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If you ever stared at your closet full of clothes and thought, "I have nothing to wear," imagine how Amanda McQueen, a 28-year-old from Alabama, felt during her weight loss journey. "I’ve lost 115 pounds in total. I started at 260 pounds and a size 22, and now I’m at 145 pounds and a size 8," she says. "I’ve gone through five or six wardrobes in the weight-loss process." If it weren’t for her smart shopping tactics, Amanda could’ve burned through her checking account faster than she burned away the fat. Instead of going wild with her credit card, Amanda purchased clothes that would last through several sizes and shopped at second-hand stores. Now in maintenance mode, she focuses on buying quality essentials, like the little black dress, that works well for many situations. "Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I’d be a size 8," she admits. "I’m still working on rebuilding my wardrobe for good!" Lose Weight, Save DoughFor Marisa Gizzio, a 42-year-old who lost 65 pounds, buying new clothes was an important emotional milestone in her weight-loss process. "It makes you feel good about yourself to wear something that fits you well," she points out. "It doesn't have to be expensive – just treat yourself to a nice fitting outfit because you are worth it and deserve it!" To reward yourself for your healthy weight loss, save some cash for each pound you lose. "It is such a great motivation," notes Beth Klein, who saved $5 for each of the 55 pounds she lost in the last year. "It was so exciting for me to see the jar of money get more and more full, and was great to have it there when I really needed new clothes." Don’t be tempted to rush into a pricey department store. To save at name-brand stores, sign up for their If you love to hunt for a good deal, second-hand stores or thrift shops are another excellent option. "I shopped at Goodwill a lot, especially during the early stages of my weight loss," says Marisa. "Believe it or not, I got some really nice, name-brand pants/shirts (like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy). At $3 per pair of pants and $2 per shirt, I could shop away and not feel guilty about spending clothes that weren’t going to fit in a few months." Additionally, try asking your family and friends if they have any gently-worn items they’d like to donate to your new wardrobe. Marisa’s mom cleaned out her own closet and donated many essentials to her daughter. Buy SmartDepending on how much weight you have to lose, you may have to buy "transition" clothes as you get closer to your goal. Alexis Burnett, who lost 50 pounds, tried to only buy a few new items during her transition stages. "Once I realized this was a long-term journey, and that I planned to lose even more weight, I would not to buy expensive things in my intermediate sizes," she notes. Instead, Alexis used belts to cinch larger tops and altered skirts and dresses to fit her new body. As you rebuild your closet, you may be tempted to buy trendy clothes to show off your new frame. At first, "stick to the basics," advises Alexis. "That way you’re covered in any situation." Women should invest in dark denim jeans, a crisp white button-down, a stylish dress, a blazer, a practical winter jacket, and other staples. Men should focus on purchasing a crisp polo shirt, great-fitting jeans, a versatile jacket, trousers, khaki pants, and button-down shirts. Try on items in new shapes and cuts than before – you might be surprised at what looks great on your new body. Consider materials that are more forgiving, like stretch jeans or wrap dresses. "I found stretchy, but not too-tight dresses to be my savior during the weight loss process," says Beth, as the dresses would look great through several sizes. Also, buy some clothes a tad too small if you anticipate you will continue to lose weight. Don’t forget the most important essential – underwear! In particular, a properly-fitting bra makes or breaks the entire outfit. Buying underwear in your new size is a fun way to increase confidence and feel sexy in your new body. New Body NervesShopping for new clothes can be more than a drain on your bank account – it can also be an emotional drain. "It was always weird shopping for smaller sizes. I would always be convinced it was a mistake. I would think, "There is no way I'm a size 4! These pants are marked incorrectly," Alexis remembers. Katie Suchman, who lost 50 pounds, agrees with Alexis. "It definitely felt weird shopping in regular mall stores at first. It was a strange mix of being overjoyed that I could even find clothes in regular (non-plus sized) stores, but at the same time, I sometimes felt embarrassed that I always had to start my search at the back of the racks where It’s common for people who have recently lost a significant amount of weight to struggle with their body image. Shopping can elicit feelings of self-doubt, fear of regaining the weight, and other negative emotions. View each shopping trip as a chance to celebrate your accomplishments and reaffirm your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. To further increase your body image, get in touch with your new body through body-mind exercises, like yoga. Your Old ClothesNegative feelings are the exact reason Amanda gave away or donated all of her larger clothes. "I saw it as a commitment to myself to not go back to that place," she says. "By keeping the clothes I would have felt like I wasn't fully committed to myself and my new lifestyle. I wanted someone to have them that needed them." If you choose to donate your old clothing, save the receipt for a tax credit. Alternatively, sell your larger clothes to a second-hand shop, such as the national chain Plato’s Closet, for extra cash to fund your new wardrobe. However, you may want to hold onto one pair of larger |
