Buying Clothes During Weight Loss
One of the most exciting parts of your weight loss journey is fitting into new clothes! It’s such a tangible example of your success when you can fit into a smaller size. Plus, it’s fun to try out new styles and stores that you may not have been able to before. Be careful not to go overboard though! It’s easy to waste a LOT of money this way!
One of the simplest ways to avoid wasting money is to try clothes on! I know, I know. We all hate to do it. But body dysmorphia is a very real thing (especially in the early stages when you can be losing double digits worth of weight each month)! Simply holding a shirt up and eyeballing if it will fit isn’t going to work for quite a while. Your body changes WAY faster than your brain. And we all know how inconsistent sizes can be between brands. Do yourself a favor and try the clothes on. I guarantee you will be surprised more than a few times!
During the weight loss phase, try to buy as few clothes as possible. I know the temptation is there to get a bunch of cute new clothes to show off the body you are so proud of. But, when you are still losing, you’ll be lucky to wear something 3 times before it’s suddenly too big. So, keep things minimal. Keep the season and your activities in mind when buying items. Avoid pricey “just in case” things like a fancy suit or dress. Buy those things as needed.
In that same line of thinking, buy clothes as cheaply as possible. You’ve got to keep a mindset of “cost per wear”. Even if you are normally someone who prefers higher quality or luxury items, you almost have to think of these clothes as “disposable”. Sure, under normal circumstances, a fine cashmere sweater that is well-cared for can be a staple for years. But, when you’re dropping sizes so quickly, those investment pieces really aren’t as much of an investment anymore.
A great way to keep your clothing purchases to a minimum is to build a “capsule wardrobe”. Buy your clothes like you’re packing for a month-long trip. Stick to a color scheme so that everything pairs with everything. Think “jeans, black leggings, solid tee shirt, neutral cardigan, etc.” so that the outfit combinations of those pieces are endless. This way, you can get away with fewer pieces without it being obvious. Look up capsule wardrobes online to get lots of great ideas!
And finally, consider reselling. Whether in real life or online, you can consign clothing that is in good condition to recoup a decent amount of your cost. One of the benefits of this is that most consigners will give you a higher commission rate if you choose store credit instead of cash. This can be a great way to keep your wardrobe rotating as you keep losing! You can buy discounted clothing from the consigner and then resell the clothes as they become too big! Then, use the store credit to get new clothes! It’s a win-win!
Amy is a 39-year-old gastric sleeve patient of Dr. Tsuda, living In Las Vegas, NV. She is almost 2 years post-op and has lost over 145 pounds. Through this weight loss journey, Amy has discovered a passion for health and fitness. Now, she enjoys sharing her experiences to help others on their own journeys.
