What To Do When Nothing Fits Anymore

As my body has changed, I’ve started feeling like nothing fits in my closet. After having my daughter almost 10 years ago and entering my mid-40s, my size has gone from a zero to a size four. Nothing fits anymore, and I hear the same thing from many styling clients. The question becomes: do you let those pieces go, or do you hold on to them in case they fit again one day?

This post is going to share some ideas for what to do when your body has changed and it feels like nothing fits anymore. So here’s what I’m doing: I did a thorough closet edit and got rid of items that haven’t fit in a while. Pieces I loved, but that don’t work for my body anymore, I chose to let go. But there were also a few pieces I was on the fence about. These were items I loved that had more room in the fabric or a forgiving silhouette. Those are the pieces I decided to keep.

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My first tip is to put the items that don’t fit, but that you’re not ready to let go of, in the least accessible part of your closet. That way, they’re not front and center, and you’re not looking at them every day wishing you could wear them. You’ll still know they’re there, but they won’t be front and center. The clothes that are in the most visible part of your closet should be the ones that you wear. These are pieces you enjoy and that fit you well right now. Another option is to store the “not now” items in a storage bin, under your bed, or on a high shelf in your closet. Anywhere that keeps them out of immediate view.

2. Reassess After 6 Months To 1 Year

My next tip is to reassess those items in six months to a year. Take them out, try them on, and see how they feel. Ask yourself if you still want to hold on to them, store them away again, or if you’re ready to let them go.

I recently let go of some pieces that had been sitting in my closet for a few years. I wasn’t wearing them, but I held onto them because I loved them and they were high quality. Still, after a few years, I knew they weren’t going to fit, and keeping them around wasn’t supporting me. They weren’t helping me get dressed, and they weren’t making me feel good, so I finally decided to let them go.

3. Restyle Pieces That Do Fit

My next tip is to look at the pieces in your closet that you love and that do fit now, and start thinking of other ways you can style them. Enjoying what you already have and finding fresh ways to wear those pieces can make your wardrobe feel new again and give you a different perspective on your clothes. Try pulling out your regular go-to items and looking for inspiration to explore new ways to style those pieces for your current body and lifestyle.

4. Purchase Staple Items In Your Current Size

My next tip is to choose three to five staple pieces that you wear all the time. These items feel like your style and work with your lifestyle. Buy them in your current size. For me, that meant jeans. As my body changed, my jean size went up, and because jeans are something I wear constantly, I committed to buying two pairs that fit me now. Another staple for me is elevated tees. I used to wear more fitted styles, but now I prefer t-shirts with a little more room. Changing the cut and fit made a big difference. I feel more comfortable and confident in what I wear.

Take a look at what you wear day to day. Where are you going? What makes you feel good? Invest in those core pieces in your current size. Even if your body changes again, you’ll have staple items that feel good now. I see so many women holding off on buying clothes that fit because they’re waiting to get their body back, or they don’t want to invest in quality pieces in case their body changes again. The result is often wearing things that don’t feel good or settling for low-quality items in the meantime.

5. Size Up If You Are Between Sizes

My next tip is that if you’re between sizes, size up. It’s always easier to take something in than to make it bigger, especially if the piece doesn’t have extra fabric in the seams. If your weight fluctuates or goes down, having a slightly larger size gives you flexibility because you can have it tailored to fit. The most important thing is that it feels comfortable on your body now. You want your clothes to work for you as you are, and tailoring later is always an option.

6. Opt For Looser Fabrics

My next tip is to choose forgiving fabrics. You’ll want to avoid materials like jersey or anything that clings to the body, especially when your weight is fluctuating. Tight, restrictive fabrics can feel uncomfortable and make it harder to feel confident in your clothes. The pieces I’ve kept and worn through the years are made from fabrics like silk, cotton, and materials with stretch. These still feel tailored to my body but aren’t tight or restricting.

Even with denim, jeans with stretch are much more comfortable and can adapt better to changes in your body. As I’ve gotten older and my body has changed, comfort has become just as important to me as style. I still want to feel modern and put together, but I don’t want to feel constricted. That’s why I wear knits, cottons, silks, and other soft, easy fabrics that feel good to wear.

7. Stretchy Or Elastic Waistbands

My next tip is to add bottoms to your wardrobe with an elastic waistband or drawstring instead of a zipper, which can feel constricting. I tend to avoid anything that feels tight around my midsection. Pieces with elastic, or jeans with stretch, make a big difference. They’re the items I reach for and enjoy wearing.

You might also consider elevated leggings or joggers. Anything with a flexible, comfortable waistband that works for your lifestyle. At this stage in life, comfort around the waist is a top priority, and having pieces that feel good makes getting dressed so much easier.

8. Focus On Accessories

My next tip is to focus on your accessories more than your clothing. Think about your shoes, bags, and jewelry. These pieces will most likely work for you, no matter your size. I know that after I had my daughter, some of my shoes no longer fit because my feet got a little bigger, but for the most part, accessories are size-proof and can continue to reflect your style through body changes.

Adding jewelry you love, a pop of color with your bag, or choosing a shoe that resonates with your current style can not only elevate your outfit but also help you feel more put together, regardless of your size. Accessories are a great way to express yourself and complete your look, even when your wardrobe is in transition.

9. Practice Accepting Your Body

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My next tip is to embrace your new body. This is something I still struggle with at times. It can be frustrating when pieces you once loved no longer fit, especially when you’ve spent years curating a wardrobe that reflects your style. But if something no longer fits, can’t be altered, and is sitting in your closet, it might be time to let it go and fully embrace where your body is now.

As we age, have children, go through perimenopause or menopause, our bodies change. It’s a natural part of life. Fighting that or holding onto clothes that don’t fit won’t help us move forward, and it certainly won’t help us feel good. There comes a point when accepting our current body becomes the most empowering thing we can do. Not just for our style, but for how we feel about ourselves. I’ve worked with so many women who spent years after having a baby or going through menopause wearing clothes that didn’t make them feel good. That’s a long time to not feel good.

It’s not about getting back to a past version of ourselves. It’s about embracing who you are now and building a wardrobe that supports that. Because at the end of the day, no matter your size, how you feel in your clothes is what matters most. When you feel confident and comfortable in what you’re wearing, it changes how you show up in your life, in your relationships, and in every moment. It creates a more meaningful, joyful day-to-day experience.