Losing Weight & Clothes Shopping

[Tricia K.]

I have to admit, I was never really a clothes horse until after I lost a significant amount of weight. Once I got down to a size 18, I was like a mad woman!

However, as many of you know, once you buy something new, you're only able to wear it for a short period of time because - - BAM!! - - the weight continues to come off and you're already a size (or 2) smaller.

Now, because of this wonderful (I think) outcome, we are forced to buy more clothes. Oh no! More clothes?? Wouldn't it be nice to have some great recommendations on where to find decent, well-made, inexpensive clothing? Well, I think so.

My recommendations are as follows:
TJ Maxx
Marshall's
Ross
Target

Please share your recommendations as well. Thanks!

[HeatherGurl]

Old Navy
JC Penny's

I find stuff on clearance at Penny's. Old Navy is pretty reasonable. My friend that is right behind me on the clothes scale hasn't had to go shopping for a year. She is one lucky girl to get all of my cute clothes. I wish I had someone to hand me their cast offs.

[Diane]

I love Steinmart!!

Good styles & great fit. I am a solid size 16 & thier clothes fit me just right. They're also very good quality.

[ladytonya]

This is one of my fears for once I start losing weight. I know that at my size, once I start losing as long as I stick with the program the weight will drop off pretty quickly and the sizes will go down. Right now, I am wearing the same summer clothes that I have been wearing for 3 years. I might buy a new pair of capris or a new top here and there, but I definitely cannot afford a new wardrobe. I'm in a 5X/6X or a 38 to a 42 depending on the cut. I know it won't take long for these clothes to start hanging off of me, but I can't afford to buy new clothes every few months. What do most of you do? I am a paralegal in a small law office. I don't have to dress like you see on tv, but I can't wear jeans and shorts either. I guess you would call it business casual. Anyway, I want to at least have enough clothes that I can wear something different every day of the week but that will get really expensive and I can't afford to go out and spend a lot of money. Of course, I am putting the cart way before the horse because I haven't even been to my initial consult with the surgeon yet, but it is something I've thought about. What do you do?

[Telly]

When I was skinny, my taste was more on the pricey side, i.e., Anne Klein, Banana Republic, Versace, Diesel, The French Connection, Saks, etc. Once I gained all the weight I started shopping at Wally World. Now that I've lost weight again I shop expensive. LOL, I can't offer advice here. If I did, you'd go broke.

[ladytonya]

Oh, I understand that, Telly! Granted, I have never been what you would call skinny. I haven't seen onederland since middle school. When I could wear "normal" sized clothes, I was all about Calvin Klein, Jordache, etc. (hey, it was the '80s!) Now, I can't even shop at Lane Bryant. I buy all my clothes at either Catherine's or the Silhouettes catalog. Once I get down to a 3X, then I know I can probably shop at Wally World and Target, but it's going to be a while until I get to that point. I'm starting to think that I might just have to swim around in my 5Xs until they are absolutely falling off of me and then figure it out from there.
BTW, Telly, you look great! I haven't seen your before pictures but the after looks amazing!

[Jachut]

Its harder now. I've gotten a season's wear out of the stuff I bought earlier in the year, supplemented by all the "I'll get into this" stuff I'd bought once I knew I was getting banded.

But I'm really reluctant to spend up big for the coming summer, since now, 3 or 4kg would make a big difference on my frame. I've got a few bits and bobs in the wardrobe, but I"m really going to try to stretch it out until after christmas and shop in the sales. I dont mind picking up a piece or two in Target as in Australia its pretty good quality and nice stuff, all the kids clothes come from there. But generally I wont buy cheap stuff, I'm not a designer label gal either, but I like mid priced boutique clothes.

I also find it hard now in my late 30's. I dont want to look middle aged, and have to sort of stop and ask myself before I buy anything if its too "old" since when you're fatter you do tend to dress older. But I'm also not wanting to get round in skinny leg jeans with the muffin top happening either, it'd be a mistake to lose all this weight and then ruin your look by dressing like a 16 year old, lol. Finding funky stuff that's not too young is quite hard.

[Idahobeauty]

I am planning on going to local consignment shops while I am loosing. I figure this way if it only fits for a short time, oh well.

[Maryb]

Dress Barn is my new favorite store. Great prices!

I also like CATO...really great prices!

[Susan]

I haven't lost enough yet to enjoy shopping at the small people stores. For now, I wait for the Avenue coupons to come in the mail and then rush out and see what they have on sale and use the coupons to get an even bigger discount.

[Goannabanda]

I'm starting to think that I might just have to swim around in my 5Xs until they are absolutely falling off of me and then figure it out from there.

