Wanted: Suggestions, Thoughts, Guidance, Your Experience.........

Hi Diane,

I'm right there with you on total pounds to say good-bye to.  I have some very nice office clothes, suits and dresses that I will take to the women's shelter so they might have something nice to go on interviews in.

That's a great idea about a swap!  I've only been once, but my support group meets once a month and there are a LOT of women there who haven't been sleeved yet (insurance, red-tape, etc.).  I'm sure we can do something that will clear out several closets.

Maybe I was thinking it would be a good way to sharpen my sewing skills and save some money.  But the more I think about it, the more I believe I will buy some fabric and start making some clothes in smaller sizes.  It will be a while before I need smaller sizes, but at least I can "kill two birds with one stone" and feel good about the whole thing!

OH people make us think and become more creative in ways not just about food!

Thanks so much for you advice!

Ree

 Ok, I am really impressed you can sew well enough to make your own clothes! 

I bought a passle of clothes about 35 pounds ago thinking I could alter them. Not so much. I've lost a total of 96 pounds so far (almost at goal) but the serious size loss came in the last 30 pounds. Seriously, I dropped 4 to 6 sizes in pants the last 30 pounds. I went from a large shirt to a small in regular cuts and XL to a medium in Euro/Slim cuts. My jacket size went from 44 regular cut to a 40 slim and ultra slim fit.

My tastes have also changed. I no longer gravitate towards black and plain beige. I am liking color. I am looking at clothes as another way of expressing the new, thin me.

So my expensive suits, yes I've paid to have altered, but mostly I have a brand new wardrobe that represents the me I am today, not the me of almost 100 pounds ago.

I say give, donate, discard and shed the clothes that represent the old you. Have fun reinventing your new look!

Hi Kairk,

Thanks for much for you input.  I've followed your progress in my lurking stage and since I joined.  You've done an awesome job of making your transition.  You look so happy and fit....and if I may add, quite handsome.  You are an inspiration to everyone.

Color has never been a problem for me.  I know I'm a big girl, but I refused to be a "hide-in-the- corner big girl deck out in black and gray and brown" .......nope, I went for the bright jewel tones and pretty pastels.......especially pinks of every variety.  I expect that won't change once the pounds start dropping enough to warrant altering or purchasing new things.

I've pretty much put together a plan now from the helpful posts provided.  Since I'm retired, the good suits and dresses go to the shelter for women so they can have a start on a work wardrobe/interview clothes, will give away more, try to arrange a swap with other people in the same boat, and alter some...........and buy some good Autumn/Winter fabric to make some pretty clothes in smaller sizes for the next couple of seasons.  By then, I hope to need those smaller sizes!

For sure, I will take your advice about reinventing my new persona -- the colors are part of me, but maybe some perky styles and more up-to-date lines.  Who said a senior citizen can't be a little sassy and stylish???

BTW, I know there will be a big celebration when you get to goal!  Cheering you on!

Thanks again

Ree

Ree - your comments made my day!!! Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate them.

 I altered a few things, but found that no matter how I tried to fix them they just did not do it for my ever changing body shape. I say thrift/sale buy on the way down and give away what you know won't/doesn't fit! 

Thanks Tripmom -- always to the point and good advice!  Being so short is what spurred me to think about altering, but with all the great ideas folks have been kind enough to share, the combo idea of give away (especially those office suits and dresses for the shelter), altering some of my favorite things, a swap with others, and giving away the rest sounds like a plan.

Will be a while before I need anything new, but I've already scoured my favorite online fabric stores for some fun Fall/Winter fabric to make some cute things for myself.  I'm retired, so I have the time for fiddling with my machines and fabric.  Wait!  does a homemaker ever  really retire???  LOL 

This site is wonderful and if I didn't have it to turn to for guidance of all sorts, I'd be blabbering to myself in a corner LOL

Ree

 Ree, what an exciting time for you!  You are going to love new clothes!

I was lucky enough to ave a friend a year head of me with WLS.  She gave me a lot of clothes.  I went to an OH luncheon monthly where we had a clothing exchange.  What didn't get taken was hauled over to goodwill.  We occasionally have a clothing exchange at my kaiser  support group.

You might find someone in your area that is ahead of you on this journey who would love their favorites to go to a good home.  You can then pass along to others.

If you have professional clothes that you saved from prior to retirement, big cities have a Dress for Success program.  Women returning to the workforce that need help are gifted with clothing for job interviews etc.

Have fun cleaning out your closet .  There is something incredibly liberating about it!

Thank you so much, Lee

That's pretty much my plan now.  There is a women's shelter several towns over -- maybe 40 miles, and I have already put together most of my office suits and dresses for their use as beginner wardrobes/interview suits.  They are probably a little out of date, but they are classic, quality items -- just a little tweaking and they should be fine.  Since I'm so short, the clothes aren't going to be a big help to most women.............still, someone should find something useful.

I'll try to organize a swap time during our next support group meeting.  I've been only once, but there are several women who won't get sleeved for a few months and I know we'll work something out.  I don't want anything -- I just can't bare to toss perfectly good clothes in the local collection bins.  There are too many stories of theft from the bins........plus the drive to bring the clothes is a bit of a pain for me right now.  I got started clearing out much too soon LOL  Must be my Boy Scout training to Be Prepared!  Actually, I was a boy scout, but that's a topic for another time LOL LOL LOL

I have an online  "shopping basket" filled with some nice Autumn/Winter fabrics I will order soon.  This way, when I get tired of remodeling/altering some of my favorite things, I can start creating new clothes in smaller sizes.  That is a dream at this point as I'm only 10 days out and know that smaller sizes is still in fantasyland for me.

Not sure anyone has told you, but your "voice" comes through with good humor, excitement and enthusiasm.  Some think I'm a little weird because  I swear I can "hear" people I've never met.  Anyway, you have such a warmth and happiness about you -- I feel infused with your kindness and sweetness.  Thank you for that!

You've done so well -- what an inspiration for those of us starting out.  Thanks for staying on this board to give us encouragement.  It's truly appreciated.

Ree

From one senior to another....big hugs!  

Dont sew too many new things or order too much fabric, because in the same way that your taste in foods will change, I bet your taste in clothes will as well.

I recently went to a reunion of my plastic  surgeon in Las Vegas.  People that I have known online, say that they knew how my voice would sound, that they could pick me out with their eyes closed.  I was incredibly flattered and am by you as well.  Thank you!

There are lst of OH people in my area. A lovely woman in te California forum started a local support group that meets once a month for lunch and conversation.  Several people that I met there have become good friends to me.  We meet in a back room at a local restaurant.  They are very tolerant of our crazy food requests.  Sometimes we meet at a park in the summer.  If you have several people in your area, you might like to consider something similar. There are great friendships to be made.

Youre going to do great on this journey!