Clothes Shopping After Weight Loss: Letting Go of Those ‘Fat Clothes’

Written by: Erin Coleman,

B.S. - Nutritional Science, R.D., L.D.

Writer, The Fit Mother Project

Written by: Erin Coleman,

B.S. - Nutritional Science, R.D., L.D.

Writer, The Fit Mother Project

clothes shopping after weight loss

Clothes shopping after weight loss should be a fun and ego-boosting experience, but many women let their doubts overshadow their enjoyment.

While it's tempting to keep your “fat” clothes just in case, don't fall into the trap of doing so!

It gives you an out if you regain lost weight.

Keeping only your newer, smaller, clothes sizes makes maintaining an ideal weight more important than ever.

If your clothes begin fitting too snugly, it's time to make diet, exercise, or other lifestyle changes rather than resorting back to larger clothes sizes.

But back to clothes shopping after weight loss — finding clothes that fit right and are flattering to your figure is essential to enjoy all of the perks weight loss offers.

Follow the tips below before, during, and after clothes shopping to make it a success!

Try these tips for staying focused after hitting your fitness goals!

Tips for Clothes Shopping After Weight Loss

Rebuild your wardrobe after reaching your ideal weight by:

Start Saving Money Early

Start saving money for a new wardrobe as soon as you begin your weight loss journey.

Set aside money each week until you reach your goal weight.

When you do, you won't have to stress about finding the extra funds to purchase your dream wardrobe!

Choose Flattering Styles

The best styles for your new figure are highly subjective, but you know what you like best and what you're most comfortable with.

Choose clothes that are appropriate for work, school functions, kids' sports games, and more.

Even after reaching a desirable body weight, some clothes might still be unflattering to your figure.

Get rid of them so you only have the best options in your closet to choose from.

Effective clothes shopping after weight loss means choosing outfits that flatter your size, shape, and overall appearance.

Avoid Clothes That Are Too Tight or Too loose

When going clothes shopping after weight loss, don't pick items that fit your body too tightly or too loosely.

Very tight-fitted clothes can sometimes cause skin bulges in all the wrong places, feel uncomfortable, or make you look heavier than you actually are!

Alternatively, avoid choosing clothes that are too loose, as baggy clothes can also make you look larger than you'd like to.

Make a Clothes Shopping List

Clothes shopping involves more than simply choosing new tops and bottoms you love.

You'll likely need new bras, underwear, workout gear, swimsuits, and more!

Make a list of all of the items you need to purchase before you go clothes shopping after weight loss so you don't forget key parts of your new wardrobe.

Donate Clothes that Don't Make You Feel Good

Regardless of how the current clothes in your wardrobe fit you, don't keep outfits that don't make you feel good about your appearance.

Donate clothes that are too loose, unflattering, too worn, or clothes that simply make you feel self-conscious when you wear them.

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Bring Friends or Family Members With You

It's always nice to have a second opinion when it comes to clothes shopping after weight loss, so bring a friend or family member with you for a second opinion.

Doing so can also make clothes shopping after weight loss a more enjoyable experience!

Don't Neglect Your Hair, Nails, and Makeup

In addition to having a new “skinny clothes” wardrobe, don't neglect your hair, nails, or makeup when perfecting your new look!

Find a hairstylist to keep up with hair cuts and/or color and experiment with different makeup techniques.

Schedule a manicure or pedicure with friends or family to keep your nails healthy and fresh.

Doing so helps keep your confidence levels high, and is a well-deserved reward for all of the hard work involved in reaching your goal weight!

Choose the Right Accessories

The right accessories complement clothes shopping after weight loss, so don't forget to add earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hairpieces, handbags, or other accessories to your outfit to perfect your look.

If you need ideas, browse online photos.

Or, consider clothing and accessories subscriptions created by experts to help you piece the right items together.

Consider Online Shopping

If you're not a fan of in-person shopping or you simply want to avoid large crowds, you can complete clothes shopping after weight loss from the comfort of your home!

Don't get scared off by online shopping, as many online clothing sites offer size charts to assist you in choosing the right items.

Have a tape measure handy to check your measurements if you're unsure about your size.

The good news is that if your clothes don't fit exactly as want them to, you can often exchange or return them from most online clothing sites.

10 Ways to Make Your New Clothes Fit for Life

After you've completed clothes shopping after weight loss, it's time to focus on maintaining your new healthy weight for a lifetime.

Ways to increase your chance of doing so include:

Weigh Yourself Daily

Studies show that daily weigh-ins appear to enhance weight loss more than less frequent weigh-ins, helping you achieve your goal weight.

Additionally, weighing yourself daily helps you maintain an ideal weight after clothes shopping after weight loss.

Step on the scale at the same time each day, preferably when you first wake up each morning, and record the results.

If you notice a trend in the wrong direction and slow, steady weight gain, it's time to make changes to your daily routine.

You might see a doctor if you suspect thyroid problems, other hormone imbalances, depression, or additional medical issues that are linked with unplanned weight gain.

Keep Track of the Way Your Clothes Fit

Keep track of how your clothes fit, so you know if or when it's time to make changes in your lifestyle to avoid weight regain.

Tight-fitting clothes are often the first sign of weight regain, but the good news is this allows you to make lifestyle changes before your new wardrobe doesn't fit at all.

Because muscle weighs more than fat, even if the weight on the scale changes, fitting into your skinny clothes means you're on the right track with your diet and exercise regimen.

Use the way your clothes fit as accountability for maintaining your ideal weight long-term!

Continue Drinking Lots of Water

Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to avoid weight regain after achieving your goal weight.

Drink water when you first wake up each morning and all throughout the day.

