What to do about clothes?

[Mab]

Any advise on what to do about having to keep buying new clothes?
I cleaned out my closet this morning of all of my size 20s, which is a woo woo! But now I have only a few pair of pants that fit me for work.
I work in a corporate office and dress pants are expensive.
I am spending $ 400 -$ 600 every few months for new work clothes and it's killing me.
When I dropped my clothes off at Goodwill today I took a look around, but nothing there for a working woman.
Hints, tricks?

[newme2be]

Mab,

I am having the same problem. None of my last year summer clothes fit and I am truly at a loss because I cannot afford to buy new clothes right now. So what I have been doing is shopping in my sister's closet she is a size 16 and so am I right now. She is willing to give me a few items until I can buy new clothes. Maybe you have family or friends that are willing to let you go "shopping" in their closets.

[Goddess]

Clothes swapping is good with family and friends, and sometimes the secondhand stores can be a godsend. That's tough, though, Mab, since it sounds like you need nice stuff particularly.

I have shopped sales before, and made a habit of buying clothes for the future when I found a good price (i.e. in smaller sizes than I could currently wear but discounted because they were for the next season). That can be some help. Outlet stores sometimes help, too, as can garage sales.

It does get tricky, though. Maybe other folks have other ideas.

[Mab]

I love the idea with swapping with friends and sisters, but my sisters are petite and my friends are all smaller than I am. (My sisters all hover around 5 foot tall and I am 5'8!)
Question for Goddess: you didn't get freaked out or feel pressure by buying the smaller sized clothes? I think I might get pressured by that, how did you deal with it?

[Goddess]

nah, it didn't freak me out. mind you, i only half believed i could fit into 'em someday, and was always surprised when i did. (not to mention the shoppign trips where i had to go back 2 times to get smaller sizes because i could no longer "eyeball" sizes). i dunno. it was a nice measure of progress, though, as i gradually was able to use some of the smaller sizes. just another indicator.

[Kumus]

We have a few awesome consignment shops around here. They carry really nice name brand clothing and accessories. Not only could you shop for things in your new size, you could take items in that are too large and consign those, getting back some of your investment.

Some people get into selling nice clothing on eBay, don't know if that's appealing.

Mab, you have a wonderful "problem" to deal with!

[Mab]

Oh, I am so not complaining about the going down in sizes part!
I have had no problem gettting cute, inexpensive casual clothes.
But honest to goodness, I just don't have the money to keep buying new dress slacks and business suits.
I love the ebay idea, off to search now!

[QueenMama]

Watch for end-of-season sales at department stores. Often the clothes they discount are actually good for most of the year, and a lot of the discounts are really big.

One of my favorite words is "clearance"! I always check the clearance racks first. You can get some really good deals there. Yes, it takes time to shop for deals, but if it's going to save you some $$$$$, it's worth it.

If you've been losing weight consistently, then don't be afraid to buy a size or 2 smaller, especially if you spot a great bargain. If you have closet space to store them, that is. And don't forget you have those clothes tucked away. You want to wear them when they fit, so don't wait until you've lost too much to wear them!

Happy shopping!

[QueenMama]

I thought more about your problem, and another thought came to me - you might find someone who can alter your clothes. It might be a lot less expensive than buying new, and you could get more wear out of what you already have.

My husband was given a suit that he loves, but after he lost 40 lbs it was just too big on him. He'd put on the belt, but there was a lot of extra fabric puckered around the back of his pants, and the jacket hung big. So he found a lady to take it in, and it made a huge difference. He still wears it sometimes, although it's showing some age.

If you are spending a lot on clothes, alterations might just be your answer, at least temporarily.

[Mab]

Nita,
Thanks, that is a great idea. I have limited sewing experience and tried it myself. Let's just say it wasn't a good idea! It was fine though because I couldn't use those clothes anymore anyway.
I'll have to shop around for a tailor and find out if it is worth it.
In the interim, I bit the bullet and bought new dress slacks. They are good for all seasons and I don't think I need to buy expensive tops to go with them, the dress code gets a little more relaxed in the summer, thank goodness!

[LesLy]

hey guys!!! Whats up!
I love having this problem..although......It drives me crazy in the mornings or on Sundays when Im going to church...

I have the exact same problem.. but no friends or family who can help with it. My mom is in the same boat but she lives 4hrs from here..BUT she does shop at goodwill.......... Also like you'all dont have money to be spending on clothes. I've had the idea to go to a goodwill or something.. but haven't done it!
Like some of you said.. I have also bought smaller sizes when I saw something I really liked.
Think its a very good idea, every now and then I go to my closet and try them on. When they finally fit.. its party for me hahaha. Right now the smallest i have in my closet is a 14...biggest is a 22..crazy ain't it???


hey maybe we should come up with a website and call it Clothe-Swap LOL... and we'll trade our clothes!! hahaha dont know...just making things up here...


Les

[Mab]

I was actually thinking the same thing. But it is a big job. The biggest problem with it would be storage and getting access to what is in storage. But isn't it cool we both thought of it! I would sign up for it in a heart beat!

[LesLy]

We could do it you know.. guess we would just need to really think about it. Woner if there is a website for trading stuff; like ebay but instead of buying..trading?

I have been giving away alot of clothing to one of my mom's friend, and dont want to be selfish here but im not getting anything out of it!! I think I gave her all my size 22 and size 20, Now I need to get rid of all the 18ths. I only have one pair of jeans size 16, one pair of slacks also 16, a denim skirt and I think i look like a painting already hahaha wearing the same thing over and over!!!

[Mab]

Craigslist has a place where you can swap items.
Will have to keep thinking about it. Where there is a will, there is a way!

[LesLy]

Thats RIGHT!!!! Hey if we can lose all this weight... we can surely do anything else.. Just have to really think about it...

Hey people any IDEAS??? they are welcome!