Buying a smaller size... would you?
 

Would you ever buy a smaller size before you actually reach that size?

I've been wearing the same two pairs of size 18 jeans from Old Navy for what seems like forever. I'm to the point now where the once too-tight pair fit me perfectly, and the other pair require a belt to stop them falling down all the time.

So I'm not quite ready for size 16's yet. I don't currently own any pants smaller than the 18's I'm wearing now. Old Navy has a sale starting today where they're matching the US sale price on jeans, so they're only $19 a pair.

Would you go ahead and buy a pair in the next size down? My husband said I should go ahead and buy a pair of 16's and a pair of 14's :o I love that he has so much confidence in me... and I'm determined to keep losing... but there's a part of me (the frugal part? the insecure part? the low self-confidence part? I don't know) that's balking at spending money on clothes that don't fit. Then again, that frugal part of me is screaming "take advantage of the good deal while you can! Next month you might need those 16's and have to pay $40 for them!" :dizzy:

What would you do?!

Oh, definitely! I like to go to the thrift store and buy a smaller size. I bought jeans in 16, 14, 12, and 10. AND on my monthly anniversaries, I take pictures of me wearing a bathing suit (for modesty) while trying on the size 10's! So much fun! I do that so my brain can't trick me into thinking it's not a HUGE accomplishment when I finally get in them. And it's interesting to watch them go higher over my thighs each month. :D

YES! Having spent money on smaller sizes will motivate you. Plus you will be able to try them on and see how close you are to the next size down whenever you want.

Your dh is right. Go for the size 16 and 14. :carrot:

It's something I did regularly actually. I loved shrinking into my clothes. I loved keeping the clothes hanging in my living room as I worked out. I'd look at them as I pushed through the pain. LOL!

When I bought my final pair of inspiration pants (size 10 Express jeans), I couldn't even pull them over my hips. They fit now, baby! ;-)

Buy the jeans!

I wouldn't hesitate to buy 2 pairs of jeans if they are really discounted.

Definitely! Go for it! I just bought my "goal" jacket - ridiculously expensive, and it's all the more reason to get into it! Yes, you can do it!! :carrot:

My concern about buying stuff is not so much that it doesn't fit right now, but that it won't fit for very long! I did buy one new pair of jeans at Costco because they were $16 so I figured if I don't wear them very long, I won't be too bummed out. (I'm also thinking they at some point, they might serve as an inspiration size for my mom, that would be about the size she might get down to and stay at).

But mostly I plan to buy thrift shop stuff on the way down, so I won't care all that much if I only wear for a short time before it gets too big. For now, I'm still "shopping" in my closet because I have at least 30 more pounds lost worth of clothing that I'll be able to wear as I lose.

So I guess I'm saying sure, go ahead and buy a couple of pairs of jeans, but don't go too crazy buying stuff in a sizes that you may not be at yet, but don't plan to stay at for all that long once you get there!

I've bought smaller but only if it's a GREAT deal. I have had things not fit for long or not fit the way I thought they would (and not look as good) when I was able to shrink into them.

Yes!!!! Buy smaller!I have done this all along- for me only one item at a time though. My next goal is to fit into a shirt properly that I bought on sale a couple of months ago. When I brought it home the buttons wouldn't even do up! I get the buttons up now but it's still too snug- I can't wait to be able to wear it because it's so pretty! I don't buy much, because I don't like having a huge option of big clothes to fit into lol- keeps me motivated to lose weight and look forward to a new wardrobe :)

Thanks everyone, I think I just might go ahead and buy at least a size 16. I'll see if I impulse-buy the 14's while I'm there LOL

I have a ton of size L shirts in the closet (currently in an XL, but they're starting to be too big, too). Since I gain weight around my tummy most, I was able to wear the L shirts even after outgrowing smaller pants. I got rid of all my smaller pants years ago in a fit of depression over being fat *sigh* Never again!

I just bought a new XS shirt. I'm currently wearing a medium right now. I fell in love with the shirt and wanted to be able to wear if for a while so I bought it in my goal size. I love seeing it hang in my closet.

So I totally agree that you should buy the 16s and the 14s!

I have $.2 to add to my previous $.2. :D

I bought some XL shirts at about 20 lbs lost that fit me nicely. They looked good on me, made me feel thinner and I felt like I could really see the difference. Now at 37 lbs lost, those shirts are actually a bit big and they look sloppy. I no longer look thin in them, I look fat.

