What to do at a wardrobe impasse

If you’re losing weight but not quite at your goal yet, you’re at a wardrobe impasse: Many of your “fat” clothes don’t fit. Those that do hang lifelessly where your excess weight used to be. But you don’t want to buy a new wardrobe until all the weight’s gone, and you’ll need a smaller size by then. And who can afford two complete fashion overhauls?

Don’t despair – there’s no reason to buy a closet’s worth of one-size-fits-all tee shirt dresses. With a little imagination and flexibility, you can find clothing and accessories that fit your beautiful body now and the one you’ll have later.

Don’t buy clothes that are too big

One mistake shrinking women make is buying clothes in too big a size. If you’ve been heavy for a while, you’re probably used to hiding behind clothing, and probably a lot of it. The simple truth is, however, clothes bigger than you are will make you look, well…bigger than you are. The fashion experts at Spiegel (makers of the ShapeFX line of “shapewear” undergarments) suggest buying clothes in a size that fits the largest part of your body and tailoring them to fit smaller areas where necessary. (Here are five secrets to looking stylishly casual.)

Go fashionable with layers

If you are thinking “I have bulges here and rolls there – I can’t wear anything clingy!” A fashionable solution is layering. A fitted white tee shirt tucked into jeans might still make you self-conscious at this point, but throw a well-fitting blazer or belted sweater over it, and you have a classic, casual look that creates a slimming “v” down your front. As you continue to lose and become more comfy in your own skin, you can shed the blazer.

Layering a camisole under your main shirt is another good way to hide those bumps and lumps. It’s also a great way to add shots of color without calling too much attention to those less-than-perfect spots.

Colorize your clothing

Speaking of color, conventional wisdom dictates black and dark colors as the slimming standard. But your body is in the state of becoming; why hide it completely behind drab hues? Think of your body as a canvas, and use paint (your clothing’s colors) strategically. Use lighter colors to highlight your best features – for instance, frame those newly emerged collarbones with a light-colored v-neck top trimmed in lace. If your backside is still larger than you’d like, “paint” it into the background with a darker color. If you do decide to go predominantly dark, be sure to put a dash of color somewhere – preferably near your face to brighten it up. A vivid scarf or brightly-colored necklace, for example, can perk up your complexion and direct attention upward.

Slip on clothing that creates a V

Directing the eye in a flattering “path” across or down your body is a key slimming strategy. In much the same way as the blazer combo mentioned above creates a flattering v-shape, v-necked shirts and button-down blouses combat boxiness and elongate the torso – a very good thing if you have a short waist.

Give the girls some support

Unfortunately, weight loss doesn’t limit itself to those places we most wish to lose. For instance, you might have noticed changes in your breasts, since they are composed in large part of fatty tissue. Often, women notice one specific change: a loss of tone in the breast’s top half. To the rescue: Wacoal’s innovative Top Solution bra. According to a company spokesperson, the bra is designed to support and contour using a sculpted pad in the top of the cup, resulting in a natural-looking but significant improvement in appearance. (Tips for finding the right bra.)

Accessorize

As your body continues to change, the hands-down easiest way to keep up is to remember: Accessories are your friends. Long, dangly earrings visually slim the face and draw attention to those emerging cheekbones. Bracelets and rings are a wonderful way to say “you” at any size. Necklaces, particularly on the long side, create that v-shape discussed above. Scarves are increasingly popular and are also one-size-fits-all. Remember, accessories will always fit you as the scale trends downward…and they say to the world that your body, regardless of size at any given point, is worthy of adornment. So don’t skimp!

Finish it off with stylish, well-fitting shoes

Lastly, don’t forget your shoes. If you’ve lost a lot of weight, your shoe size may have changed. Plus, with changing proportions, you probably carry your body a bit differently. That means your feet’s pressure points have changed somewhat. It all points to the need for a good fitting (comfort first!) combined with some amped-up style – the latter of which should sport a heel. Whether you’re okay with a high one or prefer a lower wedge, a heel elongates your appearance and makes you appear thinner. (Click for the best online shoe stores.)

Whatever you decide to wear, make it a celebration of your success – you’ve earned it!