4 tips to take the struggle out of dressing for fluctuating weight
There are a thousand and one reasons that your weight might change - anything from embarking on a health journey; indulging in delicious food and drink on spring break; that time of the month (hello bloat!); entering menopause; birthing a human; dealing with a serious illness; to having all your routines upended by a sudden life stressor.
Maybe the scale hasn't even changed but you could swear your clothes just aren't fitting the same.
Either way, you're not alone. I have yet to meet a woman who doesn't deal with fluctuating weight.
Being a woman, heck being a human, means you have a body that is literally designed to grow and change throughout your life just as you do. Whether it's from year to year, week to week and sometimes even hour to hour, it's natural and normal for your weight to fluctuate. (If this idea is hard for you to accept, you'll want to check out my recent blog post here.)
Instead of fighting to maintain the same weight and berating yourself when clothes get a little tight, what if you just accepted that your body naturally fluctuates and you purchase clothes with that in mind?
If you're someone who experiences regular weight fluctuation, you can create a wardrobe you love that actually takes into account the reality of a constantly changing body and supports its natural tendency to fluctuate.
From the actual pieces you buy to how you style your look, there are ways you can build a wardrobe that embraces your body, whether it's up 10 pounds, down 10 pounds or just bloated as heck because you couldn't resist that tempting cheese plate at last night's networking event. (No? Just me?)
Here are the four key areas to focus on when it comes to dressing for fluctuating weight.
Know thyself - and thy body
The first key to creating a wardrobe that works with fluctuating weight is to get to know your body by observing how frequently your weight fluctuations happen, where weight loss/gain tends to show up and how much it impacts the fit of your clothes when it does.
For example, if you tend to first notice any change in weight because your pants are either digging into your stomach or starting to fall down throughout the day, your midsection might be where your weight fluctuates and it tends to affect the fit of your bottoms, specifically the waistband, the most.
If it's due to digestive issues this fluctuation could occur daily. If it's thanks to period hormones, it might experience it only monthly. If vacations and holidays affect your weight, then you might fluctuate only a few times a year, however, it's a bigger swing that affects the fit of your clothes more significantly when it does occur.
Armed with this info, you'll know to consider styles that have more stretch and adaptability around the midsection versus, for example, your chest. (Keep in mind, your weight fluctuations can certainly affect more than one area at a time!)
Getting clear on where your weight change happens and whether it's season to season or day to day along with knowing if it's a full size change versus a slight fit change, is key info for successfully putting together a wardrobe that works for your body's natural rhythms.
Invest in adaptable silhouettes
Once you know where weight gain tends to affect you the most, you'll want to invest in pieces that you can adapt and adjust, especially in that area, throughout your ups and downs. Below are a few key pieces to consider.
Dresses
Overall, dresses are the hero of adaptable silhouettes because they can offer such ease and versatility. There are a few silhouettes that are especially helpful when dressing for fluctuating weight.
Wrap dresses
Fully functional wrap dresses (not faux wrap) are fantastic because you can adjust how tightly or loosely you tie the wrap around you. You also can play with how high or low you tie the wrap for comfortable placement around your midsection. If you gain weight in your bust, you can also easily wear a fitted tank top underneath to provide extra coverage in your chest when you're not able to wrap it as tightly around you.
Sheath dress
This dress style can be worn as is and look fabulous for times when your weight is up or down slightly. It can also be layered with a gorgeous blazer, kimono, jean jacket (the possibilities are endless!) for extra coverage when the fit is a little too tight for comfort. When it's feeling a little loose, popping a belt on gives it a tailored fit and adapts it to your current body.
Versatile layers
Layers are a great addition to a weight fluctuation friendly wardrobe since they can be used to add more coverage when you're feeling self conscious. The right pieces can also create a tailored silhouette to keep pieces from looking too sloppy when on the looser side.
One great layering option to have on hand is a killer blazer, either in a structured knit that stretches with you or a boyfriend silhouette that appears perfectly fitted when your weight fluctuates up but also looks intentionally, and stylishly, loose when your weight fluctuates down.
