5 Tips on Planning an Inexpensive Wardrobe While Losing Weight
While many people struggle with yo-yo dieting, there are ways to achieve sustained, long-term weight-loss that lead individuals to have to adjust their wardrobes quickly. Of course, changing a complete wardrobe can cost a great deal of money. These tips are designed to help those who are between sizes – no longer the size they once wore, and not yet at their target weights.
How to Stay in Fashion and In Budget
The five tips that will be explored in this article are:
- Focusing on classic styles and proper fit
- Splurging on Accessories
- Investing in items that will easily re-size
- Shopping off-price, thrift and consignment
- Knowing measurements, and testing fit frequently
Focusing on Classic Styles and Proper Fit
As all fashion mavens know, wearing clothing that fits properly is more important than anything else. Properly fitted clothing hangs right, provides smoother lines, hides imperfections and highlights assets.
By purchasing classically styled, neutral pieces, the flexibility of being able to mix and match as well as accessorize comes into play. A sober black and grey outfit can pop with a pair of red patent leather pumps and a silky red scarf.
Clues that clothes don’t fit properly:
- Muffin top
- Strained buttons, zippers or closures
- Zippers that “ripple”, indicating that they are stretched too tightly.
- A-lines, nips and darts don’t accentuate the waistline (this is a common mistake, making slender women appear larger than they actually are)
Splurging on Accessories
Sometimes a little “retail therapy” is in order, and particularly during plateaus in weight loss the same seven outfits get extremely dull.
Instead of spending money on clothing that will be worn for a few months and then cast aside as weight continues to slough off, it is a good idea to splurge instead on accessories. Belts, in particular, are useful to the woman in transition. Scarves,handbags and fun shoes are also great ways to perk up a wardrobe that will stand the test of time.
Investing in Items That Will Easily Re-size
The first thing most women should do when losing weight is locate and establish a relationship with a quality tailor! Many clothing items can be tailored to drop down a size. A pair of slacks that cost $60 can be tailored for $8, and kept in the closet for another size-range!
Being a little girly can help too. Wrap-around skirts are a fun, casual way to stay in the black while dropping sizes. Even in those in-between sizes, they always fit perfectly! In general, skirts are cheaper and easier to tailor, and can be worn longer between sizes because they don’t tend to look baggy as quickly as pants do.
When selecting pants, go for plain styles without a lot of pleats or extras. This will make them easier to tailor along the way.
Shopping Off-Price, Thrift and Consignment
Even those who prefer to invest a great deal in their fashion will recognize that the wardrobe between sizes are not going to be “forever clothes”. If a woman began as a size 18 and wants to end up a size 12, then those 16s and 14s are going to be temporary necessities.
For those in-between sizes, the working woman should plan on purchasing:
- one suit in a neutral shade (which doubles as separates during the work week)
- one pair of jeans
- one pair of casual slacks such as khakis or navy capri pants
- white button down
- enough tops and neutral bottoms to fill out exactly 7 days (emphasis on skirts, if possible)
Shopping consignment can be a good plan for many reasons, including that the clothing no longer needed can be consigned for store credit. This is a good way to keep the closet cleared out, and the wallet full. Often, consigned pieces are of higher quality than the clothing available at discount stores.
Knowing Measurements, and Testing Fit Frequently
In addition to saving money, consigning clothes for credit also provides the added benefit of encouraging women to clean out their closets on a regular basis. Trying on every item of clothing in the closet can be time consuming, but rewarding. Sometimes the “skinny jeans” from years ago become a new favorite (and for free!) and sometimes, old stand-by favorites suddenly seem to be far too large.
Part of many successful weight-loss plans incorporate measuring tape measurements of key areas such as hips, waist and bust to monitor and track improvement and changes in shape. This is also important for wardrobe changes, as it helps identify which clothing might fit better when ordering online. Staying aware of the changes in body shape can also be a great morale booster!
