Have you gained weight during the pandemic? I have – and I know I’m not alone. So, I wanted to provide some tips on getting dressed after you’ve gained weight. But to be clear – this is not an article about how to look thinner. This is not a discussion of using clothes to camouflage extra pounds. This is not a guide of ‘figure flattering’ outfits. Instead, I’d like to share ideas about how you can get dressed after weight gain. How you can enjoy your wardrobe when you’ve recently put on some pounds. And especially if you’re not sure if your current weight is temporary.

The reason I said all that is because the underlying message in a lot of these articles is that you’re trying to look smaller. That you want to hide your size. That you’re ashamed of what you look like right now. And that’s not the message I want to convey. I’d just like to provide advice to help make getting dressed easier if you’re bigger than you used to be. So, here are a few strategies that you can use (and that I’m using right now, too).

By the way – there won’t be any photos in this post, because I don’t want to send any messages or judgements about a specific size. So you just get the cover image of me 😉

TRY IT ALL ON

I know this may sound elementary – but you need to try on anything that you’re not 100% sure about (I tried on all my summer clothes last weekend). And I’m saying this because I’ve been in enough closets to know that sometimes it’s easy to keep wearing the same handful of clothes over and over, rather than trying things on. If you’re not sure what fits and what doesn’t, trying everything on is the only way you’ll figure it out. Here are a few tips:

Go through your closet one section at a time – This is exactly the way I do a closet audit with clients (read more of my closet audit tips here). Start with tops and try things on. Separate what fits from what doesn’t. And then move on to bottoms and jackets and dresses, etc.

Put what fits where it’s easy to reach – Even if it’s a small subset of your entire wardrobe, place what fits right now in an easy to access location. This may be the first few feet of hanging space when you open your closet doors or eye level shelves (or whatever works for you). And then put everything that doesn’t fit somewhere less accessible, that you don’t need to look at every day.

Figure out what may work that you didn’t realize – You may be surprised by what still fits. Knits, sweaters and stretchy bottoms may still work, even if they don’t fit exactly how they did before. And it’s totally okay if cardigans and jackets don’t close, as long as they basically fit otherwise.

FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU NEED

Look at what fits. And then think of what’s missing, since there may be some key things that you’re lacking in your current size (my biggest initial need was pants). Whether it’s good jeans, basic t-shirts or an easy dress, there are staples that will allow you to get dressed every day and make complete outfits.

No, I don’t suggest buying an entire new wardrobe. Think of it more like a capsule of high priority styles that you wear all the time. Make a list, shop strategically and check out these tips for a successful shopping trip if you need a little guidance.

PLAY UP YOUR ASSETS

I always tell clients to play up their assets and their favorite features – and that still works when you’re a bigger size. If you like your legs, wear skirts and dresses to show them off. If you love your curves, wear body-skimming styles that highlight your shape. Draw attention to your shoulders with off-the-shoulder sweaters. Wear tops in colors that make your eyes sparkle. Whatever your focus, select styles that accentuate your favorite parts of you.

DON’T HIDE

A common reaction to gaining weight is wanting to hide in oversized clothes. Because wearing something that may be too big feels better than the possibility of wearing styles that are too tight. But instead of going to either extreme, how about wearing clothes that skim your frame? Styles that fit well (that still show your shape) will always feel better when you look in the mirror.

WATCH YOUR PROPORTIONS

If your body shape has changed, balancing your frame may be different than it was before. But one method that works on most any figure is calling out your waist. And I don’t mean that you need to wear tight tops or cinch your belt. Styles with shape, drawstring waists and even pushing up your sleeves are subtle ways to call out your waist and balance your proportions. Read this for more details on highlighting your waist.

And here’s one thing I didn’t want to forget about, that I probably should have put at the top of the list. Give yourself some grace. Don’t punish yourself for gaining weight. Weight gain happens, weight loss happens. And you can be happy in clothes, no matter your size.

P.S. If you’re not already getting Style Mail, what are you waiting for? Style Mail is practical, actionable style advice to make getting dressed easier and fun. Click right here to get style inspiration directly from me, twice a month.