Clothes shopping: So much fun! And when is it too much?

Pokemon... you've described me to a T!  I hated shopping pre-surgery.  H.A.T.E.D. I.T.  Nothing ever fit, nothing looked good.

Once I got down to a size 12, I started shopping a little.  Then a size 8... shopping more.  Now I'm a size 4 (still can't believe it) and my closet is so packed tight, you could lose and arm if you stick it in there too far. 

I did get rid of ALL my giant clothes... (I'm not good at purging, but I did it... gave away 12 large bags to charity).  Now I have to decide if I should give away my perfectly good (almost brand new) sizes 8-12.  I only got to wear them a few times before they were too big.  I don't want to think negatively and say "well, in case I gain it back, I better keep them"... and they ARE taking up precious room in the closet.  But I haven't had the courage to give them away yet.  I'm working on it.

So, yeah -online shopping?  I'm addicted.  I started with Costco... they would send my order within 24 hours, and free shipping to send anything back.  I have EVERYTHING they sell in my size now.  Everything.  Then I went to Macy's online.  Then Kohl's.

I have to stop.  There's so much more I'd like to buy - but where would I put it?  Every drawer is jam packed.  Bras, undies, slips, capri pants (had to have every color), leggings, crop pants, jeans, dress pants... and of course - all the cute tops to match.

It used to take hours to dress in the morning because I couldn't find anything that fit.  Now it takes hours because I can't decide which cute thing I wanna wear!

Cross addiction?  Yep... I got it.

Sorry - I'm no help am I?   

Well, actually you ARE a help!  Because it helps me try to see myself, to compare what I am doing, and to connect and be aware.

I have gotten rid of almost all my bigger clothing.  I have mostly purged my closet, but have held onto a few things in smaller sizes (though not as small as I am), because I really loved those things and held onto them hoping to fit into them again.  Now they are all too big, but I still love them--the fabric or color or memory or something--but these are mostly out of date of course.  I have done the old 'hang the hanger backward' thing as a way of knowing to get rid of something.

I also have some things that I should get rid of in the 10-12 sizes (I am about an 8 right now, and I do not expect to get  much smaller, even if I lose more weight, just because of my shoulders and hip bones and because even when I was really thin as a bride 25 years ago, I never got below an 8.)  I have held onto these, I think, because they are the first things I purchased in a new size--a couple of them were good finds.  (I am thinking of two cardigans.)  Maybe they can be altered.  Sweaters are easier to wear big.

I have always done a lot of online shopping--I started doing this because we don't live close to many stores.  Especially when I was a young mom with my babies and little kids--then it was at least 30 minutes from my house to any kind of clothing store--the area has grown in the past years, and now I am 20 min from a Target/WalMart/Costco area.  Anyhow, when my children were little, it was too hard to take them shopping, and to manage the fitting rooms with them, and to get them their naps and meals and such.  Also, my size started to make it really hard to find things in the stores.  So I started shopping online to get plus sizes and have a chance to try things on at home on my own time while the kids were sleeping.  It seemed the most practical solution.

Regarding the time it takes to dress--I find that what I spend time on now is not so much choosing what cute thing to wear (I still don't have very many clothes in my closet), but figuring out what jewelry to wear with it.  I have recently been given several pieces of jewelry that belonged to my mother, my mother in law, and my grandmother.  Some of this jewelry is big and bold--I NEVER would have worn it before because it drew too much attention to me.  Anyhow, now there are more choices in my box, and I have been experimenting with having an actual outfit, not just a "get by."

Thanks so much!  It really is helpful for me to read people's thoughts and think about what this means to me as I try to reinvent myself.

I love to shop- hence the the name above.

I'm also cheap as hell and have only been buying $1 clothes at thrift stores the past 6 months. So my spending isn't impacting my budget. Sometimes I buy really cheap tops or pants at kohls- like $6 or less dresses, etc.

I've been losing about a size a month at this point so I have to keep on top of this as I will not wear things that are too big.

I don't feel bad for spending a couple dollars on something that I might wear once, or not at all. Then I sell it on mercari/ebay, facebook and get my money back and sometimes more.

My closet is finally filling out and im starting to run out of space. So I've been trying things back on and deciding if it is 'me' and flattering enough for me to keep. If I'm totally in love with something now I MAY keep it since I'm close to goal.

Honest, I bow down with honor at your shopping skills.  I have never been a good shopper!  Not very patient hunting through racks.  Throughout my life, I have mostly limited my spending by just not buying very much.  There is only one thrift store within 30 minutes of us--it is like a Good Will store but with a different name.  I used to try to find things there, but the plus sizes had almost no selection.  I have not really gone there looking for myself lately, and I should try it again.  Their shirts tend to run about $5, and their pants are $6-8.  I always go there at Halloween or when the kids have a school costume need (a play or a wax museum, etc).  I know there are usually some cute things in the womens sizes that fit my 14 year old son! (That would be size 2, and I can make a great men's suiting styles for a 1900s look from small-sized women's slacks and vests and jackets!)

If you haven't been here- this might be an option for you if there aren't thrift stores near by with good prices. I've seen nice tops and pants and jackets as low as $2.70. And they have free return shipping, just print the label and send back.

Gotten some nice ann taylor, chicos clothes from there. Sometimes they also put in super high end ones and you can get a real bargain.

http://referral.swap.com/250132298698072064

I also like ordering from kohl's- sometimes if I see something on clearance online and I'm near a kohls, I just pull up in the parking space, connect to their wifi, then you can get free shipping to your home ! Saves $9!

I like that site a lot!  And it looks like maybe you will get a $20 credit for referring me; you ARE a super shopper.

yes, i got a credit once last month- I bought a winter coat with it :)

They do run great deals and if it doesn't fit right it you just ship it back - so low risk out of pocket.

I am only in the beginning stages of this clothing phenomenon, but I already can feel the excitement of it all!

I am becoming the thrift shop duchess (behind Supershopper of course ), in that I find a lot of things for myself at both Goodwill, and a couple of second hand shops we have in town. I've had to buy a few things for my impending trip, and while I got some things used, I had to go 'new' on things like a bathing suit and some shorts because I just couldn't find any that I wanted used. 

I still have a bottom closet about 1/2 full of mostly 12's waiting for me to get into, but I already know some of the pants won't work because the fashion has changed. I am making a promise to myself to only keep things I love, or like a lot. No more 'adequate' clothes!

Right now I've held my shopping down to only things for the trip... I don't know what size I'll be in a few weeks, and then the whole wardrobe will change for work after Labor Day. No more business casual (which we push that limit down to pretty casual)... but I expect my shopping will resume soon!

I can't wait to get into a 10! (and then an 8, and a 6...).

We went on a big family trip about 7 months after my surgery, and I did buy a few things then.  I am excited for your journey down and down and down the sizes.

Moderation is of course key to all indulgences,  but just keep in mind......

Clothes are necessary and it's finally enjoyable !!!

You have likely saved $$$ from other things like fast food/ junk , expensive plus sized stores

You deserve to have your outside every bit as beautiful as your inside!!!

Be sensible.... BUT NEVER feel guilty about taking good care of YOU