I'm currently working on my third new wardrobe. I went through all the sizes in my closet, bought a new (limited) wardrobe, and now am forced to buy another - but still have a long way to go, so I know this is going to happen at least another time or two. I keep thinking I've had worse problems, lol.

Anyway, as I was searching for just a pair of pants that fit well and were inexpensive, I had a strange experience. I know I wear a regular size now (14-16), but I don't know where to find them in the stores! I am so used to going to Lane Bryant or Catherines, or the Womens section of department stores, that I don't have a go-to store or spot in department stores. I'm used to having a somewhat limited selection, and always having to pay more. I feel a little overwhelmed with all the glorious choices!!

I found myself wandering around Dillards, not even understanding the layout of the store (even though I've shopped there for 20 years) or where to find age appropriate work clothes.....and somehow found myself in the women's section! I was always grateful that they had a great womens section, and I could almost always find things there to fit (always the biggest size they carried), and yesterday it was all too big. I was happy and sad at the same time, and felt a little absurd for even thinking like that for one minute. This is a gift. Again, I've had worse problems.

I have a long way to goal, so I'm certain I'll learn as I go. I still want to shop at places like White House Black Market, but I think I must be too fat to shop there. I'm afraid to even try. I don't want to go in there only to have someone look down their nose at me because they know I am not in the "club" of thin people who can wear their exclusive clothing. (they have not done this to me, but I've experienced it at other places) I braved a trip into Victoria Secret a couple of weeks ago, and was shocked that: a) I was treated like I belonged there, and I actually left with something!! In the past, I would go there to buy something for my daughter, and unless she was with me, no one tried to help me usually. I'm not sure how much of that was me trying to avoid them because I felt funny being there!

As I wrote this super long post, it occurred to me that shopping can be an emotionally charged experience for overweight people, more so than I ever realized. Tell me your shopping experiences! Where do you love to shop now, and how did you make this transition?

This is sort of related:

I have recently shrunk enough to no longer fit into my favorite (previously tight) clothes. This was very very emotional for me, and I've been crying a lot over those clothes and the memories I have in them. I have several new items that I'm looking forward to wearing, but they don't fit quite yet. So I'm in a weird middle stage and feel like nothing fits. And even week to week I can't depend on something fitting. It's as if I have to learn how to dress myself every 3-5 days.

I totally know what you mean about not wanting to walk into White House Black Market (or other thin stores). That look of not fitting in. I encourage you to do it! Go for it! If they look at you funny, remind yourself that it's their own insecurities.

Have you tried Nordstrom rack for clothes?

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Congratulations on being smaller. I know what you mean about being attached to the clothes. I did get rid of everything, and I was happy to do it because it represents the change in my life, but they were very nice and expensive. I didn't mourn the loss of them though, I wasn't that attached to my fat self I haven't tried Nordstrom rack, but I will, so thanks for the tip! I am also happy to report that I now own something from White House Black Market! So, while I'm far from thin, I can shop anywhere now, and I find it strange that sales people are so helpful. My kids have even noticed it. It sort of makes me mad to be treated better because I'm thinner - I don't think I realized how bad it was when I was heavier, because I refused to let my weight be a barrier to my success and happiness. I now realize that it was anyway.

Makes perfect sense. I think it wasn't that I was attached to my heavier self. It's more that I had to learn to be happy as a big girl before I got smaller. So I have a lot of happy memories in those clothes. I'm not one that thought, life will be so much better when I'm thinner! Instead, I made my life awesome and surrounded

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I actually bought most of my 3x's from J Jill online. They have a fabulous selection of cute and trendy womens clothing. I hate places like Penneys and Khols womens sections. Its like all of us wants to wear mumus? Not me. They r pretty pricey and I realized just how pricey when I boxed up several hundred dollars worth of 3xs and 2xs with tags still on them for my sister in law.

Last month I went into Old Navy (once upon a time off limits to me) to browse their clearance rack. Found a pair of white skinny jeans for $8. Took the 10s and 8s into try them on, knowing it would probly be the 10. Walked outa the store with my very first pair of size 6 skinny jeans. Needless to say they're my fav pants now.

They had to have been mistagged. I've never worn a 6 in my life, nor can I get into a 6 anywhere else. Looking forward to getting rid of the 10s and 8s in my closet. I'm also on about my 3rd or 4th wardrobe since starting out before my lapband 4 yrs ago at 250. So thankful I don't have to pay the extra $10 it costs for the extra material to order the plus sizes

I'm afraid that I have turned my food addiction into a shopping addiction. Okay, I've always had a shopping addiction -- you should see my shoe collection! But now I have so many more choices. I can walk into any small boutique and feel like I can find something. In the past I would wander into those boutiques and pretend I was looking at jewelry or scarves, but I always felt like I didn't belong.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm a big gal. 5'11" and shoulders like a linebacker. I still buy L or XL, and a size 12 pants. But I never thought I would wear anything smaller than a 14, so I'll take it.

I am trying to construct a winter work wardrobe right now. I buy and return a lot right now. I keep getting the long, flowy things I have used to hide behind in the past. But what I want now are the more shaped, fitted clothes. So I am learning, and damn it's fun!