I've shed 12 stone 11 lbs over the past 3 years, down from 160kg to 79, and from a size 34 to a size 16. It took me far too long to accept that my clothes were falling off and I needed to buy replacements.
In fact it was a pair of size 36 knickers turning inside out, hanging upside down from the crotch for a few desperate steps as I clenched my thighs in a vain attempt to hold them up, (my hands were full so I couldn't grab them) then dropping to the ground that finally convinced me the time had come to invest in smaller undies. Luckily I was alone, and walking down the path in my own garden rather than in the middle of a crowded supermarket, a small mercy.
The next size I bought was 28, then a few months later I ordered a dress in size 26 thinking I'd keep it until I could squeeze inside, but when I tried it on it fit better than the size 28.
I recently spotted a silk cami in a sale, I would have ordered size 18 but it was one of those shops that considers 16 to be huge, and who have no interest in serving customers who are fatter than that. 16 was their largest size, and silk charmeuse has no stretch, but it was just exactly what I'd been looking for, and reduced to half price in the sale. I thought I'd hang it up for a couple of months and hope to be able to wear it this summer. When it arrived and slithered out of the paper I couldn't resist trying it on, not expecting to be able to tug it down over my boobs. Instead it just dropped and hung beautifully. So now it seems I'm a size 16, which explains why the size 18 dresses I bought in anticipation of warmer weather are already a bit flappy in the breeze.
I used to have a load of lovely size 34 and 36 clothes, very well made, in lovely colours, natural materials, comfortable and pockets galore! All long since gone to the charity shop, apart from my expensive waterproof, breathable jacket in size 36 that hangs on the back of the kitchen door to be pulled on when having to venture down the garden in the pouring rain. It used to fit snugly, but now the wind gets underneath and fills it like a sail. I can't justify spending money on expensive high quality garments when they are only going to fit for a few months, so I've been buying a few cheap things in each new smaller size.
I vowed that when and if I ever managed to get down to a size 14 I'd treat myself to a bum length cashmere cardigan, in vibrant cobalt blue, with pockets. I may have to start looking, those posh cashmere companies seem to mostly go for subtle, elegant, subdued shades, so it could take a while to track down one that is properly bright blue, isn't cropped, and has pockets.
I'm hoping that I'll manage to get down to a BMI of 24.9 and a size 14, because then I will be able to restock my wardrobe with nice things that might cost a bit more but will "see me out" as gran used to say.