topic For those who have lost a lot of weight .... in Fashion

For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

151949 — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 23:24:07 GMT

I am in the weight loss process - don't have a huge budget - but now at 15 pounds off I am getting baggy seats in my pants. I am fortunate that I sew and will be able to alter to a point . I am curious, though, what items you found you had to replace often. What were your basic buys as the necessity to size down happened. Of course I realize bras and underpants would have to be bought but what else could you not do without? I want to waste as little money as possible while on this journey, as i am retired and my income is not what it once was.

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

jeanlake — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 23:35:55 GMT

Hi Happy H. I'm thrilled for your success. It sounds like you are motivated. I'm also working out and making good food decisions. Drinking lots of water! I think my progress will be slow, but hoping it becomes a lifestyle. I'm glad you asked your questions. I'm thinking about it as well. I've often heard we gravitate towards 20% of our wardrobe as 'favorites.' That 20% is probably our base wardrobe. Google phrases like 'starter wardrobe' and you'll find a list of suggested, basic pieces. I've done this and even made a checklist. Keep us informed of your progress. You can do it!

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

mrs baggins — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 23:39:47 GMT

11 years ago I wore a 3X, today I'm a small. I took the route of Gastric Bypass and haven't regretted it for a minute. My co-workers knew about the surgery and therefore understood why I wasn't spending a lot on outfits. I bought a few pair of inexpensive black pants, a few basic tops and wore them to death until they got so big I had to replace them. For me it was a badge of honor to have my clothes too big! Jewelry etc can go a long way to make the same outfit look different. Regarding lingerie, check out the clearance racks. You'll often find things that wouldn't have been your first choice, but for the short term will work just fine. Good luck!

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sidsmom — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 23:49:25 GMT

Ooooooo...so happy for you! Don't forget shoes. When I lost weight, my shoes got looser...something else you might have to budget. Lucky you that you can sew! Depending on your style, elastic waist skirts/cardigan sweaters might be your friend...and still look good. I depended on skirts a lot...they didn't "show the bagginess" like pants. A lot of leeway. Also...maybe a new swimsuit? Congrats on your success.

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

Jhincher — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 23:56:17 GMT

I have lost 43 pounds in the last year. I bought low priced pants and replaced shirts as I lost at Goodwill. My pants were elastic, so as I lost I turned them down one time at the waist. I have maintained now for five months, so I did buy new D&C pants, but still buying tops at Goodwills or on lunchtime specials here. Good luck on your journey!

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

lolakimono — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:03:23 GMT

I would purchase wrap dresses, maxi skirts, and T-shirt dresses.

Check out Land's End.

This one is $12.99.

These dresses are on sale for $24.99.

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

~Lucky Lu~ — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:14:21 GMT

Congrats on your weight loss! I have plateaued at 70 pounds, with about 30 to go. I have relied heavily on dresses, too, but I have noticed that the wrap style dresses need a cami under them as I shed pounds. But, I dress very modestly so it could just be me. I also like skirts, because they are less body conscious than slacks.

Underclothes were not a huge surprise; shrinking out of my shoes has been.

Pullover sweaters looked awful quickly; cardigans are more forgiving.

You may want to look at theviviennefiles dot blogspot dot com. She does amazing things with just a few well-chosen pieces.

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

lolakimono — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:21:33 GMT

Also at Land's End, a faux denim pencil skirt (elastic waist). $19.99.

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

sidsmom — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:24:02 GMT

Wow....Lands' End has some CUTE-CUTE-CUTE things....and very inexpensive.

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Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:34:14 GMT

My weight loss is because I can't smell or taste so I'm never hungry.

But I will offer you something when you are getting discouraged that a Weight Watcher's leader once said that has always stuck with me.

"When you are feeling down about even loosing a pound or two find yourself 5 lbs of potatoes or anything one, two or so many pounds. Now pick it up and carry it around. Keep carrying it. Now do you still feel like you've only lost 1, 2 or whatever pounds? That puts your weight loss into perspective".

Good luck dear. The difficulty is keeping it off. You will succeed if you really want to.

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gidgetgh — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:35:12 GMT

Congrats on the weight loss. I've lost 70 pounds. I work from home so my wardrobe is very casual. I've replaced jeans as I've needed to and a few tops tops, but not too many because I'm hoping not to stay in them long. I literally have two pairs of "dress pants" in my closet, both black. I just bought a pair of denim capris that are a little tight in the waist, but wearable and should be fine this summer, if it ever gets here. My one pair from last summer is too big now. I have one favorite summer top from QVC that I've bought (and worn) in three sizes now. I have it in three colors. So...I do replace things but I try not to over buy anything.

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

willdob3 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:08:45 GMT

Congrats on your success so far!