So I think a few items of clothing that fit properly may not be such a bad idea.

The smallest pants I had ever bought were 8's. I was terrified to try them on at the store because I didn't want to be disappointed if they didn't fit. When they slid up and buttoned comfortably, I was so overjoyed that I bought two pairs. After wearing each pair about twice, washing and drying them, I realized that they were actually too big! So, I went back to the same store (American Eagle), they were having a sale on jeans. I bought the same pairs in 6's, a number that I NEVER thought I'd see. I've been wearing them for the last few weeks, and one of those pairs is actually a bit too baggy to be flattering. The other is a slimmer cut, so it still works.

I went shopping with a friend yesterday, American Eagle had my same pairs of jeans on clearance. I bought one of the same pairs and another in a different cut of size 4's!!! Now these, I can fit in them, and button them up without a lot of trouble, but I don't know if I'd wear them in public yet. But I do think that by goal, I'll fit in them comfortably. I'll be able to use them as a benchmark.

So my new goal almost isn't so weight related, it's fitting perfectly into those size 4's :)

While I would never buy FAR down from my size, the size I'm almost in and the size below it have been up for grabs this whole time. I'm a cheapskate for clothes so even though I hate to spend the extra 20 bucks now, really, 20 bucks for jeans is a stellar deal. If you can get them on, even if you can't button them without a killer muffin top, that's the right pair to buy.

I have done it mostly with old navy. My body shape has stayed the same throughout my weight loss (I went from a humongous apple to a medium apple) and I always buy the same fit, and it's worked so far.

ATM I've been moving laterally through size 8 of different brands, lol. I was an 8 at the gap (same manufacturer as Old Navy) and am now wearing the size 8 I got from old navy that was too tight when I bought the jeans from the gap. My "goal" (well, one of them) is the size 8 express jeans I NEEDED when I tried them on, and they fit everywhere but my stomach.

Hahaha! That bolded bit made me really laugh! I'm the same way, except I'm a definite hourglass shape. No matter how skinny I get, I'll always be curvy!

Yeah it's not biggy to buy a size down. But like someone else said, don't go too far down.

I bought size 12's when I was WEARING 14's but I was more like a 16 squeezing myself into 14's and wearing a sweater to cover up my muffin top. They're really cute American Eagle jeans and I want to wear them already!!!

I have 3 shirts hanging in my closet that don't quite fit me yet ;) they are one size smaller than I am comfortable wearing in public but if I had to I could probably wear them.

Jeans on the other hand I just keep poking a new hole in my belt when my jeans loosen up they are too expensive to replace as often as I need to because of weight loss ;)

As Ever
Me

I've found that it doesn't really motovaite me. In fact, it kind of discourages me. The more days that pass that i DON'T fit in the smaller size, the more upset I get. What does help is when I DO grab a size I think I am, and go "heh, I might actually have to go a size smaller" *Victory*

I realize that everyone has difft tricks that work for them, so if it does work, I think you should do it.

Oh, and one more thing. Totally buy your clothes at ebay during your transition sizes. :)

Making Skinny,

You inspired me and I went to Old Navy today and bought a pair of 16's! I got the sweetheart style since they were a little looser in the hips and thighs than the flirt style. They're still a tad muffin-toppy, but I could wear them out if I needed to! I'm sooooo excited! I haven't bought anything without a W behind it in nearly 15 years!!!!

Go, go, go! I'll bet you can totally wear the 16's!! Buy the 14's too while they're on sale, they've got several different "washes" of color to choose from!

I've bought smaller size pants before. The main reason was because I was having a hard time finding capri pants that were the right length (I am short). Once I finally found some, I did buy the next size down also. This was at the beginning of last summer. And wouldn't you know, that by the end of the summer/early fall I was too small for both sizes, so I went back and bought yet a smaller size on clearance. Hallelujah!!!!!!!! LOL!

I would definitely buy a size smaller if there was a good enough deal. I have one pair of American Eagle 14s that I'm just itching to be able to fit in! I bought them on sale when I was at my lowest weight around 5 years ago, and they were still slightly tight then. I can button them up now, but they give me a bit of muffin top and they're a bit tight on the legs. I figure 5-10 more pounds and they'll be perfect.

