The FastDay Forum

I went clothes shopping on a whim the other day. I had made a statement recently about the clothes shops in Okinawa going from slutty to dowdy and not much in between. This is why I was so keen to shop in Tokyo, where I struck out looking for things my size.

Well, to my surprise, I found many things I liked in the mall in Okinawa. I still haven't found much needed trousers that fit properly (frustratingly, everything is "skinny" now which doesn't suit me at all. Even if it fits everywhere, they end up bunching up around my knees and look stupid), but I found several skirts and a dress. I even bought an M size Japanese shirt, which is very cute and not tight at all.

I did something I hadn't done in a long time. I bought a couple of things that were snug. I can fit in them, but the next size up would be better. Unfortunately, they didn't have it. I bought them anyway, thinking, I've got a couple more kg to lose, it will be ok. Now, I can actually wear both things, so I'm not wasting money either way. But I outgrew this buying things that don't quite fit properly a long time ago. Hmmmm...

[Tracieknits]

Congratulations on the new, smaller clothes!! That must have been fun

Always good to have a couple of aspirational items in your wardrobe. Doesn't sound like you are that far away from getting into them

Well done MaryAnn on the new smaller clothes, I'm with Karen the aspirational tops are something for you to focus on, I did this 6wks ago and posted that I'll be wearing my top for Xmas and I jolly well will
So enjoy wearing your new outfit and keep your eyes open for the trousers to go with them Sue.

Oh my! you have come a long way since you started...so happy for you! Let's hope you'll find the trousers that you'd love to get really soon. Happy hunting.

I can see where you are coming from with the 'I will slim into these' mindset. But that was with other depressing weight loss programs. Not with 5:2 where you know that eventually they will fit.

I did the same with pants about three weeks ago and they fitted yesterday! Such a good feeling, and relief, as they were not a bargain...

Thanks, guys. Aspirational. That's a great word. I don't want to make a habit of it, but I am feeling positive about them fitting better, hopefully not too long from now

I worry too much. (I have never spent that much money on clothes in Japan, or indeed anywhere when shopping on a whim.) I really did need some more things that fit properly. I've already worn a few of the items and gotten compliments, including a "cho kawaii" (essentially, "super cute"), which I've never had before.

Sadly I have ordered two pairs of boots from ebay in a size smaller because my shoes are like boats now. But a full size was half a shoe size too far. So they are going back on ebay this weekend. One pair I really, really liked too. Just way too tight to be comfortable when walking, even just standing was bad, though I was really chuffed that I actually got my feet into them, before now the ankle part would be too fat for my feet to pass through.

It's quite nice to go clothes shopping now, being so much smaller, isn't it MaryAnn? I'm sure you'll find those pants soon enough too! Enjoy your new clothes.

Yes, I agree with the person who said that in the past you might have bought clothes you didn't fit, planning to lose weight, and then you didn't. But on 5:2 it's different because you really can have confidence that you will lose that weight. YOu have done marvellously! 22.5Kg! And you know you won't put it back on too. Enjoy those new clothes.

So… I was in Tokyo again already (having my mind completely blown by Neutral Milk Hotel) and did much better with finding my size this time. Saturday was troublesome: the Banana Republic in Ginza only stocks up to size 6. 6! I was surprised to find I can fit into a size 6 skirt. No way with trousers, though. Sunday, I found an Eddie Bauer shop that was much more sensible. There was only one or two styles of trousers in the shop that weren't 'skinny' (can't wait for this trend to be over!), but one of those came in black and beige and fit nicely, so I bought both colors (size 10 - so maybe there is something to US sizes being 2 down from UK sizes). I threw in a size 6 skirt for good measure. My much needed wardrobe replacement is well underway now.

Please explain Neutral Milk hotel, @MaryAnn!

I discovered a silk dress in my closet recently that I had bought online, maybe a decade ago, figuring I'd wear it when I was thinner. Now I'm thinner, it fits, and guess what - it's totally unstylish and looks terrible on me. Oh, well.

haha. They're an indie band. Part of the Elephant 6 collective. They made an album about 15 years ago called In the Aeroplane over the Sea which is considered one of the best indie albums of all time.

sorry about your dress. It's a good excuse to find something else!

sorry about your dress. It's a good excuse to find something else!

A great excuse, @MaryAnn! I found something slinkier than I've ever worn, for sure, and only need approval from one of my daughters before I'll take the tags off and wear it to a Christmas party this weekend. I'm not confident enough to decide on my own...

AND I found a pair of dressy slacks...
Getting rid of the size 10s (US), bought a size 4! Even the size 2 fit - just not as well and not as nice a style. I walked out of the store grinning so much people probably wondered what was wrong with me. Still grinning.


The slacks need to be hemmed about 10 inches, but nothing is ever going to get rid of that issue, I'm afraid.