Comments on: Reader Mail: How to Keep a Working Wardrobe While Losing Weight

By: Previously, on Corporette…

Previously, on Corporette… — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:00:51 +0000

[...] How to Keep a Working Wardrobe While Losing Weight [...]

By: amy

amy — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:35:28 +0000

Congrats! I’m trying to get my BMI down a notch to average, myself.
What I think will be cheap and most useful is, just sew in the sides of your thinner clothing a bit. That way, when you lose more weight, take in another 1/2 inch, for example. and when you gain back any weight, if you have a bad month, you can unstitch. I’d use the longer stitches (basting vs true sewing).
And remember a belt, just in case!
That’s what I plan to do with my few professional pieces; well, actually, just the pants and maybe the tops, because suit jackets are lined, and need good shapes. But yeah, once you get thinner, pants can easily be sewed smaller, using a machine or by hand. You don’t even have to sew the entire length, just the waist and maybe the hips, depending on the weight loss.

And I say, for every 15 pounds or 2 sizes you lose, treat yourself to a new suit or dress. That way, you have an incentive to keep that weight, because you do not want to waste your new clothing! And it’s something to look forward to when you stop yourself from reaching for the chips.

By: Jess

Jess — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:12:55 +0000

This is a year late but it was highlighted in a recent post. I would recommend checking out the Fatshionista community on LiveJournal, for women size 12 and up. There are extensive sales posts by members every Friday and often have professional clothing. It does take a bit of hunting because most of the stuff is relatively casual but posts are identified by size, brands and type of clothing in the header so it’s easy to skip the posts that definitely have no relevance. Also, it’s a great way to sell the clothes you’ve grown out of!

By: Gretchen Neels

Gretchen Neels — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:41:22 +0000

Congrats on dropping those pounds!

Dress Barn Woman stores (sizes 14-24) carry surprisingly good quality suiting at amazing prices. http://www.dressbarn.com/flashHome.jsp?page=womanLookbook.

If you haven’t been in a Dress Barn or Dress Barn Woman store lately, you will be surprised at the value. Their private label designs are by Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors and Jones New York – not Saks or Bloomingdales, for sure, but if you’re looking for polish on a budget, it’s a good place to start.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:11:56 +0000

As someone who lost 130 lbs before and during the first year of law school, I totally understand how you feel. None of my professional clothes fit even before school started. I had to buy a cheap suit just to go to orientation. Luckily, I hit my stopping size before interview season, and I was able to get a few suits then. The worst is when you start to realize that even your shoes and underwear don’t fit anymore. It can be quite expensive. I totally agree with what others have said about wrap dresses and tailors. Sheath dresses are also forgiving, as you can have them cinched in the waist as you lose. I would definitely make sure to have at least one structured jacket reasonably close to your size though, even if you get it on sale at an outlet mall or something.

Also, despite what one poster said above, I totally agree with the idea of purging your old wardrobe. I used to hang onto stuff, but it became untenable and you really feel a sense of accomplishment. I’m not currently at my all-time low, and there are some size 2s that don’t fit me anymore, but I’ve still be hovering around a 4 since I hit my goals. Just be sure, when you get to where you want to be, you buy clothes that fit well but not too snugly, because you want to have room to naturally fluctuate a couple pounds.

Good luck! I know you’ll be successful. Being unemployed is an excellent time to establish new habits. :)

By: anonymous

anonymous — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:04:27 +0000

KW, what are some of the places in NY you’d recommend for tailoring? I’m perpetually looking for a good NYC tailor.

By: RKS

RKS — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:48:14 +0000

As background, I’ve also been losing weight — 25 lbs so far, about 30 to go. Been stuck for a while (plateau) and hoping to get back to losing. And though I’m employed, I took a 50% paycut last year, leaving a law firm (just before the bloodbaths started) to join the gov’t. So cash is tight and I’m going through clothes quickly.

Since you have some time on your hands and are probably tight on cash, check out consignment shops, thrift shops, yardsales and Craigslist. You never know what you might find. I got a pile of clothes in excellent condition (through Craigslist) from a woman who had lost 50+ lbs. This had been her transition wardrobe. Later, I found a classic black suit at a yardsale for $15 — Jones New York, in excellent shape, the woman had gained weight and couldn’t wear it. Similarly, I have three gorgeous suits I’m about to sell. Wore each once and then lost the weight. One is my classic interview suit. You could also post a “wanted” on Craigslist and see what happens. Yes, these options involve digging through a lot of unsuitable stuff for the few gems. But the savings can be very, very worthwhile.

Side note: IMO, ebay is very risky for clothes unless you know the brand well. I know how Ann Taylor and Talbots clothes fit me, for example, so I have bought a few pieces and done really well. But never, ever with something I’m not familiar with.

By: KW

KW — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:15:18 +0000

Congrats on your weight loss! I have been losing weight too, and I feel your pain. Here are my suggestions:

- always have a pair of black pants (buy new ones or tailor existing ones) and a black skirt, to match up with other items
- keep in mind that skirts can be more forgiving – if you buy an A-line skirt that hits you right at the waist, as you lose weight it will just start to hang a little lower but still look nice, whereas pants might start to look baggy
- spend your money on quality shoes, a good bag and large (not flashy, but substantial enough so that it doesn’t get lost on your frame) jewelry that you can wear throughout your weight loss journey; scarves are coming back and can help you pull together an outfit too

For me, in NYC, tailoring at the few good places I know is so expensive that I rarely do it – I’d rather keep the clothes in case I need them again someday. If you do, though, keep in mind that tailoring a skirt is much simpler and likely cheaper than tailoring pants. Another reason to wear skirts while you are losing weight.

By: GULC 2L

GULC 2L — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:05:12 +0000

RE: tailoring– go to a good tailor! They can usually alter things by a couple sizes-worth, but be prepared to pay for it. It’s definitely worth doing for the things you don’t want to “lose”, but if you can find a new simple black skirt for less than the, say $30-50 that it may cost to tailor it, take that into account. The more complicated the fabric and the seams, the more expensive. Generally you can just ask a tailor how much it would cost and make the decision on the spot.

Hope this helps!

By: renaissancetrophywife

renaissancetrophywife — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:12:14 +0000

Congrats on the weight loss! Just my 2 cents– consider getting some classic lightweight sweaters on clearance this summer. You can wear them with spanx or camis underneath, then as you lose more weight you can wear them over button-downs. I feel like sweaters are more forgiving in fit than tailored shirts, but it’s an easy way to look polished at networking events, esp if you layer them with a cute blazer.