Office Wear whilst losing weight

[Susan C]

Ruthie --  I've been doing the same thing and having the same thoughts.  Here are some of the ways I'm handling it:

1)  On sunday, I look through what fits, what goes together and plan 5 outfits for the week.  That way you don't have stressful a.m.s wondering if youve got anything to wear.  Remember that it's perfectly acceptable to wear the same pair of pants twice just try not to wear same pair two days in a row.  Trust me, no one will remember if you wore the black pants on Mond and Thurs ESPECIALLY if you work with a bunch of men.

2)  Accessories - those are things you can buy that will not change size but change the look of the whole outfit.  You've mentioned scarves, belts are great for too big suit jackets and cardigans (and luckily a trend right now), and costume jewelry really can change the look of an outfit.  And of course, shoes.  For instance, an all black outfit, red teal or some other color heels and silver jewelery.  Very sophisticated.

3)  I forget who mentioned skirts but I do the same thing...skirts with zippers in the back so the side seams can be taken in easily are terrific.   And take it to a seamstress to do the alterations for you as a reward for all your hard work.  Just because we like to sew doesn't mean we like doing alterations!  And that way you keep having clothes available.

4)  Knits -  I read a Sew News article once about a woman that did a 40 lb weight loss with a small coordinated knit wardrobe because they could be easily taken in.  My idea is to use a make some straight knits skirts, cardigans and tops.  I'm thinking about using a casing for the elastic on the skirt and putting a buttonhole in the back so I can get to the elastic easier and using some of that elastic that has buttons on it so you can tighten or loosen it.  Not sure if it will work but its a thought and I was going to start working on some pieces this weekend.

Hope this helps some and good luck on your continued success!  I have a question for you.  I'm assuming you're doing the Timmel Swap this year.  How are you going to work around the weight loss issue?  I'm still trying to lose 20 and I find myself thinking, well, the patterns wont fit etc.  Any thoughts?

[Dorcus]

Hello, I want to get in on this great discussion too!!

I work alone in my office (community outreach manager) but I frequently have meetings in and out of the office with community members and local government representatives. So, though I don't have a dress code per se (and local dress is fairly casual) I don't feel professional if I'm not dressed a little more then the casual norm. A lot of people I run into wear jeans all the time. I can't do that because I can't find jeans that fit me properly, I don't feel dressed in jeans and I like a more professional image. If I do wear jeans on a day I'm actually out in the field I always wear a jacket, blouse and scarf to dress them up. And just a personal point for myself, no one will ever catch me outside my home in stretch pants!! Some people look great in them, not me. 
I have several jackets that I wear to disguise the loose waist of my pants as I've been losing weight. I also found that I have begun to wear colours together that I wouldn't have worn a few years ago; like pink and brown, or pale blue and brown or lighter green-blue (pale teal or used to be called seafoam?) and brown.  I'm lucky that I can get away with almost any colour except red and dark green! The thing is that pale blue, pale green-blue and pink will also go with black, grey and navy so with different scarves they all work and create different outfits. I have a navy suit and a black suit that have pants and a skirt so I can throw in lots of combinations. The pants have the elastic sides which I found easy to take in as my weight changed. I don't mind doing alterations it's just finding the time so normally I'll put up with them too big until my blouse just doesn't stay tucked in and I get rumpled looking!
One colour combination I do like is dark green (which I can't wear) and gold or cinnamon (orange) tones. These also go well with brown, black or navy too.
I love scarves, I just wish I could find a nice supply. There isn't much to choose from here so I tend to make my own by buying lengths of nice lightweight fabrics and adding a rolled edge (quick and easy)  to add a new look and pick up more colour.
I don't wear coloured jewellry very often. My wedding rings are white gold so I generally stick one silver locket which is a family piece and siver or white gold earrings mostly, or siver earrings with coloured stones.
I'm tall and I also have knee problems so I tend to wear fairly flat or wedge heel shoes most of the time, though style and colour count and can really pick up an outfit!
I've definitely found that consignment shops can really help during weight loss/gain  (or financial downs!) when you need wardrobe help.

Ruthie, you do have some great choices there! Good luck with the wardrobe and the weight loss!
I'm looking forward to trying the SWAP. I've never done it before - even if I do it just for me.
No matter our age we still feel better when we look good!

Dorcus

[StitchWench]

Hi Dorcus, I too have toyed with navy & dk green, but what colour jacket if I needed one? I do wear my royal purple turtleneck with my mid-navy pants - I have a scarf that pulls it together - and have worn a black jacket in a pinch. I wear a dk green mock turtleneck with maroon pants & black jacket, this combo looks good (IMNSHO of course). I have always been partial to the three colour thing and the monochromatic ensemble. The monochromatic ensemble conveys understated elegance whilst the tri-colour ensemble feeds my 'wild' side (even though I'm almost 50 yrs & luxury-sized). (I've decided to use luxury-sized instead of plus-sized since seeing it just recently in someone's description of themselves. It appeals to my warped sense of humour.)
StitchWench (Australia)

[Dorcus]

I keep a hip length black jacket in my office that usually works with whatever I'm wearing in a pinch if I need it. I don't normally wear a black jacket with navy pants unless my scarf or blouse can pick up both colours well enough so you don't notice the contrast. Black jacket with green bottom should work the same okay, but I don't wear greens much. I do have a nice deep hunter green/black/navy sweater jacket (black watch plaid I think it's called?) which works with many outfits but it's a little big and I don't feel comfortable in it. I should really take a look at what I could do with it because it is a nice piece but as it's a knit I don't like messing with it.
Dorcus