Weight gain and loss is a part of life. For women, this can be even more true, especially when women choose to become mothers.
Even though weight changes are perfectly natural and normal, gaining and losing weight can be emotionally frustrating. Hearing stories from female celebrities shows how exhausting enduring judgment from others can be. From Rhianna to Kelly Clarkson to Angelina Jolie, celebs in the public eye face millions of weight-related comments daily.
Celebrities may face exhausting public ridicule for their changing bodies, but they don’t have to deal with one consequence the rest of us do: having to personally figure out what to wear every day. With changes in weight come frequent, and often frustrating, changes in wardrobe.
Us less-famous ladies often don’t have the luxury of a personal stylist and shopper, so we have to be smart about our wardrobes. When going through weight changes, follow these wardrobe tips for weight fluctuations from Style Caster to celebrate your body in style.
- Go through the Closet
To avoid the daily stress of digging through your clothes to look for something that fits right, take the time to reorganize. Style Caster recommends making three piles: keep, tailor, and toss. Hang on to items that currently fit, or that you genuinely believe will fit soon in the future. Get rid of stuff that doesn’t fit. Try not to mourn for lost items, and instead embrace the opportunity to find new things that make you feel good in your skin. For old favorites you can’t get rid of, or high-quality essentials, make a pile to take to the tailors for a size update. - Buy Transition Clothes
Some items are more forgiving of changes to your body. Look for elastic materials, leggings, wrap dresses and shift dresses that make space for growing and shrinking. Stretch denim, knit jackets, and cotton tops also adjust to your shape, so that you can wear them a bit longer as your body changes. - Be Kind to Your Budget
Losing and gaining weight can be very frustrating when you are on a tight budget and can’t afford a new wardrobe every month. If you know your weight change is temporary, such as if you are pregnant, then it’s a good idea to stick to low-cost items. If you suspect your new shape is likely to stay, or not change significantly soon, then it might be smarter to spend on high-quality wardrobe staples that will last longer than low-cost items. - Don’t Forget Accessories!
Finally, if you’re feeling down about not fitting into old looks, treat yourself to some new accessories to love your wardrobe again. Bags, jewelry, scarves, and shoes will often fit no matter how much your body changes, and can be a fun way to update your wardrobe and feel good in your clothes again.
In the United States, doctors consider women to be “overweight” when their weight is 10% to 20% higher than “normal,” with “nomral” defined either by a standard height/weight chart or a body mass index between 25 and 30. Of course, “normal” is an extremely loaded term, and many healthy women have stories of being shamed by health care professionals for their weight.
A changing body is perfectly normal, though many of us can feel frustrated by figuring out what to dress it in. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average family spends about $1,700 on clothes yearly. Don’t let your weight changes drive up your clothing expenses by shopping smart. Don’t let your new shape get you down, either, by celebrating your health and letting go of old stuff for new looks you can love through your journey. If you need professional advice on wardrobe styling you may consider consulting a wardrobe stylist.
