In one of the other threads, I mentioned that I'm losing weight (36lb since June, 50more to go) and I wanted all my new clothes to be vintage or made from vintage patterns. I've suddenly realized that this is not possible. I'm basically going down a dress size every month. I've got a system worked out so that I make 2 dresses every month (usually the S&S swing dress) to alternate Sundays for church wear. During the week, I'm wearing whatever doesn't fall off my body. This week, I hit a local thrift store. While it turns out to be a great one for "normal" people (high end up-to-date clothes), it sure didn't have anything vintage. Anyone have any tips for me? Should I just not worry about vintage until I hit my goal weight?
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dilema
- Thread starter kamikat
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Josephine
One Too Many
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Go you! Great job!
Ps. I think so. Save your money and when you reach goal weight go on a shopping spree.
Ps. I think so. Save your money and when you reach goal weight go on a shopping spree.
First of all Kami, horray for you!! Way to go! :eusa_clap
Definitely wait, or make patterns that you can easily take in the seams. How about more wrap around styles?
Throughout my weightloss journey I bought elastic skirts and blouses that I could take in the side seams. The bust didn't always fit perfectly, but hey... things sure looked a lot better than when I weighed 80 more pounds, so who cares!
It's really bumming me out now because some of my favorite vintage dresses will have to go. I cannot take them in with the side zippers and all of the bust darts, would totally ruin the garments.
There is a lot of golden era fashion out right now, and if you shop places such as Rue 21, Target, or Kohl's.. even Penney's... you can find some good clearance deals on summer dresses right now. Probably cheaper than you can buy the fabric. Throw on a cardigan and you're set for fall.
You might also be able to use those little elastic clasps that go in the back of dresses to cinch them in for a spell. Or sew a sash to either side of your dress and then tie in back.
I know how you feel. I have many things I want to make but I still want to lose another 12 pounds or so. And with my figure, that will make a HUGE difference.
You are gorgeous and have a wonderful figure. I'm so happy for you!
Nikki
Definitely wait, or make patterns that you can easily take in the seams. How about more wrap around styles?
Throughout my weightloss journey I bought elastic skirts and blouses that I could take in the side seams. The bust didn't always fit perfectly, but hey... things sure looked a lot better than when I weighed 80 more pounds, so who cares!
It's really bumming me out now because some of my favorite vintage dresses will have to go. I cannot take them in with the side zippers and all of the bust darts, would totally ruin the garments.
There is a lot of golden era fashion out right now, and if you shop places such as Rue 21, Target, or Kohl's.. even Penney's... you can find some good clearance deals on summer dresses right now. Probably cheaper than you can buy the fabric. Throw on a cardigan and you're set for fall.
You might also be able to use those little elastic clasps that go in the back of dresses to cinch them in for a spell. Or sew a sash to either side of your dress and then tie in back.
I know how you feel. I have many things I want to make but I still want to lose another 12 pounds or so. And with my figure, that will make a HUGE difference.
You are gorgeous and have a wonderful figure. I'm so happy for you!
Nikki
KittyT
I'll Lock Up
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Congrats on your weight loss! Waiting to buy vintage will be a great motivation to keep up the good work! I personally think that buying all vintage isn't really realistic given the cost and the difficulty in finding good quality vintage items. There is no lack of nice, affordable, repro items out there and they are a great way to supplement any wardrobe.
pigeon toe
One Too Many
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Congrats! My boyfriend has been having the same problem since he lost 50 lbs (still has 50 more to go!). Luckily, he mostly wears Levi's and Pendeltons (which can be had cheaply at second-hand stores around here), so it wasn't too expensive to go out and buy some extra stuff that actually fits. He HATED wearing his old clothes because it just made him look as big as he was before he lost the weight.
I definitely second going to Target. I have a cute 50's style shirtwaist dress from Isaac Mizrahi that I got at target and it was only about $30. I've seen some other really great stuff on clearance for $10-15. I absolutely love Target, and if you don't find anything vintage-inspired that you like, it's always great for basics.
I definitely second going to Target. I have a cute 50's style shirtwaist dress from Isaac Mizrahi that I got at target and it was only about $30. I've seen some other really great stuff on clearance for $10-15. I absolutely love Target, and if you don't find anything vintage-inspired that you like, it's always great for basics.
Wow Kamikat, thats great that you have lost so much :eusa_clap
I would try not to spend a lot on clothing if you can, i would get a new belt and cinch in my jeans, dresses etc and just wait till you are at your goal weight then hit the stores !!!!!!!!!!
PS what diet are you following ?
I would try not to spend a lot on clothing if you can, i would get a new belt and cinch in my jeans, dresses etc and just wait till you are at your goal weight then hit the stores !!!!!!!!!!
PS what diet are you following ?
First of all, congratulations! :eusa_clap I think nothing feels better then seeing the results of a good diet! I'm really happy for you!
So, when I lost weight, I didn't really buy all that many clothes, and when, I tried to buy some who are a little too thight and cheaper. I was also into vintage by that time, but didn't bought anything because I was afraid that I couldn't wear it anymore.
I still have so many things which are actually too big for me, because I just can't really part, even if they look odd on me right now......
