Please help me - I forgot how to shop for clothes

[Swalwey]

I’m just over 6st (almost 40 kilos) down (thank you Mounjaro) and have been surviving in joggers and cheap M&S and Uniqlo tops.

I’m now getting close to a healthy BMI and I have nothing to wear for spring and summer. I’m not massively into fashion, and these last years my only concern was to hide the flab. I’m now a size 10 on top and my size 14 jeans are starting to feel loose. So I think overall a Medium size ☺️?

I don’t seem to know where to start with a new wardrobe. I would like some comfy dresses and skirts with pockets. My target weight is still 12 kilos away, so ideally I’d like clothes that are not too expensive as I don’t know if they will still fit in a few months.

I’ve looked online at M&S (all a bit meh), John Lewis (too much choice), Uniqlo (nothing I like), H&M (no pockets), Oliver Bonas, Gap, Roman… it all seems to be flowery boho maxi dresses, or super tailored which would be fine for work, but I’d like something that I can walk the dog in. I’m fine with colour, prints, stripes and things that are a bit fun.

I’m also going to need some swimwear for the summer, and nice t shirts, so any advice on that would be fab.

Where should I look? Thank you 🙏

Congratulations on your weight loss. I’m the same, lost 6.5 stone so far and loving the new version of me and finally want to shop again.

I have been looking into what style of clothing suits my body shape which has really helped. On Instagram you can find it with a search and it shows the different shapes and what style of jeans or tops suits your shape best etc.

I have then been watching reels of what’s new in clothing wise at Tesco as they seem to have some nice bold colours. Also new look, I used to only ever shop in the sale but I figured I was always out of season, so my new rule is to look at what’s new in and work from there. I also used to buy clothes because they fit, that was the goal, now I will not buy something just because it fits, only if it makes me feel good. I will be heading to bravissimo for a swimsuit, despite being expensive it makes all the difference when it fits properly.

good luck with your shopping trip!

Primark is always a good shout for some easy clothes that you don't care if they don't fit after a while. Cheap and cheerful.

Congrats!!

I suggest you stroll over to the Style and Beauty board and read maybe a dozen threads.

If pockets are important to you, look at Seasalt, Gudrun Sjoden, White Stuff. Maybe try second hand to see if they are right for you, as they can be quite pricey - Vinted or specific online selling sites- I know there’s a Gudrun one on Facebook.
You can get leggings with pockets for dog walks, or slim cut joggers, and Next have a good range of shirts, tops and T-shirts . As the last poster said, Primark can be good for leisure-type clothes, at a low price point.

Thank you for all the advice, all very helpful. I’m going to research these brands.

When I lost a lot of weight, I went a bit crazy buying new clothes. (Just high street). I love vinted now.

If your interested i am selling a gorgeous pleated maxi skirt from Oliver Bonas in a pale blueish silver colour with a self stripe pattern on FB marketplace.
Never worn with tags on for less than half what I paid for it.

I would go for a capsule wardrobe so you have clothes that all go together so you don't have to buy so much. I'm not entirely sure what clothes items are recommended so worth googling.

The white stuff has lots of nice clothes I always think. Primark stuff doesn't last very long

I replaced a lot of my favourite pieces in smaller sizes using Vinted.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to answer and I have looked at all the brands suggested.

i got a skirt from Seasalt Cornwall, it’s a bit too big but wearable.

I couldn’t find anything I liked at Primark (I think I may be too old) or Vinted (too much browsing time looking at pictures of frumpy, wrinkly, outdated clothes) so I ended up getting some dresses with pockets from Boden. Haven’t received them yet, so not sure they will fit - never bought anything there before.

Do you have a local alterations service, for the skirt?

here it is for sale