There are many ways by which you can lose weight, be that by directed effort, after going through physical difficulties, or perhaps going through a significant bodily transition, such as adapting after pregnancy.
Of course, it is no one’s business as to why or how you’ve lost weight, but you may feel as though adapting to this new normal does require a little work to achieve. That’s because to begin with, figuring out your new style, your new fashionable approaches, and the means by which you love to express yourself can differ. Perhaps you’ve never dressed for this particular weight before, or maybe you’re feeling more confident and able to try new things.
Whatever the case, enjoying a few healthy fashion adjustments can be nothing if not inspiring. In this post, we’ll help you adapt to this new normal:
Reevaluate Your Fit, Not Just Your Size
Many people assume that dropping a size means everything should now be tight or more revealing, but that idea doesn’t always translate well in real life. It’s better to think about how clothes actually sit on your body, because some might hang differently now or feel too long or too short in places. For example, now your arms may be a little thinner, you may find sleeves fit differently and that inspires you to wear different measurements in your shirts. As such, trying things on is worth your time, even if you think you know your new size already.
Getting items tailored is a great in-between if you’re still adjusting, or having older clothes refitted can help in that way too. It also helps you avoid wasting money on clothes that will only work for a few months.
Learn How Your Proportions Have Shifted
Following on from that last point, it’s important to remember that weight loss doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. You may have lost more around your waist, or perhaps it was in your shoulders or legs, but for someone else it could be around their shoulders or perhaps their chest. The changes to your frame can subtly alter how balanced your outfits look which may require a different logic than what you’ve used so far.
If you’ve always worn a certain type of jacket, for example, you might find that it now makes you look boxier or feels out of proportion. Instead of trying to return to an old style right away, see what now complements your shape naturally. Perhaps now padded shoulders really suit you, and you wouldn’t have worn those before.
Try To Update Your Assumptions
You might have had a wardrobe filled with certain shapes or silhouettes that felt like they were “safe,” as maybe loose tops were always your thing, or dark colours were a go-to because you felt more comfortable and less exposed in them. That’s fine of course, and you don’t have to change this. But it can be healthy to challenge your preconceptions if you wish to, and in such cases, now could be a good time.
You may find that bolder colours or whites are more friendly to you, and you don’t even mind showing certain aspects like your midriff. That’s not to say you couldn’t before, but maybe now you feel fine adjusting. You might even enjoy reintroducing garments you had long ignored. The point is not to reinvent yourself overnight, but to give yourself permission to be a little more experimental if only to reconfirm what you’re no longer into.
Try Smaller Statements Before Overhauling Everything
A wardrobe reset can be tempting, especially if you’re finally feeling good about yourself again. Though of course, weight loss isn’t just about going from overweight to “thin,” it can signify many differing life situations, so a full overhaul might not be on the cards.
As such, rushing into big changes might leave you with clothes that fit but don’t really feel like you. If you can, try smaller pieces first, like that aforementioned new jacket, a different kind of dress, or a fresh pair of jeans with a slightly different cut. Once you find what feels good, you can build from there.
Invest In Supportive But Stylish Basics
Weight loss can sometimes make you feel like you’re starting from scratch when it comes to underwear and supportive wear, because now the basic standards you once relied on are not so obviously present. Luckily, you don’t have to dress for a formal dinner or as if you were hitting the town for every purchase you make, as now’s a good time to refresh your foundation wardrobe with undergarments and comforts.
Good quality underwear (as discussed above), fitted sportswear, and flexible loungewear help you feel confident and put-together underneath whatever you wear, so you’ll always have a baseline to work from. This includes supportive bras, high-rise leggings, and items that can shape or hold comfortably without compressing. Maybe you’ll just buy a large collection of good-quality white cotton shirts. It can be enough.
This also applies to structured tops, such as Guizio corset tops, which can offer a flattering fit, gently frame your shape, and make a statement at the same time.
Avoid Over-Correction In Style
While we’re at the midway point of this post, let’s consider why you shouldn’t take friendly advice too closely to heart. After all, when someone loses weight, they may feel pressure to dress as if to “show it off.” That’s understandable, but it doesn’t need to be your motivation. You’re not obligated to prove anything, especially not through how you dress.
It’s better to let your comfort lead the way. Just because you can wear something doesn’t mean you should, and it’s okay to favour subtle changes over obvious ones. What matters is that you feel good about yourself, not whether your outfit says something to others, or that you’ve proven something to yourself. Just have fun with beauty and fashion as ever before.
Prioritise Clothing That Moves With You
Comfort is a fine priority to dress for, because feeling comfortable in your skin means wearing clothes that suit how you move. Sometimes, people find that they become more active or expressive after a transformation, and that can influence the kinds of fabrics or cuts they prefer.
That’s because materials that offer a bit of stretch or clothes that don’t require constant adjusting throughout the day will keep you focused on what matters instead of what you’re wearing. So perhap you wore mostly linen trousers before now, but are happier to wear skinnier denims. Well, finding an appropriate fit for that is necessary, so you don’t overcorrect or feel like good fashion should be restrictive.
Document What You Like Now
You don’t need to be a style influencer to keep track of what you like either, as you can just snap a few mirror photos of outfits that feel good and take that memory on into the future, as it helps you refine your taste and keep a record of what works.
You can also compare how certain looks feel across different settings, like home, work, or nights out, and perhaps put together a set of looks online that make you feel inspired.
Involve Trusted Opinions Sparingly
When you’re trying new styles or figuring out what fits best, it’s tempting to ask a lot of people for their thoughts. That can help sometimes, especially if you have a friend with a great eye for detail. Still, try to be selective about who you ask, because part of the fun here is in self-discovery, and too many opinions can blur what you actually like. It’s much better to ask someone who understands your sense of self and will support your choices.
With this advice, we hope you can feel more confident adjusting to fashion on your own terms after losing weight.
