shopping blues

[vip0802]

i've lost a total of 30lbs over the last 9 months. well, i actually lost it all within 4, but i've been fluctuating ever since. anyway, i started losing the weight after the summer season and now that summer is here again, i'm at a lost over shopping for clothes!

for whatever reason, i'm just not comfortable picking out clothes anymore. i thought i would be after losing so much weight (ok, it's not a ton of weight but i'm only 5'1 and a +/- 5lbs is very noticeable on me), but i guess i'm not used to it yet...like i still feel like my old heftier self.

every time i've gone into a clothing store, i know that i really need new shorts, capris and t-shirts but i just end up putting them all back because i don't want to try them on. i tell myself that it's ok since i already have them at home and don't need to buy more. then it turns out that all those old clothes are WAY too big for me and i'm at square one again.

i really don't know what's going on with me! i should be able to just grab something in my size, buy it, wear it and be proud to show off my new body, but i just can't. has anyone else experienced this? if you have, please tell me it's just a phase that i'll get over...i don't want to look like frump-girl for the rest of the summer.

 

[Mary Kay]

Been there! I lost almost 50lbs about 10 years ago. I wanted all new clothes but I was scared to buy them because I was afraid I would gain back the weight. I did gain 10 back over the years but maintained that.
It just the big scaries..it will pass and you will be Strutting your new self soon!.
Here's and idea, buy a shirt a tad too big for you and then get a cute chain belt (that gives you a choice of making the belt tight or loose). Pair it with a pair of cute capri's and sandels. See how you feel when you go out to the grocery or something..test drive it!
I find that Penny's and Sears has some great clothes in the mark down area..just right for testing a few looks.

 

[Fudgey]

what MK said
Shop have fun and enjoy the weight loss!

 

[MacArthurBug]

I've done the weight loss / shopping thing. I had to start slow (I lost a lot of weight and still wasn't used to buying for my "new" body)
You need to know what size (s) you are now. I'm different sizes in different types of clothes too (annoying!) and that's a strange shift. If you're used to buying size Y and you're now size X you should know so it doesn't hurt to take three sizes into the changing room to try on.
I started by getting a few things at thrift stores or consignment shops so I a) Didn't feel guilty buying them because they were in my price range b) didn't feel bad because by buying from those places I was helping out and sort of "up-cycling". and c) I noticed certain vintage styles of clothing were more flattering on my new shape and that I really liked changing my look.
You lost this weight to be healthier and to look better. You're going to feel awesome in clothing that fits. Getting over the weirdness IS hard. I DO know how you feel and I HAVE been there. I hope you have good luck in getting past your shopping shyness.

 

[Nyxie]

I could be way off but it seems I am hearing something else going on here.

[/QUOTE]i tell myself that it's ok since i already have them at home and don't need to buy more.[/QUOTE]

If this is how you feel , you will keep putting them back. Tell yourself you deserve new clothes because you do. Not that you are going to be wasteful because you already have some. If you are confident that the weight you lost is staying lost then you DO NEED them and should buy them. Next time tell yourself you have to buy them because you need them.
Yes I am in counseling but could probably pay all you guys what i pay the counselor and get the same result. LOL
I am not a counselor and I don't pretend to be either. But sometimes I am intuitive and that line stuck out like a sore thumb for me.

 

[MacArthurBug]

yeah! ^^^ that too. Don't feel guilty. You DO deserve new things. PLUS

What if your pants fell off?

 

[blueeyekelly]

I agree (with what you may ask...hehe) I hope it is a phaze for you. If I was you I would start out in thrift stores and consignment stores like MacArthurBug suggested.

Now here is the thing with woman sizes, you have to try them on to see if they fit properly (I could go into the whole industry sizing thing and explain why size fit differently between brands but I don't think anyone wants that)

I know the whole thing about well I have something that works at home, However if you lost so much weight it does not work. Maybe if you buy an out fit or two and see how you feel wearing them it will lift you our of this phase when you see you don't have to look frumpy and you feel good in new clothing...

Ok I didn't say anything that people before me haven't said already....

 

[beebopnjazz]

Yeah, that's the "body image" stuff. You look in the mirror and still see the heavier you - or look down and still see it.

How about throwing out some of last summer's clothes so you have no choice?

 

[vip0802]

thanks for the replies everyone!

yeah, i think my issue is a cross between body image and not treating myself. i went to a Memorial Day BBQ yesterday and wore some old capris in the smallest size i could find. like MacArthurBug predicted - they nearly fell off! i kept on having to pull them up until i got frustrated and used some rope as a belt. as soon as i got home, i threw a bunch of old clothes into a big garbage bag and i'm planning on donating them to GoodWill.

i think i'm definitely going to stop by some thrift stores (great idea!) since going to malls can be a bit overwhelming, but i wouldn't mind checking out what Penny's and Sears has to offer. i will say that since i'm so short, it's difficult to find clothes that are flattering but "hip" at the same time. i don't get the new fashion trends nowadays to shop in the junior's department and some of the things they sell in the petite's section is slim pickings. mom jeans anyone?

 

[blueeyekelly]

Great idea. Don't forget to try things on especially in thrift stores, one reason being woman sizes are not standarized like mens, and the second reason is clothing shrinks especially if it is cotton or it can stretch...

 

[MacArthurBug]

vi- I'm not quite as dainty as you, but due to having short legs I shop in petites as well for my pants (when I buy pants, there are reasons I wear dresses an skirts by gum)
I'm glad you've decided to go try! I hope you find something adorable!

 

[Nyxie]

I hate being stuck in the Mom Jeans age LOL.

 

[Happy Domino38]

First of all, CONGRATS on your weight loss VIP!!

But, you need to go shopping. You know it. We know it. Your pants know it too. They don't WANT to expose your underthings in front of God and country. How would they feel? Like they had FAILED in their life mission, THAT'S how..

You owe it to your pants, VIP.

And, look at it like this, you shop for new clothes. Don't go NUTS and hit Barney's or something like that, you gain SOME of the weight back. You can ALWAYS donate them to needy women and feel good THAT way!

BEST of luck and get out there and get shopping!!