What I'm learning about clothes

[spinbaby]

As of this morning, I'm 77 pounds lighter than I was a year ago. I've never been much of a clothes shopper, so spending a this much time shopping for new clothes is a change for me. What I've learned in my journey:

Pants with elastic waists fit longer than pants without. Jeans seem to have a weight range of only about 10 pounds. Tops fit longer if they have raglan rather than inset sleeves. Your feet shrink, too, so you'll need new shoes. Get measured for a bra before you buy. If something is a little too small, buy it anyway and shrink into it; if it's a lot too small, you're better off skipping it.

You can get by with fewer clothes if you do wash more often.

Thrift shops and consignment stores are of limited usefulness. They can yield some interesting items to liven up the wardrobe, but aren't likely to be useful if you need something specific such as size 14 beige summer-weight pants. Clearance racks are limited for the same reason. Costco is a good source for inexpensive basics such as jeans and T-shirts.

[rox63]

1. Congrats on your loss!

That's a lot of weight gone. Happy for you.

I've actually had decent luck at 2nd-hand places like Savers, at least for basics. Since I hope not to be wearing intermediate sizes for all that long, I don't want to spend much on them. You do have to be picky, though, since there is a lot of junk at those places. But you can also pick up quality items for very cheap.

[auntAgonist]

2. I was amazed at the change in shoe size. I went from a 9.5 to an 8 and had to do some shopping.

The shopping for clothes part of my weightloss journey was the most traumatic for me.
I found myself in Macy's one day, looking for tops. I must have looked like I needed help because the sales lady came over and asked what it was I was looking for, what size I needed and was this purchase going to be for an older person? WTF I thought.

When I explained that I was shopping for ME she quite abruptly (rudely) told me I was in the wrong department and how could I NOT know what size I needed.

She directed me to the misses sizes but by that time I was so discomboobalated that I just left the store! I sat in my car in tears for what seemed like a long time. What on earth was wrong with me? Shouldn't I be happy that my size was that much smaller?

While I was very happy with my weightloss, who wouldn't be, it happened so fast and really played with my hormones and emotions.

I found it much better to shop with a friend and not try to go it alone.
I found I have no real fashion sense at all. At 302lbs who needs fashion sense right?

I'm truly fortunate in that my husband has great style and has purchased a LOT of my clothes for me. He took my measurements, scours the catalogues and shops online. He has yet to order something that doesn't fit or that I don't like.

I get compliments all the time on the clothes I wear and that helps with the way I feel about myself.

This weightloss thing is a bumpy road. It is fun getting new stuff, it's expensive having to buy new stuff and the trick is to only get a few things to tie you over for a while because before you know it, you'll have changed sizes.

Do any of the support groups associated with the Dr who did your surgery have clothing exchanges?
I managed to get and give a lot at our support group. We met once every 2 weeks and once a month was a clothing exchange.

Congrats on your success so far!!

aA
kesha

[spinbaby]

4. The in-between sizes are awkward

I'm in that awkward range between women's sizes and regular sizes and doing a lot of trying clothes on to get an idea of my size. I'm unemployed at the moment, thanks to the sequester, so I have lots of time to shop and try stuff on, just not a lot of money to spend.

Today at the Goodwill, I broke one of my rules and bought a size 10 dress that's suitable for winter. I loved it and it was only $5, so I'm taking the chance that I'll be a size 10 next winter.

[madmom]

3. Congratulations on your weight loss. I am about to be

going through the same thing as far as buying clothes. I am down 39 pounds (had bariatric surgery April 1). Hopefully it will be a joyful experience.

[spinbaby]

5. 39 pounds in a month is awesome!

Good going!