Aim to consume about 12 cups of fluids daily (for women) to meet your body's needs.

Other healthy drinks count toward meeting your daily fluid needs.

Examples include milk, plant milk, plain kefir, 100% juice, coffee, tea, and protein shakes without added sugar.

If you're drinking plenty of fluids, your urine should be clear in color instead of dark or bright yellow.

Here's the easiest way to drink more water every day!

Stay Active Daily

Sitting down too much is a risk factor for unplanned weight gain and obesity, which is why keeping your body moving all throughout the day is the best way to maintain an ideal weight after clothes shopping after weight loss.

Aim to complete at least 30 minutes of planned exercise daily plus an additional 45 minutes (or more) of active chores or other hobbies to minimize time spent sitting down.

The good news is that after reaching your goal weight, you'll likely have a lot more energy to stay active.

Focus on Fiber and Protein

Fiber and protein are key nutrients that help keep you full for long time periods without the extra calories.

When planning out your meals, choose a variety of protein-rich and fiber-rich options. Examples include:

  • Protein Foods: chicken, turkey, duck, fish, shrimp, other types of seafood, very lean organic meat, eggs, tofu, veggie burgers, and other plant-based meat substitutes. Fill one-fourth of each plate of food with protein-rich foods.
  • Non-Starchy Vegetables: lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, onions, and other non-starchy vegetables. Fill half of each plate of food with non-starchy veggies.
  • Starches: corn, peas, sweet potatoes, black beans, lentils, other legumes, quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, oatmeal, whole-grain pasta, and other whole grains. Fill one-fourth of each plate with fiber-rich starches.
  • Nuts and Seeds: almonds, cashews, peanuts, pistachio, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and other nuts or seeds. Snack on nuts or seeds between meals or add them to salads, rice or pasta dishes, oatmeal, yogurt, cereals, stir fry, or even soups.
  • Fruits: apples, bananas, kiwi fruit, oranges, grapefruits, grapes, pears, peaches, plums, blueberries, strawberries, fresh cherries, raspberries, and other fresh fruits. Eat about two servings of fruit daily.
  • Dairy Foods: milk, protein-fortified plant milk, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, plain kefir, and cheese. Aim to eat three servings of dairy foods or plant-based equivalents daily.

Don't forget to consume other nutritious fats like nut butter, avocados, fatty fish, olive oil, or other plant-based oils during each meal.

Learn how to calculate your daily protein intake!

Limit or Avoid Alcohol

Limiting or avoiding alcohol is often an effective weight loss strategy, and it helps you keep lost weight off after clothes shopping after weight loss.

No alcohol is best, but you don't have to give up on it entirely if social drinking is an enjoyable part of your lifestyle.

Simply limit drinking occasions to once weekly if you can!

Allow Your Body to Rest

Getting plenty of rest is crucial for healthy weight management.

It helps you avoid unplanned weight gain after weight loss, as sleep deprivation can alter your hormones, increasing hunger and the risk of packing on pounds.

Set a regular bedtime routine and aim to get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

Avoid caffeine late in the day and don't go to bed hungry or very full.

Have a light snack before bed if you're hungry, such as a low-sugar protein shake, protein bar, or Greek yogurt, and avoid screen time right before bed.

Sleep in a cool, dark, comfortable room.

Use a white noise machine to block out sounds during the night if it's helpful, and check-in with your doctor if you struggle with sleep apnea.

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Eat Light When Dining Out

Studies show that dining out is a risk factor for weight gain, but that doesn't mean you have to avoid restaurants entirely.

Eat light when dining out by choosing salads (topped with chicken, lean steak, eggs, shrimp, tofu, or other protein foods) and order oil-based dressings on the side.

You might also pick a protein-rich food with a side of veggies.

Choose broth-based soups containing veggies and chicken, rather than cream-based soups.

Instead of ordering a large meal, consider lower-calorie appetizers or soup with salad, and drink water instead of sugar-sweetened drinks.

Minimize Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

Stress, anxiety, and depression can all contribute to emotional eating and unwanted weight gain after clothes shopping after weight loss.

Do what you can to eliminate stress and anxiety by setting aside time each day to relax and unwind.

Stay active, spend time outdoors and with family, schedule vacations, and try yoga, tai chi, meditation, or massage.

Lighten up a busy schedule and seek treatment for depression if you experience signs of ongoing sadness.

See your doctor for assistance if you can't shake feelings of depression on your own.

Find out how stress affects your health and well-being.

Join the Fit Mother Project

Being part of the Fit Mother Project is one of the best ways to maintain an ideal weight after clothes shopping after weight loss.

The program has helped millions of members reach their ideal weight and maintain it for a lifetime using simple lifestyle changes.

Fit Mother Project plans consist of custom healthy menus, fat-burning workouts, health coaching support, recipes, weekly newsletters, and more to help you continue on with a healthy lifestyle indefinitely.

Once you've reached and maintained your goal weight, enjoy clothes shopping after weight loss to give you the boost of confidence you deserve!

Let the Fit Mother Project guide you along your health journey and help you stay on track.

Try the free Fit Mom Jumpstart to get started today!

Erin Coleman
B.S. - Nutritional Science, R.D., L.D.

Writer, The Fit Mother Project

Erin Coleman is a registered and licensed dietitian with over 15 years of freelance writing experience.

She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in nutritional science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and completed her dietetic internship at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Prior to beginning her career in medical content writing, Erin worked as Health Educator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Internal Medicine.

Her published work appears on hundreds of health and fitness websites, and she’s currently working on publishing her first book! Erin is a wife, and a Mom to two beautiful children.

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*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on clothes shopping after weight loss.

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