I cannot tell you how much weight I’ve lost this year because I refuse to own a pair of scales. I can, however, tell you that I have lost about two dress/jeans sizes since January.
Left (dress details); Right (dress details)
Pictured on the left was me on my first day back at work after the Christmas-New Year break. I’m wearing a size 16 stretchy dress and was pushing size 18. On the right is me late June in Italy wearing a non-stretchy size 14 dress.
I’m perfectly happy in both photos. Oh, you got me, OF COURSE I was very happy in the photo on the right because I was at a fancy bar in Positano with fancy people at every turn and a fancy drink in my hand. I felt #fancyaf.
I may be happy in both photos but in the photo on the right I’m also feeling stronger – mentally and physically. My mission to get healthy this year has not been motivated by weight loss but that has been a welcome by-product. You can read my health back story here – I’ll write an update soon as my latest fitness goal has been to learn to run (who even am I?).
This post is not a how to lose weight post – it’s designed to help you make your wardrobe work for you while losing weight, if that’s something you’re doing right now.
At the core of my tips is my firm belief that you should feel good about yourself every day – well as good as you can feel. And I do believe that getting up, getting dressed and putting on a lippy can help you get a head start on those good feelings. It’s a tried and true tactic that works for me.
It’s never about waiting for the next 5kg or the 5kg after that before allowing yourself to feel good. It’s about the here and now. Life is way too short to think and act any differently.
That’s why I can tell you that the “me” on the left was perfectly happy that day. I’d had a fabulous break with family, friends, a whole lot of Champagne and accompanying brie cheese and I was excited to be back at work doing a video shoot to kick-start the working year.
I wasn’t waiting until some fictitious time in the future to be happy and content. I wanted to feel the best I could feel that day and each day that came afterwards. And I want you to feel that too.
So, with that little sermon out of the way (I devote a whole chapter to it in my book), onwards with my tips. A lot of these would also apply to women who are pregnant but who also don’t want to break the bank with a complete new wardrobe at every trimester.
Tips for making your wardrobe work for you while losing weight
1. It’s tempting to just keep buying new clothes as you lose weight because how our clothes fit is usually the first thing we notice but I say go slow with this one. Allow a little mindfulness to set in. It makes no economic, environmental or practical sense to buy a whole new wardrobe each time you drop a clothing size.
2. Edit your wardrobe – and do it often throughout your weight loss journey. I’ve found that I’ve been doing mini edits of my wardrobe every month and that’s been prompted by trying on something I had planned to wear, only to find that it was no longer making me feel fabulous. By keeping in my wardrobe only those things that do make me feel fabulous, it meant that the daily “what to wear” is not so tricky. It also makes no sense to hang on to clothes that no longer suit or serve us.
3. Get rid of the clothes that are now too big for you. I know this is a very big mental shift for a lot of us. What if I put the weight back on? What if you don’t! But I spent so much money on that dress? Why not find someone else who can love it like you did. I’ve been sending a girlfriend quite a few items from my wardrobe. She’s about a size or so bigger than me but on her own weight loss journey, so not wanting to spend a lot of money on new pieces. I also donate my clothes to Dress for Success, a global organisation which works locally to help disadvantaged women get back into the workforce.
4. Have key pieces and favourites altered to better fit you. Some clothes are easier to alter than others. If you have good quality favourites then it’s worth investing in having them altered to fit you. Ask around for recommendations. Or maybe you’re a gun at the sewing machine and can sort it yourself? I took quite a few of my summer pieces to my dry cleaner to have altered before heading to Europe. It was the wrong time of year to buy new summer items so it made sense to do this so that I had a travel capsule wardrobe that worked for me.
