To alter or to buy new....that is the question

[PINKED]

Here's a question for the gang....Are you having your favorite clothes or designer clothes altered to fit the new you? I am in professional business wear nearly every day and have some gorgeous jackets and suits that I hate to give up but they simply will NOT be worn over my new body because they just look, well, stupid! I've never had to alter things before and don't know a needle from a sewing machine. What kinds of questions should I ask???? Referrals??? How much can something be altered before it loses it's original design??? More than one size???? What do these kinds of things cost...yes, I understand it will vary by area of the country (US)???

THANKS for your input! My closet is next to NOTHING for fall and winter!!!!!!!!!!

[Key]

Hi Stephanie,

I suggest you ask some well-dressed people for an opinion on local tailors. When you find one, take your garments to the tailor and let her tell you whether or not the garment can (or should) be altered. It will be considerably less expensive to get clothes you already love tailored to fit the new you - and think how happy you'll be to wear your awesome clothes again... but smaller!

Key

[PINKED]

Thanks for the advice, Key! You are right. I just need to spread the word that I'm looking for talented people to 're-build' my wardrobe for me.

[Dayanira]

I agree with Key. But some of your garments may not be easy to fix, so maybe you can re-sell them in e-bay or something like that.

[Mama Lake]

My experience is that if you have changed more than two sizes, then you need to buy new. The altering will only help slightly and will be expensive. My mother does a lot of tailoring on the side and this is her reccomendation. Two sizes is something to work with but more than this is too much to work with, jackets are the worst. Pants and dresses are ok, blouses, depends on the style.

Go to a dry cleaner in your area, they usually have business cards for tailors and seamstresses, and sometimes have one on staff to meet with you.

Good Luck, go to the second hand stores and get some clothes to get you by for the time being until you are finished with refeed and then start rebuilding your wardrobe.

[KMac]

Mama Lake 28 pounds to go- congratulations!
We could be entering Refeedland together-

[firecat]

Thanks for the insight Mama lake! I also was wondering about getting some clothes tailored. I found some clothes that are only slighty big in my daughters closet and would like to get them altered. I think I can do it then since it's just a size too big. My own clothes are hopless!

My daughter has some beautiful business clothes that she needs altered to fit her slimmer self too. I'll pass on the info.

[apachejenn]

The good thing about fashion is that as the seasons change, so do the fashions. If your wardrobe is obsolete, you can buy new items and stick to places like Boutique Target for designer inspired but wallet friendly pieces. Don't be afraid of local clothes swaps either. As long as you know how to dress your body shape, you can find affordable fashions each season and by the time you change sizes too drastically perhaps the next season will have rolled around. Besides, your wardrobe is an investment in yourself. You can be any size but if you don't dress as if you love yourself and your body, others will pick up on it and think that you just don't care about yourself.