A good problem, but . . .

[YeaMe 246]

I am five months out from VSG and fortunately only have 16 more lbs (my goal, which may change) to lose. My dilemma is clothing. Example - this morning I was getting dressed for work and now only have one pair of pants that fit. Really!?!? Last week I had 4. What happened over the weekend - I only lost 1 lb! So the problem-I have to dress in "professional" clothes - that's their term - meaning suits/jackets, etc. I have tried the thrift stores but they don't seem to carry much work professional - well, not true, if I want to dress in the 80's they do.

I just can't afford to buy clothes over and over and over, as I have probably already spent $800 in the last 4 months! I will go out again and buy a few staples, but literally nothing in my closet fits so I don't even have a M-F outfits. My trainer finally told me I HAD to go out and buy new workout clothes, which I did.

My question - when is a safe time to go out and purchase a new wardrobe? Once you reach goal? Wait 6 months after reaching goal? A year, 2 years? I see people's weight seems to fluctuate in the first 2 years before it settles down, or just possibly the people who post.

Advice from those that have been there would be appreciated.

[TheRealMeIsHere! 863]

Would it work to buy 1-2 pants/skirts/jackets in a color that goes with many things? Then a few shirts to mix & match?

Until your loss stabilizes.

$800 in 4 months, holy cow!!! Hope that job pays well, lol!

[YeaMe 246]

It seems like a lot - but when you factor in work out clothes, casual clothes, work clothes, and a 10 day vacation that I needed clothes for, it adds up fast. Also, all new undergarments. It's fun, but painful at the same time.

Edited July 17, 2017 by YeaMe

[Berry78 4,261]

Since you need business attire, it may be worthwhile to check out the clothing subscription websites. You pay so much a month, and can get a couple outfits, then mail them back in to exchange for others. (Old fashioned netflix type thing).

What I've been doing is getting two pairs of nice black slacks, and about 3 nice tops (I buy them where they'll just barely fit but still look ok, so they have room for me to shrink into).. and just do laundry constantly. If people wonder why I wear an outfit all the time, I just say it's my favorite. If they press, I'd say,"Hey, you want to take me shopping?" Ok, I admit that's never happened.. and probably because everything I wear is black, so they can't tell one outfit from the next, so they just assume I have a closet full of black clothes. Monochromatic, but it works! Lol. (And if I'm being ornery, I'd say I was in mourning for my parakeet).

[njgal 535]

Since you need business attire, it may be worthwhile to check out the clothing subscription websites. You pay so much a month, and can get a couple outfits, then mail them back in to exchange for others. (Old fashioned netflix type thing).

What a neat idea... never knew this exists. Thanks!!


H 5'6" HW 253, CW 250, TBS 9/19

[EW11211 42]

Dry cleaners can repair clothing inexpensively.

Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

[GrrlAnn 177]

I have the same problem. I am only 6 months postop so I can't answer the long term question.

What I have been doing is buying 1 black jacket, 2 pairs of pants and 2-3 tops every 2-3 sizes I drop. When I buy, I buy them 1 size too small. I find I can get away with bigger tops longer but even those get ridiculous after awhile.

Sent from my XT1585 using BariatricPal mobile app

[itstime4me123 139]

There are consignment shops that can often be affordable. You could take your barely worn larger clothes to make a few bucks too.

[EW11211 42]

Ebay is an excellent site for selling used clothing.

[IveGotThePower 395]

I did 2 basic black pants and Navy and a few tops to mix and match. They don't have to be really expensive. I shopped Dillards and Macys on the sales racks and online and got good deals. A lot of the time $15 to $25 per top. You don't have to LOVE them because you will have to get rid of them in a few weeks anyway, so it makes it easier to part ways if you get items that are appropriate but not expensive and that you don't grow attached to.

It's a mind game. You love these new clothes but can only wear them for a short time What a wonderful problem to have :-)

[trossyvsg 1]

I'm not in that place yet as I'm still pre op but I love the website ThredUP. It's a consignment type site that you can find great gently used (and sometimes new) clothes on for great prices! You can then sell them back in return after they get too big! Win/win! [emoji6]

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

My opinion from my personal experience.

Selling clothes on ebay is a waste of time now. Clothes are so cheap there is no market for used clothes. I bas so many peoplr buy things and never pay. The only things that sold well was Outerwear. Don't waste your time.

Pants, just say no to pants. They show loses the abaolute fastest. I have basically zero pants.

You didn't say what tou body shape is. I'm an hourglass sometimes an inverted triangle (my hips cant decide if they are going to keep some fat or not, it goes up and down). Dresses and skirts are the most bang for your buck.

Sheath dresses, fit and flare and bodycon dresses can last you a couple sizes. You can find Calvin Klein dresses at Ross and TJ Maxx for $39. Get 1 or 2 good blazers. I buy pencil skirts. You can find cheap stretch pencil skirts at Forever 21. Add a nice blouse and a blazer, work attire. You can find cheap shell tops everywhere.

I do not buy a lot at once. I just shop often. Like you are noticing 1 to 2 pounds can make all the difference and your body adjusts and redistributes fat. It is too easu for the slightest change to make things not fit.

The blazers should last you a couple sizes. They are fitted items, get everything else with stretch and buy it a little tight.

There is no saving money on quality undergarments and honestly this is the place you don't want to sacrifice quality. Foubdation garments make the outfit/the look. They are everything they make or break your figure. Also if you are bigger than a D, you can't get a decent bra for less than $50 anyway. Just watch for sales and don't buy too much. 2 bras so you dont wear the same bra everyday. Ignore the sales people and buy that band tight.

Subscription sites are a ripoff and all of them have ugly frumpy clothes. You can spend less on clothes bargain shopping and being smart. NY&Co alwsys has ridiculous sales, get on the mailing list. Same for banana republic, j crew and the gap. If you wear a small or a medium, the world is your oyster. Once you are below a 10 you have more options on the clearance rack.

I am still not wardrobe building most of my clothes are cheap $40 or less. Lots less than 20. I won't be wardrobe building until after skin removal surgery.

Good luck, it is a learning process.

Thredup is a massive rip off. I hope they go out of business soon

Edited July 24, 2017 by OutsideMatchInside

[YeaMe 246]

Thanks for all the input! I decided to go out on Saturday and see what I could find. My initial plan was to hit Ross, Old Navy, Target, Cato, but on the way I dropped off 4 garbage bags of clothes at Goodwill (both exciting and painful). So I thought, I'll just go in and see what they have. For $84 (they were having a 30-40% off sale and it was Senior Sat. (over 55) for an additional 30% off) I ended up with 2 pairs of jeans, 4 pairs of slacks, 2 suit jackets, 2 cardigans, and 22 tops for work. The tops worked out to $1.23 apiece. I'm 14 lb from goal so I know my pants may probably change 1 more size, but not my top. I literally having nothing left to lose on the top (bones are protruding). I feel I have a good base to work from and did save some of my more expensive clothes for alterations (if that is even possible).

This journey is amazing - I never thought I would be in the 160s or SIZE 8/10, EVER again.

[Missy161 395]

How about a seamstress to take in the clothes - there are many reasonable ones out there.


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 199 GW 135

[Missy161 395]

Or a clothing swap!


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 199 GW 135