Some fashion experts advise keeping a coveted item in a different size, hanging in a prominent place in your closet. This is a motivator, they say, to meet your body-change goals. Perhaps this does work, as a real-life visualization of where you'd like to be.
I don't like to buy or own clothing that might fit some future me. I like to shop in the here and now, and take home something I can't wait to put on! In fact, that's one of my favorite guidelines for buying an item: "Do I want to wear it right way?" If yes, it's probably going in the basket. If it's too tight, I don't really want it in my closet.
But I am always curious about other women's motivators: do you shop for now, or for a little bit later?
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| Image via Deviant Art |
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I cant do that...as soon as I start shopping that way...it will sink my weight loss ship! I am more motivated by looking at other women in clothing I love and thinking I WANT TO LOOK LIKE THAT! But, somehow having smaller sizes in my closet depresses me...that's just me though...it might movtivate others!
ReplyDeleteI shop for now. I also have been removing clothing that is too big as the weight loss crawls along. It's why I love thrifting--I can get "new" stuff in my current size!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do confess to snatching up the $3 olive washable suede skirt that's about 2 sizes too small. If nothing else I can take it apart and remake it if I never get there.
I only buy clothes that fit me right now, thoughi do buy jeans a little too tight knowing they'll stretch. I also am buying clothes now for the spring, even though I know I won't wear them for a couple of months.
ReplyDeleteA motivator for me when loosing weight is fitting into clothes that haven't fit in a long time. I love that!
Well I sort of shop for now and future. I am terrible as I do buy things in winter that i think will look fab in summer and vice versa. xx
ReplyDeleteNope, no motivation at all for me. I'd rather hang something that inspires me to pursue a goal of somewhere I'd like to go or something I'd like to do, rather than a size I may never attain.
ReplyDeleteI do shop for the here and now, but I have a hard time letting go of things once I have them, even if they don't fit any more. I'm always torn between refashioning an old piece or giving it away in its original state before I might ruin it. I've gotten over holding on to things for sentimental reasons - that hypnotic show Hoarders really helps! and the size of my closet. (Speaking of too tight, your image today reminds me of my post! Weird timing.)
ReplyDeleteOh, I think I might be guilty of putting together a few completely unrealistic outfits, but only because I love dressy, elegant clothes and don't have anywhere to wear them. However I don't buy things with a weight change or lifestyle change in mind. I do keep three sizes of pants in the closet because I simply have to accept that I'm female and my weight and shape fluctuates widely and unpredictably. They all get their fair share of wear! ;-)
ReplyDeleteNo, I tend to shop for right now and don't future plan all that much. I can see how it would be easy to fall into that trap though. I know some of my friends have wardrobes full of clothes they hope to fit into one day!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your attitude. It's foolish to buy clothes you can't wear. So many people dream about changing their bodies but never do, so buying clothes that don't fit is a waste of money.
ReplyDeleteI never shop for the size future. I may shop one season ahead, buying a pair of boots or coat in summery weather or snagging a bikini or sundress in winter, but I always shop for my real body. It took me a few years to realize my feet had stopped at around size 6.5. All the women in my family have 8.5 (or larger) sized feet and for years the family have continued to buy me shoes in larger and larger sizes as gifts thinking "you'll grow into them". Unfortunately my feet have stayed petite and I have donated more pairs of shoes by the well-intentioned.
ReplyDeleteVery nice idea for a post! I usually shop for now (I have even changed in the fitting rooms after buying the stuff and gone back home in my fabulous find! LOL!). I don't believe in "I may wear it someday when..". When I was waiting to lose my pregnancy weight, I didn't shop for expensive items, and when I realized I have reached my healthy and sustainable weight, I went back to my here and now ways!:-)
ReplyDeletePS. I also don't keep a 'motivator' piece hanging in the closet - its is like disrespecting my rest of the clothes and somehow putting me on 'not satisfied with myself' path - cliched but true- love the skin you are in!
Great post! But yours are always are!!
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I only buy for right now. But I did buy a pair of jeans on eBay recently in my usual size that are way too small for me and un-returnable. I tucked them away in a drawer and whenever I am feeling slim, I try them on. So far, I've gone from barely getting them all the way on - unzipped - to zipping them. Now if I could just walk and sit while wearing them, I'd be thrilled!
ReplyDeleteI shop off-season much of the time. In the summer for whatever reason I weigh less and a smaller size fits. But I don't deliberately shop a smaller size to give myself motivation.
ReplyDeleteGreat question!
ReplyDeleteI used to shop "for the future", or even worse, not shop until I reached some elusive goal. Now since my injury and with my disease? I'm thankful that I'm alive & as well off as I am. I dress for me, for the moment, in the best things that I can find that flatter & are comfortable.
One of the best guidelines I've ever read is to ask yourself: "Would I buy this if it was full price?" If the answer is no, put it back.
That's helped me immensely. I no longer buy just anything, but instead wait to find things that I really love. I figure that not buying all the stuff that I like "so-so" opens up room in my closet -- and budget -- for things that I truly love.
I've never understood why buying clothes that don't fit, particulary that are too small, would be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI changed sizes after the birth of my children and one of the first things I did was to purchase pants (because my size change was mostly in that area) in a size that fit. If I didn't feel good about the way I looked and how my clothes felt I wasn't able to resist the call of this or that snack, which was what I needed to do to get back to my pre-baby size. Looking and feeling good now has always been a major contributor to my changing my diet habits to get back to my original weight.
Since I love to shop I'd also be inclined to give away the old wardrobe in the smaller size, figuring once I get back to that size I'll have fun acquiring new items. I've found over the years that my body shape changes, even at the same weight I'm not always the same shape.
Closely related to buying clothing that doesn't fit (yet) is buying something that you love and fits BUT you are waiting for "that perfect occasion" to wear for the first time. It can sit in the closet for months waiting, waiting, waiting. Every new day should be the perfect occasion!
ReplyDeleteI also shop for now. If my weight is up a little bit and I expect it to go down again (!), I will sometimes delay purchasing. But more often I will go ahead and buy for my current body. You never know when a gain (or loss) will be "permanent." To hedge my bets, I usually keep things that are a little too big or small for a year or two. I tend to fluctuate within a 5-7 pound range, about half a size or so, and I like to have clothes in my closet that can accommodate the fluctuations.
ReplyDeleteGoing through menopause did more of a number on my head then going through pregnancy three times. These days, if it doesn't have an elastic waist or is a baggy top, it doesn't fit me. I have gained so much weight in the past year. I refuse to believe that I am going to be this size forever, so I refuse to buy things that will fit me now. It's been a rough few years for me, and I am giving myself the freedom to not hate myself.
ReplyDeleteReally, really good philosophy and something I'm always trying to remember. Lately I've been purchasing the things I truly love at full price and avoiding the markdown racks. This has made for less in the closet, sure, but I'm happier with what's in there— since most of us wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time anyways!
ReplyDelete