Keep the puppy, toss the panties?
Y’know, women have really deep emotional connections to their panty collections, sometimes. We’ve all got that one pair that just makes us feel so sexy and jazzy. Some of us are even determined to make everything match – the outfit, the shoes… right down to the skivvies.
I see y’all.
Y’all know how I know this? Back in undergrad? I used to work at Victoria’s Secret. I know the emotional attachment women have to their undies. The push-up bras, the (literal) boulder-holders, the women who buy their bras in a certain size because they swear they could never be a size larger than that size… yes, I know all of y’all. I just… I know.
I used to struggle to fit into Vickie’s stuff even though I was, technically, much too large to actually fit it sensibly. To be honest, a lot of things fit me funny back then, so I just assumed it was because of my size and never gave it a passing thought. I had an employee discount and damn it, I was gonna use it.
Needless to say, my collection is extensive. Garters (a personal love of mine), garter belts, hosiery, corsetry (from Frederick’s of Hollywood), push up bras that hoisted my goods up to the high heavens, and my undies? I mean, let’s just say that there very well might be a sailor’s hat in my stash.
I’m just sayin’. The collection is serious business.
Now… there’s a big container rolled so far deep under my bed, just because I cannot bear the pain.
See, when you go through a major weight loss, you realize that all your favorite outfits will have to go away. I mean – we’re not talking about taking it to a tailor. We’re talking… it has to go bye-bye. I mean, I had a pair of favorite jeans, but those jeans were a size 24, though. I could fit my entire body in one leg of those, now.
People prepare you for the “Oh, you’ll have to make adjustments to your wardrobe” thing, but never “Hey, you’re going to have to toss your bras and panties, too!” You don’t get that message!
It was so funny to watch in my progress photos – knowing that I was, for a long time, wearing the same size underwear… and they eventually started fitting more and more differently. Eventually you pick your panties up, place them around your hips and realize that because of the weight you’ve lost, the distance between the top of your booty and the front of your pelvis has shrunk… so now, even though the elastic might still be able to keep them around your waist, the part that covers your goodies? It’s sagging. Thoroughly.
Think about it – you know how your mom always tells you to wear clean underwear? Y’know, just in case you get hit by a car and the ambulance drivers will see your dingy undies? Well… thanks for the insight, Mom, but you could’ve told me about baggy undies, too.
And bras!!!! Awww, man… I used to be a 42DD – do you know what size I am now? Let’s just say… with the way my body lost weight? I’d need something like a negative triple A or something. I no longer have a rack to hoist high to the heavens with a push-up bra.
I mean, let’s be honest, here. In the grand scheme of problems I could have, I’m in a privileged position to be complaining about losing my “drawz” instead of something far more important, but it’s something that people should prepare themselves for.
And while I’m complaining about things that no longer fit the way they used to? Let’s talk about shoes and feet. My feet shrank. In some shoes, the size difference felt like a ton. In others, it was just enough to cause my feet to slide around a bit. But c’mon, man – I love my high heels. Slippage is enough to cause Erika to take a tumble. No thanks.
But really, think about it – if there’s less weight that your feet has to balance, they’ll probably become less wide. If you’ve experienced any kind of spreading, they’ll probably shrink the long way, too. These are things to – unfortunately – consider.
What does this mean for any woman considering major changes to her body? It means that although many of us love to shop and snatch up new things, we need to remember to set aside a few dollars for replacing our favorite silkies…. and maybe a few gel inserts for our favorite shoes as we make our transition.
Me? I’m pretty un-fancy, now. Sports bras and cotton skivvies until I’ve settled on a size – in both the bust and the booty.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to having a pair of lacy size “S” stringy things hiding in this house somewhere, though.
What am I forgetting, y’all? Bras, panties, shoes… what unplanned shrinkage did you experience?
82 comments
Wedding rings! A good friend of mine lost over 100 lbs & had to have her ring re-sized 2x.
way before i can “see” my weight loss, i feel it — in my feet. my feet are the first to go. i’ve gained my weight back but i’m figuring out how to get it off and keep it off. i have a long way to go to get that part organized in my brain and not sabotage myself (again); but i gotta admit, i’m longing to be sliding around in my shoes once again!
