The Wardrobe Stuck in Pre-Weight Loss

She was a Human Resources leader working remotely. She had worked incredibly hard to lose 60 pounds and was still on her weight-loss journey. Working from home allowed her to live in sweats and stretchy pants, with loose, forgiving tops. But when an in-person business trip came up and she had nothing appropriate to wear, she realized something had to change.

This client was like many of the women leaders I work with after significant weight loss. When someone loses weight, body dysmorphia often follows. Even after dropping a considerable amount of weight, they still see a larger version of themselves—and continue dressing to hide rather than to lead.

The result? Clothes that are too big, silhouettes that dull their presence, and a wardrobe that no longer reflects who they are now.

First Impressions: Shopping

Because she had lost so much weight and very few items in her closet fit, we skipped the closet edit and went straight to shopping. Here’s what became clear at our first store:

• • The sizes submitted on her intake questionnaire were inaccurate—she was actually smaller

• • She instinctively wanted to cover up her body

• • Her bras no longer fit properly, which was throwing off how every top looked

She also said something I hear far too often:
She felt “homeless” in her clothes.
That is not a confidence booster—especially for a corporate leader.

New Body – New Wardrobe to Give Out the Message of Who You Are

My client is knowledgeable, intelligent, and highly approachable. As a leader in HR, her wardrobe needed to communicate that clearly and consistently.

Her clothing needed to:

• • Look more polished (simply wearing the correct size achieved much of this)

• • Make her feel confident and grounded

• • Include tops that were camera-ready and quietly said, “I’m a leader”

The Wardrobe We Built

Because she is still actively losing weight, we intentionally purchased a small, strategic capsule wardrobe—versatile pieces she could wear through winter and early spring.

We started with a professional bra fitting, which immediately changed how every top fit. She told me she already felt better about her appearance before we even finished shopping.

The pieces we selected:

• • Worked with both jeans and trousers

• • Matched her company’s business-casual environment

• • Allowed her personality to come through while still looking polished

What we added:

• • Sweaters that fit her properly in colors that made her eyes pop

• • A sweater blazer that could be worn casually or elevated for meetings—fitted and flattering, giving her shape back

• • Blouses that worked for Zoom calls, in-person meetings, or even date night

• • Jeans that gave her an amazing shape and made her feel confident again

The Urgency Nobody Wants to Admit

If she hadn’t fixed this, the consequences wouldn’t have been “outfits that didn’t fit.”

They would have been career consequences.

• • Being overlooked for promotions because she looked unpolished

• • Not being seen as a decision-maker or leader

• • Not being taken seriously—especially in rooms where bias already exists
    Holding back from speaking up, presenting, or sharing her perspective because her confidence wasn’t there

    When your body changes through weight loss, the way you dress it must change too. If your clothes aren’t fitting properly and you don’t feel confident in them, you don’t need more shopping, more oversized pieces, or more trial and error.
    You need expert guidance to help you dress your body during this powerful transition.
    This is exactly what I do with my clients—helping accomplished women leaders align their wardrobe with the body they have now and the authority they’ve earned. If your wardrobe is ready for update send me a message today.