Stretchy jean jackets and vests are another great option for similar reasons.
A statement coat is another great option for throwing on with anything to pull a look together. Buy it slightly oversize and it will see you through a range of sizes without losing an ounce of style!
Loose tees and sweaters
These types of tops are easy to adapt to different weights simply by how you style it and what you pair it with. (We'll get into style tips and tricks more later on in this blog!)
The key is getting a fit that's a little looser so you have some room to grow without clinging or being uncomfortable but can also use that same extra fabric to style it up in ways that create a tighter fit when at a lower weight.
Bottoms with stretch
The COVID-era did one favorable thing in the realm of clothes - it gave us more options with stretch than ever before!
Ponte pants, leggings and stretch denim are the best of the best when it comes to buying bottoms that stretch with you. Ponte pants are a great work alternative to the classic stiff trouser and leggings have gotten a serious makeover and aren't just for athleisure looks anymore. Thanks to fun options like this one from Spanx, you can now rock them for a night out and one size will easily stretch up or down with you over several sizes.
Speaking of stretching with you over a few sizes, some retailers are finally catching up to the demands of real women and producing innovative designs created to span several sizes. Hallelujah, am I right?!
These Good American Always Fits jeans, Universal Standard's pants, and these Roucha pants are designed to fit a size range instead of one specific size. Other companies have created pants with adaptable waists like this Everlane fatigue barrel pant so while it's one specific size, you can adapt the fit based on what's going on with your body any given day.
Have an arsenal of go-to fit hacks
From temporary tailoring to no-sew techniques to fit tools, fit hacks are ways you can adapt your clothes to be a better fit and one of the secrets when dressing for fluctuating weight.
These should be low cost and easy to do in the moment (with the exception of tailoring) such as using fashion tape to keep your button down from gaping at the bust when your chest is fuller than usual.
Waist cinchers and hip huggers are a 3 second solution for nipping in the waist of belted pants and jeans when you're weight is fluctuating down. Another great fit hack is using the ponytail trick or adding an extender to let out the waistline of your jeans when weight is fluctuating up.
To start creating your own list of go-tos, head on over to Pinterest and type in "hacks to make clothes fit better." Save them to a board so you can pull them up whenever you need to adjust your outfit of the day to be a better fit.
Keep in mind that it's usually easier to adjust clothing to fit tighter. You may want to buy clothing that naturally fits well when you're on the high end of your weight fluctuation and use these fit hacks and tools for a tighter fit when you're on the lower end.
Finally, tailoring your clothes isn't a revolutionary tip but it's much more cost effective (especially if it's a favorite of yours!) then buying something new. When buying clothes, look for pieces with extra fabric at the seams. This will allow the piece to be let out, as well as taken in to support your natural weight fluctuations.
Pro-tip: When you get a piece taken in, ask the tailor to leave the seam allowance (instead of trimming it off) so it can be let out again if needed as your weight fluctuates. Yep - you can tailor clothes multiple times!
Use the power of stylizing
These finishing touches not only add extra flair, style and personality to your outfit, they're also a great way to adjust your clothes to accommodate weight ups and downs - a total win-win!
(Psst - can't seem to figure out how to do a front-tuck? Check out this video to have me walk you through it!)
Something as simple as how you tuck your shirt can completely change how your clothes look, whether it's tightening up a too loose top by tucking it all the way in or covering up a bloated tummy with a loose, blousy front-tuck.
Belts are another great option for stylizing a look to create a slimmer fit. Try belting the waist of a sheath dress to give it a more fitted silhouette, slinging it through your belt loops to keep your pants up, or cinching one around a boxy blazer to create a tailored appearance.
Finally, don't underestimate the power of accessories! These are great pieces to invest in because they aren't size/fit related so they're easy to wear whether you're up or down at the moment. You can confidently wear accessories no matter what to always have an outfit that represents you and what you love.
When you create a style you love and that supports the natural rhythms of your body, you're using clothes in one of its most powerful capacities - the ability to be a tool for self-care and self-acceptance so you can fully embrace the beautiful body you live in.
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ABOUT:
I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!
I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.
This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.
When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)