Planning for Change Part 1

I was losing weight and at first, the clothes I had just started to fit better and look nicer.  Then it started to become clear that it would be an issue and I really didn't have the resources at that point in time, or for a few months, to do anything.  I was pretty limited in what I could do.  So I thought a lot about what I needed to do and how to make the clothing I had go as far as possible.

The most immediate issue was going to be my jeans as they were getting loose and starting to sit low on my hips.  So I brought a belt.  As long as I could keep wearing my jeans, everything on my top half could be worn even if it was to big.

My next concern was having something nice to wear if I needed to go out somewhere.  So my plan was to get one nice thing in the next few sizes down.  I used sales and my birthday to buy three things.  I estimated that my clothes would kind of be ok for size 28 but at size 26, I would really start having issues.  The first thing I brought was a Twisted Wunder dress in a size 26.  It was a lovely ombre mess of bright colours with a tie waist.  I love a tie waist because I have a waist.  I used to be an hourglass figure, now I am definitely a pear, but a well endowed one.  Twisted Wunder dresses have a lovely flared skirt, a bit skater style, so there was less issue with my hips fitting.  

Next I brought a shirt on sale.  It's a 70's style confection of green with a little black, white and lilac thrown in.  It was a size 22/24 so I expected it to wear it at size 24.  I also felt that a shirt could be worn open if it was a little too small or if it was too big.  Shirts are pretty flexible.

The third thing was a beautiful Joe Browns Devore tunic in a size 22.  The thing is though, Joe Browns clothes are so well put together that this top fit me when I brought it and will continue to look good, probably when it become too big.  The material is stretchy but also it drapes really nicely.  I think this top was my first inkling that clothing was both going to be simpler and more complicated!

So I had safeguarded my jeans and made sure I had something nice to wear over them.  There wasn't much I could do then, but wait until I had the opportunity to invest in my wardrobe.  I knew it was coming but it was maybe six months away.

I spent a lot of time planning and thinking.  I came to a few conclusions.

1)    I needed really flexible clothing.  Things that would fit and look nice across multiple sizes as I continued to lose weight.

2)    Lagenlook was a really good idea, because if I could layer things well, I could maybe keep wearing the things I already had.

3)    I needed to make my money go as far as possible.

4)    I needed to have clothes in smaller sizes too, so I didn't get so anxious.

5)    I didn't need a huge wardrobe in each size.  At home I could comfortably wear oversized t-shirts as long as I had jeans and leggings that fit.

That winter though, I didn't lose enough weight or have warm enough social outings to wear any of my three nice things.  The things I had still fit well enough.  I did start to find though that I was colder.  I realised I needed an under layer that was tighter fitting in order to stay warm.  While this wasn't an issue last winter as I had plenty of clothes to layer and a number of thick jumpers, it was something I needed to bear in mind.

My plan at this point was to buy new leggings and jeans in several sizes.  I found a couple of smaller pairs of jeans in a size 30 at the back of my drawers that I hadn't gotten rid of and they really helped.  I knew I needed the next size down soon though, so planned to buy two pairs each in sizes 28, 26 and 24.  

I would continue to wear my T-shirts that I had but I would buy some very cheap basic t-shirts that fit to wear in my layered look plan so I would be warm.  Over the top I would wear oversized t-shirts I already had.  I also intended to buy a couple of plus sized dresses of the sort that have an internal belt or a tie waist.  Ones specifically designed to fit a range of sizes.  I discovered the dresses of the Global Mandala Company and intended to buy a couple that I would also wear over leggings.

I also realised that ponchos and wraps were warm garments, great for layering, that were much more size flexible than jumpers or even cardigans.  I have a lovely red one size poncho with a roll neck that is very warm but also stylish, if it was intended to fit much thinner people but still looked nice on me at size 32, then these were something to embrace.  I do like a cuddly snuggly jumper though, for when I am at home and I got a Tesco mens jumper that fit me fine, in a 3XL.  I have no issue wearing mens clothing and jumpers are pretty unisex.  

I also like to wear my hoodie when I walk my dog.  I am not sure what size my hoodie is but it is now very, very big.  That's fine though for a dog walking hoodie.  I did however get a new hoodie in a 2XL for the future.  I can wear it now, but it is a little snug over my tummy.

I also planned to start scouring charity shops and buy whatever I saw that was plus sized that would fit, or fit in the near future.  I felt that I couldn't be choosy at all.

So I knew how best to spend my funds when I had them.  Buying new jeans in so many size would eat up a lot of money.  Then leggings, basic t-shirts, ponchos and a couple of flexible dresses.  I would get by.  I also desperately needed new underwear.