update my wardrobe

It’s spring again and I’ve begun the ritual of going thru closets. Amazingly, most of my clothes from last spring/summer still fit (a new experience for me)so I won’t need to replace much. It’s a little disappointing because I now like shopping, but I’m happy too…I can buy because I like it, and not because things no longer fit. What a gift that is.

The final step in the wardrobe goal was to get something dressy. My nephew’s Bar Mitzvah is next month so I need a dress. A little fancy but not over-the-top.

I found it on the first try. It’s Tahari, a lovely crepe sheath with a bolero jacket. I love that I can wear it to other functions – dress it up or down as needed.

It may not be a “little black dress” but I smile when I put it on. That’s what a pretty dress is supposed to do, right?

I turned all of the hangers around again. It’s been awhile since I did that. It’s time to see what I’m choosing to wear – or not wear.

This past week while on vacation, I cleaned out a closet and found some sweatsuits and sweaters that I saved. Even if I thought I could wear them big, I can’t wear these: I’m lost in them. I also have a few large dresses and 3 coats that I can’t part with. Why?

I think I hold onto larger clothes like a security blanket. I haven’t completely accepted the “new” me. In the back of my head, there’s that “what if I gain it back?” voice. It’s been there almost all my life so it’s hard to ignore it.

I’m a visual person. Maybe if I go through everything again, try everything on (no more hiding) and objectively look at myself, it’ll sink in. I need to look at what I have and how I feel in it before I bring anything else home.

Meanwhile, I made a pile for a friend and gave some to Goodwill.

I think I’m close to being done with this.

I got a few new sweaters; the 3 I bought just last year were large, and I’m now a small. I’m set with work clothes, including shoes. Some are even doing double-duty as casual. That’s my attempt to upgrade my image by not always wearing jeans and sneakers for “play clothes”. I got 2 new winter coats – 1 full length, 1 short, more casual.

So what’s left? Dressy. I don’t mean dresses; I mean fancy, something for “dress up”. I haven’t had the need for it but I think it’s time I thought about it.

Kind of like what came first, the little black dress or the place to where it to…?

I started this goal in June 2008, realizing I needed to update my image. At the time, my size was a bit of a hinderance to what I wanted to be. It wasn’t that large women can’t look good – it was me – I wasn’t comfortable in “nice” clothes. Plus they were always so hard to find so I never developed an image. But that has gradually changed.

This time last year, I began my weight loss journey. I was able to get into my existing smaller clothes by November and started replacing things by December.

Well, here it is Fall again. I took out what I had stored away and found almost nothing fit – all too big. I’ve given much of it away to friends and Goodwill, which always makes me feel good – knowing my clothes have more life in them.

Now I need to focus on winter. I’ve never been a sweater girl because of the added bulk but I’m excited to see what I can find.
Wool? Cashmere? Fun, fun, fun!

I’m wearing “new” clothes today – actually, most everything I have is new since the weight loss and this goal. I’m slowly figuring out how to make outfits: today it’s navy pants, a V neck 3/4 sleeve blouse with a floral print of red, navy, white and tan plus a pair of red open-toe flats. Casual, comfortable but still stylish enough for work. I’ve even received several compliments on it.

I mention this because a few people have commented that I must be spending a fortune on new clothes. Ah, if they only knew –
The shoes? $10 on sale plus 25% off coupon at Avenue..
The pants? Clearance at Kohl’s (love Kohl’s!) for a $5.95 plus a 20% off coupon.
The blouse? $3 at a garage sale (it’s an Old Navy or Gap shirt).
The entire outfit was $15.27
But it makes me feel like a million….

Not only did I take a break for a month but I returned a few items. I guess I was a little shop-happy. Blame it on the excitement of having so many clothes options.
I have a small pile of some of my larger clothes which I’d like to take to the tailor (once I find one!) to see if they can be re-purposed. It’ll be nice getting some of my old “friends” back to wear.

I’m starting to buy clothes just because they fit – gratefully this time in a small size instead of a large size. I’m losing focus on why I’m updating my wardrobe.
It’s not because I’m smaller, it’s because I need a style, an image, a way of expressing myself thru my wardrobe.
I need to take a break. Maybe I’ll use the internet for a little window-shopping?

I gave 2 co-workers some of my larger clothes (which they loved) and a few items to my sister, who in turn, gave me a bag of things from her closet. I gave my mom a few shirts (1 that my sister gave to me) and she gave me some of hers, which I gave to those co-workers. Confused?
I gave another pile to a friend who has someone else to pass it on to if it doesn’t work for her and then another friend gave some things to me which fit perfectly (2 awesome blazers!). I got a few things back which I’ll add to the Goodwill pile. Got it?
It’s like shopping without spending any money.
It’s like getting a new wardrobe without “consuming” anything.
It’s like recycling without destroying anything.
I think I started a trend.

Last weekend, I went through all of my clothes – the closet, my trunk, under the bed and in those vacuum-storage bags. I still cannot believe what I found and what I’d been saving.
I had things from my largest: size 22/24. Why? To remind me of what I once was? I won’t forget that…but I’m saving 1 pair of jeans and 1 T shirt and the rest goes away.
I had things from size 24 down to 10. I must have bought those about 5 years ago when I had gotten down to a 12, thinking I’d get into them. Well, I can now.
I have a pile for 2 friends, and I found a few things to keep.
The rest? Gone, baby, gone.