One of the primary reasons women seek my help with their wardrobes is due to weight fluctuations.
I've noticed that in many cases, women are actually fine with the size and shape of their bodies, whatever that size and shape may be...IF they have clothes they like and feel comfortable wearing.
When you've lost or gained a significant amount of weight, clothes fit differently. Maybe you feel like your old favorite silhouettes need a little tweaking, or you don't like them anymore at all. You may even conclude that the best solution is to simply grab something oversized and try to make peace with it.
No! Step away from the boxy sweaters!
Here are some of my quick tips for weathering weight fluctuations in your wardrobe:
1. If you know you're prone to weight fluctuations, store your clothes instead of decluttering them, just as you would with seasonal pieces. I wish I had kept more clothing from my various weight stages, particularly basics like jeans and tees. It's frustrating to be in a position of having to rebuy pieces you know you already had and liked, but have long since donated. Having to repeatedly shop for a whole new wardrobe is stressful, and keeping at least a small selection of clothes for various sizes can reduce the emotional toll around weight changes.
2. Honor your body's current size. It's not always possible or desirable to splash out on a brand new luxury wardrobe every time you've gained or lost weight. That's partly where tip #1 comes in. But that doesn't mean you should settle for clothes you don't really like, either. Honor your body's current size by choosing clothing in colors, cuts, and fabrics you enjoy. Choose pieces that fit your body at the size it is NOW. If you order a dress, try it on, and immediately think, "This would fit great if I lost 10 pounds," it's not a keeper! Who knows if you will ever lose those 10 pounds? Save your money for pieces that fit your body now.
3. Embrace a (temporary) capsule wardrobe. If you've historically had a larger wardrobe, especially one you really loved and were excited by, it can be depressing to think about rebuilding it from scratch with clothes that suit your new weight. Instead, focus on your creme de la creme. What are the pieces you absolutely need and want in order to feel your best? What colors do you want to see? Don't stress yourself out trying to recapture the glory of your previous wardrobe in a month, or even in 6 months. Start with a capsule wardrobe of favorites, and build from there. And remember - don't get rid of all your own clothes! You may be that size again in the future.
4. Remember that great style has no size. You can look fantastic without ever gaining or losing a single pound. Think about the styles you like the look of on your body, at various weights. Think about the colors you like to wear. Think about what you feel comfortable in. Think about what makes you feel like yourself. Many people weather weight changes by adopting short-term wardrobes that don't resonate with who they are or what they want to communicate with their clothes - and sometimes these short-term wardrobes last much longer than you thought they would. You are worthy of a wardrobe you love.