When Is It Worth It to Buy New Clothes?

Glad you're back. Thanks for the update.

Yes you should buy clothes that fit. I shop thrift stores too. I 've also discovered that Ross, Marshalls, and Kohls often have what I want for a price similar to Thrift stores. Kohls has frequent sales that give you anywhere from 10% to 30% off. Fred Meyers clearance items are often priced with an additional 40%-60% off. I've often bought several pieces for $50 or so. I usually find jeans for less than $20. T-shirts for less than $10.

As to how to dress for body type you could get info on the computer. Or go to the library. There are many books that will show you how.

I don't know how thrift stores are near you, but they vary greatly here - anywhere from $.99 garments to $10 garments. I have gone and gotten several pairs of pants and tops for less than $10 at volunteers of America. I have the money to buy new, but I'm a big believer of saving money and reducing waste and reusing things when possible. It's actually hard to buy new for me now because I've been so successful in thrift shopping, and my daughter loves going thrift store shopping because she finds such great things! Some things even have the original tags still on. If you're hoping to lose 50-60 pounds, you have to have some transitional clothes. You don't have to buy a whole wardrobe - just a few new thrift store finds every 10-15 pounds may keep you motivated. It'll help you feel better, which helps you continue to lose weight.

I'm am VERY well dressed and I shop thrift 90% of the time. Yes, it's worth it now to go thrift store shopping.
1. You can have a yard sale and sell things that no longer fit.
2. It's worth your self-esteem to look good.
3. Your marriage will be better if you feel better about yourself and look good for you and your spouse.

ephie!!!!
{{{{{}}}}
hi ephie!
it's worth it NOW to get a few good pieces from the thrift store and sales rack. obviously since your natural state is 'little' and you're still making your way back there you don't want to max out your wardrobe, but it's spring, and you and your babies are outdoorsy, and you want a few things that will be comfy and make you feel nice. a couple of pairs of capris and some loose carefree tank tops and a happy sundress or two will make a new woman out of you.
you sound busy and happy. hope you can drop by every now and then over the summer. will you get it off, or are you going to summer school too?
:) khairete
S.

Your body has changed since your last baby. You may find that not all your pre-pregnancy clothing will look the way you want them to on you, anyhow.

I'm also a thrift-store shopper. In fact, I can't remember when I last bought clothing in a regular store. I suggest you stick to thrift stores right now, since you're on a budget and the current clothes you're shopping for will be "transition" ones. You know that there is more variety in a thrift store than in a regular store, and you have to go through a lot of "dirt" before you find the gold.

If you can go shopping alone, you'll have more opportunity to try on clothing. That's what you want to do right now. Try on a variety of brands and styles - and sizes!. If you're into jeans, look at a number of them, try them on, and see what looks good on you. You'll find just a few (if any, on a particular trip) that fit well right now and make you feel good.

If your budget will let you move up to consignment stores, do the same thing.

I think I would hit the regular stores just to window-shop. See what's coming into fashion, and figure out how you can achieve the same basic look without the big price tags.

Don't buy anything that doesn't fit you well right now and make you feel happy! Don't worry about sizes. You're in transition, remember. Cut the size tags out after you get home if you want to. If you have a few items you really enjoy, you don't need to have a whole lot of clothes, and that will be a tremendous money and time savings.

Since you've likely never been close to the weight you are now, you probably have next to nothing to wear. So I say go out and get a few things. While you may need help dressing your new figure, I'd rely on a friend with style rather than the sales person, because with transitioning weight, you will want to shop discount, TJmax, Marshals, Nordstrom rack.

I only gained 30, but am always so desperate for new clothes after each baby. Stretchy fabrics and things that tie at the waist, give some room to shrink and still continue wearing the garment.

Consider investing in a great pair of black stretch pants (or just leggings, but a thicker pair is a little dressier) that you can wear under larger shirts and a pair of boots. I invested in a nice pair at Talbots, but will take it in if I have to. I got great use out of it in winter, but no so much in warmer temps. In WA, I think you could make use of that look nearly year round.

Also, consider investing in really nice shoes. It will really help your outfit and your feet will stay the same size!

I'm used to spending $150 on a nice pair of jeans. But I picked up a totally decent pair at the Gap and paid half or less than that.