Man when I read this I just had to laugh. All my expensive suits and shoes with purses to match. I have gone down a shoe size and a half and in some cases 2 shoes sizes so even trying to stuff the shoes doesn’t work. And like you said I still have them ALL. I was able to part with the suits FINALLY but the shoes and purses that match so perfectly are another matter. I even took them with me when we moved to the new house. I just can’t find it in my heart to do it YET. I was never a hard panty or bra lady because of my skin I can only wear cotton so that left something to be desired. So it was good riddance to those larger BLOOMERS. Losing my boobs is getting harder everyday because they sagg and then cave in horribly now and I have changed bra sizes AGAIN. Even though the girth is leaving the skin is still hanging which has been kinda scary in hopes that they don’t stay that way. Then I will hafta roll them up like a fruit roll up and place them gently in some kinda push up bra. LOL My main thing is my SHOES and PURSES. It is over for them and I know it but that doesn’t stop me from going to my closet sometimes and looking at them even if I will never be able to wear them again. What a ham I am. LOL
wooo lawd! I’m cracking up @ this right here —> “Then I will hafta roll them up like a fruit roll up and place them gently in some kinda push up bra.” this is how i feel. i miss my boobs :/
You can have mine! Please take them! lol
I was running to play for a funeral last week. The winter snows had finally melted so I was leaving my boots at home and finally wear those new 2″ heels that I bought last year . When I bought them on sale, they were so tight, I could barely walk in them in the bedroom.
Anyway, put on hose. Tried on shoes and Yes! A perfect fit! So I grab my music, my purse, my coat and rush out of the door and down my front steps and walk out of the heels. I’ve lost enought weight that the beauties are too wide and slightly too long.
I was running late and had to go on to the church and “tippy toe” so the shoes wouldn’t fall off my feet.
I’m happy about the weight that’s coming off but I’m still in that limbo moving towards the body I want. I think this summer’s gonna be all long drawstring skirts and gauzy tunic tops and adjustable sandals, until I reach my final weight. If only I could bring myself to wear cheap shoes…
I love your blog. You speak the truth, and keep it all in perspective.
I made some changes in my life and dropped a few pounds, and now I cannot figure out what size underwear to buy! I’d been wearing the same size for YEARS, regardless of my weight, but now I can’t, for the life of me, figure out what’s what. It’s like the size AND shape of my butt changed. You’re right–ladies should really be warned!
So true, all of it! Even my interim weight loss underwear (mostly size 7 bikinis) are sagging and somehow suddenly riding higher in the back (extra room, I guess?) Lately, many evenings when I undress they go straight into the trash instead of the hamper. It hurts a little because I liked them and they really aren’t worn out but they are doing NOTHING for me, and life’s too short to keep a drawerful of “lounge panties” that I can only wear at home under my higher-waisted track pants.
Also, bras. It hurts. Those things aren’t cheap. I went from 42DD to 34D and I see that eventually going to a 34C-long. (sigh) Right now I’m trying to get more life out of my 36D interim bras–they’re well under a year old and still in great shape–but the straps keep falling and I’m on the tightest hooks.
I never expect things like tank tops and sports bras to make much difference. Why do I think that I can still carry off an XL tank top when in reality I wear a M? Same for sweaters, hoodies, and cardigans. I finally gave up my 2 favorite XL cardigans because when fully zipped I could’ve smuggled my 2yr old on piggyback. I think of things like that as forgiving and size-flex but until I truly see myself as small as I am, I need a kick in the pants to pare down my wardrobe.
I’m not that much of a clothes horse or a shoe hound but, my major weakness is coats. I have a MASSIVE coat fetish. Black velvet trenchcoat. Black lace duster. Fluffy beige berber coat. Gray wool swing jacket. Red military jacket with black piping. The list goes on and on and on…It’s a disease. A thoroughly enjoyable disease. Fall catalogs are my crack. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I’m too small to look good in my coats. I think I’m going to have to set aside all the money I would be spending on fast food for a coat fund because outerwear, really nice outerwear, is pricey.
May I suggest that you have what doesn’t fit cleaned, properly stored, then research your area for a legitimate dressmaker. Save your $$ like you said cause it won’t be cheap but maybe you could get 2 coats altered at a time.
