Question:
Anyone else scared to go clothes shopping?

I'm 7 weeks out, and 38lbs down. My clothes are getting too big on me (YAH!!!) But I'm still hesitant to go shopping and try on smaller sizes. I think I'm afraid that they won't fit, and I will get upset and discouraged. Any words of wisdom on this? Thanks :-)    — KellyJeanB (posted on July 4, 2003)

July 4, 2003
If I remember correctly when my mother lost her weight, we went to thrift stores and consignment shops since her weighht loss was too fast to invest in brand new clothes she would shrink-in in another month. We found out about 20-30 pounds difference between sizes, so a suggestion would be to take only the two sizes below your normal size (I haven't looked at your profile, so an example would be - say you're a size 28, look at clothes in sizes 26 and 24) into the dressing room and see how it is - if you lean more toward one size or the other. If you're too nervous, then just stick with general clothing sizes like 1X, 2X, 3X and get clothes that are supposed to be sort of loose, like pullover dresses, tunic tops, and drawstring pants. (You can tell I worked in the clothing industry, can't you? ^_^) Also, have a friend with you who is interested in making you look good. My mother would not have been able to go shopping by herself without me to help out in choosing things that would look good on her. So, bring a friend along who knows you and what you like (or to help you find out what you do like), and who is caring enough to support you if it gets discouraging. Be proud of yourself and start liking the new you emerging. ^_^
   — Jill S.

July 4, 2003
Kelly Jean - I know exactly what you mean!! I am 8 weeks out and down 34 lbs. I am still going around in baggy clothes and people tell me I need to get some new clothes but I don't want to go until I look like a clown walking around in my current clothes. I want to shop for a much smaller size and not just one size smaller. I know that's my own body image quirk but I was so glad to see that someone else feels like I do. I would be devastated if I went shopping and only went down a size and/or had to get some things in the current size. Right now, especially cuz my weight loss has been so slow and it's a little discouraging, I wouldn't be able to handle it emotionally, I don't think. Good luck to you!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 4, 2003
Being 3 years out, I can just suggest don't spend lots of money on new clothes. You'll be out of them so quick. I went garage sailing to keep me in clothes while I was losing Best of luck on your journey!
   — ZZ S.

July 4, 2003
I would suggest looking at consignment shops. You don't want to spend a lot of money on clothes while you're in the losing state or at least until you get closer to goal. There are 2 really nice consignment shops here--I would have never considered until I saw their prices and what they had to offer.
   — Cathy S.

July 5, 2003
I was terrified! Like you I had figured that my old jeans might just be streaching out (you know how they do) so I kept putting it off until I just couldn't anymore. Took hubby with me for moral support. Well the entire walmart heard me when I slid into those 22's! I had been in a 28. I found it works really well when going through the larger sizes to get the Just my Size streach jeans, as tight as you can wear them. In two weeks your going to be too small for them anyway! They just last longer that way. Once you get into the Misses sizes you can shop at Goodwill and such. Good Luck....and get out there and buy you some clothes! Diana
   — Diana W.

July 10, 2003
Something else that is scary is realizing that your days at Lane Bryant are just about over! Walking into a big department store like Macy's or Nordstrom's is scary and a little bit too much for me to handle right now. Since I've never been able to shop in the "normal" parts of those stores (only the plus-size sections on the top floor or stuck in the basement) I feel like I am wandering around aimlessly not knowing what I'm looking for. I was at Macy's the other day and grabbed a few XL blouses (from the "normal" section) and went to go try them on in the dressing room. I was kind of surprised when the dressing room attendant didn't look at me weird like I didn't belong there or something. Well, those shirts fit, and were actually a little too big. It is scary to go shopping now, but you'll get through it! Also, try not to shop TOO much because you'll only be wearing those clothes for a very short while! (I know how hard it is though... we want to look GOOD while losing weight, right?) :-)
   — Renae

July 10, 2003
I used to buy items when they were so inexpensive, I thought, that I just couldn't leave them. I go to outlet stores, consignment shops, and shop during sales and never pay more than $10 for anything since I'm still losing (down 110 so far) and have 60 or so pounds yet to go. The funny thing is, there was no reason to stock up on these 'great buys' since I find items at reasonable prices all the time - it's not a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'm just not used to paying so little at larger lady stores!!!
   — Yolanda J.

January 26, 2009
I have not had the surgery yet but I do have a 13 yr old daughter that has so much pretty clothes from the TOP name brands to the least expensive ones.....I done told her , for her to take care of her clothes because I was going to end up wearing them lol .. Right now I'm a size 22 and she is a 13 and 14s
   — MamaCaballero40