Hung Up On Sizes

I shall concede that it is exciting when you get into a lower size.  I will be giddy at my first size 8's...if and when that day ever comes.  However, when you are shopping for clothes...you have to keep an open mind.

Let me give you the back story.  My niece, a recent college graduate from Kansas University, and a future songwriter in Nashville (she is moving there at the end of this summer), it battling the weight loss monster.  She is working out and eating right.  And one of the many rewards of weight loss is new clothes.  However, my sister said that she is stuck in not wanting to buy a "bigger size" even if it fits.  We have all been there.  It made me realize though, that somewhere along this journey I have stopped caring about the number when I am shopping.  Here is a great example.

The slacks I am wearing today are from Kohls.  They are a size 10 and fit fabulous.  However, my other pair of black slacks are a size 12 and also fit smashingly.  I ALSO have a Calvin Klein pair of jeans that Heather loves and are actually a smidge big but fit just out of the dryer...and they are a size 14.  Sizing is crazy folks. 

You have to dress for your body. 

One of my biggest tips I can give when you are shopping is to give yourself time to try on all different cuts and sizes.  JCPenney's for example has slacks that look the same on the hanger, but some are 'modern cut', 'curvy cut', 'straight cut'.  Take them all in and see what works for your body.

Another thing I decided early on when shopping while losing weight was: I only bought it if it fit THEN.  I didnt buy something that was too tight and then have it set in my closet for months.  Mainly that is because I don't have money to spend on clothes and then not wear the clothes. 

But buy for the size you are now.

Try on clothes.  Lot's of them.

Don't be afraid of showing off your curves.

Try something different.  Maybe just one piece that is out of your comfort zone (um...this doesn't mean wear hot shorts and a tube top to church).

If you go to some stores where the sales peeps are on top of it, make them work for you.  Like the first time I went for jeans at the Buckle.  I told the precious little girl that I wanted jeans that "were midrise, dark wash, smaller in the waist, bigger in the thighs."  She brought me all different kinds. 

OOH, and find yourself a tailor if needed.  Sometimes I wonder about just how tall the "average" model is.  She must be 5'10" and thus most average pants only work on my 5'4" frame if I am wearing really high heels.  So sometimes I take my slacks to a tailor.  They only charge $7 to hem the pants.  Totally worth it. 

And really...here is the clincher.  We all know that once you fit into a size....like if you have one pair of size 8's that fit, but all your other clothes are still size tens...

well that size 8 totally trumps the size 10's and you can officially claim to be the smaller size.

That's the rule of weight loss.

Duh.