Naama
So, when I lost weight, I didn't really buy all that many clothes, and when, I tried to buy some who are a little too thight
and cheaper. I was also into vintage by that time, but didn't bought anything because I was afraid that I couldn't wear it anymore. I still have so many things which are actually too big for me, because I just can't really part, even if they look odd on me right now......
Naama
To anyone interested, I'm on http://www.medifast1.com/, which is a strict low cal/low fat/low carb plan.
Prior to my weightloss, I was making ALL my own clothes, so having a new wardobe of all from vintage patterns isn't unrealistic. I am keeping an eye out on ebay for patterns I wouldn't have bought before. In fact, I just bought a cute wiggle dress pattern for a size 36 bust. This will be my goal dress! I started at a size 20 women's and am today wearing a pair of old 14 miss jean shorts. I think I'll just start working on making a couple skirts from one of the Simplicity reprint patterns in each size. Making them from cotton should be pretty cheap.
I'll be on the lookout for Target. I get my kids clothes there, but never look in the women's departement. Their plus section is so small, that it isn't worth it, however, I think I can fit into their ladies' section now, so it might be worth a look.
Prior to my weightloss, I was making ALL my own clothes, so having a new wardobe of all from vintage patterns isn't unrealistic. I am keeping an eye out on ebay for patterns I wouldn't have bought before. In fact, I just bought a cute wiggle dress pattern for a size 36 bust. This will be my goal dress! I started at a size 20 women's and am today wearing a pair of old 14 miss jean shorts. I think I'll just start working on making a couple skirts from one of the Simplicity reprint patterns in each size. Making them from cotton should be pretty cheap.
I'll be on the lookout for Target. I get my kids clothes there, but never look in the women's departement. Their plus section is so small, that it isn't worth it, however, I think I can fit into their ladies' section now, so it might be worth a look.
Way to go Kamikat!!! :eusa_clap That's awesome!! My favorite place to check out is Sears...I usually get their stuff on sale or clearance, and half the time the stuff I get on sale is on extra sale! I never know exactly how much until check out.. hee hee! But I love to get my skirts there..I have short legs, so I like to wear them high on my waist and they make great A-line skirts on me. They are teh Convington brand. I think they are sale now between 14.99 and 11.99..and actually you may get them for even cheaper they are having a huge clearance right now. I also found a cute dress for 14.00 there too. If you have an eye for vintage looking clothing, you'll be able to find stuff there. Target is also my other favorite. Ooh, and Ross too!!! they've been having the cutest dresses at my Ross lately!! I got my sweater vested puffy sleeve blouse there for under 10.00! Good Luck!!
The Shirt
Practically Family
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Congratulations - That is fantastic. It is so exciting to lose but sometimes a bummer when you open the closet and see nothing fits anymore. When I got close to my goal weight I took some of my most favorite dresses into my tailor/seamstress and asked her to work her miracles. We actually ended up re-fashioning a few items by turning things into sleeveless dresses or adding wide sashes. The wide belt over a few items (though not original) has allowed me to get a few more wears as well.
I also went the route of shopping discount places such as target to get me through and I really liked H&M for some basics like pencil skirts and 40s style blouses. Nothing costs much more than $30 there so I hardly felt guilty.
I also went the route of shopping discount places such as target to get me through and I really liked H&M for some basics like pencil skirts and 40s style blouses. Nothing costs much more than $30 there so I hardly felt guilty.
Kitty_Sheridan
Practically Family
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Sorry to hijack but is this Medifast diet like Lighter Life?
Is it expensive?
K (Well done btw)
Is it expensive?
K (Well done btw)
Snookie
Practically Family
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I'm not sure if I'm more impressed with your weight loss success or the fact that you make all your own clothes! Both are really cool!
You can also set up an "assembly line" for your sewing projects to make them go faster - cut out multiples of the same pattern (either all the same size or different sizes) and sew them at the same time. Doing 8 side seams doesn't take much longer than 2, and then you've got 4 garments instead of 1! (You just have to be willing to use the same thread color for all of them )
Unless you're planning to sell or donate your old clothes, don't forget to pull out the zippers and buttons to use in your new stuff.
I like The Shirt's ideas for remodeling your old wardrobe. Sewing manuals from the early 40's have some great suggestions, too, like inserting new contrasting panels into old dresses to fix them up (in the shoulders, waist, etc.) or taking larger garments and using the fabric for a new, smaller garment. Maybe you could utilize some of these tricks? (sorry I can't scan any at the moment - I'm redoing my sewing room and all my reference books are in storage.)
You can also set up an "assembly line" for your sewing projects to make them go faster - cut out multiples of the same pattern (either all the same size or different sizes) and sew them at the same time. Doing 8 side seams doesn't take much longer than 2, and then you've got 4 garments instead of 1! (You just have to be willing to use the same thread color for all of them
)Unless you're planning to sell or donate your old clothes, don't forget to pull out the zippers and buttons to use in your new stuff.
I like The Shirt's ideas for remodeling your old wardrobe. Sewing manuals from the early 40's have some great suggestions, too, like inserting new contrasting panels into old dresses to fix them up (in the shoulders, waist, etc.) or taking larger garments and using the fabric for a new, smaller garment. Maybe you could utilize some of these tricks? (sorry I can't scan any at the moment - I'm redoing my sewing room and all my reference books are in storage.)
