GLP-1 Weight Loss Clothing Tips: How to Dress Through Every Size
Losing weight on a GLP-1 like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound brings a lot of changes to your body, often in a relatively short amount of time. That’s really exciting – but can also leave you stuck with a bunch of clothes that no longer fit quite right. It seems like overnight the jeans that cut off your circulation now sag in all the wrong places. If you’re on a GLP-1 journey like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, these GLP-1 weight loss clothing tips will help you adjust your wardrobe as your body changes sizes.
When I started my GLP-1 journey in 2021, I was not at all prepared for how fast I would zoom through sizes as I lost 100+ pounds. I started out a tight size 18 and hit 16, 14, 12 and 10 in quick succession before finally landing at a comfortable size 8 last year. That’s six different sizes in about two years!
Looking back there are a few budget-friendly things I could have done better to make sure I was wearing clothes I liked that actually fit me well. If you’re on your own journey with Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound, here are a couple of ideas to help you look good without having to flip your wardrobe with every 10-15 pound loss.
Start with what you already have to work with from your pre-GLP-1 wardrobe
From a clothing perspective, my GLP-1 timing was good. I was working at home and we still weren’t 100 percent back from Covid, so yoga pants and t-shirts were my staples. Size XXL yoga pants can still fit a size large body – they may just be a little loose.
As long as your pants aren’t actually slipping down, you can throw a long shirt over your looser pants and you’re good. Camis are another staple, especially if you wear v-necks like I do (crewnecks make me feel like I’m being strangled). If the v-neck starts to dip too low, just put a cami under it. They also work under a cardigan or a blazer.
While you’re looking through your clothes, don’t forget the “someday this will fit” pile that’s in the closet of every woman whose ever struggled with her weight. You may think you can’t fit into those “someday” jeans but you might be very surprised when they zip right up!
Decide What Really Needs to Fit: Smart Wardrobe Choices on a GLP-1 Journey
Your whole wardrobe can’t be oversized shirts and loose yoga pants, tempting as that is. Think about which pieces of clothing you really want to fit perfectly. Sweaters? T-shirts? Dresses for work? For me, it was jeans. I don’t wear jeans much (even post-Covid), but when I do I want them to fit. I definitely don’t want – as my son in the clothing industry calls it – “diaper butt.” I worked hard to lose weight so the last thing I want is the butt of my jeans dipping to mid-thigh.
Once you figure out what you want to fit well, ask yourself two important questions: 1) How often do I wear that item or items? 2) How long do I expect to stay at this weight? It takes roughly 10 pounds to move to another size, so if you’re a quick GLP-1 responder, you’ll probably zip through sizes every 6-8 weeks. If you are recording your weight, take a look at the trends and see when you changed sizes.
That can help you predict how often you’ll need to size down. Can you get by on one pair of jeans in your new size? Can you buy one simple black dress and add sweaters or blazers to change the look? It’s easy to buy too much because you’re so excited to be in a new size, but being realistic will save you hundreds of dollars.
Organize a clothing swap with friends
When I started losing weight with a GLP-1, the drugs weren’t nearly as popular as they are now so I didn’t know anyone else taking them. That’s all changed now – just look around at the half sandwiches left behind at any restaurant.
Consider asking a group of friends if they want to do a swap – you can bring some of your too-big pieces and maybe someone further along on their journey has a pair of pants or a couple sweaters that would fit you just right now. In a few months, you can do it again! Even if their taste isn’t exactly the same as yours, even a few staples can give your wardrobe the boost it needs.
Thrift Stores: The Best GLP-1 Weight Loss Clothing Hack
I am not a big thrift store/yard sale/rummage sale shopper, but my youngest daughter is and I am amazed at the adorable clothes she finds. I suspect they are filling up with the clothes from GLP-1 folks cleaning out their closets. When I do go into a thrift store I always ask myself why I don’t do that more – there are rows and rows of jeans, shirts, sweaters, dresses, suits, dress pants and so much more for pennies on the dollar of what new clothes cost.
Don’t overlook these treasures – grab a friend and spend a Saturday seeing what surprises you can find. One hint I learned from my thrifiting kid: It’s worth it to drive to a swanky neighborhood to check out their thrift stores – you might find designer threads you could never afford in the store.
Treat Yourself: Invest in Staples That Make You Feel Great at Every Size
Despite what a lot of really mean people want you to believe, being on a GLP-1 is not the easy way to lose weight. It is most definitely a journey – one that can and probably will take more than a year for the average GLP-1 patient. Don’t make it harder on yourself by wearing clothes that don’t make you feel your best. If you spot a gorgeous sweater that you wouldn’t have felt comfortable in before, snap it up! If you discover a brand of jeans that hugs your booty just right – get them now (check out this review of Wit & Wisdom jeans).
Likewise, if there’s something you wear a lot – dress pants for work, for example – you’re better off investing in a good pair that will hold up instead of a cheap pair that will fall apart after a few washes. You can always pass them on when you hit your next size.
Embrace Every Size
Being able to wear new clothes in a smaller size is one of the best parts of losing weight on a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound. It feels pretty damn good to zip a pair of jeans in a size you never thought you would wear. Remember to embrace and love your body at every single step from start to your goal weight. You deserve it!
Jacqui is a mom of four grown kids who’s loving the empty-nester life with her husband and two fluffy canine besties, Daisy and Zya. Other things she loves: ice-cold fountain Diet Coke, British crime dramas, and sleeping until noon on Sundays. Things she doesn’t love: cheese that’s not on a pizza, any and all exercise, and the greasy feeling of putting your hand in a bag of chips. Drop her a note at Midlife.Jacqui@gmail.com.