As for what wasn’t on the list SOCKS! I put mine on and by the time I got to the subway, they were on my ankles. I pull them back up but by the time I get to Penn Station, there they go again …. sliding down. It took me awhile to understand that my calf has shrunk. And the panties …. I’m going to just settle for some Hanes or something until I finish dropping. I know my ring is sliding around and I do need to get a new bra. We’re down 70.2 pounds and dropping so I’m not buying anything “special” until I’m at goal. Then … watch out!!
I told a friend if her undies resemble a baby’s swimsuit at the beach (you know when they have on the swim diaper but there’s still wet sand involved, causing the suit to dip way low) then it’s time to get new underwear. God apparently does not like ugly because the next day in spin, my trusty favorite boy short type undies slid way down. Luckily my pants remained in place. I got home expecting to find that the elastic had broken. The panties were just fine, they just didn’t fit me anymore. That was a really weird feeling.
I’ve surely given up shopping for awhile. I’m only down 15 lbs and none of my bra’s fit!! What is a girl to do? I cant go out and buy new bras after just 15 lbs. Thanks for this post Erika, it made me chuckle :0)
Oh yeah, DaniBel makes a great point about coats. We’re just finishing up winter here in the frozen north and every day that I wear my knee-length down coat I remind myself that a garment that zipped over my 230lb pregnant belly *probably* doesn’t really fit anymore. And my leather jacket with the princess seams that always made me feel so feminine and sharp? Baggy. Pout.
I just had to drop money a few weeks ago on new bras because I have gone from DDD to DD in a matter of months. Before, I had so much space I could have put socks around the edges and there would have STILL been enough room in those bras. I’m realizing I am going to have to invest just a bit even as I lose the rest of my weight to keep myself from looking frumpy. *stares at favorite black pants*
Congrats Trina!!
My goal is to hopefully get back in the DD’s.
I have found that a lot of my accessories are getting too big; watch bands, rings and necklaces are starting to hang “funny”. About the undergarments, I’m to the 2 bras that fit at a time and haven’t given up the panties yet, although the once cute high cut briefs are now granny panties ;-)!
My engagement ring, which was semi-loose to begin with, is now about a quarter-size too big. Unless I get myself a ring spacer, one of these days, it’s going to go down the sink.
The most frustrating thing for me has been dealing with a different bra size. The bra style that I love, that I’ve been wearing for the past 10 years, the most comfortable bra for me ever, doesn’t come in my new size. It comes in Every Other Freaking Size but that one. And other styles I’ve test-driven have been disasters.
Fortunately, the nice saleswoman at L.B. gave me a tip that saved me–depending on how much weight you’ve lost, you can wear the same style of bra–keep the same band size, but go down one cup size. So, I had been a 40DDD, and went down to a 38DDD (but they didn’t have my bra in this size), so I ended up with a 40DD that works pretty well. Hope this helps anyone else who is struggling with finding new bras!
As someone who has a background in dressmaking, I’ve gotta tell ya – that only works if you’re one of those women who was already wearing the wrong band size for your bras.
I can see what you mean. For me, I was losing weight in what felt like an odd way–my breasts weren’t getting smaller, but my torso was getting narrower.
So when I went from the 40DDD (which did fit me very well) down to the 40DD, the new bra worked–mostly. I did have some extra spillage on the sides, but, for me, this choice was better than trying to hunt down a new, comfy cotton, no-wire bra (especially since I was in the middle of hunting down new clothes for everything else–I was distraught over the potential loss of this bra!).
But. Now that I’m more comfortable with trying to find new clothes, it may be time for another bra fitting to see what size I am, and if I can keep my Old Faithful. 🙂
Ugh, my engagement ring! I was proposed to at 250+ pounds and after I got out of the 190’s – I couldn’t keep that thing on for nothing! Thank goodness for the kind people who would always turn it into security (lost it at work multiple times) or politely asked if the ring by my foot was mine (library incident). I used to wrap it with string and tape and all other kinds of unattractive foolishness, SMH. It’s since been re-fitted … twice, lol.
People don’t tell you these things! I remember the first time I did serious shopping after I lost weight, I went to a NineWest outlet to treat myself to some new shoes. I asked for my usual size 10, low and behold when I started walking the shoes I almost fell! I didn’t even notice they were too big. I had to keep going down in size until an 8 1/2 fit me. Who knew my feet would lose weight too!
