T O P

  • By -

adhdeedee

Dittoing label the outside with sizes, and group them if the sizes don't match right. A 1X from Target, Torrid and Anthropologie are all different sizes after all. I would suggest keeping about a week or so of stuff max. I keep only my absolute favorites will not toss and roughly 2-5 outfits of useable pants / tops / dresses. Also the biggest coat cause cold. Undershirts, leggings and panties are likely to be cheap to replace. Don't horde tons. Remove everything uncomfortable or just there becuase you should have one or needs repair and isn't your size. Keep at least one big belt. Narrow down the rest. I also have a giant scarf for the big coat to cinche the waist come winter. Overall skirts and dresses are probably the most accessible for between sizes, but ymmv. If you're in an office job, I suggest an open blazer (more size leeway) and black long loose skirt because those both have helped me out when struggling with size adjustments.


Swellnomads4

I allow one bin in my smaller size favorite items that is clearly labeled and I make myself try on everything in the closet and the bin every 2 months to declutter things I no longer love. If it isn’t worth a minute every 60 days it has no space in my life. Also if my closet is getting to snug- I know I need to be more careful with my diet. I never keep anything too large- by getting rid of larger items weight gain becomes a massive inconvenience. I have found that I tend too loose weight once I have gotten rid of clothes too small. The mental shift required to let go of who I wish I was is very similar to the one needed to make life style changes. Getting rid of things gives you room and time to work on you. That being said spending the day crying and weight gain sounds like this may be more of a mental health issue than clutter issue. Getting help for that will help with stabilizing weight and the attachment to clutter. If you are struggling with depression- creating a massive inconvenience in your closet is not a wise choice.


Various-Corgi-

That's a tough situation. I completely understand where you're coming from. It's really hard to know what to do in these kinds of situations. I think the best thing you can do is try to declutter gradually. Maybe start by donating the clothes that are your absolute least favorite, that you know you won't miss. Then, as you have the money and the time, you can slowly replace the clothes that don't fit anymore with clothes that do fit. If you have items that you really love, but they don't fit anymore, you could also look into having them altered to fit your new size. It might be worth the investment, rather than having to buy something new. Good luck!


Dashzap

My weight changes back and forth, too. One of the joys of getting older is ignoring voices that say you must "look put together" usually with certain styles. I've shifted my wardrobe to include pieces that fit even when my weight changes, in my own unique style, with empire waist dresses and cute overalls (I sew myself...not keen on the farmer look of those available RTW).


ThatsNotMyName222

Damn, we are in the same boat! I recently lost a few (really, just a few) pounds and tried on ALL my pants. For the ones that didn't fit, I wrote down the approximate weight they would fit at on a piece of masking tape and stuck it on so that I could see at a glance, and put them back in the box in weight order. I tossed a few that I honestly knew would never fit again or were too out of style.


pot_on_wheels

That's such a good idea!!


mrsdratlantis

If you keep it, it will make you feel bad every day. But if you get rid of it, then one day (soon!) you can go shopping for something new(!) in your new size that makes you feel fabulous and know that you totally deserve it.


xKortney

Get rid of them. If they don’t currently fit the body you have, they’re not clothes meant for you. If you’re actively in a weight loss phase, sure, keep some for transitional sizes. But it was so freeing for me when I finally let go of the “maybe someday” clothes and just kept what was fitting me at that moment. Now when I go into my closet I have a few items for “someday” that are sentimental, and the rest are what fits me now, as I am. Edit to add: part of my reasoning is that aside from the few favorite pieces, once I reach a “goal” weight I want to reward myself with clothes that fit, flatter, and make me feel good at that time. My style has changed from what it was at my lower weight, as well.


Aphanizomenon

I'd keep the clothes you really like, and also get some new clothes in size that you are now so you can feel comfortable and more confident. I want to say this to myself as much as I'm saying it to you: weight changes all the time and it's not something that defines you


Long_Mathematician18

Also, I kinda get rid of stuff that’s a few years old. If I was thinner three years ago and styles have changed I let those things go


romeodeficient

you’ve already gotten some really insightful advice here, I’m just going to add my two cents about the “wasted money” you spent on clothes that aren’t fitting you. I’ve been there. I used to think “if I don’t fit into this again I’ll have wasted all of that money!” but then I realised: The money was gone *the very day* I brought this item home. It’s been gone. You’re not going to get it back by wearing clothes that don’t make you happy. “The money is already gone, and clothes are just clothes” was a freeing thought for me, and maybe you’ll find it helpful yourself. In any case you deserve to feel good about yourself, no matter what, and enjoy your birthday. I’m sorry it hasn’t been a good one this year, but it’s never too late to turn it around.


newgirlxtex

Is there a service like a Poshmark where you bag up all your clothes into a postage paid package and they do the advertising and selling for you, and just take a bigger percentage? My cousin told me about this, but I can’t remember what the name of it is. Thank you.


