When to get new clothes?!

[AmberFL 1,067]

I am down 32lbs pre-op (surgery date Jan 24th) My leggings are too big, I have maybe 2 pair pants that stay up. I started my journey in a very tight 18 and now Im in size 14 and these jeans were "just in case I fit into them" Now they are becoming a little lose. I don't want to over buy but I also would like to have a few nice outfits for work or going out.

What size should I buy? Should I buy size 10's? Seems too soon- but I need pants that stay up lol!

[brandycsiz 49]

I am down about the same as you and I have slowly bought new pants and shirts.. I am currently living in leggings and oversize shirts ( never thought I would say that) I am waiting until Spring/ Summer to buy clothes and getting by with the bare now. I am also watching for sales getting things that way.

[Lily2024 137]

This is so exciting. I already purged my wardrobe and shopped through old smaller stuff that I never got rid of. That's what I'm wearing now but I've dropped so fast now, I think I'll go out and get a few new things for work? Maybe I'll look through thrift for now until I stop changing so quickly?

[ms.sss 15,816]

i was so excited to get new clothes i started buying around 3 months post op (even though i still had a horde of "skinny clothes" i could still wear that i kept all those years). and i continued to buy clothes here and there as i shrunk, and especially when i sized out of all my skinny clothes.

the clothes i bought only lasted maybe 3-4 weeks before they were too big to wear anymore. annoying yes, but i had sooo much fun shopping and wearing cute new stuff, i didn't mind so much.

though from a practical sense, i probably should have just bought more sparingly and focused on items that would last longer (think drawstings, wraps, belt-able items...and nothing structured or tailored-fit).

best tine to overhaul ur wardrobe would be when u have been in maintenance for a couple months....but then where's the fun in that??? 😂

[Spinoza 1,521]

I love that you are downsizing before you even have your surgery! Kudos to you for sticking to your pre-op diet so well and seeing such a big loss.

I think size 10s are totally realistic for you. Be prepared to buy things for work before you can wear those clothes, but absolutely be prepared to buy smaller sizes too as you shrink further.

Welcome to your new life OP.

Edited January 11, 2024 by Spinoza

[NickelChip 1,358]

I think it depends a lot on your budget. If you can afford to buy things you may not wear more than once, go for it! But I would wait on making a major investment until you feel confident you're at the size where you're likely to stay. Personally, I'm thinking it will be Walmart and thrift shops in the beginning, and letting myself loose in the shops I never got to shop in because they don't carry plus size once I reach a point where those clothes will be with me for a while. I don't really have skinny clothes in a stash because I purged my closet before a move a few years ago, although I do have some things that will work at lower weights. Now to see about the seasons. I feel like when I was shopping for my babies and had to guess whether a size 6mo would fit them in cold weather or warm!

[catwoman7 11,278]

for clothes in general, I'd shop thrift stores since you're going to blow through sizes pretty quickly. Although leggings are cheap (and hard to find in thrift stores, too...)- so maybe I'd buy a new pair or two of those every couple of months. But more expensive clothes, no. In two months they're going to be too big for you.

[Arabesque 7,594]

I shopped my wardrobe for most as I had kept a lot across sizes (US6-12) but in many cases I missed my window. Wrong season or dropped before I had a chance to wear them. I just bought odd things to fill in gaps. Didn’t spend a lot of money. Thrift & consignment stores are a great option too & then you can donate them back or sell them again. Go for elastic or drawstring waists or stretch when you can which will cover you for a couple of sizes. I also belted a lot of things.

Better to go slowly because you never know where you may actually settle. When I reached my goal & was wearing a US 6/8 I started buying a lot more & really restocking my wardrobe because I thought yay I’m done. Bad mistake as I kept losing & those clothes became too big. I had to buy new bras, new knickers & clothes all over again. So be careful.

[AmberFL 1,067]

18 hours ago, brandycsiz said:

I am down about the same as you and I have slowly bought new pants and shirts.. I am currently living in leggings and oversize shirts ( never thought I would say that) I am waiting until Spring/ Summer to buy clothes and getting by with the bare now. I am also watching for sales getting things that way.