5. If you have favourite jeans, pants, shorts or shorts, buy them in a smaller size as you lose weight. I’ve found that if my “bottoms” fitted me then I could work my existing tops back with them, without the whole outfit looking overwhelming. I bought two new sizes in my fave jeans and shorts and that’s meant I’ve always had something to work back with my tops. If you are pregnant, you can apply this concept in reverse. Your current tops will serve you most of your pregnancy but it’s your bottoms that you will need update to accommodate your bump. (On a side note, because exercise is very much a part of my daily motivation, I’ve also bought new tights as I’ve lost weight)
6. Do embrace clothes made of stretch fabrics to prevent the saggy baggies. I’m not talking nana-wear, I’m talking good quality jerseys, bamboo, modal and knits. You probably have pieces like this already in your wardrobe – they’ll mostly work through to the end. Think tube skirts, tunic dresses or tops, leggings, jersey wrap dresses.
7. Make friends with thrifting. If you love a good op-shop haul then go to town. You’ll be able to treat yourself to a new outfit on a regular basis without busting your budget.
8. Borrow from girlfriends. My girlfriends and I joke about “cataloging” each others clothing purchases and happily open up our wardrobes to each other for borrowing. This works particularly well for event or occasion dressing when you’re not too keen to buy new as you may not be that size for the entire season.
9. Treat yourself to new shoes and accessories. These are the “icing” on any outfit, they always fit and never fail to keep your existing outfits feeling and looking fresh.
10. When you reach your goal, mindfully plan out a new wardrobe to suit. There’s a fair chance that your style may have changed or you need to find it again. The best place for you to be to get support to build your new wardrobe from scratch is in my Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe online style program. See below for more details on that.
So tell me, do you have any tips to share? Been through the process of dropping sizes and not knowing how to keep your wardrobe fresh without busting your budget? Share away below.
Join the Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe online style challenge
Looking for care and support to craft a wardrobe that works for you? Want to learn how to create outfits that make you feel fabulous – and fit your lifestyle?
The concept of my Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe online style challenge is a simple one. I’ve chosen 30 spring-summer clothing and accessories pieces and I will show you 42 different ways to wear those 30 pieces. That’s right – six weeks’ worth of outfits sorted for you to make getting dressed each day a no-brainer.
The idea behind this concept is that I help you get organised so that you make the most of what’s already in your wardrobe. You may choose to buy new items but I know you have great substitutes sitting there ready and waiting in your wardrobe right now.
I also realise that spring takes a little longer to arrive in some parts of Australia. With this in mind, I offer style tips and suggestions on how to adapt your capsule and daily outfits to suit that. I also include shopping and styling suggestions for office wear. You’ll find links to shop for budget, plus-size and petite capsule items.
The six-week plan is your blueprint for the entire season. It becomes your reference point when the warmer months drag on and you’ve lost your outfit mojo. Capsulers, as we have nicknamed ourselves, revert back to that six-week plan for inspiration. And we also shop mindfully to add pieces throughout the season, knowing that they’ll work with that plan.
We hang out in a super supportive closed Facebook group – the magic really does happen there as we get sorted and find our style mojo for the season ahead. The group is where we share our outfits to inspire others – and where you can ask me any burning style questions you might have.
Our members range in age from their 30s through to 60s and beyond. We dress for our attitude, not our age because why should style come with a use-by-date?
The 2017 spring-summer Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe online style challenge launches on Thursday, September 7, 2017. The cost remains the same – pay $99 for up to eight weeks’ personal style support from me.
Will you join us on September 7?
Comments 38
You might be the only person on the internet with the sense to stop “rah rah you go girling” about buying a bunch of new clothes while losing weight. (I think a good solution here is second hand clothes as opposed to buying brand new because you either won’t buy as high of quality because you know you’re shrinking out of it, or if you do buy high quality you’ll be devastated when you shrink out of it.). I also don’t buy that refusing to buy new clothes until you hit your goal weight (particularly when you’re within 2 sizes of it) is some sort of “punishment.” Delayed gratification isn’t punishment. It’s just being rational, responsible, and not all up in your feelings about everything to the point that you make choices like a three year old.
This is a really helpful post! Thanks for sharing your tips.