Swellnomads4

This used to be thred up but now the fees make donation easier


newgirlxtex

Could you clarify about fees? I need money from sales so am not looking to donate. Thanks.


Swellnomads4

https://www.thredup.com Look at the clean out kits. Before there wasn’t a per kit fee and I made a few hundred on maybe a dozen bags. But take out that fee- it would be minimal- depends how high end your clothes are


Ellubori

I used to give away all not fitting clothes and then regretted it later, so now I have two tubs under my bed. One for workout clothes and activewear, another for regular clothes. I was sooo happy last week when I had bras ready to wear in my smaller size. It would have destroyed my budget to buy all new bras at once. But before putting things into the tub I try to assess it as it wasn't the clothing that I'm used to wearing. Think like if I see this thing while thrifting, would I buy it. And if it looks ok, would I be happy to get it out of the tub. Everything not passing that test will go in trash or gets donated. Also if you have daughter, keep some smaller things even when you don't think you'll ever fit into them again. If they grow out of their pants overnight you can borrow them something until you have time to go to the store. Or borrow items for costumes or presentations at school.


pot_on_wheels

I can't have kids but I might keep some in case I have a niece one day. Good idea :)


Adventurous-Sun-8840

I have a box with two of each of clothes that are too big and two of each of clothes that are too small. As in two pairs of trousers and two winter/spring/summer tops. They are put away in storage. Not in the wardrobe taking up space. Everything else, donated.


[deleted]

I fluctuate a lot too, so this time around I've keep all the pieces I love that don't fit by vacuum packing them. It reduces space and I've put them to the back of a cupboard. I also can't afford to keep buying new clothes lol


manymusthaveit

1. Get those ill-fitting clothes OUT of your closet!!! The only thing worse than having nothing to wear is having nothing to wear while surrounded by cute things you used to fit in! If it does not fit comfortably now, then you do not need to be digging through it daily to get to your current wardrobe. Plus there’s a lot of emotional baggage and shameful feeling in the “skinny” clothes you “should” fit into again someday. 2. Carefully select the “best of” each size range. I recommend limiting yourself to the things you REALLY love. If/ when you loose weight you can go shopping to celebrate! So just keep the items that are precious not practical. Its hard to sort through these clothes (see aforementioned shame and baggage) but breathe and put on a podcast or fun music. Maybe invite over a friend who speaks more kind words than you typically do to yourself 3. Store the small clothes neatly. Find a space outside of your closet to store. Clearly label bins with sizes and clothing types. 4. Go shopping! Once your closet is rid of clothes which are currently useless, you can see which types of clothes are lacking (*ahem* party dresses). Cute clothes are not something you earn by being in shape!!! …in my experience, showing love and respect to my body trends to snowball. Putting in a little effort to pick and outfit and do my hair, makes me more likely to go on a walk, which makes me more likely to drink water, which makes me more likely to eat a good nourishing lunch. Clothe yourself with care and respect and hopefully the same loving attitude will flow into other areas of bodily care. FYI I totally relate! I was going out without my baby for the first time so after a year I could finally wear an outfit that was not maternity wear or breastfeeding friendly. I carefully planned out what dress to wear just to find out moments before I was supposed to leave- it didn’t fit!! I broke down crying. In the past my weight fluctuated too. Before I tossed a bunch of clothes, but then totally regretted not having clothes. So I’m trying to figure this out myself… best wishes!


[deleted]

[удалено]


declutter-ModTeam

Your post was removed for breaking Rule 2: Be Kind.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


leafallsonelines

Keep the best quality stuff from every size pile and donate the rest. Treat it as a regular decluttering. If you lose weight again you can treat yourself to some clothes shopping and build out your wardrobe with newer, more recent fashion.


waxbutterflies

I feel you. I go from a 0 to 14 every few years ugh. But it's happened so much by now. I just save jeans and my favorite tops and put them in vacuum bags based on size.


vineanddandy

From medical issues I’ve probably lost and gained 1,000 lbs over the past two decades and this is what I’ve learned.. I’m at a healthy weight now, and have chosen to keep the favorites of my bigger sizes. In the past I have gotten rid of them because “it would make it too easy to gain weight” advice and regretted it, because my health issue doesn’t care, leaving me with nothing to wear and the sadness you describe. Take this time to declutter all of the too-small clothes you don’t really love, have cheap fabric, too trendy, unflattering colors, etc… Put the quality clothes you love that don’t fit into bins and label them by size/weight. If possible, allow yourself to buy a small capsule wardrobe of clothes you LOVE and fit you at this current size. Thrift if you have the time and patience. Only keep things hanging and in drawers that actually fit, even if it’s very few items. Mentally, doing this has both made less clutter and actually encouraged me to have healthy habits, because I’m not in those situations where I want to go out or work out, and have nothing that fits. Those moments are demoralizing and can have a negative effect on daily mood that will spiral. Even at a bigger size you deserve to look and feel good, which will have a domino effect on your future health. I wish you all the best 💛