Little jackets and cammies cover that stubborn tummy
lots of long tank tops that you by in a three pack at Costco cover your tummy under shirts that and showing too much and give a nice layered look. (great of nursing too)

If you are loosing weight steadily, buy one or two things to get you buy till the next size. If you are plateauing and know you really need to work at loosing the weight, then buy a few things now at discount, and reward yourself with every new size with a few more discount items. Just enough to get by. Don't worry about wearing the same thing over and over. Its a temporary situation.

I'd keep going to thrift stores. I found almost my entire maternity wardrobe at thrift stores and garage sales, and I'm sure I spent about 50 bucks. If I have to buy more work clothes before I go back to work because I'm not back in my pre-pregnancy clothes, or for some reason, don't fit into my early pregnancy/not yet maternity clothes, it will be thrift stores all the way. They have fitting rooms. Pick out a different variety of clothes and try them on, see what you like!

Wonderful update, Ephie...

I agree with others that a few choice items from a thrift/resale store is a perfect way to go. If it were me, I'd shop for two more 'everyday' outfits and one you can dress up a bit, just for nicer occasions so you can feel like you've got a little 'polish'.

As Marda suggested, there are lots of websites for dressing for your body type. I found a few sites last year which helped me quite a bit. Or bring an honest friend who's willing to hold Baby while you are trying on clothes and who will just tell you the truth-- flattering or not. :)

I think I read somewhere that we wear 20% of our clothes, 80% of the time. Which means that what ever you DO buy, will get a lot of use, until they are too big, out of style or you just get sick of wearing them. So buy a few outfits that you love, fit you nicely today & make you feel great about yourself. Jeans that start to sag at the waist, you can use a belt for a while to keep them up. Thrift stores or Marshall's, etc is a great way to feel great & dump the frump! Good Luck.

I find all sorts of clothes at the thrift store.

I spent less than $20 this past few weeks and got this.

3 pairs of slacks that are super nice. One still had the tags on them. I got 2 black and 1 khaki. They have that bias stretch so they're super comfy where I can bend, sit in the floor, and they never lose their shape.

I also got a sack full of tops. One is a black and white print that has a empire waist but it's not old fashioned. Just adorable. Then I got a couple of pull over stretch tops that have slight beading on the design around the neck. Both have teal in them. Got one that has some browns and tans too. There are more but they're just generic tops that I can take out of the dryer and hang up. Pick any one of them and wear it to the kids school, to work, and at home.

The thing is, I can't afford to go buy a bunch of stuff new. I want to wear something besides jeans that are horrible uncomfortable. I'm shaped like a girl, hips, hiney, a bit of a belly, and a tiny little waist. So jeans that fit are so baggy around the waist I can push them down and pull them up without undoing the buttons and zippers. I can't move in them unless they are sizes too big.

So I have no use for jeans at all. None. When I was younger and going out dancing every evening I had a bunch of Lee jeans. They were shaped for me. Fuller hips/hiney and tiny little waist.

So don't go buy a whole new wardrobe all at once. As soon as you do you'll gain or lose then they won't fit.

I always like to buy a quality piece here and there when it's a super great deal. Take your time and buy the pieces you love and want.

Hi Ephie, good to see you!

I think it's worth it to buy some clothes now. It's easier to lose weight and take care of yourself when you feel good, and it's hard to feel good when you're looking at yourself in the same frumpy clothes all the time. Ross and Marshalls are often almost as cheap as thrift stores.

Have fun!

I kept my new clothing purchases to an extreme minimum during that baby weight time, but I did buy a few nice (as in flattering, not expensive) things so that I didn't feel so frumpy. Luckily, I did not work in an office every day, so it did not matter if I wore the same 2-3 outfits all the time!! I got 1 or 2 pairs of Gap jeans and a few tops from Target or whatever in cuts that worked (yes, you need some more fitted tops when you get bigger ironically or you look just huge). That held me over for a few months easily until I could lose another size and I did that the whole way back down to my normal weight, just a couple of nice pieces for each size. Don't spend a lot, but do get some cute stuff, try on trial and error with new figure. You can try on expensive things in new cuts and then go duplicate what you learned with online cheap purchases...

If you are someone who will take a looooong time to lose the weight, buy a bit more since it will need to last longer, but always toss and donate things as you shrink-it feels so awesome!!

Congrats on beautiful baby!

Congrats, Ephie!
Thing is? Wearing either loose & frumpy OR too tight will make you feel cruddy.
Buy a couple things (basic, versatile & neutral) that fit & flatter, benitvresale or retail. Jean jacket, decent jeans, plain colored Ts, maybe a sundress...)
If you've a few extra lbs? Aim for fitted & skimming.
Best!

