Cheapest way to buy new set of clothes?

mummy_dumpling

I have lost 2.5 stone in the past 3-4months and now barely have any clothes that fit me. I've gone from a size 24/26 to 18/20. I don't want to spend a fortune on clothes as I'm still losing weight.

We're going on holiday in 3 weeks and I don't have enough clothes to take with me. Am half tempted to buy a clothes bundle off ebay but would it be cheaper to go looking in charity shops or carboots instead?

I live in a really rural area and the nearest clothes shops/charity shops/car boots are 40mins away so don't get to check them out very often - need to work out a plan of action asap

Hope this is the right forum for this question

thanks

sharronloves2spend

firstly well done on your weightloss!!! You say your going on holiday what sort of holiday is it?? Beach or walking???

What i personally would do is make a list of your basic items i.e jeans/trousers/skirts and add a about 4-5 different tops, these could be simple t-shirts or more patterned or whatever you like. I would then buy them as cheap as possible. Sales usually start mid july, (next is on the 17th) and order the stuff off the website, peacocks also have a website and worth a look.

I don't really like bundles off ebay, i find that it's usually one or two good items are thrown with tat to make it look as though your getting a lot. I would do this again untill i get to the size i am comfortabel with, then invest in a capsule (oooo don't get me started on that one!!)

HTH Lots of love Sharron
o

emmzy

well done on losing the weight

Have you got a local freeshare or something like it? try putting a add on classifieds and see if anyone answers i do that alot with my old clothes or do you have any friends around the same size? talk them into sorting out their wardrobes me and my sister end up buying something then deciding we dont like it and givin it to the other one. good luck with the future weight loss

mummy_dumpling

ooh thanks - hadn't thought of freecycle - will give that a go first

we're going to Butlins for a week - so just need some summery clothes and a cossie (eek!) I only have 2 pairs of combats and 2 tshirts that look ok now - everything else is too big and baggy. Just want to look ok in any photos we take and have enough clothes to last a week without washing.

whatatwit

Well done you.

Could you try on your existing stuff and see if any of it can be altered to fit better?
Maybe running in skirts down the seams, or adjusting tops?

If you try stuff on inside out and then pin it down the seams, turn it the right way and see how it looks.

Charity shops can be very hit & miss unless you are a size 8 or 10. I've been mooching recently and there is very little in a size 18 or 20 and round here, tops start at £3.

If you are going somewhere hot for your holidays, then looser fitting stuff would be a bonus

Keep it up

freyasmum

I agree, alter what you can of your own - put darts into the trousers, etc - and buy only the bare minimum.

The charity shops aren't great round here, and I've never bought clothes from a bootsale - personally though I think some people expect too much for a used garment and, unless it's designer, would rather buy cheaper and new.

Oh! Asda have some great swimming gear - I got mine for £8!

taka

Well done on your weight loss!

Have you got any tops that are maybe a size too big that you could still wear if you bought a belt to make them more fitted?

Have you had a look on the M&S website? There are loads of t-shirts for £5 (or 2 for £8) (mostly plain but with loads of colour choices, some stripey and some with simple patterns) with some
dressier/patterned/less plain stuff coming in ~£12/top (look in the short sleeved top section. Jeans start at £12/pr, trousers at £9.50 and skirts at £12. Delivery is £3.50

If you are really bored of plain stuff you could always buy some accessories - broaches or statement jewellery that you can continue to wear as you continue to loose weight but can draw the eye away from a plain t-shirt...

eyeonspain

I would avoid the ebay bundle too. You have worked so hard to achieve this weight loss, the least you owe yourself are four of five mix and match items from the sales. I would try the sales in the following online:

Evans
Dorothy Perkins
New Look I believe do size 16+

Taka's idea is good about Marks and Spencer and the trendy jewellery that you can continue to wear as you lose weight.Make sure you get some bold pieces that larger ladies can carry off so well. Get a good fitting bathing suit from BHS or Marks and Spencer with some coordinating flip flops and a sarong and you will feel fabulous on your hols;)

Lobell

Well done on the weight loss. I'm in the same position as I've also lost 2.5 stones and have no clothes that fit either and plan to lose more so don't want to spend a fortune on new stuff.

New Look have a good sale on at the minute so if you can get to one you should be able to get enough pieces to see you through your holiday. All the items in the sale are from their early summer stock so quite a few skirts, dresses and summery tops. I bought 6 or 7 pieces and it came to less than £50. I'll sell most of them on ebay when they get too big for me as long as they're still in good nick.

vtmil

Hi,

Well done on the weight loss - that is seriously fab. I've just started my journey and have lost 7lbs so far. I had no decent summer clothes so brought a couple of cardie - type things and cheap vest tops for underneath. i figure that I could change the vest tops as i get smaller but keep the cardies- they will just be a bit baggy (hopefully!). For trousers I just brought some cheap (£5 - £8) ones from Asda and peacocks.

Have a nice holiday

Vtmil

FairyShazza

Well done on your weight loss

I recently lost a bit of weight and I had a good old sort out and put a lot of my old clothes that were too big for me on Ebay as single items. Yes it took a while but I made about £100 which I then used to buy a few capsule pieces in a smaller size.

I buy a lot of clothes off Ebay. I know what brands fit me the best and what sizes I need from each place, I then do a search to see what is on Ebay in my size from that store at the moment clothes don’t seem to be getting much so you can actually pick up some lovely items at great prices.

I also buy a lot of clothes from car boot sales if you are happy to spend a few hours on a Sunday walking around then you can get some fantastic bargains. I got a beautiful skirt at my local car boot for £1.50 yesterday brand new with the tags still on – originally it was £35! You can then wear these items until you need to go down another size and then repeat the process again.

What I have also been doing is putting some cash away each month so that when I reach a weight/size I am happy with I can go out and have a massive spend up and completely revamp my wardrobe. I am more than happy to have second hand stuff for the time being while my weight is changing as in the end I will get a load of new stuff.

Also try Peacocks they do a good range and their clothes are quite inexpensive so you can buy a few things which you can mix and match and they won’t break the bank.