Feeling Good About Your Wardrobe When You Don’t Fit into Anything Anymore

Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb

There comes a time in many a girl’s life where she opens up the wardrobe and tries to find something to wear, only to reject item after item because she simply can’t fit into anything any more

This has happened to me a lot over the years – my weight yo-yos up and down, and I can often remember the times that I’ve sat on the bed crying, clothes strewn all over the place, because everything I’ve tried on is just too tight, uncomfortable or simply won’t. Go. On…!

Not wanting this post to be too much of a downer, I’ll mention that the #notlambFIT series stalled big time in May, and it in fact went the other way… It’s going to be resurrected, and I’ll take responsibility for my eating and exercise habits once more.

I FOUND THAT I ABSOLUTELY COULDN’T FIT INTO ABOUT 50% OF MY SUMMER WARDROBE. ANYTHING THAT WAS REMOTELY FITTED WAS JUST A NO-GO.

Meantime – there is a way to feel good about your wardrobe once again, albeit temporarily. With the summer season clothes changeover (it never warms up till about June-July in the UK, so I’m usually still wearing my winter clothes till then), I found that I absolutely couldn’t fit into about 50% of my summer wardrobe. Anything that was remotely fitted was just a no-go.

Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb

SHOP THE LOOK:

Whilst I still want to get the fitness programme back on track (more on that soon), I needed something to simply make me feel a little better short term, in terms of everyday, comfy clothes. I had a discount code for New Look (one of those birthday discounts they send you), and just decided to see what they had at the tail end of their sale.

Aaaaand lo and behold – I found quite a lot of pieces that were basically just a few pounds each (I’m talking between £1 and £6)… New Look reductions can be incredible! It meant that I could splurge on several pieces that fitted me, wear them maybe just for this year, and not feel bad about buying them.

The way to feel much better about a cheap outfit like this (which incidently cost me just £8.80 – £6 for the shirt and £5 for the trousers, then 20% off) is to simply add your more treasured accessories – those that add a little class to the mix. With my Daniel Footwear mules and this gorgeous cloud bag that was gifted to me by the Cambridge Satchel Company (with my cute personalised embossed lamb!), I didn’t feel like I was wearing stuff from a bargain bin.

So if you find yourself not fitting into your clothes, don’t despair. You’ll always fit your bags, shoes, jewellery and other accessories – just find something basic, casual and (preferably) on sale to tie you over till you get your fitness back on track.

Clothes, not weight, are often the best measure of when your overall health and fitness is slipping, so go by them as a measure if you’re not a fan of the scales. Who is…?!

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DO YOU USE YOUR CLOTHES AS A GUIDE TO WHEN YOU’VE GAINED A FEW POUNDS? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!

Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb
Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb
Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb
Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb
Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb
Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb
Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb
Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb
Styling summer neutrals: Blue chambray shirt, khaki pants, crossover mules, Panama hat, Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag | Not Dressed As Lamb
New Look shirt | New Look trousers | Daniel Footwear mules | Cambridge Satchel Co bag c/o | Tumi Crafts Panama hat (this luxury Panama hat is pretty much identical) | New Look initial C choker | Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick ‘Vibrant Melon’ c/o

And if you’re wondering about the other things I looked at/considered, here they are:

(I did get the patterned trousers and £1 belt as well in the end!)

Catherine

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Linking up to: iwillwearwhatilikeVisible MondayShoe and TellTurning Heads TuesdayBrilliant Blog Posts, My Refined Style, Passion for Fashion Friday, Fun Fashion Friday

23 Comments

  1. 14 September 2016 / 2:48 pm

    This happens to me all the time and when it does, I reach for a shirt!

  2. 6 September 2016 / 12:33 am

    I definitely have several pieces that I use as my weight gauges. You look fabulous by the way! Thanks for adding your style flair to the My Refined Style Linkup.

