I steer away from featuring pictures of myself on this blog.....it's much more fun to post pics of my daughter and friends! However, I felt led to write this blog post, as I'm sure I'm not the only one to have to deal with buying temporary clothing in larger sizes. Please excuse the boxes in the background.....we're still getting rid of the Christmas gift boxes!
Almost 10 weeks ago, I had a hysterectomy. I am feeling so much better, and have lost weight, but I am still burdened with what us 'hystersisters' affectionately call a 'swelly belly.' Basically, my tummy is much larger and swollen due to my surgery, and I read last week it could last a YEAR. Not happy news for someone needing to find clothing that allows me to be socially acceptable.
As of this writing, I can wear approximately one pair of my pre op jeans. Not comfortably, I might add. They are tight, and my belly regularly swells later in the day, so I was making do with two pair of pull on pants. I can dress them up or down, and tuck them into boots, but I wanted more variety.
I wanted JEANS.
My secret sister from church gave me a $20 gift certificate for Goodwill for Christmas. I finally decided to try and find at least one pair of larger sized jeans there to hold me over until my swelling goes down.
Now, can we talk? With very few exceptions, we as women get very hung up on the size printed on our clothing labels. If you're regularly a size 8, and have to buy a pair of size 12 jeans, no matter HOW good you look in them......you feel a little crestfallen because of that stupid label.
Well, I sucked it up and tried on just about every pair of larger sized jeans in the thrift store. 1 1/2 hours later, I found a pair that not only fit comfortably over my belly, but were skinny and perfect to tuck into boots. I also got two cute smock type tops that will billow over my midsection, but I can rein them in with a fitted cardigan. The picture above is my outfit from church this morning. I felt great, and everything fit perfectly. Plus, I didn't feel as if I had a neon sign flashing above my head, advertising my increased jeans size. No one would care, anyway, so why should I?
Thrift stores are the perfect places to buy such temporary pieces. Whether you're seeking maternity wear, or just looking to camouflage a belly like I am, you can find great stuff for little $$. My jeans were $5.99, and my tops were $3.29 a piece. Perfect.
Don't be afraid to go up a size, if the end result is rockin'. No one but you needs to know :)
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