Perfection of slack. love the outfit
Such a beautiful and minimalistic look! <3
This is effortless chic!
Great style . When you find a brand you love it's a perfect thing! That's that coveted brand loyalty all designers search for! You look fabulous.
Love the black dress, I've been looking for that forever. Sometimes it's the simplest things that are the hardest to find. can you help me with some of the similar dresses like these on Orientique fashions Orientique fashions
You’ve always been gorgeous Nikki and thank you for sharing all aspects of grooming. I love having discovered your blog, its been so helpful and enjoyable for so many years.
Thanks for your lovely words, Cheekie x
Being diagnosed with hashi’s last October and under the guidance of a fabulous Naturopath here in Melbourne, due to a change of diet, exercise and mind-set have also lost weight. I really connect with your journey Nikki and have been culling my wardrobe and discovering things in there that I had forgotten about and can now wear or have altered which has keep ‘my look’ fresh . Absolutely yes, so totally recommend buying underwear when losing weight & not worry about the scales……..am feeling great and heading off to Europe in a couple of weeks with my Frankie4’s too.
Love your posts & your reader’s posts too 🙂
Oh Mandy, thanks for sharing your story. Have fun on your trip! #frankie4travels
Great post. I’d just like to add one more tip – buy new knickers/bras regularly in the right size. Clothes will sit better over good foundation garments 🙂
Oh gosh YES. How could I forget that. I had to do both. Undies fell down if I wasn’t wearing pants. So funny. Thanks for the hot tip. I’ll add it in!!!
Oh gosh YES. How could I forget that. I had to do both. Undies fell down if I wasn’t wearing pants. So funny. Thanks for the hot tip. I’ll add it in!!!
Good post Nikki and so supportive. I too have had Hashi for years and it took getting another autoimmune disease (yuk) to focus on getting healthy and not on losing weight. With hashimoto the weight doesn’t shift through fad dieting. I too took up running years ago but a bad knee has me swimming now and I must say this is the best exercise for me. No sore knees and toes anymore but now strength and good posture give such a healthy feel. I follow a gluten free eating plan and it works for me. I dropped 2 sizes too. I just need to follow your lead and hide the scales. I’m still a bit obsessed with the number!
It’s difficult to lose the scales habit Frances. Mine started when the batteries went flat and I’ve not looked back. Your journey is incredible. Getting back into swimming might be my next thing! Never say never.
Hi Nikki, love this post!
Do you have a place you’d recommend for clothing alterations in Brissie (I’m in paddington). Cheers, Kate
I go to Toleman’s Dry Cleaners in Ashgrove … the best dry cleaners and they’ve been great with my alterations.
Great post Nikki! Your tips are spot on and pretty much what I’ve done over the past 18 months as I’ve shed the kilos. I admire your commitment to exercise and wanting to run – not even the most gorgeous pair of leggings/tights could get me to do that! x
You’re commitment to shedding has been inspiring my friend! I cannot believe I’m attempting to run either. My motivation is that I won’t have to spend as long exercising to burn same kjs 🙂
I really enjoyed this post Nikki! I love hearing your health update posts, your honesty is very inspiring. There are so many of us in the same boat! Can’t wait for the ‘learn to run post’! x
Thanks Paula … I can’t wait to bring it to you. I’ve been doing Couch to 5K (app) but have signed up for the Operation Move program starting next week.
I think you look absolutely fabulous in both photos. But I know how amazing having strong fit body can be – also the commitment to exercise. Hubby and I starting our journey to it again after 6 months of doing nothing – which I will say has been fabulous and my body needed the rest after 4 years of training 4 times a week. I always think we need to listen to our bodies and mine is telling me to get moving. We have China trip end of October and I will need to be fit to keep up.
Thank you for all being an inspiration xx
Absolutely listening to our bodies is key. I could have gone from zero to this level of activity without compromising my immune system. I tell you a holiday is a great health goal! How exciting Karen? x
You look fab Nikki. I’m not joining the capsule this time because we will be in Europe, but I certainly recommend it to others x
I will live vicariously through your travels Jan! So exciting.
