There are all kinds of issues associated with weight loss, that the average person does not think about. Some of them can be very costly. Wardrobe is one of the most expensive. For people like me, who are losing over 100 pounds, there are a lot of sizes to shrink through! I’m not a clothes horse, at all, and don’t really care about name brands, but even if you buy everything at Walmart, you’ll be out a lot of cash.That’s why I have gotten creative with my clothing acquisition.
ASK FRIENDS AND FAMILY
We all have friends or family members who are going to be the same size as us, at some point along our journey. I guarantee you, every single one of them is just like you, and has plenty of clothes in their closet that do not fit right, they don’t like or don’t wear for some reason. Ask them to share with you!
I was celebrating my weight loss successes with my grandma, (Gran), a few weeks ago, when the kids and I spent the weekend with her. I told her that since fall set in, and the weather started to cool, I had realized that I only owned one pair of long pants that fit – the black slacks I was wearing. Gran jumped up and grabbed three pairs of jeans out of her own closet and told me to try them on. I know what you’re thinking, “you’re skipping middle-aged mom jeans and going straight to grandma jeans?”. It was a funny thought to me too, but Gran is as cool as they come, at 85, and buys nice clothes. The jeans she gave me fit great, were the latest styles, comfortable, and probably higher quality than any pair I’ve owned since having kids. I was thrilled. I wear my “grandma jeans” proudly! The best part is, every single time I put them on, it reminds me to say a little prayer for Gran and makes me smile. No, it makes me laugh – “Grandma jeans”.
My mom and several friends have also contributed to my wardrobe along the way. I think the only things I have absolutely had to buy are underwear and t-shirts.
START OR JOIN A CLOTHING SWAP
If you are in a group like Weight Watchers, or even one you’ve assembled on your own, just create your own clothing swap. There are opportunities through church, homeschool groups, work, even your local gym. Anywhere you can bring a group of people together who are losing weight, you can make a swap group.
An easy way to do it, without any one person taking the responsibility of keeping all the clothes, is to start a secret Facebook group. It’s best to keep things local unless you want to deal with shipping. Members can post photos of items they are giving away or selling.
It is best to have groups be either free or for sale, rather than both in the same group. It’s not difficult to set up Facebook groups, so it’s no big deal to have two groups if you need to. There are already local groups on Facebook, in just about every area of the country, but sometimes it’s nice to keep things smaller and more personal.
JOIN A FACEBOOK SALE GROUP
Just search Facebook using your city and the term “plus sized clothing” or “women’s clothing”, “men’s clothing”, whatever type of clothing you are looking to buy. You should find many groups that you can join that offer prices somewhere between garage sale and Goodwill. This is also a good option for selling your too big clothes, if you don’t mind meeting strangers at the local convenience store or Walmart parking lot to make the sale.
GOODWILL, SALVATION ARMY & OTHER THRIFT STORES
I make the rounds of my area Goodwill stores every few weeks. I have had great success finding clothes that I love by being patient. The best part is, I can even use coupons at Goodwill! You heard me right, every month, in the community paper I receive, there is a coupon for 50% off one clothing item at Goodwill. They also have special, discount shopping days each month, including sales for senior citizens and 50% off all of the clothing you can fit in one bag. Flyers with this information can be found at the front of any store.
If you’ve never shopped at a Goodwill store, tell the cashier it is your first time and ask if you can complete their customer survey to receive 50% off one item. Also, be sure to take note of the sign that tells you the half price number. Every single price tag in Goodwill is numbered. If that number is the same as, or less than the half price number, you will receive half off on that item. This is applicable for as many items as you find, not just one.
Shopping at Goodwill can actually add more name brands to your wardrobe than you already have. There is no way I would spend $90 for a pair of pants at Talbot’s, but I purchased a brand new pair of Talbot’s pants at Goodwill, that still had the tags on them, for $3.50. They were marked at $6.99, but I used my coupon!
My most recent purchase was a black, lamb skin coat. It looks brand new, fits like it was made for me, and full price was only $25. I would have jumped up and down with joy over that find, but I would have risked injury from my still plus sized bust!
FYI, typical pricing at Goodwill for women’s clothing is $4.99 for shirts, skirts and some pants, $6.99 for jeans and some pants. Coats can start as low as $9.99. Dresses and suits can be anywhere from $6.99 to $14.99.
Another option is to use their website, www.shopgoodwill.com. Things tend to be higher priced there, since it is an auction format, but it’s still worth using.
I tend to have the most success at Goodwill, but any Thrift shop can house hidden treasures.
CONSIGNMENT SHOPS
Local consignment stores are a great way to buy new clothes, as well as sell those you’ve under grown. And by the way, you definitely want to get those big clothes out of your closet. Don’t leave yourself a closet full of “Plan B” to go back to. Selling them helps fund your new wardrobe, which is a lot better than going back, any day!
If you still need plus sized clothes, or have plus size to sell, look for a specialty consignment store for plus sizes. You will find more of what you’re looking for and have faster turn over of clothes you are selling.
You will usually pay more at a consignment store than at Goodwill and thrift stores, but you will generally find very high quality clothing, since they have strict standards for merchandise.
EBAY
eBay is another way to find great items to fill out your weight loss wardrobe. I use them to find smaller sizes of items that I already own and love. I have also sold clothing through them. You will typically earn more than selling through a consignment store, but there is more work involved with shipping and managing the auctions.
Sunday I wore my favorite cardigan sweater that I bought last winter. (At Goodwill, by the way.) Well, I’m 30 pounds lighter now, so it was hanging on me. Even after a hot wash and dry it did not shrink enough. I hopped on eBay and just happened to find the exact sweater, one size smaller. I happily agreed to pay $8.50 plus $7.00 shipping to be able to have my favorite sweater in a size that fits.
I am still on the lookout for a smaller version of my mom’s favorite shirt. She has lost 50 pounds and passed her XL along to me. We are looking for a size large in this shirt from Roz and Liv, which was from the Dress Barn. Anyone?
GO FREEGAN
There is a whole movement out there that promotes less consumerism and less waste. I know several people who have participated through https://www.freecycle.org/ to get clothing and many other items for free. It is new to me, but I will share any success in the future. It’s definitely worth learning what is available in your area.
GARAGE SALES
I didn’t mention garage sales until last, because they are just too much work for too little reward, in my opinion. However, if you love them, go for it! Local papers and Craigslist will point you to sales in your area. Look for sales in upscale neighborhoods, especially neighborhood sponsored sales where you can shop a lot of houses in one day. Also, go early. You know what they say, “the early bird gets the Brunello Cucinelli!” OK, I had no idea who Cucinelli was, until two minutes ago, when I looked on the Neiman Marcus website for premier designers. His jeans cost $975! I’m guessing that people who buy Bruno Cucinelli do not have garage sales, but I’m trying to be funny here people!
Anyway, there are lots of ways to turn your too big clothes into cash and to find that new, temporary wardrobe without breaking the bank. And, if anyone needs anything in sizes 18, all the way through 26/28, let me know. I have a lot of stuff that I would still like to sell myself. I have a lot of vests that need good, new homes. You can email me at kim@dietside.com