    Shellie
    http://www.thefabjourney.com

  3. 31 August 2016 / 7:56 am

    You did very well. And that bag with your little lamb… how cute is that!
    Greetje

  4. 30 August 2016 / 9:35 pm

    Yes, I'm here nodding away Catherine as you are describing me to a 'T'. Summer has been a godsend for the ability to wear loose fitting dresses this year that just let things flow for the time being. And then the work starts. So many beautiful things in the shops for autumn and I have a vision of how I want to look. Willpower and a goal are on the agenda. Another lovely inspirational post. #brillblogposts

  5. 29 August 2016 / 2:24 pm

    I can definitely relate to this post! I'm 9 months into having my baby and I'm at the point where everything fits enough to warrant not spending loads on new clothes but just not quite well enough. I've got some work still to do… I'll defo check out new look though – I was actually really impressed by the mat range so should check out the proper range too. #brillblogposts

  6. 28 August 2016 / 9:26 pm

    This is definitely one of the reasons that I love my shoes and my bags – I could have have so many pairs of shoes because, no matter what, they will always fit me! I hate those days when nothing fits – it makes me feel so miserable! But some great ideas here!! #BrillBlogPosts

  7. 24 August 2016 / 8:08 pm

    I love the satchel, just adorable. What fantastic bargains you found too! You look great too #BrillBlogPosts

  8. 23 August 2016 / 4:37 pm

    I think you are even more beautiful now! You look so harmonic and have a glow around you so I think that you are in perfect shape the way you are now!// Eva from Sweden

  9. 22 August 2016 / 1:18 am

    Yes, Catherine, I use my clothes as more of guide rather than my scale. When I start failing to fit into certain items, I will step on the scale, and be like, "UH OH!" Time to reign it in Annie!!

    This recently happened to me last week. I'm post op for the second time in the year, so I try not to be too hard on myself. But last week cutoof short #1 (black) did not fit. Next up and a little bigger, cutoff #2 (grey) did not fit. Finally, I went with tailored denim short #3 (navy) with STRETCH! Those fit thank the LORD!

    I'd say the toughest part for me in the last year or so is that I can't work out. My weight is very dependent on what I put in since I can't go burn off any calories. AND, it is proven that cardio does for than just burn off the calories–it helps with moods and such too. Anyway, I have to rely on self control (which I don't have much of! Especially in the summer when it's feast after feast!).

    Hopefully, this new bionic hip of mine named PINKY will lead me to other ways of maintaining my weight.

    What I'd like to end with is I have sizes US 6 all the way to 12 in my wardrobe. I have a hard time getting rid of items "just in case." Maybe I'll get back down to those size 6 trousers OR (unfortunately) maybe I will need that size 12 jean.

    Amidst all our weight fluctuations during our pre menopausal state we must remember to wear our smile! It's our very best accessory! And smiling gives kindness and forgiveness to ourselves no matter what our weight or size.

    Here's to fitness Catherine!

    Love, Ann from Kremb de la Kremb

  10. 21 August 2016 / 1:38 pm

    Well, you always look great in your photos, so no worries. And you will get back to your routine! :).

    I look back at pictures of myself from three years ago and think "Wow, look at me pre-collarbone break!" That said, I'm still getting back to my yoga, plus perhaps I was a tiny bit scrawnier than I should have. Here's to renewed working at improved health, of course, but I'm not going to feel too stressed about it seeing as my accident put me out of action for a whole year.

    I always go by clothes fitting me too rather than weight, and it's the way I've played it pretty much since school when calorie intake was the main topic in the 5th year (so much for being at a girls' grammar school!). Goodness knows what that figure on the scales is, but as long as I keep doing my yoga and getting more flexible I'm happy to be oblivious ;). x

  11. 20 August 2016 / 8:07 pm

    I think buying some clothes that fit properly when you've gained a bit of weight is so important! There is nothing worse than wearing something that's too small (and it makes you usually look bigger…). Plus, you feel horrible all day… I'm a bit heavier right now than I'd like to be and there are quite a few things in my closet that just don't work.