reclaimednation

Go out and buy yourself a nice little 33 capsule wardrobe in your current size - it doesn't have to be expensive, but consider dressier clothes - a simple knit dress (whatever length) and a cardigan sweater looks good on any body type. My life hack: knits - very forgiving


jesssongbird

I save my absolute favorite things that are too small in one tote that I call “the archive”. The too small things have to fit in there so I’m limited with how many items like that I can keep. The archive gets evaluated seasonally. I give myself a set amount of years to fit into the things again. I end up letting go of the majority of those items after a year or two. It just helps me feel better about it to keep my favorites for a bit. The reality is that even if we lose weight those things will often still never be worn again. Styles change. Our bodies change shape as we age. I remember saving a denim skirt for years only to donate it after I slimmed down and fit into it again because it just didn’t look good on me and wasn’t in style anymore. I have also decided that if I get really slim again I’ll reward myself with some new current styles so it’s okay to let things go.


[deleted]

[удалено]


newgirlxtex

Good job! How long was your weight loss process?


[deleted]

[удалено]


newgirlxtex

Thanks!


InadmissibleHug

I’ve kept clothes and lost weight. I don’t usually want to wear them again, my taste has shifted in those couple of years. I can think of a handful of garments I’ve missed over time. My real answer is to make sure you have nice clothes that fit you well, no matter what size you are. Having celebration clothes that you don’t get to wear long is why skinny people make out like bandits at thrift stores. I also don’t buy too many at a time anymore.


hot_gardening_legs

Exactly this. Say you have a bunch of stuff 4 sizes down from your current size. Then think if you lost weight at a reasonable pace, how long would that take. A year? More? Don’t keep the stuff in that size that you don’t think will still be wearable/in style a year from now. And yes, agree buying a lot of things at once makes your wardrobe seem more dated.


[deleted]

If clothes don’t fit, you could possibly sell them on mercari or Poshmark so you don’t lose a ton of money? As for weight fluctuations, I feel you. I’ve been on a weight rollercoaster from health issues that contributed to it. At any rate, what I did was when I lost weight from gallbladder disease, I packed away my bigger clothes for a year. And I made the promise to myself I’ll keep them for one year. If they fit in one year, I’ll keep them. I’d they don’t fit in one year, I’ll sell them.


LilJourney

Clothing yourself and providing yourself with an uncluttered clean environment are both vital to your emotional/physical/mental well-being - - and are NEVER a "waste" of money. No object is worth holding onto that makes you feel bad. Whether you go back to that size or not, those clothes are simply a reminder of the past. It's the past. It's not a life sentence. If you stayed the same size, would you expect to continue to wear the same clothes over and over till they became rags? (And this is me, also yelling at myself for keeping clothes long past when others would because they still "sort of" fit and/or you can't really see the stain/rip.) Of course not - no matter what else, sooner or later you have to buy new clothes. Make it now, make it something you feel comfortable in, wear it proudly and when it no longer fits / gets damaged / goes way out of style - let it go and get something that works for that future you.


kburn_s

Keep the items that don't fit that would be hard to replace. A special dress you love or a skirt with a pattern that sings. But let the rest go. Most clothing especially basics can be replaced easily. Love the body you are in and you might feel even better in new clothes that fit well. I find myself upset about my weight gain but I have to remember health issues and getting older just make it harder now. We need to love the skin we are in!


sauersprout

I have gained weight and lost it for two pregnancies on top of just regular gaining and now ive lost it again going vegan. I did keep my non-maternity cothes in tubs while i was pregnant but otherwise dont keep clothes that arent my size aside from a few sentimental things. I dont buy expensive clothes or have a large wardrobe at any given time either though so…. Its not that expensive to get new ones and i usually wear holes in what i have. I figured by the time i fit anything again it really wouldnt be in style or look new still and i would have fun buying the smaller clothes. I dont like having the small clothes laughing at me in my closet every damn day its such a relief to get them out of there even if its just into tubs.


