As it sounds like you know, the first rule is to dress the body you have today. Feeling good, or at least OK, about how you look will help you in the long run, as it doesn't feel as hopeless.

Wardrobe Oxygen is a blog that has recently done some posts on wardrobe capsules and doing more with less. I think some of her ideas might be really inspiring to you for how to make the most of what clothes you do purchase. You will want things that mix and match well instead of stand alone pieces.

http://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/2013/05/shopping-with-intention-and-changing.html

http://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/2013/05/if-i-could-start-over-project333.html

She also frequently mentions Gwynnie Bee: http://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/2013/01/gwynnie-bee-in-2013-behind-scenes.html, a subscription to loaner outfits in size 10 and up.

More on the 333 concept:
http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/2013/04/project-333-for-warm-weather-my-search.html?view=timeslide

Can you spend a few hours scouring Marshall's, TJMaxx, Nordstron Rack, etc, wherever has worked for you in the past? Get a few quality pieces in your current/actual size. I did this recently at 40% off LOFT. Maybe counterintuitive, but when I stopped hating my (15 #s over) body because I was wearing a decent outfit, I the had the will to lose the 10 #s (stubborn 5#s to go). GL!

I'm in the same boat OP. I went from a 10/12 to a 12/14 last year during some work crap + accepting we're not going to get pregnant w/o help.

I like Lands End knit dresses with cardigans or suit jackets. So what if the jacket can't button comfortably - as long as it is not ridiculous no one will notice. They wash up nice and you can dress them up or down. I wish I wasn't wearing them for a 2nd summer though : (

I live in the boonies so no recs. but maybe do a search on consignment and see what others suggest. I've had very good luck buying dresses at consignment shops.

Same issue with me for different reasons. For work I bought a couple of wrap dresses (hoping I could still wear them when I lost the weight) from tj maxx (or someplace similar) one black skirt and a couple of shirts. For casual I did buy one pair of jeans in my new, temporary size just so I could feel good about myself in some decent jeans. I stalked Old Navy for sales for a couple of casual tops. I probably spent $150-175 total. I just don't have the time for consignment shopping.

Good luck!!

Anonymous wrote:Op here-- I've thought about that! Any reccs for a good one? I mostly need clothes for work-- dresses, blouses, etc.

I went through the same thing OP. I get lots of great work clothes at Frugalista. There's one at the corner of Irving Street and Mount Pleasant Street NW.

I'm now on the "flip side". I worked really hard since Jan 1 and have slowly lost 15lbs. Cut out pasta, bread, potatoes and rice. Exercised 3-4 times a week, including weights. I feel so much better and have adjusted to smaller portions. Protein is more filling. Now that it's practically summer, my old summer clothes don't fit with this "new" body. It's a good problem to have, and with time, it will be your "problem" too. Hang in there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What have you been wearing the past 2 years?

Also 20 lbs is not 3 dress sizes. It's closer to 1 dress size.

I've been wearing clothes that are increasingly tight and don't fit well, and I hate looking at myself in the mirror. And I'm pretty sure I know what size I wore then, and now. I wish it were only one size. I gained most of the weight in my tummy area, so it's disproportionate.

I'm right there with you, PP, even down to gaining it all in my tummy area (no pear shape here!). I'm 25 lb up and have gone up 4 dress sizes. I'm short.

Anonymous wrote:What have you been wearing the past 2 years?

Also 20 lbs is not 3 dress sizes. It's closer to 1 dress size.

I've been wearing clothes that are increasingly tight and don't fit well, and I hate looking at myself in the mirror. And I'm pretty sure I know what size I wore then, and now. I wish it were only one size. I gained most of the weight in my tummy area, so it's disproportionate.

I am stuffing myself into my old fat clothes. Clothes I almost got rid of because I vowed never to be that fat again. Yet, here I am.

If I were to restrict my calories right now, I would mentally break. So I am chubby for a little while.

Anonymous wrote:What have you been wearing the past 2 years?

Also 20 lbs is not 3 dress sizes. It's closer to 1 dress size.

OP has clearly been wearing clothes that don't fit her for the past 2 years, which is probably a major hit on her self esteem. Most of us have been there, and know it sucks, and understand that sympathy is more helpful than asking stupid questions.

I gained 30 lbs and went up 4 sizes. You obviously have no idea what you're talking about. 20 lbs is one dress size? Do you think women who weight 130 and 150 can wear the same size? Do you think before you type? AHHHH

Anonymous wrote:Consignment stores are your friend!

Agree. My old neighbor shopped at one where she suspected the wife of BET exec sold stuff. Don't go over board but a few nice pieces.

For what is too small (at the moment) purge clothes you never really liked or wore or that are out dated and in need of repairs. Keep the best stuff for when you can wear it again.

What have you been wearing the past 2 years?

Also 20 lbs is not 3 dress sizes. It's closer to 1 dress size.

Op here-- I've thought about that! Any reccs for a good one? I mostly need clothes for work-- dresses, blouses, etc.

Consignment stores are your friend!

I just went through two years of nonstop, awful stress, and gained 20 pounds. I'll lose it-- I don't want to go through life feeling so out of shape and lumpy. But I don't know what to do about my wardrobe in the meantime. Almost none of my clothes fit. Can a tailor let your clothes out that much? (I went up 3 dress sizes.) Should I just buy new clothes? It's going to take at least 6 months to get back to my normal size, I'm sure. I need to look decent for work. Really don't know what to do and am trying to avoid spending so much money on all new clothes.