How to Engage with Slow Fashion When Your Sizes are Fluctuating
As we grow and change, our bodies and weight can also change, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. These perfectly normal physical changes, though, can make shopping and styling feel more frustrating experiences and take some of the fun out of fashion.
Since weight changes and fluctuations are just something that is bound to happen at one or several points in our lives, knowing how to navigate them when it comes to choosing our clothes can help us make sure that fashion keeps on being something that brings joy and allows us to express ourselves and be creative in our everyday lives.
Similarly, navigating size changes sustainably can feel like quite a daunting task. Still, fortunately, there are several sustainability-minded habits and hacks that we can experiment with to make sure that our clothes fit us and make us feel good while still trying to stay as true to our values as possible.
To help you with that, we have created this guide with our best handy tips to keep your slow fashion journey going while your size fluctuates or after it has changed.
When you are not sure, choose the bigger size
If you have ever found yourself unable to choose between two different sizes, wondering if the bigger one will be too baggy on you or the smaller one simply too tight, know that you aren't the only one.
Dealing with the so-called standard clothing sizes can turn shopping for new clothes into a frustrating experience, as clothing sizes can vary greatly and often be downright nonsensical.
If your weight is fluctuating or your size has changed, picking new clothes in the right size for you can be more challenging than usual. If you find yourself in a pickle when shopping for clothes, in most cases, it can be safer to size up, especially if you are shopping online and cannot try the garments on before buying them.
That's because even if the garment turns out to be too large for you, it's tendentially easier to make an item of clothing that is too big still work for you rather than one that is too small as it's easier to manage the extra fabrics than a lack thereof.
This tip might be less helpful for more snug and elastic clothes, like sports leggings or biker shorts. In these situations, a kind email to the brand's customer service team asking for help could be your best bet for picking the correct size.
Stretchy fabrics are your best friends
Stretchy fabrics can be a great choice if your size tends to fluctuate, as even a little bit of elasticity can make the overall fit of a garment much more forgiving.
By picking clothes made of stretchy fabrics instead of stiffer ones, you can ensure that your new garment has more chances of still fitting nicely, even if you gain or lose weight without tugging or looking too loose.
You can quickly tell if a specific clothing item is elastic by checking its fabric composition. Elastane, sometimes called spandex, is used to give clothes elasticity.
Higher percentages of elastane are usually used in sportswear. In contrast, regular clothes tend to have lower ones, but even a small percentage of elastane can significantly and positively affect long-term wearability.
Suppose you don't have any way of checking the garment fabric composition, as can sometimes happen when buying vintage clothes. In that case, gently tug the garment to verify its elasticity level. The more it stretches, the more elastic it is.
Choose more accommodating designs
Some designs and styles are more accommodating than others to weight changes, so knowing which are those can help you make clothing purchases that will fit you beautifully and be comfortable as your body changes.
As a rule of thumb, boxy and flowy shapes are more accommodating than body-con and more structured styles. For example, a pair of palazzo pants made of a drapey fabric could be a safer choice than tailored straight-leg trousers or cigarette pants in a more rigid material.
In addition, oversized clothes like menswear-inspired button-up shirts and blazers or prairie dresses can also be a great choice if your size is fluctuating.
Try bottoms with an elastic waistband
Bottoms can be especially tricky to shop for when your size is fluctuating or after it has changed, as they tend to be less accommodating than tops.
Picking bottoms with an elastic waistband can help ensure your clothes will still fit even if your weight changes.
Elastic waistbands can have a bit of a bad reputation and are seen by some as unfashionable, so if you love to wear fancier outfits, you might be a touch weary of trying them.
In this case, instead of choosing bottoms with a fully elasticated waistband, ones with elasticated side panels or just one in the back can be a great compromise.
Choose clothes made with higher quality materials
The quality level of the fabric and other materials used to make clothes makes a massive difference in their wearability.
That's why choosing clothes made with quality in mind can be helpful when trying to navigate fluctuating sizes.
Genuinely sustainable fashion brands always keep quality in mind when choosing the fabrics for their collections, so they are an excellent destination for those trying to purchase higher-quality clothing.
If you prefer going the second-hand route, choose high thread count clothes made from natural materials such as linen and cotton instead of flimsier ones made of synthetic fabrics.
Give belts and suspenders a try
If more permanent alternations feel too drastic right now, adding a belt to your outfit is by far the easiest way to still wear bottoms that are too big for you.
In addition to being practical, belts can also be your best friend when it comes to styling, as adding one is an easy way to make an outfit look more put-together and intentional, especially if you pair it with your shoes.
If any of your bottoms don't have belt loops or belts feel too constricting, then suspenders can be a great alternative, especially if you wear a lot of tailored or menswear-inspired clothing.
Measure the clothes you feel comfortable in right now
Sometimes when shopping for clothes, especially online, knowing the measurements of the clothes you already own and are comfortable in now can be more helpful than knowing your body's measurements.
That's because sometimes the measurements the brands give you are not body measurements but refer to the garment itself.
So if you have some clothes that still fit or have purchased some new ones that do, try measuring them to make picking the right size next time more manageable.
Choose second-hand clothes when you can
Buying new clothes after a size change can be pretty expensive, which can be quite a problem if you are on a budget.
If you have to purchase new clothing due to a recent size change and want to do it as sustainably as possible, buying them second-hand is a terrific budget-friendly option.
Buying second-hand clothing tends to be cheaper than purchasing its new counterpart, and it's also more sustainable than buying fast fashion clothing for a similar price. So if you need new clothes that fit you properly, consider shopping second-hand first!
Get your clothes tailored to fit you better
Taking your clothes to the tailor for alterations will allow you to wear the clothes you currently own, even if your size has changed, and it is a budget-friendly and sustainable way to update your wardrobe to fit your body.
Tendentially, clothes that are too big for you can more easily be altered to fit you, and you might even be able to take care of those yourself. Still, a skilled tailor can also come up with practical and creative alterations to upsize or even refashion clothes that are too small for you at the moment.
For example, side panels are a fantastic way to upsize a tailored coat, and a dress that fits too tight can be refashioned in a lovely open jacket.
Borrow clothes from your friends and family members
Another way to update your closet sustainably and without spending a fortune is to borrow clothes that fit you from your friends and family members.
As size changes are just a normal part of life, chances are that your older relatives might have something in the closet that fits you even if you two don't have the same size right now. You can also turn it into a social occasion and host a swap party at your place to make it more fun.
Borrowing clothes from your friends and family instead of buying them new can also be a great idea if you have some event like a friend's wedding and none of your more elegant clothes fit you anymore.
P.S. Remember that your size doesn't define you at all and that changes in weight and size are just a part of life. Your clothes have to fit you, not the other way around.
About the Author
Roberta Fabbrocino is a journalist specialized in climate change and sustainability-related topics. Her articles have been published in several international eco-publications. Roberta also works as a content writer for sustainable companies.
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