How I Made My Wardrobe Stretch on a GLP-1
After I advocated for myself, my doctor agreed to prescribe me a GLP-1. Within three weeks, I dropped 10 pounds. My cravings and food noise plummeted.
While the results over the past year have been wonderful, being on a GLP-1 hasn’t been without challenges, especially when it came to figuring out my wardrobe. Buying smaller-sized clothes has been fun, but those shopping runs were taking a toll on my bank account, especially while I was still losing weight.
So, I tried to find more versatile outfits for every occasion that would keep me looking great at every size. I hope you find my recommendations as helpful as I did and still do.
Everyday Essentials


Jeans That Flex
Good American Always Fits Good Legs Straight Jeans
Denim is one of the hardest wardrobe pieces to make work during weight loss because so many denim items only fit the size on their label. The Always Fits jeans are the answer to traditionally stiff and constricting denim.
One pair of jeans fits a range of sizes, thanks to the Always Fits stretch denim. For instance, if you’re a size 12, you’ll want to get the jeans that fit sizes 6 through 12. While it’s hard to believe, reviews claim these jeans maintain their shape and comfort in the range of given sizes. While they’re a high investment per pair, their versatility makes them worth it.

Unmentionables Worth Mentioning
SPANXsmooth Fit-To-You Bikini 3-Pack Box

Pants You’ll Want to Live In
Sexy Basics Buttery Soft Drawstring Lounge Pants (3-Pack)
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a comfortable, quality lounge pant that will last you through much of your weight loss journey. I discovered the Sexy Basics Buttery Soft Drawstring Lounge Pants before I started losing weight. I’m still wearing them a year later; they’re just a little looser, but they still don’t fall off. They’re oh-so-soft, stretchy, and hold up well in the wash.
For something a little warmer, I also love the PeachySoft French Terry Fleece Wide Leg Lounge Pants by Wild Fable at Target. They have a very thin layer of fleece inside, which melts against my skin without heating it. The internal drawstring around the waistband makes them fully adjustable. Talk about comfort!

Luxurious Pajamas at a Fraction of the Price
Amazon Essentials Women’s Long Sleeve Cotton Modal Pajama Set

Bras That Flatter Without the Pain
Uniqlo Relax Wireless Bra
One of the first places I lost weight was my chest. I didn’t love that because I started with a small cup size. So when my bras got a little big in the band area, I wanted to find a bra that would be supportive and comfortable.
Uniqlo’s Relax Wireless Bra is soft and lifting without causing any excess skin to pour out around the arm and side openings. I was able to wear one size while losing weight, and now that I’m at my goal, I’ve gone down. It’s still my go-to everyday bra and has been for almost a year. It’s comfortable at any size.

A Truly One-Size-Fits-Most Swimsuit
Hunza G Coverage Square Neck Swim
Summer can mean hot, lazy days in the sun. Bathing suit season is one of the most grueling times to get through when losing weight. But not if you find one that fits practically every size.
The Hunza G Coverage Square Neck Swim achieves that, something I didn’t think was possible with bathing suits. This beautiful one-piece is modest and flattering. It’s made with a proprietary crinkle fabric that’s designed to stretch to and shrink to a variety of sizes. While it’s a steep investment, it may very well be the last swimsuit you have to buy.

A Sweatshirt for All Seasons
Old Navy SoComfy Oversized Tunic Sweatshirt
Professional Attire


A Shirt to Fit Your Every Need
Gap Factory Classic Cotton Shirt
A quality button-down pairs well with dress slacks, skirts, and jeans. My favorite is the Classic Cotton Shirt from Gap. It comes in four colors and moves with you. The fabric has a little give and doesn’t wrinkle immediately after putting it on, as some linen styles do. As you shed pounds, it’ll still look classy and elegant without swallowing you whole (oversized is always in style).
For something more tailored, Banana Republic’s Easy Care Tailored Shirt has a tapered waist that will still look amazing as you lose weight.

A Work Pant That Feels Like Yoga Pants
Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant

Trousers That Keep Working for You
Old Navy High-Waisted SleekTech Trouser Pants

A Flowing A-Line That Won’t Quit
Zeagoo Casual Flowy A-Line Midi Dress
I love a good dress, especially when it’s professional but also comfortable. One of my favorite brands is Zeagoo. The material is so soft and stretchy that you can definitely size down and it will still fit. This dress comes in multiple colors and fun patterns. A big bonus: It has pockets! It’s so versatile, you can accessorize with jewelry and heels to dress it up, or throw one on while running errands on the weekend with a pair of sneakers.
If you want something more form-fitting, wrap dresses never disappoint. They’re often sleek, sophisticated, and adjustable. The Tencel Jersey Midi Wrap Dress from Quince is beautiful, versatile, and definitely worth checking out.
Athletic Wear

One key component to losing weight with the help of a GLP-1 and remaining healthy is exercise, especially weight and resistance training.
“When you’re in a caloric deficit, your body will lose some muscle mass along with fat,” says Jessica Duncan, MD, chief medical officer at Ivím Health and a board-certified obesity medicine physician in Marietta, Georgia. “Muscle is metabolically expensive to maintain, and your body will sacrifice it if it needs to. Building and preserving muscle mass matters not just for how you look and feel, but because muscle tissue burns more calories at rest. It’s protective for your long-term metabolic health.”
When I started a GLP-1, my side effects made it hard to exercise at all. But as time went by, and my body acclimated, I was able to start rebuilding muscle, making me stronger and healthier than I had been. Athletic wear can be expensive, so I invested in pieces that conformed to my changing body. Most of these picks still fit well today.