Looking healthy Nikki and fit. I am Looking forward to your health update, it looks like you are doing more gym work and not so much yoga. Are you still doing your long walks ?
Hi Carla, I’m pretty much doing the same as what I wrote in the April update (linked in the post above) but have started to learn to run.
Such great advice Nikki and I agree with the NO SCALES! I have thyroid issues too, and was diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic two years ago. My endo was SO obsessed with me needing to lose weight [which I do] and constantly weighing me on visits that it started to mess with my head – I started gaining weight from the stress of it. The last 3 visits I refused to be weighed and explained that I am focusing on progress and not a number. He doesn’t ask me to weigh me now. He asks how strong I feel or how my clothes feel. Its made such a difference to my progress. I exercise now because I enjoy feeling stronger and this has been reflected in the way I dress and feel about myself. And I am losing sizes too!
You are doing a great job inspiring others x
I’m so glad you stood up to your endo – I totally get how it feels to have everything depend on that number and then feel like a failure. Feeling strong is everything and I’m glad you’re feeling it. x
I am sure I will get yelled down but Ive felt a subtle shift in the posts etc to become “weight loss” and body focused. Previously it was abt fabulous at any size which is why I became a disciple. Now I feel there isnt a lot for me bc the brands etc rep’d arnt necessarily every “body” inclusive. That said, Im all for health and you have done totally epically great stuff at Nikki. Best wishes!
I’ll never shout anyone down Andrea but I will stand up for myself and correct mis-information. I’ve not become weight loss and body focussed at all. I’ve had health issues for 20 years that make each day a personal struggle. I write about those about twice a year (the last one was in April so not a common place theme here). Those posts have helped a tonne of women get help with those same thyroid issues – I get inundated for my GPs’ details and I’m stoked that other women are getting the same help that I’ve had because quite frankly it sucks living with Hashis. This post came about because members of our Facebook group were asking for advice on how to manage a wardrobe when losing weight. I could write from first-hand experience because that’s what I’ve done this year. I didn’t set out to lose weight – I set out to wake up each day as healthy as I can be – but I won’t apologise for that. Because Hashis SUCKS. Like really SUCKS. Re the clothes, pretty much every brand that I wear goes up to a size 18 – most go to a 3XL – so I think it’s quite off the mark to say that I’m not body inclusive in that respect.
I happen to be wearing a lovely hand-me-up today which is really handy as I’ve not lost any weight in ages but still loath to buy anything new in the hope I do eventually lose more weight.
I’m still wearing a few things from 40kg ago and I saw myself in a picture from an Instagram meet-up on the weekend and realise how unflattering the overly-large outfits really are. I need to embrace more fitting and stretchy stuff as you suggest!
It’s the photos that help me realise when it’s time to let something go Deborah. Embrace the size you are now – you’ve come so far xx
You have always looked great in the clothes you wear, Nikki but now you look just amazing and seem so much healthier too! I am currently trying to do the same but it is a bit of a battle! I do a regular cull of my wardrobe too, want to get back to a size 12, currently a 16!
It’s always a battle for me Diane – changing my focus from weightloss to health was key for me. I live my life trying to prioritise that. Good luck x
Good on you nikki!
Looking great and feeling great is a good thing hun!
All encompassing wellness! … definitely all for that!
Much love m x
That’s what it’s all about for me M x
Well done Nikki on setting and striving for your wellness goals.
I CANT WAIT for the next capsule round. Was only just thinking of it before I read this post.
Thanks Ali! And I can’t wait to have you back!
Great tips Nikki, I’m sorry I’ve no tips to share as I have stayed the same size for most of my life except when pregnant and after having my children.
You look amazing,I know for you it wasn’t about weight loss it’s about being being stronger and fitter,the best version of you,congratulations on achieving this Nikki Xx
Thanks so much Lisa, that’s totally what it’s been for me x