I’ve heard of this one lady having to buy new hats! Apparently the circumference of her head got smaller, lol.
Love your blog btw! Congrats on taking control of your health and your blog’s success!
Oh Erika. Haven’t read in a while, but this title caught my eye. I’m looking forward to the day I can buy new, smaller undergarments! I’ve never gotten attached to them-they just served a purpose, and I knew that I’d outgrow bras every 6-8 months. Or less: I bought new bras from LB and VS at the new year, band and straps are stretched out and dead.
Underwear…meh. I don’t even buy cute stuff anymore. Again, utilitarian.
I used to work at VS too! It was a brief stint, because Black Friday at a fancy panty store is not a safe place for a short girl like me.
Perfect timing. I just retired a bra because my “girls” were sliding down in the cups. Here is a recommendation for finding underwear while you are on your journey: see if there is a Nordstrom’s Rack near you. They carry most of the same brands in their regular stores, but you have to take the time to search. I just came home with 3 that were 50% off. Not my normal style, but better than “the girls” looking like they are sliding off my chest. Keep up the good work everyone!
This post brings such sweet misery! I was a size 24 and am currently walking at a size 10 and I’ve had to get rid of everything except the shoes (my feet were a size 9 when I was in 7th grade,they will never shrink). Last year, I had 4 tax donation reciepts from Goodwill and 2 from the salvation army so it worked out in the long run. Funny thing is, when I first started to lose weight I knew that I would need new clothes so I got a part time job at Nordstrom, thinking the extra money and discount would make it easier to reward myself throughout my weightloss. Problem was, I blew all that extra $$ on shoes, size 14 Tracy Reese dresses (I celebrated being able to fit into her clothes) and more shoes. But as much of a pain as it was to get rid of my entire wardrobe, I have to admit that shopping is much more enjoyable and a lot cheaper now that I’m smaller.
I never thought my boobs were my best asset anyway, but what I lacked in perkiness I could at least make up for in size, right? Push those pupsters together and nobody would know any different. Now that they’re a little deflated, I find that I’m not having to shop so much for the right size, but the right *kind* of bra. Some good shaping and the right sort of cut can still create shock and awe 😉
The shoes thing surprised me more, though. I didn’t realise that shoe size wasn’t a constant. I found myself swimming in my shoes and having to buy lots of inserts; I’m somewhere between a UK 6, 6.5, and a 7. I hate shoe shopping as it is, so now it’s become 3x as annoying!
Has anyone else noticed that shoe size is in direct proportion to to dress size? Does that apply in the US? As I’ve gone from a dress UK 16 to a 12-14, my shoes have gone from an 8 to a 6/6.5.
Luckily for me I’m quite ruthless, so although I’ve been reluctant to part with my favourite jeans which insist on sliding off my arse, anything that even threatens to not fit properly gets thrown out in a heartbeat! 🙂
I definitely forgot my gym clothes and after a 42 pound loss I officially had a wardrobe malfunction in spin class. Oy vey.
Shoes. Jeans. Sigh! I have also vowed not to buy anything until I fit into my blue dress that hubbie bought when I brought our first child home.
Like I am seriously reading this with envy right now!
I *wish* I were in the enviable position of talking about smaller sizes SIIIGGGGH! LOL
I lost 15lbs but besides my pants fitting looser I dont really see a difference, That tells me my clothes were wayyyy not my size to begin with.
After I lost about 30-40 lbs., my watches fit REALLY loose. I had to have links removed from all of them. Also some of my necklaces fit differently–Thank goodness the double chin went away!
My coats. I’m still wearing a size 3 X long wool coat but now I wear a belt around it to cinch the waist. It is so big and bulky but I love it. Its my favorite coat. But its a mess, I know. I just can’t let it go. I’ll get the same one in a 2x (or maybe 1x) for next season though, God willing.
Along with the bras, panties, shoes, capris, favorite jeans, dresses, etc., etc., etc…
Sports bras… I fell out of mine in Boot Camp a few weeks ago, that was just sad. It’s so hard to let go.
I almost fell outta my chair when I read what happened to you. This very thing happened to me as well.Why do we persist to hold onto these things when we know they no longer serve a purpose? I bought new sports bras and now wear the old ones to bed. I still couldn’t throw them away because I knew how much I paid for them. Keep up the good work everyone.
