is fairly easy if you are only going down two sizes or so. If you are losing from your thighs/butt/hips this immediately makes the fit look much better for just a simple change. Some of the pants from the better stores, like Banana Republic or Ann Taylor, are also better designed to be altered. Some department stores offer alterations of that type for $5-15 (ask in the suits section), but really anyone with a sewing machine can do it.
Once you start to get smaller than that, you need to take in the waist, which is more complicated and she passed on that! I watch out for things on sale. I bought a new pair of jeans and two or three basic pants in black and grey off various clearance racks and TJMaxx, which go pretty far. I am a teacher so I don't need to be a fashion plate at work.
For work tops, I mostly wear nice t-shirts which are inexpensive, and sweaters or shawls over. And I got some dress shirts from my aunt who has retired from full-time work.
Some people also buy at consignment stores.
If you do have usable work clothes to get rid of, do consider looking for a local "Dress for Success" chapter to donate them to. These help women getting into the workforce, including providing them with suitable outfits. They often are in need of larger sizes.
The Goodwill Store by the Salvation Army suprisingly has some nice stuff at times if you are willing to search through the racks. The local college town has a store nearby and I grabbed some Levi and Tommy Hilfiger jeans for a few bucks a piece, just to get me down to the next size. Plus it helps them raise funds. Also, Ebay sometimes has someone wanting to get rid of clothes that they bought and never wore. Hope that helps...congrats on the weight loss!!!
Last edited by boatingmommy; 03-12-2010 at 08:36 AM.
For the majority of my journey, I was going down a pant size about every 3-4 weeks. The 3-4 weeks would include buying something and it feeling a tad snug to fitting nice to being baggy. It is exciting to go down the sizes, but can be expensive. I donate all of my clothing after I cannot wear it any longer so that someone can get use of it. I also now just buy only 2 outfits per size, and look around for deals. I also buy jeans and work pants with a bit of stretch as I find I can wear them maybe a couple of weeks longer. I do understand the feeling sloppy thing. When I started my journey, I was buying clothing online as could not find things in stores here. So when I started losing, I was making good progress, but still could not find clothes here. So altered some of my pants, etc. It did not work for me... I only felt sloppier, as was losing from all different places. I think it is important to feel good and comfortable in what you are wearing.You are making progress, and should be proud of yourself.
Thank you so much for all your advice and suggestions! I'm definately going to look into Ebay, consignement stores, the Salvation Army store , TJ Maxx etc. and perhaps just keep my clothing pieces to a minimum. I'll look into alterations but I've always been under the impression that it's really expensive to have these done. But I should look into it.
In my case what seems to happen is that my pants get "saggy crotch/droopy butt" kind of look, though the waist is still too tight for me to purchase a smaller size. It must be that I'm losing weight off my hips and butt and that part of the pant is hanging lower on my body. This is so ugly!!
Last edited by Coffeelover64; 03-13-2010 at 02:26 PM.
I second only buying a few items and shopping at outlets and places like TJ Maxx and Marshalls. I also found a really good Goodwill. I've found if you can find a Goodwill in a higher income area they usually have better stuff (aka Ralph Lauren, Gap, Eddie Bauer, J.Crew, etc. with tags!) and they're super cheap (like $5). But with all places like this, you have to be willing to take the time to sort through the racks.
For alterations you should think about relative cost. It's a better deal if:
1) you're not going down more than about 2 sizes in pants
2) you have classic "investment" pieces that you've paid a lot for, or are favorites.
If you don't have those, and are OK wearing pairs of black pants that cost you $12.99 at TJ Maxx until you get to the size you want, then do that. And seriously, no one around where I work can tell the difference between those black pants and the $79.99 original price ones I got at Macy's. Even my mom was like, "I'm not dealing with those. Just get some cheap ones for now, all black poly pants look alike."
Last edited by bronzeager; 03-13-2010 at 05:01 AM.
Update - I ordered a "lot" from Ebay and it turned out to be a great bargain. About 25% of it didn't really fit or just wasn't my style but it was still so worth it. I think this may be the solution (plus second hand stores) while losing weight.
The "lots" from ebay can be wonderful, especially if they span several sizes and you are at the very tippy-top and headed down.
Garage sales, thrift stores...
I've heard that there are bariatric support groups (I haven't had bariatric surgery) that have clothing swap groups that maybe you could get in on.
I wonder if you posted a sign at your local gym or a place like CURVES "Losing weight and could use some size x and x clothes. Have size x and x clothes to share with anyone else on a weight loss journey."
I wonder if you posted a sign at your local gym or a place like CURVES "Losing weight and could use some size x and x clothes. Have size x and x clothes to share with anyone else on a weight loss journey."
That's a great idea too! If the clothes are really just temporary, IMO they don't need to be brand new.
THRIFT STORES! THRIFT STORES! THRIFT STORES! I haven't purchased any NEW clothes and have just been shopping different thrift stores. I don't see myself spending money on clothes that I wont be wearing very long. Also If you don't have a problem with hand me downs from other people you could try freecycle.org alot of people give away free clothes and stuff in your area.
Wow, the thrift shop idea was great! I went to one in my area that was having a $1 sale. I found all kinds of things there, like a cute banana republic skirt and some basics like brown cargo pants and an A-line black skirt. For $1 each!!
then I "splurged" on a beautiful BCBG jacket for $12, a DKNY shift dress for $7, and a great blouse also for $7. I live in LA so there's almost anything you could want there. I am thrilled to be dressing for work tomorrow in something other than a burlap sack.
Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers, Consignment Shops. You can find some really good buys, and yes sometimes ,quite often, actually, new things. Stores will often donate new things at the end of the season. And there are the people who buy something, decide they don't like it and never get around to returning it. Some of those things have ended up in my closet.
Clothing - on the way down
