Question:
With such rapid weight loss, what is everyone doing about their wardrobe?

I understand that once you have gotten to your ideal weight you will be in need of all new clothing, but, what about the in between stages? It could get quite expensive having alterations done every couple of weeks! Your suggestions will be appreciated. I am set up for surgery 04/03/02.    — BILL M. (posted on January 15, 2002)

January 15, 2002
Hi Bill, congats on your surgery date. That is very exciting. I have clothes in so many different sizes that I kept all along the way UP. Also, I plan on visiting the thrift stores. I could never find anything in PLUS sizes, everything was small. Can't wait to get small and go back for what they do have. Shop at discount clothing stores like Value City, TJMaxx, or even outlet stores. You will be surprised how long you can get away with wearing a size before moving down. Just don't buy too much at any size. Also, if you attend a support group, you can usually find someone getting rid of clothes of different sizes. I thought they used to have a clothing exchange set up on this website, maybe they still do. Also someone suggested the 'gently used upscale thrift stores'. They're out there. Good luck.
   — Cheri M.

January 15, 2002
Stupidly I donated ALL my too small clothes just before deciding on WLS. So I have bought a minimum of clothes from the cheapest stores possible. Some shop at thrift stores to save even more. Believe me you will be SO happy about the loss clothes woudnt be a big issue, other than the shock of being able to buy whatever you want from K mart or Wallmart! Although deciding what styles you like may take some time. Pre op I was just happy to find something hat fit! You can always use the clothing exchange here or at your local spport group. We outgrow clothes fast and have lots of stuff thats too big,...
   — bob-haller

January 15, 2002
Years ago, before I ever considered surgery I got rid of all my smaller clothes. However, friends of mine that started out smaller than I and had the surgery have given me their clothes and in return I have given my clothes to friends who have not had this surgery. I too will be going to thrift shops until I get to my goal and can build a wardrobe. When you go to your surgery support group ask around and maybe you can trade clothes.
   — Karen Renee

January 15, 2002
I hear ya. I have gone from a size 28 to a size 18 since the end of June. I wore my baggy clothes for a couple months until I started to look like a fool. Then I wore some of the more expensive outfits that I refused to give away because I knew that I would lose weight and wear them one day (I can't believe I did!). Then when those got too small, I borrowed business suits from my mother (for church and work). Now I am smaller than my mom! So I borrowed clothing from her that was too small for her. I also got sent clothing from 2 different friends that had the surgery and things got too big for them but were in my size. Then got a few things from a girl who had the surgery in my support group. Most of this is wear to work type stuff. I have spent about $600 on clothes since the surgery. And I don't consider that a lot. I can't bring myself to shop at the cheaper stores which is why I'm a fool (lol). Something about the quality in clothing will not allow me to buy anything from Walmart or Kmart. Although...who knows, I may just do it now that I am no longer fitting my mom's good stuff. A side note, I work from home so I am not as hard pressed to have something new to wear every day. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.

January 15, 2002
I needed a whole new wardrobe everytime I lost 50 pounds. That means I changed wardrobes three times....and since I love clothes it was quite an expense over a 14 month period. I tossed out my 30/32's...they were old and ugly. The others, I donated to a program that provides suits and work clothes to welfare moms and abused women who are just entering the job market. They were thrilled each time I dropped things off because they never received quality clothes in larger sizes. The casual stuff, I sent to Goodwill. Odd that this would come up because some folks over on the Naafa board have a disussion about locating large size clothes in flea markets etc. Someone even suggested asking for clothes on a wls board! www.naafa.org
   — [Anonymous]

January 15, 2002
I have been fortunate enough to have saved a few things from my climb up the obesity ladder...I also have been extremely lucky where a co-worker of mine who spends very good money on clothes get tired of some things (some very expensive things LOL) and se gave them to me. I have gotten away with spending a very minimum amount on any new clothes...always look for sales and I have re-discovered consignment shops---especially ones in more "exclusive" towns (yes, I'll travel a little ways away for them). A recent buy by a friend of mine---Liz Claiborne dress, original tag still on it for $150...she got it for $23. Wal-Mart and KMart for jeans and 'cheaper" clothes as I head back down the ladder. BTW, I went from a 22/24 down to a 12/14 in just 8.5 weeks, so I know about moving down that clothing size rack very rapidly. Good Luck and be happy! :>)
   — Mustang

January 15, 2002
Hi Bill. Well, here's what I'm doing so far. I'm down 40-45 lbs. so far and I'm still wearing the same clothes. They are getting baggy and hanging, but I'm waiting for spring and for the yard sales to start. I haven't had much luck on the clothing exchange here, except I have to say one lady helped me out pre-op. But here's another idea. My daughter just lucked out at the local Goodwill, she paid $40 for 8 sweaters, then took them to the cleaners and paid another $40, but like she said, that $80 is about only one or two sweaters in a store. And they are nice. So that's another option. Just tossing some ideas your way. Good luck on your journey.
   — blank first name B.

January 15, 2002
Hi Bill, I run moving and estate sales in the Chicago area....we often sell great clothes for a few $$$ each...check out your local paper for any ads...all the stores are clearing all the winter items now...I have bought about 6 pairs of slacks in 2 sizes less than I am now for an average of $8.00 each...last weekend I was visiting my daughter in MN and we went to Redwing...there was a second hand store where I bought 4 pairs of slacks -again in smaller sizes for a total of $8.00 - how can I go wrong...finally check out eBay - the online auction site...I just bought a pair of designer jeans for $4.00 and they fit great! Good Luck!
   — Diane Z.

January 15, 2002
My mother n law volunteers at a thrift store a few afternoons a week in order to go thru the clothes while sorting them. She is able to select what she wants before it reaches the racks out front. She supplies us all with nice clothing and I'm hoping she keeps this up while im going thru the sizes!!
   — [Anonymous]

January 15, 2002
Isn't this a fabulous problem? : ) It sure beats the days of going into a store and finding nothing but polyester muumuus in my size! I've bought a number of things on e-bay. You can turn around and re-sell the items when you no longer fit into them. It is possible to buy good quality clothing for almost nothing. Another thing I'm doing is sticking with just a few basic colors for bottoms (skirts, pants)and pairing them with a variety of tops. I can wear the same black skirt 2 or 3 times a week and no one notices because I wear different tops.
   — Bobbie B.

January 16, 2002
I found that places like Target, Walmart, and K-mart have great sales! I got a few pair of jeans for 8 and 10 dollars each! I figure they don't have to last forever...they just need to get me through until they don't fit anymore! Good luck!
   — Ilene M.

January 16, 2002
Hi Bill, I don't know if this will work for you, but maybe it will help someone else. I have a cheap 99.00 sewing machine that I set up right on a card table in my bedroom. Every day when I am about to get dressed for work, I take whatever garment I am about to wear, turn it inside out, and sew a new seam up each side. I kind of just guestimate how much to take it in, but I have lost 54 pounds, and I haven't had to buy any new clothes yet. You don't have to be a seamstress to do this, anyone can do it. Eventually you will need to buy new stuff, but everything will last you twice as long if you try taking clothing in yourself. It isn't hard, just try it. I feel a lot better going to work each day if my clothes don't feel too big and sloppy. Good luck.
   — [Anonymous]

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