For How Long to Keep Smaller Clothes? Smart or Just Torture?

Updated on January 23, 2012
Y.C. asks from Orlando, FL
14 answers

So finally my closet is finish, kind of.
I have some boxes with my size 0 clothes, then another with my size 2.
And I have hanging my size 4 and a few 6 ( I almost sure some brands love to make me feel bigger, lol), there are just a few pieces since for the pass 3 years I keep telling my self is "the baby weight" lol.
Unfortunately, the "baby" is now 3, and staring school in 1 week, so I have the small feeling is not "the baby weight" any more.
Of course I also keep telling my self, that I WILL lose this weight, so I don't want to let go of my clothes.
Hope is such a strong feeling you know.
I have tried to help my hope by buying very cheap and few clothes, since I have very good clothes size 0 and 2 and I keep looking forward to wear them again.
But I am wonder if this is not hope but just a lie to my self, pure torture?
For how long you keep clothes you love but you haven't be able to wear in 3 years (or more).
Should I just embrace this new curvy me and let go of my old clothes? What if I lose the weight and then I have to buy a bunch of clothes? (yeah, this is what have kept these boxes save for 3 years, lol)

What have you or would you do?

PS: for those who read and advice me about the box of my mom, I finally send it and I do feel much better, now I have to decide what to do with these, sigh!

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So What Happened?

There: yes, indeed some of them are already on her closet, which not always makes my husband happy, specially those that at one point he complement on me, I haven't told my daughter because I can just picture her face, haaa, another good story for when I get old, lol.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

I keep my old clothes for the memories.

I won't ever fit in them again. Even if I got down to prepregnancy weight, my body shape has changed. Someday, when I'm empty nesting, I have 2 quilts to make. A memory quilt of my wild years, and a memory quilt of my son's old clothes.

5 moms found this helpful

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

I kept maybe 3 or 4 pieces of my smaller sized clothes that I knew I would fit into body wise since my hip bone structure changed so much... the others I was iffy about, I gave away. I kept hanging on to them, then I realized by the time they fit, they would be out of style anyways. I'd rather celebrate a new body with a few new and trendy pieces than pull out 5 year old clothes from a box that no longer represented my style and fashion or my changed body shape. So, unless they are classic, well built pieces that you know will remain in style should you lose the weight (and tone up your body, b/c it isn't just weight loss!), I'd donate them and enjoy all the wonderful closet space!

6 moms found this helpful

D.D.

answers from New York on

I donated everything in my closet that didn't fit and it was very liberating. I have been losing weight and as I do I buy new clothes from the consignment shop. Less expensive than a store but new to me. I figured that by the time I'd actually fit into anything in my closet it would be out of style anyways. Why not reward yourself as you lose weight by getting newer stuff?

5 moms found this helpful

~.~.

answers from Tulsa on

Well, I have a whole closet of smaller clothes that I have so that when I do lose weight I'll have something to wear without having to buy everything again. And it's been 5 years since my son was born. I'll get around to it eventually. :)

3 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Well, I guess it's our daughter's turn to be a size 0, sigh.

Is there anything she can use?

:(

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Let somebody else wear the clothes that are the wrong size for you now. GIve them to charity. Some woman will be very thankful.

Concentrate on dressing the body you *have* - beautifully.

Once you have children, your body shape changes. That's just the way it is, and it's all right. You're still as good-looking as you were - but in a different way. Once I had my first, for instance, I had to give away a lot of clothing because my bust size was permanently bigger (so was my shoe size!).

If you really want to lose the weight, I hope you do! But then celebrate by going shopping for stylish clothes, rather than digging out boxes of out-of-date things. You'll even want to get new jeans.

Let the old things go, and like yourself the way you are right this minute. I'm sure you *don't* look terrible, right?

2 moms found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I know exactly what you mean. I have done/still do the same thing. The thing is, part of the answer is what kind of clothes you have. If you are a fairly trendy dresser, then get rid of them. Assuming that you DO get back to that size clothing---you aren't going to want to wear THOSE clothes--they won't still be very fashionable. :/ If, however, they are very staple type clothes (jeans, Tshirts, conservative dresses or suits, PJ's) then you might want to hang onto some of those items.
I have an entire rack of clothes in my closet that I probably should just toss/donate. Because they don't fit quite right, and when they eventually do, I probably won't want to wear them anyway because they won't be all that stylish anymore after the time that has gone by. Some of them I keep so that I can "do projects" in them or "work in the yard" in them.... but I never do. I should get rid of those too.

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J.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

I think that you really have to embrace the new you. It's like on What Not To Wear, Stacy & Clinton always say "Dress the body you have, not the one you want." Even if you do lose "the weight", your body may not be back in the same shape (not out of shape just not the same shape) as it was before the 3 year old. I lost all of my "baby weight", but my breasts were larger, and I was overall curvier after having my son. Clothes pre baby didn't fit or flatter the same way. So you have 3 year old clothes hanging in your closet and lets say it takes you another, oh 1-2 years to get back down to a 0. Even on the outside chance that you are a 0 or 2 in a year or less, your clothes will be 4 years old. Styles change quite a bit in that time and those clothes might not be right or practical for you.

I say you take the clothes you have to a consignment store, get some cash for them and go by yourself a few nice pieces for THIS body you're in. Feel good about yourself now, celebrate the body you have now, and buy clothes to suit you as you change your body over time.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I would say that you know your body best. Most moms hips never go back to the smaller size after giving birth, even C-Sections can still make the hips spread because the baby was down there pretty low.

If your hips are just too big then I would think getting rid of them might be okay. If they are not taking up too much space then stop worrying about it and let it go until you are able to do a long term plan to loose the weight or to find out if your body has just changed beyond going back.

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L.M.

answers from Chicago on

I've kept all my smaller size clothes because I am optamistic *sigh*

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

I would just keep a few favorites. You might get into 1 size down but probably not 2 sizes smaller.

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K.L.

answers from Savannah on

I would save one size down, and get rid of the size 0. Then give yourself a time limit to see some change in your body. Give yourself a few months and work at the body you want. If there is not change in your time limit, then it is time to give then up!

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L.L.

answers from Rochester on

I long ago got rid of anything sized for a teenager. It's just a fact that MOST of us, after having children, will never be the same.

Right now...I save 6, 8, 10. I'm currently in a 12, down from a 16, after my last child...and I know I will eventually make it back to those 6s. I got rid of anything smaller after my first child...I'll never have a stick figure again. I will always have hips, a butt, and boobs now...and I think it's great. It's great to look and feel like a woman!

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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

I would get rid of the smaller clothes. It may take you longer than you think if ever to get to a size 0.

When I was younger I had a dress that I kept around hoping I would get back to that size to wear it. Somehow during a move or two it was lost. I mourned its loss but I am now free of not trying to worry about squeezing me into something that was not meant to be.

I feel everyone has a given size they are going to be in life. That size is the size you find yourself after having babies, losing weight or whatever. This is your true size whether it is a 2 through 18 or more. Own your size and be happy. As one poster mentioned dress the size you are now. Designers put all sorts of sizes on clothing to make you feel better about your size. I have been a 10-12 for dresses and 12-14 for pants most of my life. I am currently at 12 for both and 64.

The other S.

PS No need to wear out of fashion clothes when you lose the weight. If you have clothes that stay current then keep those but all the fade stuff eliminate it.

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