Does anyone else have problems buying nice clothes for yourself because you think: I'm just going to lose weight! What's the point in spending a lot now? I've felt this way... for 4 years!

I don't have money to buy myself clothes that won't fit in a couple months. And I ALWAYS think that in a couple months I will be a smaller size. That's kind of exhausting to think I've thought that way for half a decade (probably longer, I've always been overweight, I'm just more so now).

I used to be complimented on my style all through high school and college. Now my friend says she wants to nominate me for What Not To Wear. 4 years ago I was deeply depressed and living in sweats and would only buy myself what I absolutely needed for clothes--nothing fancier, nothing more. And all clearance! I'm no longer depressed but my style still is.

Anyone else?

I have yet to replace my work pants! They are three sizes too big!!

That is totally where I am at. My best friend is so annoyed with me because I won't buy new house pants...they are all huge on me which is a great problem, but I don't spend money frivolously. I especially can't spend excess right now because I am trying to Christmas shop.

But yes, I feel like I shouldn't buy anything right now, but I know it doesn't look great. Now that Im married, I can't just spend money whenever I want. I have to get approval from my husband since it's our money - not all mine like when I was single. I'm slowly trying to incorporate some nicer, good quality pieces into my wardrobe. I got a suuuuper cute trench coat that was 60% off at New York & Co for $31! I am looking for some new jeans & have been buying some designer shoes at Marshall's & Ross to make myself look less frumpy.

I feel your pain, my dear. It's hard!

OH YES.

When I was fat, I even wore pajamas to work! And when I DID want to look halfway presentable, I wore the same five outfits in rotation because I refused to buy "fat clothes". I had a whole closet full of clothes I couldn't fit. My girlfriend insisted that I should either sell them (there were some nice name brands) or give them to Goodwill, but I was determined to fit them again.

I, too, was complimented heavily on my style in my thin days (and now), but when I was fat, my main goal was hiding my figure (or lack thereof). I always say, "If you have it, flaunt it. If you can't hide it, decorate it," BUT I didn't know how to make the fat look sexy so I just resorted to clothes that I thought did a sufficient job of hiding my fat rolls and jelly belly. As we all know, they really don't make too many cute clothes for bigger girls (as a GENERAL rule - yes, I know there are plus sized stores, but honestly, I was too ashamed to shop in them! I guess I felt like if I didn't shop in plus sized stores, then I wasn't actually plus sized )

You should buy a pair of pants in your goal size. Be realistic when picking these pants, though - you do actually want to wear them one day Make sure they are AWESOME and super stylish, because one day, they will be on your bottom!

yeahi do it. i wont buy new work clothes cos if i lose more weight (I will!) they wont fit and i cant afford to keep buying things.

Until I get down to my goal size, I'm not buying any even moderately expensive clothes: every time my friends complain that I've started dressing like a hobo, I go down to Ross Dress for Less and buy like two sweaters, and wear them with my same old four-sizes-too-big skirts to make sure I at least look presentable. Also, I bought a cheap sewing machine and am starting to take in my clothes that are cute but just so big it's ridiculous. Better to spend $70 now than just throw away my whole fat wardrobe.

The thing that bums me out is that for four years I held onto all of my cute skinny clothes, and just kept wearing the same few fat outfits in rotation, then in June I finally convinced myself: you're fat! accept it! throw away all these tiny clothes and start dressing adorably again! Then I started my lifestyle change in August and of course I'd kill to have all of my skinny clothes back (some of the stuff I bought while I was gaining would be perfect now!)

I still have the stuff I wore when I was skinny but it is mostly clothes from when I was 18 or even younger. So it is a little childish. And I have gotten boobs. While they fit right otherwise my boobs pull them up so much that they are simply too short. And my pants from then are still too small; I guess because I didn't have any muscles at all back then. My mom took in some of my pants last weekend but for my favorite jeans it wasn't possible . So I guess I'll have to buy some new stuff.

There are a plethora of places you can look to find inexpensive clothing. My wardrobe has pretty much been complete replaced, save for a couple of sweaters, and clothing I wear around the house. I did not spend a lot of money! And you feel better about yourself when you actually wear clothing that fits. I promise!

I did put out the word to everyone I know that I was looking for smaller clothing. My sister was at one point, able to help me out with jeans (she's heavier than I am, so I got her skinny clothes). My best friend also came through with clothing my current size, and one smaller - these were her "fat" clothes! I've also gotten some wearable pieces from my 85 year old grandma!

I also check thrift stores - they do take patience, but I've been able to walk out after spending $20, and have gotten 2 nice sweaters, a dress, and a pair of work pants. After washing all of it - they were all in perfect condition. I have also been known to buy cute shirts and Wal-Mart and Old Navy. I generally stick to clearance, but even spending $8 on a shirt at regular price is something I can do every once in a while. I also check Marshall's/TJ Maxx whenever I go by one and even department stores! I got quite a few shirts at Macy's for $4.99 each!

Shopping can be a bargain, if you take the time to search them out. However, alot of people don't have the patience needed! Best of luck to you.

I did that too. I dressed very frumpy at my HW and wouldn't put money into new clothes. But ad I did lose weight, I realized I had to downsize my wardrobe in order to help me feel good about making progress. But even now I'm not willing to go on a shopping spree. I have mostly been shopping the thrift stores and I found a few pairs of pants I love. Also, I picked up a few of the torso-hugging Tshirts on clearance this fall for motivation to look good in next summer.

While losing I shopped at Thrift Stores, consignment shops, Salvation Army and Goodwill. You often find brand new clothes, and I have even found designer clothes, Bob Mackie and Calvin Klein for example.

Thrift stores, and if it's wool shrink it! I got a really nice sweater from Express a few years ago and it was way too big. Got it wet threw it in the dryer for 10 minutes and now it fits great.

I buy one thing every other week because it gets me EXCITED to be losing weight.. if i didnt and just assumed i was going to lose the weight and go for a whole new wardrobe id probably get somewhat discouraged i guess

Can't do it. Until recently I was in uniform most of the time, and I come from a household where my mother seriously did EVERYTHING in silk hose, chanel suits, and 4-inch heels.

Just recently I was at a friends house and got introduced to some new friends of theirs. One of the guys who has seen me a few times asked why I was always so dressed up -- For me, I was dressed normally and I just stared at him confused. My friends husband pipes up, "That's Princess Nini casual wear dude. You'll know when she's got somewhere to go because she'll be in a ball gown and tiara." LoL.

I rarely wear jeans, which are easily replaced. My blouses, suits, and slacks can be tailored and it costs like $6 to get them fixed. I would never ever wear sweat pants as anything other than pajamas. Ever.

How are you supposed to see your progress if you're walking around dressed like a dang a marshmallow? Get some stuff that will transition or can be taken in and stop all that frumpiness. Jackets and sweaters can last a long time through weight loss and you'll be cute! You'll also surely notice the confidence boost that comes with knowing you look nice.

IMO, sweat pants should be against the law unless you're at the gym, or going to sleep.

When I was fat I wore sweat pants most of the time because I could get sweat pants that fit. Couldn't find slacks or jeans that fit. I didn't think they looked good, but they did fit. I call sweat pants "the fat ladies friend".

I visit a lot of thrift stores for my clothes until I hit my goal weight.....if I dressed frumpy all of the time I'd get depressed really fast!