I've lost over 100 lbs so far by making healthy lifestyle changes. I completely replaced my wardrobe as things got too big & the new things I got are now being replaced with still smaller sizes. Needing smaller clothes every time I turn around is both wonderful & frustrating, not to mention expensive!

I've found that knit layering pieces (like jerseys) give me the biggest bang for my buck when it comes to being able to wear them longer. I can buy them a wee bit snug & wear them a size or two larger than I need. I wore one pair of jersey slacks through losing 80 lbs! lol... They just tend to hang well. Cottons and not-knit fabrics get big very quickly so I am not buying many of them right now. It is a waste of money. The few I've bought were too big before I'd worn them many times.

My closet is less than half full. I've got a few cardigans, lightweight jersey jackets, about 7 or so tank tops, most of which are big but I'll keep them as long as possible before replacing. I've got a few jersey tops with long sleeves or 3/4 sleeves and I really like them but they are getting baggy. They can't be worn as long as the layering pieces.

I've got 3 good pairs of slacks, one a pair of woven slacks that probably have a tiny bit of stretch to them, and two pairs of jersey slacks - black and dark blue. The jersey ones will give me more wear than the other pair but I think it is good to have some of both.

I haven't bought jeans yet because I had saved many smaller sizes. I'm down to the last 3 pairs and they are all a bit big so I'll be looking for replacements soon. I'm hoping tp be able to get good jeans from a consignment or thrift store. I really need 2-3 pairs blue jeans and at least one pair black.

My suggestion for shopping and saving to to try different things to see what works for you. Many buy their clothes only at thrift stores or at WalMart while losing. I'm open to those places but I find I have the best luck looking elsewhere.

I like Macy's & Dillard's clearance racks and Coldwater Creek's 50% off everything in the store sales. I have bought a lot from HSN's clearance. I add thing to my Favorites List & they alert me when the price drops and/or it is about to sell out. I have gotten some amazing deals, like a $119 G by Giuliana jacket for $19. I have found several things on QVC Lunchtime Specials, too. most of the time their other things are too expensive, even Clearance things.

I pay about as much for new clothes as I pay for used ones at consignment. I rarely pay over $20 for anything and usually pay less than $15. I did pay $29 for a 2-piece outfit though. I'll stock things I want online but I will do w/o them rather than pay more than I think I should. Knowing they will be too big in a few months really makes a difference in what I will pay but not in the quality of what I want to wear. and I do my best to wear things that fit. I won't wear things that are huge. That looks bad on everyone.

I was wearing size 8 Wide shoes but I'm now wearing 7 Medium. I've only bought one pair of new shoes so far. My feet are still shrinking so I don't want to invest a lot in shoes but I can't wear most of my old shoes at all anymore.

My good, too-big clothes go to a high quality consignment shop & I use the money to help buy smaller clothes.

Keep up the good work and enjoy the journey!

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

gazelle77 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:10:06 GMT

This may be against what you do, but why not go to GoodWill? I shop there maybe once a month just for fun and find great buys on like new if not new pants, and you name it....they have it! They even have a Senior day where you get 20% off! You could afford to buy clothes that fit as you lose. Good luck and good for you!

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

151949 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 03:25:23 GMT

Thanks for the suggestions ladies. Wow , some of you have really lost a lot of weight. One good thing is that I only have to buy summer clothes as we live in fl. I will start with altering my current wardrobe but , hopefully, I will get too small for even that! Wow , it's depressing that I may shrink out of my shoes too. Now that is a lot of expense.

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

mikki_g — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 03:54:24 GMT

I lost 165 pounds in a year.

Lots of black bottoms with stretch.

Stretchy material skirts and dresses.

Bought on sale and clearance until I stopped shrinking. Lots of the basics came from Target.

Re: For those who have lost a lot of weight ....

Raider Fan — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 08:25:20 GMT

I agree with gazelle, why not take a look at Goodwill. It took me a 10 months to lose 56 lbs. and I plateaued constantly but kept at it. I had clothes in my closet in most of the sizes I was shrinking into but I did blow by two sizes completely leaving me at the end to donate things I kept for a few years really wanting to fit into. It is a guess game as I am sure you well know and congrats to your for your achievement so far and your determination to keep going. A year ago I thought I had lost all I was going to and bought a bunch of things and then proceeded to lose another 15 lbs. It is crazy, it's difficult to know just what the heck your body is doing. I have donated many things to Goodwill that were new or almost new, it's not a bad idea to think about it as a temporary backup until you reach your goal.

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Vamp — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 14:41:31 GMT

Just want to say good job on the weight loss, Happy Housewife and others who have lost weight. It's not easy but totally worth it as you will look and feel better! Keep on keepin' on!