The good news: Your hard work has paid off; you're halfway to your goal weight and most of your clothes are swimming on you.
The bad news: Though you're looking great underneath your clothes, your now-droopy blouses and baggy pants aren't showing off your sleek new self. Rather than drop hundreds of dollars on a whole new wardrobe that you'll probably need to replace again in a few months, try these tricks and tips for looking stylish as you slim down.
1. Shop in your own closet.
You may find some "skinny clothes" hidden in the back that can be the basis of your in-between wardrobe. If not, take a second look at your current-size clothes. "Start looking at clothes in a different way," suggests New York-based fashion expert Sharon Haver. "A baggy blazer, shirt or shirt-dress can be worn as an open coat over a slimmer silhouette." Too-large dress shirts can be cinched with a belt to accentuate your figure.
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2. Host a clothing swap—or rent!
Your friends may have just the pieces and sizes you need (and vice versa). Invite them over for a try-on-and-trade session and you'll all walk away winners. Dreaming of catwalk-worthy threads? Rent four dresses, tops, jackets, bottoms, jewelry, or handbags perfect for work, weekends, and beyond and wear them for as long as you want. Then, swap them out whenever you’re ready for something new.
3. Buy a few key pieces.
"Look for things that fit close to your body, rather than baggy clothes," Haver recommends. "They won't look ridiculously oversized later on as you lose more weight." Don't blow your budget on the priciest brands; these key pieces are still transitional, so you probably won't be wearing them for very long. Simple, straight-leg black pants with a little bit of stretch are easily dressed up or down for casual or work events. Likewise, an A-line stretch skirt is a versatile piece. And a few well-fitting T-shirts or knit tops will show off your svelte frame and allow you to wear some of the baggier bottoms in your closet. "If you're wearing baggy bottoms, you need to wear something slim on the top to balance it out," Haver says.
4. Splurge on great accessories.
A wide slide-ring belt can cinch baggy clothes and you won't have to worry about running out of belt holes. And of course, you could always use great shoes. "Nothing looks better than a really good, sexy pair of high heels," Haver says. "They make you look slimmer and taller, and they always make droopy clothes look better."
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