Massive, help me look halfway decent while I climb this mountain

[Lostinsideastory]

I’m very overweight now, around the 15 stone mark and only 5’2 so it’s really showing.

My plan is to start a diet properly on 1 April. I don’t want to set myself up to fail and Mother’s Day and some birthdays mean I almost certainly would.

I might start a thread elsewhere about my weight loss journey. But I wondered if anyone could help with clothes. I’ve had two babies between 2020-2023, both times I lost a lot of pregnancy weight initially but then it went back on and more as well when I went back to work.

As a result I have a wardrobe full of lovely clothes that just don’t fit. I obviously don’t want to spent a lot on clothes but right now I do look scruffy. I think I’m around a size 22/24.

I am a teacher so nothing massively smart is needed. On my days off I need casual but nice casual.

I like pastels and spring is best for this. Also need advice on footwear that is comfortable and practical but pretty!

I have just got some Marina Rinaldi tops and Ulla Popken tops from Vinted. They are both good companies for clothes. Simply Be and JD Williams and Yours are worthwhile and you should get some reasonable workwear things from Simply Be and Yours. M&S is also worth considering. Vinted is excellent as you will not need to spend too much to get some worthwhile clothes .All the best with your diet.

I forgot to add Marina Rinaldi brand new are an expensive range. If you want new things from Ulla Popken they do have a website. I still have a few things from when I went to Berlin from 2003 from Ulla Popken so they do last.

Marina Rinaldi looks stunning (I’ve just looked) but definitely outside of my budget, probably even second hand.

Brands I like are fat face, joules, sea salt, white stuff, monsoon sometimes boden, but that’s high end for me. Mixed in with new look and Tesco!

Ah, not looking for recommendations for actual mountain climbing then. Walking trousers are more flattering than walking leggings and get real wool walk8mg socks

Bag your clothes and put them in the attic.

Buy yourself a capsule wardrobe from vinted. Maybe five work dresses that you can wash at weekends. A few pairs of jeans. Two jumpers. Some tees.

You could also reflect on what is it about birthdays and special occasions that disrupt your eating to the extent that they cause significant weight gain. Maybe go for weight loss that has some flexibility like 5-2

@CinnamonJellyBeans as I’ve said I’m not setting myself up to fail - I’m actually going to be doing a meal replacement plan and I know not everyone agrees with them which is fine. But there’s obviously no point starting that when I’m going to be going to restaurants in this next week. It won’t cause significant weight gain but I’m planning on starting my diet on Tuesday 1 April because that feels right for me

Thanks for the advice: I really don’t like Vinted but will have a look.

And the website simply be has many well priced plus sized clothes. Regular discounts and you can try on the garments and get free returns.

I spent my £50 Nationwide bonus on 4 tops from Marina Rinaldi sellers so on Vinted the range is not too expensive. A lady on MN was recently building a capsule wardrobe and one of the replies suggested 5 tops were all that is needed as that way she had a different top for work.