But the fact that I bought them 5 years ago, thinking I would get to the point that they would fit, and I still can't fit in them... goal pants do not work as motivation for everyone. :lol:

If I bought "goal clothes", they'd be out of style by the time I could wear them. But, if it works for you, go for it and enjoy! :D

I just bought some cute scrub tops with my fave cartoon character on them in a 2x. I am probably another 10 lbs or so from them fitting comfortably. I also bought a ton of scrub pants in an XL, which will fit sooner (I'm busty!)

I need jeans that fit badly. I have a ton that are way too big, one that is a little big, and one that zips but gives me a serious muffin top. I would kill for one pair of jeans that fits perfectly.

I very nearly did this with a really cute bikini i found the other day. It was 70% reduced and i loved it.
However, I have never worn a bikini in my life, so what makes me think i'll wear one when i'm 2-3 sizes smaller?
but it did get me thinking. When i was going through my 260lbs - 210lbs weight loss i always had my old clothes to aim to get into. I remember being so thrilled when i finally got into a pair of 18s that had been hanging in my cupboard for years. now i'm 16s and i'm just buying the clothes as i lose. i'm not happy with my wardrobe 'cos i'll never own more then 3-4 pairs pants or tops at any one time. But what i miss most is having something in my wardrobe to aim to get into. If I find a pair of jeans i like i very well might buy the 14s.

Gulp. I just spent $99 on a dress one size smaller than I am now, but larger than my eventual goal. I have a requirement of wearing a black dress the beginning of April (singing in a concert) and this one I've had my eye on was on sale last week. I can't even be sure of what size I'll be, but I took the chance...

Hope I don't regret it but it appears will be a style that should look good when I manage to get to goal weight.

ive been thinking about doing this with jeans. I am in between sizes and just bought ones that are semi muffin toppy so that I can keep trying them till they fit. when i was buying them, I almost grabbed the next size down as well.

If it were me I couldn't do it. I'd rather wait until I WAS that size first. Buying a smaller size would just depress me if I didn't get down to it right away. Besides, I'd rather be happy with my current size and treat it as if that is the size I'll be forever while still trying to lose weight. That way any added weight loss is a bonus.

I hate clothes shopping soooo much!

Even though I lost 20 pounds last year (before my vitamin d got out of whack), I still didn't buy any new clothes. I feel better in my baggy ones. Not sure why. I'm hoping my pants will stay up a while longer. I'm not able to lose anything for a long time now, but I guess it's okay since I seriously hate clothes shopping. If I wouldn't look like a dork, I'd just go for suspenders haha

Good for you! I'm glad I could inspire you! I also went out last night and bought those Old Navy jeans that are on sale, in size 16. They don't fit just yet - I could barely button them (but they did button!) - but they will! :carrot:

I tried on the Sweetheart, The Flirt and The Diva (just for fun, they were WAY too low cut LOL). The Sweetheart buttoned up easier than the Flirt, but I'm really short waisted so they weren't very flattering. They looked like those old high-waisted "mom jeans" on me LOL. I'll need to lose a few extra lbs to fit into the Flirts, but it'll be worth waiting for a more flattering fit.

You'll have to update when you get into your 16's!!!

I work at Old Navy part-time... buy the jeans. ;)

Seriously though, I realized that I have a fear about trying on smaller sizes, because I think that I couldn't possibly fit into them yet. One day I tried on a dress when shopping with a friend and she said "um... you realize that is WAY too big for you, right?!" And I didn't! It was a dress at target. i tried on the XXL I used to wear and unded up needing a large. You're working hard to lose the weight, and it WILL result in a smaller size.

Plus, these are JEANS not some item for a particular event with a deadline. Whenever you get to that size, they'll be there waiting for you. :)

I buy smaller sizes when I find a great deal. You can't pass it up! You know you will be there in time, why spend the extra money later.

I found Daisy Fluentas jeans at kohls for $3.80 last year, I bought 2 pairs in size 16 and 2 pairs in size 14. I tried the 16's on yesterday and they fit! I also bought 4 pairs of dress/casual/khaki pants from Lane Bryant (around the same time), for $6.99, size 16. Wish I would have bought some 14's too! LOL

Go buy the 16's and 14's, you will be happy you did! :)

Since I'm in college and can't afford new ones, even on sale, I just swing by one of the thrift stores. They usually have some pretty good stuff and once you have shrunk out of those you can re-donate them. The circle of life!

I think buying smaller sizes really does help with motivation. My size 18 pants were getting too loose so I picked up a size 16. They were a little snug but they did fit and really did motivate me to get into them better.