I think leggings will be my best friend lol

[AmberFL 1,067]

18 hours ago, Lily2024 said:

This is so exciting. I already purged my wardrobe and shopped through old smaller stuff that I never got rid of. That's what I'm wearing now but I've dropped so fast now, I think I'll go out and get a few new things for work? Maybe I'll look through thrift for now until I stop changing so quickly?

Were about the same height and wow you dropped so much in such a little amount of time!! I started about 40lbs heavier than you too. Its encouraging! Thrift or Ross might be my friend too lol

[AmberFL 1,067]

17 hours ago, ms.sss said:

i was so excited to get new clothes i started buying around 3 months post op (even though i still had a horde of "skinny clothes" i could still wear that i kept all those years). and i continued to buy clothes here and there as i shrunk, and especially when i sized out of all my skinny clothes.

the clothes i bought only lasted maybe 3-4 weeks before they were too big to wear anymore. annoying yes, but i had sooo much fun shopping and wearing cute new stuff, i didn't mind so much.

though from a practical sense, i probably should have just bought more sparingly and focused on items that would last longer (think drawstings, wraps, belt-able items...and nothing structured or tailored-fit).

best tine to overhaul ur wardrobe would be when u have been in maintenance for a couple months....but then where's the fun in that??? 😂

I am already looking up "what is the trend" because I do not know! I am a tshirt cardigan and jeans type gal at work. On the weekends I am in yoga pants and tshirts, so I would love to buy a few pieces that are like "wow"

[AmberFL 1,067]

17 hours ago, Spinoza said:

I love that you are downsizing before you even have your surgery! Kudos to you for sticking to your pre-op diet so well and seeing such a big loss.

I think size 10s are totally realistic for you. Be prepared to buy things for work before you can wear those clothes, but absolutely be prepared to buy smaller sizes too as you shrink further.

Welcome to your new life OP.

This has been so exciting! I am starting to feel good about myself and more confident. I cant wait to see how the surgery helps me continue my journey!

[AmberFL 1,067]

15 hours ago, NickelChip said:

I think it depends a lot on your budget. If you can afford to buy things you may not wear more than once, go for it! But I would wait on making a major investment until you feel confident you're at the size where you're likely to stay. Personally, I'm thinking it will be Walmart and thrift shops in the beginning, and letting myself loose in the shops I never got to shop in because they don't carry plus size once I reach a point where those clothes will be with me for a while. I don't really have skinny clothes in a stash because I purged my closet before a move a few years ago, although I do have some things that will work at lower weights. Now to see about the seasons. I feel like when I was shopping for my babies and had to guess whether a size 6mo would fit them in cold weather or warm!

Ahh I always forget Wally World! That'll be a good spot to go too, they have upped their game!

[AmberFL 1,067]

12 hours ago, Arabesque said:

I shopped my wardrobe for most as I had kept a lot across sizes (US6-12) but in many cases I missed my window. Wrong season or dropped before I had a chance to wear them. I just bought odd things to fill in gaps. Didn’t spend a lot of money. Thrift & consignment stores are a great option too & then you can donate them back or sell them again. Go for elastic or drawstring waists or stretch when you can which will cover you for a couple of sizes. I also belted a lot of things.

Better to go slowly because you never know where you may actually settle. When I reached my goal & was wearing a US 6/8 I started buying a lot more & really restocking my wardrobe because I thought yay I’m done. Bad mistake as I kept losing & those clothes became too big. I had to buy new bras, new knickers & clothes all over again. So be careful.

My undies are already getting to fit more comfy so I knew I will need to go on a undie and bra haul too! thank you!

[AmberFL 1,067]

14 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

for clothes in general, I'd shop thrift stores since you're going to blow through sizes pretty quickly. Although leggings are cheap (and hard to find in thrift stores, too...)- so maybe I'd buy a new pair or two of those every couple of months. But more expensive clothes, no. In two months they're going to be too big for you.

good to know! thanks!!