Maybe it would be worth your while having a few things altered until you can shop at Target / Wally World again?

A seamstress / dressmaker / tailor could easily provide advice as to what could be remade / taken in. Maybe there is a family member or friend who sews who could help you out? You'll feel better and look better as you shrink. It would also be cheaper than buying new. Money well spent I'd say.

My poor mother has spent half my life letting my clothes out, and taking in waistbands of pants and skirts that had to be bought too big in the waist just so they'd fit my backside. She says she can't wait to be running in things along their whole length for a change once I turn into one of the incredible shrinking lapbanders! I have a few suits etc that I will get professionally altered too.

Hope this helps.

["Just" Paul]

I was pretty restricted to the big men's stores, and the occasional item at Walmart.

During the weight loss I still tended to walmart and Target, but since I am pretty near goal,and don't expect too many more size changes (except a size smaller in my pants) My taste is changing. I could never buy fashionable stuff before, and now I am looking at the style, more than the price.

the benefit to me is I was already having to spend a fortune at the big men's store, so it isn't really more expensive, it's just that I WANT more stuff now.

[Diane]

My favorite "big girl" store was Avenue. Loved them!! They had more stylish clothes, but not the hip, young-looking clothes. You can go on-line if you don't have one in your town.

[HeatherGurl]

I discovered Avenue right when the clothes were too big for me. I had never shopped there before. They do have nice stuff for good prices. CATO is the same!

[mrycrltn]

I have not been to CATO. I want to try it. Isn't that in Tomball.

[Natural-1]

TJ Maxx
Ross
Liz Claboirne
Catelog Stores

The all have worked for me. I also have hit the outlets in and around my area. I have always been fashionable even as a heavy person so now I am more particular about what goes on my body. We've invested a lot in losing the weight why not invest into clothes that will last a good number of years.

I've also had a lot altered just because of the money I've spent on my clothes. Find a good seamstress and/or tailor and they can work magic!

[Kathy473]

If you want some nice and stylish clothes and you are in a 12 or up there is a store called Torrid, sister store to Hot Topic. They have them in Houston at some of the big malls, nationwide or you can shop online at www.torrid.com (http://www.torrid.com). There is also an online store called www.alight.com (http://www.alight.com) and they have some really cute stuff. I started shopping at The Gap and they have jeans up to 18 I think. I am in 14's now and so excited that they are not from Lane Bryant! But I have to say that I have seen some really cute stuff at Target and Walmart lately!! And at times, depending on what you are looking at, even they can get expensive. Kohl's is a good store too. They usually have some good sales.

[NotSoFunny]

i finally fit into old navy and their prices are amazing!!!

[Scribby]

We should start a clothing exchange thread for people who have and people who want. I havent changed sizes yet (Im a newly banded chic!) but when I get out of 22/24 good lord I will have a lot of clothes to give away. I would much rather give them to someone on here then goodwill. I shop pretty much only at Lane Bryant so the stuff isnt cheap. I also know that after that buying everything new will wreck my wallet..

Whatcha guys think?

[EmileeKaye]

I have a question about sizes. Some of my 14's were getting too big and I was starting to think I would be getting into 12's. I actually fit pretty well in a size 12 capri I got at Walmart in the woman section. So I was looking around wanting to get some 12 jeans and see how tight they would be. I found cute ones in the junior section...I have never been this small before, well maybe when I was like 10 and then my mom was getting me the stretchy older woman jeans, so I have no idea what sizes mean.

I found a size 13 jeans and a 11/12 pair. Tried them on, the 13 fits perfect, the 11/12 I can button but MAJOR muffin top. But the problem is they are both too short.

Where am I going to find cute bootcut jeans in like a normal 12 and maybe tall's? I'm so used to shopping at Lane Bryant and now I don't fit in them. Never thought that would disapoint me.

[Tricia K.]

Em, I do very well with Juniors size Levi's. Most of them are either boot cut or flare leg and very long. I have to tuck the back under so that I don't step on them! The fit is fantastic too. I typically buy mine at Goody's but if you don't have one there, they are also available at Sears, JCPenney, Dillard's, and (I think) Macy's.

My latest pair are the Levi's® Cinch Back Boy-Cut Jeans (http://www.goodysonline.com/product/08/levisreg_cinch_back_boycut_jeans#). They are the ones I'm wearing in my latest pictures on my website - www.triciakutz.com/surgery.html

BTW, the online prices at Goody's are much better than the in-store prices.

[HeatherGurl]

Ditto on the Levi's Em! They have ALL sizes and cuts, and are long enough for the tall gals like us!