One of the worst things about being fat is the lack of affordable, attractive clothing. I’ll never forget the sinking feeling I had as a kid when I could no longer get clothes at the “normal” stores.
My only options were Lane Bryant, which wasn’t all that fun back then, and Women’s World. You’d think a World for large women’s clothing would be, well, larger, but it was a small world, after all.
Shopping for clothes was so miserable I wouldn’t go; instead, my mom would buy clothes, and would return them if they didn’t fit.
As I got older, shopping got easier… and harder. Plus sizes started showing up at more stores, but their definition of plus sized wasn’t keeping up with me; I was past their limit of size 24. At my heaviest, I was even pushing the limit of plus sized stores; I needed a wider Avenue.
There were so many great catalogs, though, and I did most of my shopping through catalogs or online. I didn’t have to go Roaman through stores looking at my Silhouette.
The surprising thing about losing weight was how long I could still wear the same clothes. But once even the dresses started to look like burquas, it was off to the store.
And then I lost more weight, and it was back to the store again.
And AGAIN.
Now, many of you are saying, what a great problem to have!
Yes, well. I’m not keeping any clothing around that doesn’t fit, so that means there is a big bag for Goodwill in the bedroom at all times, waiting for more donations.
Do I buy a wardrobe even though I may not be able to wear it in a few months? The expense!
And then there’s the variety. One thing you didn’t need to worry about at Women’s World was being overwhelmed by the variety. Now, not only do I have endless numbers of stores to choose from, but an endless variety of clothes in each. Thrift stores and discount stores are the worst: no two pieces are alike.
I’m just overwhelmed. I need one of those makeovers. Or a personal shopper. Or….. Mom!
It is a good problem to have, but it’s another way losing weight has taken me out of my comfort zone. I understand better why I’ve relapsed in the past: the changes in my life extend beyond my food and my exercise, but to just about everything I take for granted.
By being conscious of these changes, I can have the courage to face them. Right?
Now, someone give me courage to face the fall fashions!
