Clothes Shopping Then and Now (longish)

I saw this in another post. . ."I don't dress I camouflage"

In the same thread someone else wrote:  "part of the reason I started this journey was because I was tired of shopping at Pennington"s"

(both paraphrased)

Both of these statements started me thinking of how the whole clothes shopping experience has changed for me in the past couple of years.

Confession is good for the soul, and I can remember a shopping trip with my sister where none of the "January Inventory Sales Stock Fit".  I remember buying the biggest sizes on the rack and taking them home to try-on and return what didn't fit "right".  I was done having melt downs in the store change rooms, I did this in the privacy of my home. 

In Canada we have Pennington's, at prices that seem like they sell by the "yard", Additionelle who will graciously provide over sized execs with tops, however if you have a waist size greater that 24 you apparently are supposed to go bottomless, and Cotton Genny Plus, who appropriately call their oversize casual line "sugar bags" need I say more. . . then for those of us who are independently wealthy "Laura Plus" may be an option.

Before my surgery shopping for clothes meant a great deal of tears related to frustration, settling for colours and styles that you did not like simply because it fit.  There was no joy in wearing something new because nine-times-out-of -ten it wasn't something you liked, it was something you settled for because it fit.

I ALWAYS SHOPPED FOR CLOTHING ALONE. . .I was too embarrassed for anyone to know how big I really was.

Fast Forward to today, I always shop with a friend, usually my personal "Stacey" the main reason is I still like to camouflage myself, however "Stacey" helps me fit my new body, sometimes by going down a size (or 2 or 3. . . ).  "Omar called he has a buyer for that tent. . .can you take it off"

 I do the same for her, "Yep that's a coat that fits"

OH the tears still flow, but they are tears of joy, I no longer have to buy it because it fits, I can leave it behind because the colour or style does not suit.  Because on the very next rack are more that may suit.

Shopping for clothes is no longer the trial it was. . .as long as the sleeves are long enough!

Hang on tight, this is the ride of a life time!

Thanks for the truly inspirational reading.
I am looking forward to my turn to shop for clothing. Right now, only 7wks postop, I am weeding out my closet and finding a handfull of clothes that suddenly fit when they were way too tight not that long ago. I have some favorites set aside to alter with my sewing machine as I don't want to get rid of them yet. But.. in the near future I will be having to make that leap into reality and shop for clothing that fits and looks nice.

I am eager to experience the joy and boost to personal self-esteem that you have described and know its a possibility .. thanks to WLS..
LIFE IS GOOD!
 

Suzy,

If your in the Toronto area I will welcome the chance to be your "Stacey"!

And this is a first for me, Leona..as I stated to the B/F earlier in the week, "I guess I have to go and get some new jeans and dress pants..mine are all too baggy." I have never uttered those words before! Ain't it grand...lol!

What a ride. . .a number of great "ego boosting" moments lie ahead!

Congrats, Leona. I have had the same feelings, too.
I'm  now in a size 10 Jag jeans and may need an 8 soon.
Margaret

Hey you your not a dreamer anymore, at least not a weight loss dreamer!!

OMG, you took the words out of my mouth.
i was just thinking this yesterday as i was trying on clothes at giant tiger. Found a pair of jeans in  a size 12, yup a 12 and it wasn't sure they were going to fit when i went into the change room because they looked way too small, but holy crap, they did.

penningstons,,who... don't go there anymore. don't have to buy it because it fits, i actually tried on something that fit and said, Nah it doesn't look right, i don't like the colour and i put it back, that was a first for me.

my wardrobe is expanding in leaps and bounds, my closet is stuffed and the spare bedroom closet is getting there as well.

funny though when i was in walmart friday night i went right to the plus sizes, old habits die hard.

yes, it's a wonderful thing to be able to go anywhere in the mall and have choices.

good post

congratulations on your success.

j

shopping is definitely a way different experience now.
i can buy what i LIKE, as opposed to just buying whatever FIT.

I totally feel you on the "I don't really like it but it fits so I'll buy it" deal - I cannot WAIT to shop and buy things only because I LOVE THEM!!!

Just over 3 weeks to go!!!