How to stay stylish while you are losing weight
A stylist's guide to feeling fahionable throughout your weight loss journey, not just at the end
As a personal stylist, I talk to so many women who say to me, “I’ll work with you once I reach my goal weight.” It breaks my heart every time I hear it.
As you lose weight, your “old” clothes may make you feel dowdy. That’s not exactly the boost of confidence to feel self confident and motivated to continue on your journey. Ultimately, you are punishing yourself for not being a certain size.
Love your body as it is right now, not only when you reach your goal.
I want you to feel stylish while you are losing weight. Why? One word: Confidence. And while it may sound difficult to do, there are simple strategies to do just that.
Quickly edit your closet right now.
Retain a “capsule” of pieces that fit you well at this moment. A capsule of 12 pieces that work together can make 72 different outfits! Need some guidance? Check out my closet edit guide.
Click the image to download the worksheet.
Remove too-small or “goal” clothing from your closet.
It won’t motivate you, but will remind you every day that you aren’t where you want to be. Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you get rid of everything. If after you edited your closet and you still have some quality items that don’t fit, simply put them in a bin, mark it “too small for now,” and store it somewhere else.
Buy high-quality, foundational pieces in neutral colors.
Alter them during the process or when you reach your goal. (Or sell pieces that have become too large.) Almost anything can be altered! But these are the easiest to do:
The waist of trousers can be taken in and the legs can be slimmed.
Skirts can be taken in at the sides.
Torsos and sleeves of shirts and jackets can be slimmed. (Shoulders and chests can’t.)
Get pieces in quality stretch fabrics that won’t lose shape as you lose weight.
Don’t skimp here. Cheap clothing stretches out and stays baggy. Pieces like the jeans Frame’s Le One line are amazing. They come in only 3 sizes (0=23/24, 1=25-29, 2=30-35). As you lose weight, the jeans with special super stretch technology will still fit.
Celebrate your milestones.
Want to lose 30 lbs? Buy something nice for yourself at 10 lbs lost, and 20 lbs lost. And pull out your “too small for now” pieces from the beginning of your journey and see if any of them work!
Keep it simple and invest in accessories.
Get things that will help you make different outfits out of the same core pieces.
For instance: Wear a white button-down with sleeves rolled up, buttoned at the wrists, fully tucked in or tied. Pop the collar (my fave!) or leave it flat. Skinny jeans can be cuffed or un-cuffed or worn with a myriad of shoes from flats and pumps to combat boots and knee-high boots.
Buy or use some statement accessories: Jewelry, scarves and shoes always fit!
Belts are your friends!
As you lose weight, your favorite sweater or top may become too large. Belts to the rescue!
Or, buy pieces that don’t fasten in the front and belt them as you lose weight and they become a bit over-size.
Try rental clothing.
Have a big event or business presentation or just don’t want to commit to buying clothes during your weight loss journey? Many popular major retailers now have rental services, including:
Style Passport (Banana Republic)
Rent the Runway (Now has non-formal event options)
The Lauren Look (Ralph Lauren)
Gwynie Bee (plus size)
With love and style,