This was just what I needed – a few laughs and a reminder to celebrate my victories – the big ones and the small ones.
Just when I was headed down that “this-isn’t-working-so-I-want-a-double-fudge-brownie-to-help-drown-my-sorrows” path, I read this and realized that, while I was prepared for some of the obvious ways my weightloss efforts would be displayed, I wasn’t acknowledging that I was beginning to wear my watch band one notch smaller. I totally dismissed that and thought my band was stretching out or something. Duh!
So eventhough my hips, thighs, and gut persist, there has been weightloss in other places. Yippie. lol!
Definitely my rings. I lost about 50 pounds and all the rings that I made in my jewelry casting course are now loose. I will have to get them resized. Sigh. 🙂
Aww I can’t wait to have some of the “My clothes are too big/my shoes are sliding” problems. Being honest me wanting to lose weight is 50% for my health and 50% to wear the cuter smaller clothes. I work at a clothing store and I see all the cute things that come in and they don’t come in my size and I’m so disappointed with the plus size things we carry. I refuse to buy any more clothes labeled 1,2,or 3xx. As for the “twins” I think me possibly having smaller ones would make me a little sad but on the up side I could buy new bras at Victoria’s Secret.
SO funny but so true! I was prepared to restock my clothes during my weight loss, but my shoes, rings, bracelets, bras & panty-thangs 😉 – no one thinks to warn you about that monetary loss! In the end – it was a great problem to have! 😉 Plus, smaller sizes are cheaper & more available anyways! 😉
I miss my rings! Sterling silver doesn’t size down well. I’m trying ring guards, but it’s not the same thing. Also having panty issues. Wearing a size 12/14 now, down from 20/22, and I’m just finally giving up my last pair of 22/24 panties. Since I’m still losing, I’m trying not to buy too many smaller ones, but it’s hard. I understand a good panty collection. It is totally worth the loss, but as many folks have already commented, it’s hard to give some things up!
Believe it or not some of my fabulous hats that I used to wear to church are too big now! I was shocked when after losing weight, I put on one of my favorite hats to wear to church and it was too big lol! I never knew that when you lose weight your head gets smaller too, did yours?
I love this post. I cannot even tell you all how much complaining I’ve been doing lately about my clothes not fitting. I haven’t even lost that much, but 3 times throughout the 30 lbs I have lost, I have had to get rid of and replace jeans, shoes, bras, and of course, the underpants. At an size my butt has always been huge, not a bad thing for me, but even my butt is getting smaller. You know it’s serious when the underpants become trash.
I have always had a big ole juicy booty, which living in Portland, OR, has not been as easy to cover as it was in Chicago. And the worst part is, that my waist keeps shrinking, and my butt and legs tone, but are not shrinking fast enough. So all the pants fit me in the legs at a size 8, and my waist are huge! I know there have got to be some big butt friendly jeans out there for the small waisted, someone help me out!
The best way I have found to painlessly get rid of all the beautiful (and expensive) clothes that don’t fit anymore are ‘Naked Lady Parties’. You get together a gang of women, preferably ones that know and don’t know each other, and everyone brings clothes and accessories that they want to get rid of. It generally turns into an, “I don’t fit into any of this anymore,” party. But if you get enough different size women together you can really make off like a queen, and see your beautiful things go to a real person with a face. It’s good to know that $80 bra you treasured forever has a new mom that will love it. It’s also a great way to get tons of free stuff while you’re still transitioning down through the sizes.
Trust me – 30lbs is a lot! 🙂
So far I’ve gone from a size 26 to a 16/18 and I have gotten rid of so many clothes, bras, coats, etc (donated to Good Will!)! I now have empty dresser and chest drawers and my closet is lean, LOL. That’s okay though. I’m much healthier and look forward to buying new things when I’m finally at my goal!
Lol! I can’t bear to give up anything. I have clothes that are too small, too big, and those that fit. Thankfully I haven’t had the shoe problem or bras. I’ve had the boobs before the weight. Praying that they don’t change too much.
