When did you...

I've lost about 40lbs so far and I haven't bought any new clothes.  A friend of mine who saw me for the first time since surgery and told me that my clothes are falling off of me and that I needed to go shopping.  I did try on a couple of shirts yesterday but I was still in XL which was kind of depressing.  I've lost about 4 inches off of my waist but I'm scared to go and try on new jeans if I don't go down a size I can see myself crying in the dressing room and leaving the store.  I'm typically (well I've been wearing) an 18 WP, I was able to wear a pair of 18 short Levi's that I haven't worn in 5 years, but they're still 18 :(
When did you buy new pants? 

Well I wasn't able to find jeans that fit for awhile I believe I was down about 50 pounds when I felt that I was really starting to see my clothes getting really baggy and I started by hitting the local thrift store and then a clothing exchange.  And even right now each pair of jeans fit differently I have one pair of 26s that are literally falling off me and a pair that fits really nice and I am wearing several size 24s in jeans and shorts but then there is a pair of sweet booty jeans in 24 that I can get on but have a muffin top going on and they are definitely tight.  So relax and enjoy trying on and seeing which brands fit the nicest. I myself am discovering that I like the new jeans made with the stretch to the fabric the best. I can get snugger fit but still move and breathe.


Editted because I cant freaking type this morning.

I had to buy new pants pretty soon because my body shape changed really fast - below the waist.  Not so much above the waist!  So, of course, that is my most hated body part! LOL!

Not all XL's are created equal!  I know you know this!  I have everything from 1 medium shirt to L to XL to 1X and I'm wearing them all.  Doesn't mean my size is changing, just the manufacturer of the shirt.  Same is true for pants.  So don't look at the size so much as the way you look in the thing.

As for pants, try on Lee Comfort Waist from Kohl's.  They are the best!  My sister, Happycat, found these and they are the bomb!  The waist has stretch in it so you can buy a snug size and still be comfortable.  And I promise you'll wear a smaller size.  They're kinda pricey - usually $27 a pair - but oh so comfortable!

40 pounds is awesome!  You are doing great but might wanna think about going to the thrift store so you don't look like the bag lady!

The goodwill's around here seem to only have the smaller size.  I know this sounds vain but I got a pair of 16s from our clothing exchange and after I got them I noticed that they had an elastic waist. (no zipper, like maternity pants!)  I do have a Kohls card so I'l look there. 
My thighs and butt of my jeans are baggy and I can pull the waist of my jeans out and have a good 3-4 fingers gap.  I also want to buy the clothes I like not the clothes that fit, am I just a whiner.

Those Lee are regular button and zipper pants - not an old lady elastic waist that I used to love!

I had to start buying clothes when I quit shopping in my closet.  I work in an office so I felt I needed to keep up with some clothes.  I shop at the sales, Ross, TJ Max, Marshalls and anywhere else I see "clearance".  I got a BIG DEAL on some capris at an outlet mall in Hillsboro, TX the last time I went down to see my kids 3 weeks....$4.00 a pair...I bought 4 pair in 2 different sizes hoping they will get me through for a while.  I also find that different brands fit different and I'm not getting hung up over "sizes"...not a big deal in the least to me especially since I know they aren't a 34!!  I have some tops that are 0X, 1X, 2X and 18s.  They are different brands and cut to fit different.  I don't like "tight" stuff and so many tops now are really really fitted.  Just enjoy the ride and don't let the numbers hang you up.  You KNOW you're smaller.  40 pounds is HUGE!!  Way to work your tool girlfriend!!!

Its funny how you can lose weight and still wear the same but if you gain 5 they fill tight.  I have been wearing some of the same clothes for several years, over a 40 lb difference. 

I have a pair of the Lee's from Kohls also, love those, but fortunately or unfortunately they are getting too big.  They seem to stretch during the day and just get baggier.

I shop at Ross, Walmart, JcPenny and Kohls.  I am fortunate that I have been given clothes by several family members and am now shopping in my closet for stuff I haven't been able to wear before.

Oh on the sizes, I have a pair of shorts that are a 24 my jeans are 18 and I have a skirt that is a 14 and they all fit good.  It just depends on the maker and the piece of clothing.  Don't look at the number, look at you and how much smaller you are.  I have shirts from an XL to a 2X.

Best of luck

Debbie

If your pants were 5 years old, they were probably actually smaller than the same "size" pant bought recently.  Sizes are getting bigger without changing numbers.  This makes it hard in goal setting-I was trying to avoid a number (cause I get hung up on the scale) but a size is a number that, well varies from maker to maker.  And, if you've been heavy for awhile, those old numbers we remember don't apply.

Another thing-your definition of too tight or too loose is likely going to change.  I'm slowly getting comfortable in clothes that I don't swim in, but it's taking a lot of time.  Nicely fitted really does look smaller than too tight or too big, but getting used to what that feels like is a work in progress. 

You are doing wonderful!! It is amazing! Glitter is so right in that not all sizes are created equal and once you wash them....they are really not equal. I have always bought larger sizes to allow for shrinking of material, not body! Don't be afraid to at least try pants on to see where you are in this process. I am lucky in that I have a few sizes of jeans in my closet so I will be able to try them on soon....Anyone who has lost 40 lbs has to have had many changes, it just depends on where it changed. I am excited for you that this is even an issue! You are changing inside and out and soon it will all match up!! Go try on some new pants!! Think how great it will feel if they are smaller?? If they aren't then think they will be fitting soon, because they will.

sherry

OH GIRL YOU WILL WANT TO GET YOU A SET OF CLOTHES THAT FIT YOU WELL AND WAIT TIL YOU SEE HOW YOU LOOK AND FEEL!! IT IS A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!! I TOO THOUGHT I WOULD WEAR MY EXISTING WARDROBE TIL THEY FELL OFF OF ME BUT I TREATED MYSELF WHEN I LOST 100LBS AND OMG THE DIFFERENCE GOOD FITTING CLOTHES MAKE TO YOUR SELF ESTEEM IS AWESOME! SO GO OUT AND AT LEAST GET YOU 1 OUTFIT THAT FITS AND GO FROM THERE. I SHOPPED AT GODDWILL AND DOLLAR GENERAL AND FAMILY DOLLAR!