Freaking out a little (clothing purge)

[Ann D 0]

Fairysaddle,

I purged my closet a few weeks ago, so I know your feelings. I was a size 22 at my largest, I am now a 14.

I am an HSN junkie and bought some storage saver hangers. I don't know the exact name, but I took everything out with the intentions of just switching hangers. I ended up bagging up 3 - 33 gallon trash bags and donating them.

I now go to Walmart, Fashio Bug or Good WIll to find a pair of pants here or a shirt there. I am not going over board on buying cloths because I am still losing. I buy just enough to get through to the next month or so. I have also befriended a seamstress. I have a few expensive suits I saved up for and my mom helped me buy for work. I have had them taken in. however the seamstress said she can't really take them in any more without having to completely take the outfit apart and re-make it. So those will be donated too.

FInd a good seam stress for outfits you really like. They really are not that expensive. for minor alterations like taking in a pair of pants my seamstress usually charges about $5-10. Most dry cleaners have or know an seamstress.

Great job by the way of losing the weight. Keep up the good work. and just think how good you will look in all the new cloths.

[Fairysaddle 0]

Ninja - Nice to meet you. Don't be too impressed, I have a lot more to lose than you. It's tougher to lose the weight when you don't have so much to lose. You've done great, too!

Ann - Excellent suggestion on the seamstress! I'm a stay at home Mom. I don't have any nice clothes. But, I am thinking about converting most of my pants into capris for the summer, though. I'm sure they won't fit in the fall anyway. I'm not much of a seamstress, but I can probably manage a hem.

[Ann D 0]

Fairy Saddle,

You never know one day you might be one hell of a seamstress, all it takes is pratice. if it doesn't work rip out the seam and try again.

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

I still go through this. A great thing to do is to try to take them in yourself. I have made some pretty cute things from REALLY oversized stuff! It is fun to experiment and it takes some of the panic out of it.

I have made some things that I actually wear in public! Takes a bit of practice but it can happen!

Also think about donating them and doing some good! Take the joy you are giving others!

[kathystrick 3]

That's a good idea Boo Boo Kitty! I am a novice seamstress at best, but think I will try this as I start moving down in sizes. I do have a few items I dread the thought of getting rid of, so this might work!

[tapshoes 2]

I know exactly what you mean. I finally cleaned out my closet (for this size anyway) and divided the clothes into donation or tailoring. I had beautiful custom made business suits which were still perfectly good - those will be re-tailored to my final size. Other suits and casual clothes I took to a woman's shelter - sometimes it is just the thing someone needs to get them through a first interview for a new job. Nothing was worn, frayed, or stained, and although DH thought I could sell them, I decided the hassles of selling/consignment stores was just not worth the money. Maybe others would (and more power to them) but just not me.

But even with those considered thoughts, it was still gut-wrenching (no pun intended) to part with some of my 'comfort clothes'.