OMG… why do I feel like this. It was so hard when I lost weight to give up my clothes and the “draws”. *SIGHS* But I had to let them go to get all the cute new ones in smaller sizes. My rings are loose and my shoes feel too big now. I don’t want to turn around and lose my butt too… or my boobs. They were big before i gained weight, so I hope they don’t shrink too much. But it is hard to let the stuff go. But my appetite is smaller and my clothes are too. I am healthier and that is what matters. Material is material.
My latest realization was I had no coats to wear when the weather changed. I bought the cutest coat from Wilson’s last winter , size 2X. I went coat shopping at Old Navy this past Saturday (75% outerwear sale) and bought 3 size L coats!!! The bargain came right on time and I did not mind paying. Actually, I love shopping even though my wallet does not support the emotion. I justify it all with, “I have to replace so many things….I have lost over 60 lbs!!!”
This is soooo true. I never imagined that I’d have to buy new underwear when I started to lose weight. I remember putting on one of my “go to” boy shorts one morning and the damn things were drooping off my much smaller butt. My old coats made me look like I was little girl playing dress up in her mama’s closet. And bras? Forget about it. I was never an ample bossomed chica but my feeligs were HURT when I went down to a A cup. It took me months to actually go buy a bra in the right size 🙁
Even though I weigh about the same as my wedding day, my ring is fitting more loosley, when I gained I couldn’t sleep with it because i would swell so bad! Now its starting to get loose. But the weight I lost now is coupled with more muscle.
Since me and my hubby are working on this together…right now were focusing on lift weigts and gaining muscle, we realized we’re going to need a new wodrobe, which we’re looking forward to…financing it is what were not looking forward too!
Going thru that right now. It’s not that I have an emotional attachment to them, panty shopping is just one of my least favorite things to do. Gotta go though cause thankfully, the sag has gotten too bad.
I lost 100lbs total. I have since gained about 45lbs back. I honestly have conflicting feelings about loosing it again and continuing to loose more because I absolutely hated what the weight loss did to my boobs. The weight gained restored them to their normal look. I’m only a cup size bigger but there is no “fruit roll up” thing going on, no skin that tents with a pinch. They are full and I like it. But I HATE being a size 22 and 250lbs I was a size 14/16 and 205lbs…I loved everything else but hated my boobs
When I once weighed 250lbs. back in 2003 I wore a size 44(DDDD) in bra now I am a size 34 (DDDD)and my bras now are beginning to loosen up since I have since lost about 10lbs and I can tell I am losing weight in my upper body.
I now wear a size 6 in most panties and some 7’s before I wore a size 9/10 (weighing 250lbs).
My sizes 20-22’s I had to give away.
I must say the bonus of losing weight for me personally is shopping yeah!!! My goal is to drop another 25lbs.
This post is hilarious. I am just getting started on my journey. I am down 25 pounds since the beginning of the year. I have ~60 to go to reach my goal.
It sucks so far. Almost all of my jeans no longer fit. I have some random pants and skirts here and there I purchased on sale that were a little too small, and I didn’t donate them, so I hjave been reclaiming a few pieces. All of my favorite dresses with zippers don’t fit.
I had a suit that was too snug to wear, and now the jacket is perfect, and the skirt is a little too loose. I’ll never get to wear this one. (Luckily it was $20)
And my bras are starting to get a little loose. Starting bra size: 38G/36H. Now, all of my 38s are too big, and the 36s I am down to the middle hook. I went to look for a replacement sports bra a few days ago. The 36HH didn’t fit. The cups were too small. 🙁 If I was a “normal” size, I could head over to Target or whatever and pick up some replacements, but at my size bras are $50-$70 each, so I was hoping to stay in them as long as possible!
My workout pants are getting too big, and it looks like I’ll need a few more!
And since I am at the size I have been for most of the last 8-10 years, pretty soon I won’t have any clothes to wear!
This weight loss business is expensive! I need to start saving now for a new lingerie wardrobe (and clothing wardrobe).
I will be so sad if my shoes don’t fit! I am such a shoeoholic!
I am a fashionista, so when I started this journey, I recognized I wouldn’t be able to afford to dress the way I wanted to if I continued to shop at what I call “regular” stores. I turned to the Goodwill, Salvation Army, local thrift stores, and consigment shops.
