I’m finding losing weight to be mostly a blessing, but it does have its curses too. Like in the pants department.
About a year ago, I conceded to myself that I had to buy some bigger work-appropriate pants because I couldn’t squeeze one more moment out of the size I was trying to wear. I made an investment, spending quite a bit of money on some really good pairs and spending some more money on getting some of those pants hemmed because at the size I was wearing a girl is not supposed to be 5-foot-3, according to the fashion industry. I found some really great items that I’ve lived in for the past year.
Well, of course they’re all now fall-off-my-body too big. Sure, I can get them on which is better than what I was dealing with a year ago, but they kind of defeat the purpose of having a better body after losing weight and make me look like I don’t know how to clothe myself and that is unacceptable.
So, you’d think that means it’s time to go back to wearing the old pants, right? Nope. In an effort to limit the amount of clutter in my life, I of course gave most of them away save a pair of jeans and hot pink J. Crew pants that I couldn’t bear to part with. I can only wear those so many times in a row before someone starts to ask why I wear jeans to work so often or man, I must really love pink. (The answer to the second part is no, not really. I just like to wear a bold color every now and then.)
I certainly don’t mind shopping for new pants, but I also hope (HOPE) to drop one more pants size before this is all said and done. It took me about 10 weeks to drop one size, so if I keep up my current pace, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to spend a lot of money buying pants and getting them hemmed.
I had a 10% off coupon for Target that expired yesterday, so I stopped by the Big Bullseye on the way home hoping to find some pants that would tide me over. I found some that fit, but you know what? Target apparently doesn’t believe in petite length pants, unless it’s in workout gear, which is pretty much the one style I don’t mind extra-long pants. YOU HEAR THAT TARGET? HOW ABOUT SOME LOVE FOR THE SHORT LADIES? I really, really don’t want to have to get a pair of Target pants hemmed just to wear them for a couple of months.
I plan on hitting up Old Navy and the Gap armed with coupons this weekend in hope for a little more success, as they often carry the shorter length pants.
Anywho, I didn’t do a Weight Watchers post last week because I was uber busy with work and my parents coming to town and ended up breaking completely even on the weigh in — no gain, no loss.
This week I got a couple of really good runs in. I’m almost to the point where I’m running 2 miles without stopping. It’s hard as crap, but I feel so good doing it. I’m thinking about changing my planned 1-mile run in the Race for the Cure in October to a 5K. I may have to walk some of it, but I doubt it would be much.
Anyway, here’s my total for this week:
-lost 1.8 pounds this week
-minus 10.8 pounds since the start of Weight Watchers 12 weeks ago
-minus about 14.5 pounds since I started keeping track four months ago.
Target pants are a good non-investment being between sizes (I have them in everything from a 1 to a 9 — all from the last two years, ACK!)
Anyway, being 5’4″, they’re all way too long, and agreed — not worth the investment of a tailor. I use safety pins or just a quick “X-stitch” near the side of the bottom hem . 🙂
Listen, I went to Old Navy the other day and it was like suddenly “average” length pants were meant for little people. NO JOKE. I need some love for the tall ladies because at least you shorties get a “petites” section. What do we have? “Amazons” section?
Being in the 5’3″ to 5’4″ range is the worst. We’re too short for the “Regular” length, and too tall for a lot of the “Short” or “Petite” pants.
Not to mention the fact that, when you’re a working girl (not THAT kind of working girl), you basically have to have two sets of dress pants: The pants you wear with boots and high heels, and the pants you wear with flats.
And men wonder why we are cranky. It’s not PMS, it’s P-A-N-T-S.
Mel: You may be on to something.
NPW: The man is trying to keep us both down. Really, petite stuff doesn’t ever fit me right either.
Candy: Ha, ha, ha. So true. I’m going to try that on the next guy who brings up PMS.
Whoa. You’re short!
Awesome progress!! I’m totally jealous.
I dislike the pant size in the middle that doesn’t exist. It drives me nuts. One size is way too loose but the other is way too tight.
Why don’t you sell some of your too big nice pants at a consignment shop? That way you could at least get some money back from what you spent, and use it for tailoring or for smaller pants that are the right length. Then at least your bigger pants aren’t a complete loss!
I’m just afraid to buy pants, and I’ve never actually gotten a pair hemmed before. I should look into that, since I seem to always fall between inseam lengths.
I’m around 5’4″ and I feel your pain on pant lengths. I find the only place I can buy pants that fit me is at Ann Taylor in the petite section. Of course, they’re outrageously expensive so I can only shop the clearance racks. I got an e-mail this past week though saying there was a 60 percent off sale going on, so if you have one nearby you might find some good bargains.
Good job on the weight loss! I, in my early stages of a new routine, am tres happy for you!
I am a big lover of hem tape. Fold to where you want it to be and iron on and voila! Hemmed pants (also I find that the length changes a little bit as my thighs thin so its easy to rehem them if necessary as well!
OMG I am totally with you on this. Last year when I had already lost weight, I bought new work pants and now they’re too big for me again! Crap. I have to go pants shopping again because it would cost too much to alter them. Darn
Aside from the pants debacle, this is really awesome! Good for you!
i have 8 pairs of pants that i a refuse to get ride up because i will put them back on my body. i will!
I’m not sure I’ve ever had this problem but would love to!!
Old Navy has great short pants! Unlucky for us most of the time they only make those available on their online site. You can also check out the SJP line bitten. They carry a lot of different styles of pants in short sizes! I love her line!
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