Today is Fat Tuesday! For some, the start of Lent is tomorrow. For some, it’s six weeks in to New Year’s Resolutions. For all, it’s the perfect time to talk about how to dress for the in-between size time that inevitably comes with losing weight (or gaining if you have a baby on the way!). As a stylist I work with clients all the time on this but have especially been working with it over the last year and a half as I gained and nearly lost 60+ lbs (!!) over the course of my pregnancy.

Natalie Weakly Image Consultant Houston Signature Style Dressing for the In-Between Woman on Scale

How do you look stylish through the whole process? Click through for tips!

First, the skinny on new sizes:

  • It takes roughly 8-10 pounds to notice a size difference. This varies by person and where you lose weight, but it’s a good rule of thumb to follow.
  • Most items can be tailored down two full sizes. No more though! After two sizes you can really alter the shape of the garment.
  • Altering the waist of a shirt, jacket, or pair of pants is roughly ~$30.

Start off Strong

Look fantastic right now. It makes me sad to hear people say they are waiting to lose weight before they work on their style. You have to get dressed every day. Don’t wait until the end to feel great! I won’t get into the psychology of the whole thing but will say when you look better, you feel better, when you feel better, you treat yourself better. Feeling good now can actually help encourage you to make all the little decisions on a daily basis that add up to weight loss.

I’m not advocating buying a full wardrobe at your current size, especially if you are planning to/are actively losing! Instead have at least one or two week’s worth of great outfits, plus a few for “extra” events like date night, theater, etc.

Remix

How can pieces in your wardrobe be re-worked to fit your transition shape? Perhaps a belt around the waist of a shirt that’s too big. Another great option – use a scarf as a belt. Especially if you’ve just hit the last hole in your favorite belt. Bonus: the extra material of the scarf can hide the bunching your pants may be doing around the waist as you shrink.

Style Tip: Remember to balance. Blousy tops pair with trim pants/skirts, full skirts/pants pair with trim tops.

Keep It Together

Keep all the clothes you currently fit into in one place in your closet. If that’s most of your closet (you’ve been one size for a while and are losing now), then as you start losing move the pieces that you are now swimming in out of your line of sight. The worst is having to make the yes/no decision on every piece of clothing every time you get dressed. Make it easy on yourself!

Know Your Fit

Where do you typically notice your weight loss? In my post-partum weight loss I was losing all over but of course most of the weight comes off the stomach. So I knew I didn’t need to buy a bunch of skirts or pants but I did need to make a point of buying a few new tops every time I went down a size or two. You’ll want to do the same based on where you typically lose weight.

Stretch It

Clothing with stretch is always a girl’s (or guy’s) best friend but especially in the weight loss/gain category! These jeans worked HARD through my pregnancy. If you’re in the process of going down, avoid buying loose pieces. Opt for a trim (not tight!) fit that will then get roomier as you go down. Stretch in pants and waistlines is especially helpful. If the pants fit everywhere else but not in the waist right now (and you are *actively* losing weight!) you can use jean savers or even the Bella Band until you are fully back in the size.

Natalie Weakly Image Consultant Houston Signature Style Dressing for the In-Between Green Pants Through Pregnancy

Accessories to the Rescue

Not only can you use your accessories to give new life to the potentially few pieces you fit into during the transition but they are pieces that will work with you regardless of size. Though a word of caution, if you are losing more than 15-20 your wrist, fingers, and feet may see small fluctuations.

Bring In a Fresh Perspective

Don’t know how to remix the same clothes you’ve been staring at forever? Unsure what styles will fluctuate with you? I wouldn’t be telling the whole story if I didn’t tell you that a lookbook or a quick, targeted shopping trip can really help you in the transition phase. You can look good through the whole process!

Are you in the process of losing weight? What works for you? Have questions? Let’s chat on Instagram or Facebook!