I have sometimes found items with the department store tags still on them (e.g., a Michael Kors skirt with a dept. store tag for $60 that I got for $4 at the Goodwill). I also bought a $1,200 Armani suit for $50 at a consignment store. Can I get an “Amen” on that?!
The other benefit of consignment shopping while I am working on this new body is that I can sell the stuff I can no longer wear to finance the new stuff I want and need. I’m making out like a bandit! Still dressing well without breaking the bank and people are always asking me where I get my clothes.
I also gave some of my old suits & dresses to my sister-in-law who is on her own weight-loss journey (hoping it will become a healthy-living journey). She says they are an inspiration to her to keep trying. We donated what she didn’t want to Dress for Success, which supports women who are trying to get into the workforce by providing them appropriate clothing.
So instead of focusing on what I’ve lost, I’ve tried to look at this as a win-win situation…but those were some bad-ass clothes.
Glasses, oddly enough. My face shrank, and the frame for my specs was just too wide.
I wont be able to shop at this store. I have to shop at a specialty bra store. Victoria’s Secret only goes up D cup. I wear a larger cup size. So I do not like them and I wont buy their panties .
I am soooo cracking up right now! I wasn’t at all prepared for my feet shrinking and it is very difficult to handle. I mean…I paid GOOD money for those shoes! I have gone from stuffing them with one insert to stuffing them with TWO! My prized pair, a pair of LV boots, are literally flopping off and for so long I have refused to get rid of them.I guess it’s high time for me to bless someone else with them though…*sigh
Aye…what size shoe you wear? LOL!
First of all, I love your site Erika! Getting rid of unfitting clothing was surprisingly a ridiculously emotional experience. I never realized how much of my self esteem and who I am I saw in the clothes. The most shocking was my shoes…my feet went from a10 to an 8. Yes, all my cute and sexy heels way too big now. That was surprising… But I genuinely miss my wedding rings.
My bra size went down but my cup size went up!! So far, I’m down 183 pounds, my bra size was a 54 C but now I’m a 44 DD!!! I think it’s the extra skin from the boob shrinkage. My panty size has gone down but surprising my feet have not changed that much. They aren’t as wide but still big. 🙁
This is sightly off topic, but did the boobie shrinkage at least come with them perking up some? I’m a 42DD now (or at least that’s the biggest damed size I plan on ever buying), I’d hate to see “the twins” go, but if that lost came with a lilltle liftage, it wouldn’t be so bad…
YES!
Love this post. I just told my husband that my underwear is fitting weird. I need to have my wedding band resized. Funny thing you mentioned the feet… I love boots and brought boots for wide calves. I used to struggle to put them on, now they slide and are loose. I am excited about being able to buy normal boots next winter.
Shoes..I never thought about shoes..now it all makes sense..I too almost broke my neck in some sandals last summer…Sighs..I won’t give up my boots, I’ll wear 2 pairs of socks lol
I like this post…it inspired me to go workout this evening… Down 66 lbs…with another 36to go…After my journey is complete I will miss my coat collection the most…tear!!!!!
I actually gained shoes…I was to lazy to throw them out. So now I have some shoes now that I have not worn in 5yrs. For bras though…I have to be a big girl one day and give them up. My husband even noticed. I wear sports bra around the house and tank tops over my bra if I have to face the world.
I read this and almost died laughing. I just cleaned out my drawers and closet this past weekend because getting dressed and figuring out what under garments fit was such a challenge and took too long. Once I got started, it was easy to let go of all of it, even my favorite things. I’m so determined to NEVER be that size again that I am just looking forward to buying new things that I will love when I get to my goal body.
I am still new to this….I was 360 and currently 330. I did a skip when I realized I did not have to buy the extend size packet of cotton undies. I was a little disturbed when my bra size decrease 2 sizes and my boots that used to kill my feet because they were so tight now fit comfortably. I have such a long road to go….it should be interesting.
I noticed weight loss in my feet and the heaviness of them in high heels. I was at a size 22/24 in high school. A senior in high school and freshman in college. I was heavy and insecure. I was always thinking i looked good and Im fly. NO WaY JOSE!! although I have some weight to go of course. I am now at a 16 at 21.I see a difference in my face cheeks, nose, chin. head size. See a notice in my waist, actually seeing my waist matter of fact. I got told by recently “T got that coca cola love going on” Never did I ever imagine being told that but than again i was at 280 lbs. I decided I weighed to much and was so young. And I want a healthy long life!! Im going to keep motivated!! Thanks ladies! motivation!!