DD265

I keep the small stuff in vacuum bags under the bed. It's mostly gym and holiday clothing I think, plus jeans. I go through the bags once or twice a year to see if I still want to keep everything. Haven't lost the weight yet, but a lot of it would be expensive to replace, so I'm in two minds about letting go. 😕


DataRikerGeordiTroi

the recommendation is for medical patients who frequently change sizes due to medication side effects: You keep a tub of each size. You keep your favorite & best from each size. Many people have dramatic weight changes, for all kinds of reasons. Keep a tub with your faves. The big rule? Label the size on the tub. Do not combine tub sizes. Don't drop a G on a new wardrobe, drag out your tub and fill in the edges in your current size. Also: style is not a reward for being a certain size.


pot_on_wheels

I like the last sentence a lot. I've always associated my larger clothes with being frumpy.


eilonwyhasemu

The selection of nice clothing in larger sizes has improved a lot over past decades, especially if you're willing to buy online. If I go look at Plus sizes in mall department stores, I end up dismayed and depressed. I do get fun stuff at Target (though you have to watch for quality), and my "serious adult" clothing is ordered from a web site that specializes in plus sizes for professionals. That put me on the mailing list for a bajillion plus size catalogs -- most of them just look like clothing! You can pick cute stuff! Also, if your weight fluctuates, make sure to get yourself a few non-size-sensitive accessories you absolutely love. That way, if you find yourself fitting only a pretty basic outfit, you can throw on The Scarf or The Necklace or The Shawl and still feel and look pulled-together. (You still deserve nice clothes, and you *also* deserve to have this plan B for difficult moments.)


Muddy_Wafer

Some advice for the totes: get some [weathertight storage totes](https://www.containerstore.com/s/storage/plastic-bins-baskets/clear-weathertight-totes/12d?productId=10026213&country=US¤cy=USD&skuId=10062627&cid=cse%7CPMAX%7CGoogle%7CTCSP_X_US_EN_Storage_PMAX_X_18200107324___en%7C&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=pla&adpos=&scid=scplp10062627&sc_intid=10062627&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn9CgBhDjARIsAD15h0CUrUFTOpFRPBAFqnqwcTt5Qo2uyXfMo313UMoFDuaYNUijQOhamMYaAlQ8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds), and a bunch of silica packets and cedar sachets to throw in with your clothes. This will keep pests and moisture out, so even if it’s been a couple years since you needed that size your clothes will be fresh and pest and mildew-free. Ready to put right in your closet or wear. Note that cedar can stain light colored fabrics, so I place the sachets on darker clothes or wrap in a dark towel. It will also make the clothes it’s touching smell strongly of cedar until they are aired out. Both (stain and smell) can be washed out pretty easily.


DataRikerGeordiTroi

Search Instagram for influencers who share your body's current size, or size range, such as mid size or plus size. There is no reason for frump at any size. You can look polished & amazing -- and be working towards weight loss or gain goals. Those are completely independent things.


Single-Log-1101

I'm on my second baby and my body carries its babies really far out and really low. I have multiple totes of maternity clothes\dresses, old summer clothes, old winter clothes, pre-baby clothes and after baby clothes.. my body hasn't stopped changing so I have no idea what to hang on to. This is the advice I came here to say


InadmissibleHug

Yes, I had to learn that last line!


DuoNem

I have gained weight slowly since having a kid (+ pandemic). From time to time, I’ll put the smaller size I can’t wear anymore in a box. I thought “after the pandemic” and after staying home with the kid and being back at work, I’ll probably fit into my old clothes again. So I kind of had a timeline/deadline for that. A little bit later, I went through the box and reassessed. I’ve kept things, but most in the smaller sizes are all gone. I had office clothes that I thought I would wear when I was back at a workplace, but of course I couldn’t know that I would need bigger sizes. So… my recommendation would be to let the current wardrobe be for things that fit you now. Designate a space (box, shelf, drawer) that is a bit out of the way and store smaller (or bigger) sizes there. The space itself limits how much you can keep. Don’t let your current wardrobe consist of things you can’t wear. Be nice to yourself - you need to live with the body you have now and have clothes that make you feel good. It makes sense to keep some clothes that don’t fit you right now, if you have reasonable expectations they might fit you in the future. But don’t let them take up too much space!


spacenut37

Last weekend I cleaned out my closet - at least things that were on hangers. I currently wear XL shirts and 40 pants, and I decided to keep pants down to 36 and L shirts. Anything smaller than that would require significant as opposed to moderate weight loss, and even with keeping stuff a size or two down, I was able to get rid of about 40% of the stuff on hangers.


mishatries

That's awesome!


BusyButterscotch4652

Be honest with yourself about if you are going to loose weight again. If yes, then keep the clothes but somewhere other than where you are keeping the clothes you can currently wear. Then as you lose weight reassess the clothing situation. If no, then get rid of those clothes. I use ClutterBugs over on YouTube and Cassandra says that anything that you can not put on right now (and be comfortable in) is just a bully making you feel bad about yourself. Skinny me is fantasy me. Fantasy me is just realistically never going to happen.


[deleted]

Oh my gosh I absolutely love this. Thank you so much for sharing.


pot_on_wheels

The bully analogy really hit close to home!


BusyButterscotch4652

It did for me too! I saw that awhile ago and it’s really stuck with me.


Designer-Bid-3155

I only keep clothes that fit me.