Making a new style

The journey is 18 months long since surgery.  My life has been about my weight for much, much longer. One topic I really wonder about is "style" and how it comes to everyone.  I always dressed well for my "size" and looked nicely presented.  I wore lots of prints and colors that made up for shape.  I was often complimented on my clothing.  I would have called it understated large. As I have begun to shop for new purchases, I am amazed at the overwhelm to make choices.  I no longer have to choose between two things because the fit, but a whole world of options! I am wondering, how has your style evolved as your body became so new?  Maybe you were normal sized as an adult and you are returning to that size.  For me, I have never shopped in anything but a large size store.  My body is thickest through the middle, even with my weight loss.  I still wear most everything with a shirt tail on the outside.  (Not tucked in).  Dresses lay better now, but heck, I live in Florida and formal wear is no swim suits!  I haven't worn sleeveless unless I was in a swim suit on the beach.  My biggest shock is choosing solid colors now.  I don't really require the camoflauge of prints.  I go for items that do not hug my 'muffin top' above pants or skirts.  If I wear waist tight pants it accentuates the muffin, so I avoid those choices.  I have resorted to a form fitting camisole under everything to keep the belly jiggles under control. I am five four, size 14, 165 pounds with a wasit still at 38 inches. (down from 52)  I am down 90 pounds from my highest.  I see another 15-20 pounds coming off.........very very slowly. Up till now, I bought most of my downward slide clothes at consignment stores and was the blessed one with some very nice hand-me-downs.  Now, I am beginning to shop for real.  And I have no idea what my style is. Experiences desired!  Thanks. Vicky

I am working on the same issues.  I have been going to barnes and noble to look at tons of magazines.  Just seeing what's out there for once is nice.  Normally I have ignored that in the past.  I have gone to new stores and tried a whole bunch of things and that was a bit overwhelming so I only try a couple of new stores at a time.  It's an interesting process. Rachael

Great idea Rachael!  I always skipped those pages in magazines since it wasn't something I was ever going to buy! Congrats on your success.  WOW!  You have had a fabulous year.  Don't buy too much with a few pounds to go.  I am AMAZED at how much diference three or four pounds make in these sizes.  At a former size 24/26, it took twenty pounds to make the darn thing even loose!  Now I have some things slipping off my shoulder when I lost another five. Vicky

Hi Vicky, I am in the same place you are. I have lost 155 pounds and had to get rid of all my winter things WOOL!!!!! I am from the North and Colorado. We are moving to Bradenton!!!!!! I should be there by the end of July. I am donning the winter stuff for summer fun clothes!!!!!! Bathing suits here I come!!!!!! I love the consighnment shops even to this day. I am 5 years out. I still dont know what my style is maybe we can explore that style together!!!!!! Carla 267 130 150 By the way my car is there and I am not!!!!! Still in Colorado unloading a house. 

Carla, I missed your first pass through Bradenton.  When you get here next month we can hopefully connect. The style thing...........in Florida it is a whole of bathing suits, shorts and tshirts!  Flip flops in EVERY color! I can hook you up to some GREAT consignment stores here. Vicky

Oh Vicky, It would be so cool to have a friend in a strange place. All I know down there are my cousins!!!!! We should be arriving around the 28th or 29 or 30th of July. Send me a private email and we can chat [email protected] Carla

This is a great question! When I was heavy, I always made it a priority to dress as nice as possible, for the clothing available.  I usually shopped Nordstrom, Saks Z Salon, Talbots, etc.  It was a challenge, but I felt like I had won when I could find something stylish and flattering.  Unfortunately, I spent alot of money along the way. What I found with my new body is that the challenge is no longer there, so I'm not so interested in shopping.  I feel like I can find things flattering without all the shopping time and expense.  It is so relieving. The is really contrarian to what many wls people experience.  Shopping addiction transference is so prevalent and I am also relieved that I have not yet experienced this. Connie

Connie,   Isn't it amazing the difference it makes?  Shopping is not a chore now but a delight now.  I cannot believe the amount of available choices to a ner normal sized woman! Thanks for sharing and CONGRATS on your success! Vicky

i spoke at a support group there 7/05. prolly too early for you?

like you, i was always well groomed large. large clothes in the 90's were nevr very cute. pls excuse typos. one broken arm.

anyway, as i lost wt, i shopped only in thrift stores. it it fit, i bought it. as time went on, i found that some things were not for my apple body. they "fit", but didn't look right. after my TT, i shifted again. some things were too young, too old, too preppy, too earth mother, too business, too church-lady, too soccer mom. who was me?

i ended up somewhere in between all that, but even after 13 yrs, i'm stull evolving. at first i wore larger jewelry cuz i was large. then, med. size. then only teeny stuff. then i thought, what the heck and one day is pearl studs, next is med. silver hoops, then huge gold and evry now &B then, the chandelier types (i'm 5'1") because they swing and sparkle and i'm old but not dead yety, you know?

Michelle, You are so right about the changes both in jewelry and style!  Some of the stuff that fits is NOT for me.  I do want to look good but not foolish in teeny bopper outfits! Now the jewelry..........I wear what moves me.  I always had long hair and earrings were not very noticeable.  Now my hair is shorter and my neck is longer (go figure!) so I wear what makes me sing that day. July 2005 was the very beginning of my WLS journey.  I do attend the group Sherri founded and you are quoted often.  A great inspiration for all of us! Vicky