I just want to share with the ladies something I have learned about dressing. I lost 50 pounds before my surgery and I went from a 26 to a 20. To avoid buying so much expensive clothing, I started buying really cute (and somethimes flashy) inexpensive necklace and earring sets and sometimes bracelets. Then I would wear cheap V-neck 3/4 sleeve t-shirts from Jessica London and JCPenney on sale. Sometimes I would get them for $6 or $7. The 3/4 length sleeve makes the t-shirt look dressier and the jewelry makes you look put together too. Then you can still wear the jewelry from one size to the next ,you just have to buy some more cheap T-shirts and pants. You always look nicely dressed and it works from size to size.

That's a great tip I probably wouldn't have thought about, thanks! Also you can find some really great clothes at Goodwill if you are willing to really search through all of them.

I am thinking about the goodwill also I am now losing my pants at work so I need to do something soon but don't want to get use to a size 20 my goal is a size 14

i love goodwill! i have a fantastic Kasper business suit that I got for $10, tags still on it! I had a price of $160! It's too big now though.

Goodwill and Salvation Army stores are on my list of places to shop. I've noticed that there are more things in smaller sizes than there are in larger ones.

We also have re-sale clothing shop.. actually we have many, in our area. That's going to be one of my stops!

I've also found a really good seamstress not too far away, so I'll have her alter some of my stuff or show me how to do it.

Outlets. JCPenny Outlet online store had some good deals recently-- I got a few blouses and nightgown, and all the clothes were less than 10 dollars a piece. In blouses they had my shirt (Ok, I have this thing for 3/4 sleeve striped button down shirts (blues and greens) to alternate with my tshirts, but in all fairness I am trying to get a little more variety into my wardrobe. I now also wear hoodies and I'm considering branching out into tanks I can layer over henlys and long sleeve ts) and in my prefered length-- talls (I'm not even that tall or anything, but I have a long torso and big shoulders), so that was even better.

Torrid also recently had some good clearance online and I was able to get some nice skull prints. I love skulls.

Gordmans is another place that is good to shop for trying on clothes. They have junior plus sizes and while it isn't nearly as much variety as the plus, they have some cute blouses and their misses section is large.

Some things that I haven't been as able to skimp on are jeans and bras. I recently discovered a cut of jeans that actually fits these days-- Levis Curvy Fit (529), which I got at Kohls. It was cheaper than it would be elsewhere there, at least. Lately I have been buying bras at Victoria Secret. I went with some friends last time and found one that fit and it works well for me and the salesperson was really helpful. Its comfy and helps with the back strain plus it keeps my boobs up where they belong, otherwise some blouses just look strange, like if they are sagging below the part that is supposed to hold the chest-- not that I can think of the term for that. Skirts on the bottom are nice (and cheap and easily adjusted-- I like Holy Clothing on ebay for long skirts and dresses), and in the winter I like leggings underneath. I need a new pair though, and because the couple inches above my ankles can get old I might see if I can find a pair a little longer. But those aren't usually expensive.

A good site to shop at for really LOW prices is bcoutlet.com . Its the clearance of lanebryant catalog, jessica london and romans.

Thanks Kelintx I Didn't Know That

glad to know i am not the only one who doesn't want to spend money on clothing. I took a hint from my mil for my bday she gave me a gift card for goody's only local store we have. she normally just cooks for us but said i look llike i could use some new clothes. so i went shopping i started this at a size 26 and currently bought a 16. but bought clearance and saved some for the next size. yes my husband says i am cheap but i think it is wasteful. thanks for the lane bryant clearance site.

beth

Don't forget about Ebay, everyone! I've been able to pick up some great clothing deals there--sometimes overlooked by everyone else! I like certain designers (i.e. Liz Claiborne) and always find pant suits and dresses at reasonable prices, even with the shipping! :ranger: