My mom and I are celebrating her birthday by visiting Seattle for some shopping at the Nordstrom Half-yearly Sale! We have an appointment with one of the personal shoppers and we get to go to the pre-sale (special for members only) and everything. I’m very excited.
Sadly, I’m not at my goal weight of 150lbs (my 101 in 1001 goal is/was to not buy any new clothes until I hit that number on the scale). Shopping like this is something I don’t get to do very often though, so I’m going to buy some new stuff even though I’m not where I wanted to be weight-wise. Most of my money is going to go toward buying new shoes, and any clothes I purchase will be a bit too small in the hope that I will shrink into them. What do you think, do I have to count this as a goal I didn’t reach? Or if I buy things that will fit when I’m at 150 lbs, am I good to go?
On the left is a collection of clothing items that have caught my eye (no black, big deal for me), and I’ve left out accessories because other than purses I feel like those are things I can pick up at a thrift store or on Etsy. I need a nice pair of boots, I’m still hunting for the perfect pair of heels to shoot weddings in, and I need a pair of flats for cool-toned outfits and a pair of flats for warm-toned outfits. Most of my money will be spent on shoes today. In the bottom right are a few things I want to get for TH, and T1 desperately needs a new pair of shoes. Maybe grandma can help me out with that one? 
July 6th, 2011 on 10:59 am
I think it’s a really bad idea to buy clothing with the hope that you’ll fit into it later. Wouldn’t you rather have clothing that fits you and makes you feel beautiful now? You look awfully good right now - you should reward all your hard work.
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 11:06 am
My personal view is to wait to buy new clothes until you are at the weight you want to be at-especially if you’re going to buy them at Nordstroms. You’ve done awesome with consignment shops and always looks nice (at least in the pictures you take you look great!) I know that for me, when I lost weight, there was a HUGE difference in how I thought clothes would fit versus how they actually fit. Plus, do you really know what size you’ll be when you get to your goal weight??
I’m not saying this to discourage you. I know that you and TH live on a tight budget and to spend the money now on high quality clothes when you still have weight to lose seems counter-productive. Maybe take the money you’d spend and put it in a jar on the counter in the kitchen at home. Every time you’re tempted with something, you can see that jar and see the money for your new clothes staring at you…that’d be a HUGE motivation for me!
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 11:16 am
I know a lot of people advise against purchasing something a tad small in hopes of fitting into it but I’m actually an advocate. I’m a big believer in motivation and what better way to get motivated than by a fantastic new dress that you are SO CLOSE to fitting into? You have a good head on your shoulders and aren’t (in my opinion) suffering from any body dysmorphia or eating disorder so I see no harm in it at all. That said, shoes always fit ?
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 11:19 am
I shop every year at the half-yearly sale for my Fall clothes, since that is what they are debuting. I see nothing wrong with going a little smaller since you likely won’t wear most of these items until October/November. Aside from that, try to get jeans at the sale! I alternate each year: jeans one year, coats the next, with a few top sprinkled in each time =) Have fun!
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 11:20 am
Hmm. I can’t remember how far away you are from 150, but unless you’re only a few pounds away, I think it’s a bad idea to buy clothes that you can’t wear right now. I know you expect to get to 150 and I know you will do it, but if you can’t wear them now, it seems like a waste of money. Plus, if you’re more than a couple pounds away from that goal, how can you really be sure what will fit well and look good when you get there?
I love some of your choices though, especially that coral dress!
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 11:42 am
I have to echo everyone else who suggests not to buy clothes that don’t fit right now/buy smaller clothes that you hope to fit into later. When you actually get to your goal weight, you may find that the clothes you bought hoping you’d be a certain size and shape don’t fit you perfectly, and what a way NOT to celebrate reaching a major goal!
I think there’s no harm in the cardigans and sweaters that you posted, though, which tend to be pretty forgiving as far as fit so if you’re not the exact shape you expected they might still fit properly.
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 11:54 am
I’d wait to buy clothes until you’re at the weight / size you feel good about for yourself.
I’m finding that the post pregnancy weight I’m trying to lose is sitting really differently than any weight I’ve ever had. With that bit of knowledge, I’ve been hesitant to buy anything that “might” fit later … I could have guessed what might have looked good on me pre-pregnancy, but I really think that my body shape may have changed a bit, so I’d wait. I bought a couple of outfits from Old Navy because they were on sale 6 months ago and I’m still not wearing the pants.
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 12:10 pm
The half-yearly sale already happened, but the Anniversary Sale is starting on the 15th. Is that what you mean? The half-yearly sales generally don’t have as wide of a selection but the Anniversary sale usually rocks!
Reply
Jenna Reply:
July 6th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
I meant Anniversary sale, for which presale started yesterday. I don’t know why I keep mixing those up!
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 12:13 pm
I would also wait to buy clothes. I used to buy clothes that were a tad small, but when I lost weight, I found that my body didn’t look how I expected to, and I had wasted a LOT of money on clothing that was too small. I know you hate to waste money, so if something doesn’t look good on you now, don’t buy it. I think it’s fine to buy stuff that looks good now and will look great in 10lbs, and also Nordstrom has an amazing return policy, so if you can buy stuff and return it in 6mos if you don’t meet your goal, then I would say go ahead.
Oh, and shoes aren’t clothes. Although I did find my shoe size shrank when I lost weight, but shoes are necessary and are harder to thrift.
Reply
Sara Reply:
July 6th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Yes! What is it with shoe size changing with weight? So frustrating! When I gained 60 pounds after high school, I went up a size. Now I’ve lost about 35 of those pounds, and I’m down the size. Pregnancy so far has not affected my shoe size, and I worry about where I’ll go when I hopefully lose another 20 pounds. I’m already a 5.5, I can’t afford to be any smaller. Size 5 shoes are near impossible to find!
Reply
Ellie Reply:
July 6th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
You actually have fat pads on your feet that affect your shoe size! I had no idea until I lost weight, and my shoe size was the first thing to change. It seems to stabilize somewhat - if you’ve already gone down a size, I doubt you’ll go down any more. I have no idea about pregnancy, that’s not something I’ve experienced yet, but from my friends, their shoe sizes didn’t change until the last month or two.
Reply
Tiffany Reply:
July 6th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
my feet actually get wider after each baby. i have a lot of friends that are the same way. so yes even your feet change with weight and pregnancies. my shoes NEVER feel as comfortable after each child. it drives me slightly bonkers!
Reply
Katrina Reply:
July 6th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
It’s because of the loosening of ligaments. Just like our stomachs are never really the same after having a baby neither are out feet.
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 3:12 pm
As you have heard from many of your responders…bad idea to buy something that you think you will fit into later. Weight loss doesn’t guarantee that something will fit, plus, you may lose in some areas and not others. I like your choice of boots and shoes. Have fun!
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 3:27 pm
How far away from 150 are you? If it’s not very far then I’d get things that fit now and will still fit then. As someone else said it can be a bit tricky to know where you’ll lose the weight from, so I’d stick to things that are forgiving in their fit rather than the perfectly tailored dress. Buy as many shoes as you want!
As for the 101 in 1001, I’d say technically you won’t have achieved this one if you buy clothes. But I started the 101 in 1001 just after you (you inspired me to make a list) and there’s one I have already not achieved. But I’m trying, and I figure the whole idea is to motivate you to make the changes you want to see in your life. Even if you break you’re thrift-buying for this sale, as long as you’re still motivated about your goals I think it doesn’t matter if you don’t achieve all of your list!
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 6:48 pm
Thankfully Nordstrom has a great return policy so it’s not the end of the world if you buy now and end up returning. However, like the others, I would also vote against buying clothes that are too small now because you just don’t know how they will fit you later. I think it’ll be a more positive experience to continue working towards your goal weight and rewarding yourself with clothes then, rather constantly feeling like you’re working to “squeeze” into something you purposely bought too small. :T
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 8:13 pm
Well the anniversary sale is an awesome sale! Plus with Nordstrom you can ALWAYS return ANYTHING with or without tags. That being said, my vote is to live on the reward side and BUY something pretty, sexy, and awesome! Plus like so many dieting women you may be feeling disappointed by not reaching you ideal goal, a new outfit could be just the thing you need for that extra push! I think it’s a great idea! I am going tomorrow to the pre-sale and CAN’T wait! Best of luck to you!
Reply
July 6th, 2011 on 11:39 pm
I haven’t read the other comments but buy what fits you now and then get it tailored. You have to tailor good pieces anyways and Nordys has in house tailors.
Reply
July 7th, 2011 on 11:32 am
I would wait, because if I’ve learned anything from Stacey & Clinton it’s to buy clothes for YOUR body, not the body you want. My suggestion is to splurge on accessories like a purse or shoes and maybe pick up some more moderately price/more cheaply made items at places like TJ Maxx or Marshalls etc to get you through & still let you feel fabulous. You are rockin’ the weight loss, lady!
Reply
July 8th, 2011 on 11:20 am
I have purchased a few things hoping they will fit me at goal weight and it’s worked out okay. I think you just have to know yourself and what you are capable of weight loss wise.
I think you look GREAT by the way. You’ve definitely inspired me to work harder on my weight loss efforts.
Reply
July 10th, 2011 on 8:38 am
Oh how fun! I know you already shopped most likely, but I just wanted to say ooh how I love the Anniversary sales. Honestly: here’s the thing…the stuff is going to go back to full price a few weeks later, so if there is something that you love at that sale, you should totally buy it. I always do that. Last year, I bought an awesome pair of boots that I thought were perfect. But: since you can’t wear boots here in FL until October/November, I had to hold on to them and wait. Well, turns out I found a new pair that I loved, so I just exchanged them. The frustrating part of the Anniversary sale for me is that I know something better is totally going to come along a few weeks down the road. Thank goodness that Nordy’s return policy is…well…nonexistent! Hooray for the ability to return!
Reply