    I like your solution of buying some inexpensive clothes that fit well and sprucing up the outfit with your favorite accessories! Your bag is a dream!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

  12. 20 August 2016 / 6:07 pm

    First of all you look fab and slim! Secondly I understand how you feel. I usually am at my slimmest in summer, but since giving up tennis carry a few pounds extra. I have some lovely summer clothes that are just too tight and the summer has nearly gone and they have not been worn. I am sixty next December and my aim is to have lost them by then. Love your outfit!

  13. 20 August 2016 / 1:25 pm

    Great advice and you look fabulous! It's so easy to feel bad about myself when something is tight or doesn't fit but I always feel better when I take the time to wear something that fits and looks good. Rather than punish myself if I take care of myself it's easier to stay on track and make healthy choices.

  14. 20 August 2016 / 1:17 pm

    Clothes are always my measure of weight and never the scales. But I'm also beginning to realize that with age and varying fitness routines, my body changes shape and some things are never going to fit right again. I'm beginning to need to try some new cuts or brands of clothing for a better fit and embrace the here and now.

  15. 20 August 2016 / 7:50 am

    I do use clothes to judge whether I'm going up or down a tad – I have a policy of 'no elastic waists' (apart from maybe a few pairs of pyjama bottoms). I think it's easier to slip a bit either way with elastic waists! You look fabulous as ever Catherine, I hope you get your fitness mojo back soon – mentally feeling good is the most important thing. x

  16. 19 August 2016 / 8:58 pm

    Dungarees are mine Catherine.
    They are perfect for hiding a multitude of biscuit-related sins!
    Then I add great shoes and a bright lip.
    Done.

    You always look so pulled together.
    This is a great post that most women will relate to…even if it is just the monthly bloat.
    XXX
    Samantha
    http://www.fakefabulous.com

  17. 19 August 2016 / 7:00 pm

    I'm sure SO many women can relate to this post, I know I can! My weight fluctuates a lot depending on my travel and gym schedules. You look fabulous here (as always, no surprise there), and you are a true black belt level shopper to put together such a chic look for 8.80. Onwards and upwards with the fitness regime! xx

  18. 19 August 2016 / 6:38 pm

    You are beautiful and more so for being honest and real
    But good look with your exercise as that's always a good thing for health and not for clothes size

  19. 19 August 2016 / 3:14 pm

    This blog has been so encouraging for me. The topic has been my summer issue too, and not only are your suggestions helpful, it's great to hear that a sophisticated blogger might have similar challenges…though,you look great having them!

  20. 19 August 2016 / 2:22 pm

    Love the olive and blue mix here. I find that even though my weight's been pretty stable the last few years, as I approach 60 (next March) my mid-section has thickened and softened a bit. Diet and exercise only go so far, so when necessary I've given myself permission to size up without guilt. 🙂

  21. 19 August 2016 / 2:16 pm

    I really never thought about it like that, but that's a perfect reason to shop at the thrift or sales—maybe a temporary issue, but wearing the right size clothes really makes your mood so much better.
    Honestly I echo Rachel's comment that it certainly isn't obvious that this is an issue for you—but nevertheless, this is a perfectly simple outfit that all 3 of us from my blog could and would wear easily!! (And this is why I love shoes so much—you can gain weight and they still fit!)
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  22. 19 August 2016 / 12:24 pm

    I think you look lovely and it's so refreshing that you are so open with your readers 🙂

  23. 19 August 2016 / 9:28 am

    Well i would never have guessed that weight was an issue for you as you look simply fantastic! This outfit is so chic and perfect for our summers, and what a bargain!! I try to avoid the sales (New look is my constant temptation) as I end up buying for the sake of it. But i totally know what you mean regarding weight, mine usually goes up in the winter, like i'm storing it for hibernation :D. But since going GF vegan(not for weight issues) i think my weight has plateaued now hopefully, making clothes easier to keep a hold of for longer. And yes i am so with you on the scales hating.. As Joe wicks the body coach says, "throw away the sad step" LOL!
    Wishing you a lovely, hopefully not to wet and windy, weekend xxx

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