Sneakers That Energize Your Workout
Saucony Women’s Guide 19
Did you know that your feet might change sizes as you lose weight? My feet got smaller about six months after I started a GLP-1. Since exercise is such a crucial part of a healthy weight loss journey, I knew I needed a super-supportive sneaker, too. I opted for the Saucony Women’s Guide 19 for walking. They’re lightweight but cushioned in all the right places.
If you start noticing them getting a little loose, check out this video on how to lace them up to make sure your heel stays in the proper place.

The Last Sports Bra You’ll Ever Need
SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra

Leggings That Can Take a Beating
Fabletics On-The-Go PowerHold High-Waisted Legging
I’ve been a Fabletics VIP member for years. My favorite workout leggings are and always will be the On-The-Go PowerHold High-Waisted Legging. They keep you compressed without making you feel like a sausage and stay in place even as you lose weight. And they never look see-through, even after heavy wear at three different body sizes. I’ve had the same pair for three years, and they still look and feel new. Bonus: They have pockets, so you can bring your phone with you on walks or at the gym.
Formal Wear

A special occasion, like a friend’s wedding or a nephew’s graduation, calls for a few staple high-end items. I won’t sugarcoat this one: You may wind up buying more transition pieces to get the look you want, as your body may change more quickly in one area than another.
“Facial fat, arm, and breast adipose simply react quicker to calorie restriction than other regions. This is why a person could lose 15 pounds and see the face change in six to eight weeks, while little change in the lower abdominal region,” says James J. Chao, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer at VedaNu Wellness in San Diego. Here are some products that can be reworn and restyled for different events (and sizes).

Sparkly Heels That Won’t Break the Bank
DSW Kelly & Katie Maurra Sandal

A Formal Dress That Evolves as You Do
Amazon Wkior Shift Dress

Elegance at Any Size
White House Black Market Sleeveless Pleated Halter Midi Dress
A halter midi dress, like this one from White House Black Market, gives your changing body a shaped, elegant, and classy look, even if you don’t feel like anything will. Halter tops are also a great way to accentuate the cut of your shoulders. The more fitted middle defines your waist without squeezing. The chiffon is light and airy, perfect for summer events.
This long-sleeve cardigan from OmicGot can help extend the life of this dress into the fall season without losing an ounce of elegance.
Rental Companies


Revive Your Wardrobe Every Month
Nuuly
With Nuuly, you can rent up to six pieces a month for a flat $98 (the brand typically offers $15 off your first month). One of the perks is that you can return the clothes without laundering them. You simply pack the clothes, and the company handles all the dirty work. Nuuly also offers the option to purchase items at a discount, so as you near the finish line of your weight loss journey, you can start adding to your permanent collection at a fraction of the price. The brand even has a thrift shop where you can find past rentals you’ve loved but didn’t think to purchase at the time.
Editor Ally Hirschlag has been using Nuuly for over six years now. She loves that the brand allows you to shop by body type (including Plus, Maternity, and Adaptive). And the user reviews are genuinely helpful, giving you a sense of how something will fit your current shape and size.

Get a Personal Stylist on Demand
Stitch Fix

A Flexible Membership
FashionPass
How Else Can I Keep Up With My Changing Body on a Budget?
Thrift shops can be a valuable resource for shopping in between sizes without breaking the bank. If the idea of sifting through racks for those diamonds in the rough doesn’t seem appealing, I’ve had a lot of success with ThredUp, an online thrift store chock-full of name brands at a fraction of the price.
What Are the Best Fabric Types for Fluctuating Weight?
The way something is made can often determine how it’ll fit and, more importantly, when it will stop fitting. I stocked up on clothes made primarily from soft, stretchy material, such as cotton jersey blends, spandex, and ponte knit. These materials mold to your shape and, most importantly, maintain their shape when removed. They will remain a durable and dependable staple in your wardrobe as you shed weight without looking stretched or misshapen.
Kristen Kuminski, RD, a registered dietitian in Buffalo, New York, suggests looking for “[b]rands with stretch and adjustable elements — things with elastic waistbands, wrap styles, or tie-waist details — tend to work across a wider range of sizes as the body changes.”
Draping materials, such as linen and rayon, are naturally looser and made to hang. If you prefer pieces that don’t cling, look for A-line and swing dresses. These are great options for accommodating your changing body and can be paired with a belt or cardigan as you lose weight.
What Key Pieces of Clothing Should I Include in My Wardrobe While Losing Weight?
When you start a GLP-1, it may be tempting to throw everything out and start over. Certainly, that’s your choice if you have the budget for it. But as Kuminski suggests, “The goal isn’t to look perfect right now. It’s to feel comfortable and confident while your body does something remarkable.”
So, instead of restocking your entire wardrobe every time you size down, you can purchase or keep a few key pieces that will last through several size changes. Here are a few staples that have worked for me from size 14 to size 8:
- Wrap dresses
- Button-down shirts
- Skirts
- Blazers
- Cardigans
- Elastic waist or drawstring pants
My advice? If you have a brand and style you love, invest in multiple sizes when they’re on sale.
Why Trust Everyday Health

Jen Sinclair
Author
Jen Sinclair Is a freelance health and wellness writer who has spent the last two years writing feature articles and reviews of mental health and medical services and products. Her...

Reyna Franco, RDN
Medical Reviewer
Reyna Franco, RDN, is a New York City–based dietitian-nutritionist, certified specialist in sports dietetics, and certified personal trainer. She is a diplomate of the American Col...

Evan Starkman
Fact-Checker
Evan Starkman has worked in health journalism since 2011. He has written and fact-checked content for sites such as WebMD and Mayo Clinic. He earned a master's degree in journalism...

Ally Hirschlag
Editor
Ally Hirschlag is an award-winning journalist with over 10 years of experience editing and writing health, fitness, beauty, lifestyle, and science content. Her work has appeared in...
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