Congrats & welcome back!
I say buy a few key items that fit now! No reason to feel frumpy or have to
bunch up, belt clothes that no longer fit.
Buy the few key items at a place that isn't too expensive (Old Navy, Walmart).
Buy a few capris, a few shirts (long & short sleeve), a cardigan to throw
over the shirts.
You can always supplement with a few thrift store finds but treat yourself
now.
Milestones should be celebrated & rewarded!

I would shop at resale stores with a friend who can be objective. Congrats on your new baby!

What is easy/fun/easy to wear/and can be worn to any style or size per accessories are:
1) non-tailored looking skirts... with elastic or stretchy waistbands or fabric, in solids or prints. ie: look at Old Navy online. And they always have sales. Right now they have free shipping.
2) T-shirts, in various colors, either in solids or prints.

These 2 items, worn together in any combination, is easy to wear, is flexible, can be mixed and matched, and looks nice... when worn. Not frumpy. And can look summery or spring like etc. and does not have to be a perfect fit, like pants would. And the skirts are just as comfy and looks nice.
And because the skirts would be in stretchy fabric or with elastic waists, it can adapt to any "size" you are now or will be. It is very forgiving. Because, it is not a "tailored" tight fit and easy fitting. Know what I mean? And because if you wear it with fun t-shirt tops, these type of tops can be worn per any size you may be now, and later. And depending on how you accessorize, it can be done up plain or fun or artsy or just to your own taste. ie: you can use scarfs, earrings, bracelets, or layer a t-shirt and tank top over the t-shirt etc. in various color combinations, and then wear it with your skirts!
Easy.

I have found that Old Navy online has many easy on the budget, prices/sales and many colors and style options.

Yes it's worth it because you are worth it. Looking nice is essential to our self esteem. While you are at it get a new hairdo and some make-up ideas.

You don't need a lot a couple of cute all purpose dresses or some skirts and tops a couple pair of cute shoes, some nice jeans that make you butt look good. You can pair the jeans with the tops that go with the skirts so the expense is not to great.

Now is a great time to hit the end of year clearance racks and find nice stuff for very little money.

jeans and t shirts are the way to go , i have discovered with a post baby body, and goodwill is the place to find them, why pay 40-50 bucks for a new pair jeans that your kid is just going to rub dirt into ? K. h.

Honey! Go by yourself some clothes! IMO....I always feel better when I have something n that isn't sweat pants (yep my everyday) . Try riders by Lee. They stretch and feel great! They 19$ a pair at our Walmart and worth it! I too am a thrift store kind of gal but sometimes I even splurge the20$!

How about a few neutral tops/tshirt style, and you can dress them up with scarfs or necklaces, (Scarfs help hide the extra tummy weight)

Definitly get your self a few good pieces. You will feel like a million bucks.

Well fitting pants will make you feel and look great. Add an inexpensive t-shirt and you'll have a great casual look.

Stores like Macy's and Kohls will have lots to choose from and lots of coupons!!

Oh, no, this is a very big deal. It's important to feel good about your self image! Congratulations on all the great stuff going on around you right now.

First, you might get back down, so don't throw out your favorite tiny items.

Second, what works for me while I figure oitu my ever-changing body is to buy items that can still look stylish if a couple of sizes too large. It wouldn't necessarily be the exact same look, but still stylish and attractive. I keep these items simple--a T-shirt dress, a short shift or A-line dress. The dress might be a potato sack, but my legs are shapely underneath and accented with fabulous shoes! (One particular dress in my closet comes to mind right now. It's orange and a 16. It's a pretty, dressy dress...a bit above my knees...hides my figure. My legs look great, though. I am now back down to 10s and 8s.)

Wear pants that can look good in a perfect fit AND a little baggy. (When you're ready, a snug top will set that off.) Wear V-neck T-shirts that you can dress up or down. They shouldn't cost too much, and you can still wear them as you lose weight. (I like Target's Mossimo line, and they have good sales periodically.) Not Your Daughter's Jeans (NYDJ) can help you feel less frumpy, and you can wear them as you lose. They are a bit pricy, but it's worth it if you feel good.

Third, if you don't already do this, make regular appointments to do your nails and hair. Even if you just get a basic manicure (and pedicure!) and have your hair shampooed, DO IT.