I would LOVE some tips in finding a supportive sports bra for women who are DDs and above. Right now I’m doubling up on bras…
I’m on it. 🙂
Here are some good starting points. There are definitely others, but these are the only ones that I could remember off the top of my head:
http://widecurves.com/category/blog-series/fit-active-september/
http://www.thelingerieaddict.com/2012/08/6-sports-bras-for-full-busted-women.html
Remember, though, that size isn’t the only important thing; the shape of your breasts also matters, especially for full-busted women. Here are a few more websites if anyone needs them:
http://www.bralessinbrasil.com/2013/11/bra-fitting-beyond-bra-size.html
http://brasandbodyimage.com/2013/12/11/troubleshoot-bra-size/
http://www.bratabase.com/help/shapes/
This is an old comment but wanted to offer this tip in case anyone else was struggling with this one. I find Nordstrom (and sometimes Nordstrom Rack) a godsend for larger cup sizes. If it weren’t for my Fantasie, Natori, and Wacoal bras from there I wouldn’t be able to run with my G cups. They are expensive but they last longer and are usually prettier than the ones I see at cheaper stores.
I’m so glad I saw this post, I thought I was going crazy. I’ve been working out and changing my eating habits and pants and skirts and dresses that used to be tight on me are now loose and sagging. And that includes my underwear! How come no one tells you your drawers will start getting too big?! And I can also tell my breasts are smaller. I have to get re-sized but that’s another thing no one prepared me for, that my breasts will start deflating while I lose weight. My feet haven’t changed much though. I haven’t lost a drastic amount weight (down to 160 from 182 last July) but the change in my actual body shape and how clothes fit me has been significant.
That was a really great question Ceej! I have been scouring the internet and can not find a good source for a sports bra.
Hmm I am still on a journey so I haven’t donated anything yet. I just tried on some capris that fit a bit tight last year and they’re quite loose. I wear them at work so I am not in a huge hurry to get new clothes. The specialty undies I have I plan on finding a way to re-use them somehow. My friend said she went through this mourning period for the clothes she couldn’t fit anymore lol. I am not sure if that will be me but I will be a bit sad with something of clothing I wont be able to fit anymore.
I recently lost 45pds but still did not consider how much smaller I was…….when I wore this bra to the store that was a little snug when I first purchase it. I notice that I ha gaps in the cup of the bra and my straps were falling so far off my arm you could see them peeking from underneath my shirt. Even though the weight loss is a blessing, I need a shopping spree lol.
This is so funny but TRUE. I expected the change in the way my clothes fit, but the underwear was a real shocker! I have several very expensive bras that I bought six months ago and now I can literally put both boobs in one cup LOL. Guess what? I AM NOT MADE ABOUT IT ONE BIT!!
Kim it is a great feeling to give away those bras:-)
Omg! I was not prepared for the loss of some of my favorite VS bras and undies! I went from a size 38D to 34C (barely)! I’m not really happy about it but I enjoy working out and do like my small size (8-6) from 14-12. You can’t tell weight loss where to go and where you want the fat to stay. I would do a lot of intense cardio and have since added weight training to regime. I definitely had to give up a ton of clothes but in the end I know my health is better for it!
And say hello to the belt..I never had that problem before things just never slid down..Had on a pair of old cargo pants..ya know they fit when ya first put them on..Leaving the grocery store..both hands full they started sliding down, I didn’t want to put my stuff down in the parking lot, so I just walked fast and prayed the wouldn’t end up around my ankles before I got to the car..Lesson learned
What a wonderful problem to have. I cannot wait until I discard my lingerie collection, including all the very expensive stuff I ordered online. As for clothes, omg, so many work suits and clothes purchased in expensive stores b/c they fit better than the cheaper ones. I plan on donating as many of the ones worn once or twice, and some of the ones with tags still I may try to sell on consignment.
I’m visiting my long distance boo next week….its been 8 months (but that’s a whole other post!) and I have NO cute lingerie to wear! OMG I tried on my favorite set and it ain’t cute! Saggy is not a strong enough word! And my favorite black trench coat?! It’s a TENT now!
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