Bra Extenders & Other Clothing Tricks

[amy6152 70]

My bras are too big, and so begins what I imagine will be a journey of boob and torso shrinkage that will cost me a bundle! An Amazon review clued me into bra extenders, so I plan to buy two bras that will fit me snugly right now, as well as two that are the NEXT size down, along with the bra extenders to make everything work along the way.

This got me wondering about tips and tricks others might have to minimize new clothing costs as we lose the weight. Obviously there are cheap places to buy clothing (consignment shops and Goodwill among them), but I'm really thinking about hacks. For example, is there some way you've found to make your too-big shirts look great? Maybe a clip of some kind, or a simple sewing technique? I don't know... Just throwing this one at the wall to see what sticks!!!

[baribetty 166]

My boobs are totally deflating. Why are you buying so many bras at once? I would suggest buying as you need them, because both your cup and size may change, and at different rates. I’ve been wearing a lot of sports bras, but I’m lucky to work from home so I can wear casual stuff most of the time.

[insta_adventurer 1,046]

Yeah- I’ve been buying two push up and one lounge at every size. I’m going down in the boobs slower than I am elsewhere, thankfully. Also, most bras have three or more sets of hooks so as I get smaller, I just move in a set until I can’t make it any smaller.

[GreenTealael 25,587]

Girls...

I have been struggling. I went from a 44H Lane Bryant balconette to a 38DD Secret Treasure padded/38D Joan Smalls Smart & Sexy unlined. I haven't bothered buying expensive bras again until the changes stop. Learned the hard way.

I'm still losing volume.

I could have NEVER guessed I would lose so much in my bust, with my glorious bust history I just couldn't have anticipated it.

Bras are one of those things GS that aren't super Fluid. Cup band size manipulation has a small window because of metal sizing in underwire.

Otherwise I'm a big fan of (self) tailoring the very best of your high quality clothing along the way

But I'd caution against buying *too* much ahead of time amd missing the wearable window

Edited December 16, 2018 by GreenTealael

[notmyname 593]

First - shop in your closet. Anything that you used to be able to wear that will fit again? SOmething you bought earlier that didn't quite fit but you never had time to return? I found a TON of clothes in my closet that are 1-2 sizes smaller than my surgery size.

Dresses are my go-to - especially belted ones. Those can be worn for about 3 sizes because you can belt them in so they don't look so loose. I tend to like the fit and flare ones with belts.

I also watch for clearance/sales on staples (jeans, black work pants, work tops) and buy a couple sizes when they're on sale.

If you're plus size, Lane Bryant has some decent sales at the holidays. For example, right now they have $20 sweaters (don't buy too many because winter won't last long), 40% of most clothing and clearance. I think I got jeans for like $30 at Thanksgiving. Old Navy also often has sales and Target is a good place for basics.

Some folks also shop at Goodwill/Salvation Army, etc. I don't, just because my area doesn't have a lot of plus size offerings, but its a good place to start.

Finally, some bariatric surgery support groups will have a clothing exchange. Its worth asking your surgeon's office. Or, maybe start one?

[ldawn 178]

I dread what will become of my boobs. When I was skinny I was a 36A. Now as an obese woman I’m a 44DDD.

Also watch dressbarn for sales. They have a great plus size line and they have some incredible sales. Their jeans are the only ones I can find to fit me properly. They have a good clearance section also.

[notmyname 593]

One other tip - find a decent tailor (or learn how to yourself if you enjoy that type of thing). You can tailor a few pairs of pants as you go down cheaper than buying new.

[insta_adventurer 1,046]

As far as maximizing your wardrobe. I try to only buy two pairs of jeans at each size, but I also make sure to buy stretchy jeans and that they are a little snug when purchased. This allows me to skip buying a size, as they will fit longer (like I went from a 20 to a 16). Blouses can be worn for a few sizes, same with dresses.

Pricier items, I try to buy a little snug so I get more out of them. Like my winter coat was a “Barley able to zip” snug when I got it and now is just fitted looking.

I really try to have just enough clothes and am continuously going through them to review what I actually have before I buy anything else. That’s the biggest thing. Like I thought I was needing blouses, so I went and organized my closet and realized I maybe needed only one more.

I also stay the eff away from department and high end stores. I do not need expensive clothes right now.

[alioolala 57]

I don’t do thrift shops bc I’m afraid of bedbugs so everything I purchased was new. I buy one pair of jeans for each size down and I wear workout leggings a lot bc I’m at the gym everyday. The leggings last a lot longer than the jeans. My gym tops can last several sizes and don’t look too bad oversized. I have 4 dressy tops and I just rotate them out. That’s it! I also bought them all on sale none of them cost more than $15. I’m a stay at home mom though so I don’t have the challenge of buying work clothes.

[Frustr8 7,886]

Any more clothing tricks anyone wants to share?

[Frustr8 7,886]

I am looking forward to some leggings, my legs are actually starting to taper in and out instead of looking like thick wooden table legs. Well I always had a shape, it was more like a salami, Ample Sample-hood, here I come!