What's your style?

The good news is I'm down about 43 pounds total (16 pre-op) and I'm one month out from surgery. My clothes are beginning to look really baggy. I have a wedding to attend next weekend and a concert on Sept. 17.

A friend who works at Talbot's helped me find something for the wedding and concert. But I have to have some casual clothes or I'm not going to be able to leave the house. So, my husband and his credit card took me to the mall this weekend.

I purchased nothing. It's because I'm feeling this horrible pressure to look somewhat different, to wear something different that what I've worn for the last 15 years. My "old" style was "comfort" and "black." I'm sure a lot of you can relate.

I have absolutely no idea what my "new" style is. I tried on a few things in a size smaller than what I used to be, but I still look huge. I'm not a flamboyant, colorful dresser; and I hope I'm not matronly. I just have no idea what to buy. I have no idea what my new life will look like?

Just wondering if anyone else went through something similar, and what the answer was? 

I am not sure that I have a "style", it just kind of happens when you no longer have to shop plus sizes. I still go for comfort. I still buy black because I like black, but I pair it with brighter colors. I do not have a lot of dressy stuff as I can dress casual at work. When I was actively losing I did most of my clothes shopping at thrift stores. That way you can try different styles without it breaking the ban****il you find what will work for you.

Hi, Vicky.
In reading your post, I had an idea. Why don't you go to a good store, with helpful sales people, and ask them to "dress you." If they know their stuff, you should get some great ideas. Even if you choose a place that's too fancy for your pocketbook, you could take the ideas and find more affordable outfits like them, elsewhere. Just a thought.
Now, get back out there and get some new clothes, girl! :)
Blessings,
Mary

I TOTALLY understand. My is just the OPPOSIT! I have gained more then 20lbs since I had started working in April. UGH!! 

So I had to buy clothes because I had none that fit me. It was depressing.

I LOVE CATO. Not sure if you have that store line where you are, but I LOVE their clothes.

I don't blame you not wanting to buy clothes since you will be losing so much weight so quickly, but you should pick out things that make you smile and feel happy in sweety! That's your style. Style that makes you feel good about yourself and your body!

Look how much  you have lost already too!! That is super hun! You should be proud of yourself!

*huggles*
Best of luck sweety!

Vicky, I have found that the smaller I get the more I like jeans and blouses. I am currently a student so I don't need any "dress" clothes although I have been looking for a nice out fit to wear out. I don't really have a style per se, I just buy what is comfortable. I do find that I am buying brighter colors and like them on me. Experiment some and go to garage sales while you are shrinking. It is a money saver for sure.
Emily

I am having the same trouble.  I was so used to getting fat clothes that I do not know what to look for now.  My baby got married August 8th and I got so many complements from family that had not seen me in months.  I had lost 80 lbs. at that point.  I bought a black dress, had it altered to fit and when I saw the pictures I think I still look fat.  I am wearing smaller clothes but do not like what I see when I look in the mirror.  Fat clothes do not look right and other clothes do not feel right.  I am hoping that I can find a style and like what I see in the mirror someday.

Ok, so I am admit to being a "fashionista".  LOVE to shop, love fashion, and love wearing the latest styles.  I think I remember it taking me a few months to start finding my groove as far as what I like to wear after my WLS.  When I am going out on appointments and selling houses, I like skirts or cute dress pants with trendy tops that coordinate.  For everyday wear, I wear little t-shirts and jeans, t-shirt and jean shorts, or t-shirt and capris.  I layer shirts a lot.  I love vests, blazers, and denim jackets.  I occasionally wear dresses, but it's not the norm for me.  Hope that helps a bit!  If you're on FB, you can add me (Renae Nickens, Dallas/Fort Worth network) and see some pics of how my style has evolved from pre-op to now.  *hugs*

~ Renae

I'm not sure what my new style is either, but I've been paying a lot more attention to what the other women in the office are wearing.  Do I think it looks good on them or not?  If I do I try to find something similar and try it on.  If it's comfortable (physically) I'll get it.  I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone of long shirts, dark colors, and lots of sweaters.  I'm finding that as time goes on I don't feel as uncomfortable wearing these different styles and at times I even think WOW I look good.  Have you thought about taking a friend with you, whose opinion you trust, to help you pick out clothes?  Trust me, my husband would put me in a stripped shirt and polka dot pants and think it looks fine LOL.

Vicky,
I read your post and I had to laugh.  I have been there.! I did not want to buy anything until my other clothes would not work at all for me.  Guess what, I wore a skirt today that I pulled up to my bra under by blouse!  The only thing I would say, is that your sizes are going to change so fast for a while that you could have lots of differnt styles awaiting you.  Right now my style is this friend of mine that passed her "to big" clothes down to me-it is great! !!! And I think she was a wonderful dresser and colorful too!  I think I am still into the black and comfortable too.  So, get out there and make use of that credit card, and make us proud!
Letha

Since I am no longer losing, I wear more fitted T-shirts.  During the loss phase, it was impossible to keep my t-shirts or sweaters fitted, and I really didn't care.  Now I make a point of buying the more fitted ones to help keep me honest.

For some reason, pre WL, I couldn't stand prints next to my face, and now I will wear a print.  I don't know what's up with that.

Now, you have to factor in that one of my life goals was to have a life where jeans and t-shirts were the norm.  I despised corporate America because I had to spend the bulk of my money on clothes that I didn't really care for-even as it got more casual.

I have now one pair of black dress pants (somewhere) that I bought last year when my Uncle died (funeral was well below freezing) and haven't worn since.

So, I actually look more like "me" than I have in a long time.  I just happen to be a plain T-shirt, jeans and shorts kind of gal.

I also wear a lot of yoga pants, but I keep to the fitted t-shirts-it used to be tights and a big loose t-shirt to "hide" as much of me as possible.

I just took a zillion paragraphs to say "my t-shirts are now fitted".  I'm boring.