How to Wear Old Clothes After Losing Weight

There’s a common misconception amongst women who’ve recently lost weight. They often feel that they're doomed to wearing the baggy, pre-weight loss wardrobe because they can't afford all new things. Not true. Women today can transform almost any “oversized” item into a fabulous frock with just a few minutes of prep. Read on to learn how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Belts
• Short jackets

1. Take stock of your wardrobe. Some items will likely fall into the “toss” category while others might be questionable. Remember everything deserves a second chance, even that jersey shirt that’s 2 sizes too big.

2. Make a pile of more expensive items like your designer dresses, winter coats and seasonal skirts. If they cost more than $150 they could be worth altering to a smaller size; so be sure to consult a tailor.

3. Leave the pants and skirts to the professionals (who can take in waistbands and eliminate excess fabric) and focus on dresses and tops. Look for shirt dresses, blouses and tunics that don’t have a definitive waistline so you can create your own.

4. Take your salvaged items and cinch them with a belt. Look for wider versions to create an hourglass shape.

5. Tackle excess fabric with layering. Take a short jacket that fits--something you’ve bought in your new size or had altered--and button it over a dress to create an additional element of appeal. Choose a simple neutral like black, jean or khaki and button at the waist.

6. Try wearing older blouses and t-shirts under new jackets and sweaters. Often if it's too big the sweater will hide it. Simple tacking in the back can help adjust the width, while moving buttons over a little will fix a too-large chest.

Tips & Warnings

• If you've gone down more than 2 sizes it's unlikely you can make this work. Still, consult a tailor if you love the item as they can sometimes take in more than half the fabric.