My clothing options limited while healing

[ldawngirl]

I had knee surgery in December and since then, I haven't been able to wear heels while I'm healing. Unfortunately, 90% of my shoes are heels and 90% of my pants are hemmed to be worn with heels. So for the past few months, I've been wearing one pair of knee high boots that are flats with just one pair of skinny pants that can be tucked in to said boots. (The boots can't be worn under pants as they're too wide around). I can also wear skirts and dresses with these boots. Unfortunately or fortunately, the weather here is finally starting to warm up and my boots are going to be put away. Which now means I'm down to the same skinny pants and skirts or dresses with the two pairs of flat shoes that I own.

My problem is this - I have a lot of clothes. Always have (one reason why I have the debt I have), so I like having choices and variety in what I can wear. So I have these clothes hanging in my closets and I can't wear most of them! They either don't go with the skinny pants I can wear or it's pants that are hemmed to be worn with heels. Obviously I know that in a few months, I can go back to wearing my heels, but in the meantime, I'm bored of what I can wear and I want to buy new clothes!!!!

So, how do I stop myself from buying new clothes to tide me over for the next few months? (I'm hoping it'll be a few months, but it could be longer). I've been doing this for 3.5 months and my patience is wearing thin! If I go shopping, I fear I'll be racking up some more credit card debt!

[NancysSummerSip]

Idawn, do you live near any outlet, thrift or vintage clothing stores? You would still have to get a few things, but buy carefully to mix and match to the max and you will spend a lot less that way. Then you can hand them over to a consignment shop, or sell them on Ebay, and at least get back some of what you spent, possibly all of it.

Any female friends/relations who are your same size, or close? A good seamstress can make some temporary fixes to items that are a less-than perfect fit.

[chicg]

I wouldn't stress too much if the pants aren't a perfect length for just a few months. It might not be the fit you're used to but it's just temporary and it sounds like shopping has been a problem in your past, so this might just be your time to learn the lesson. What about taking the pants back to the seamstress and have them shorten for flats? Tell them your situation so you can have them let out when you start wearing heels again. You can also buy black, tan and gray pants from Kohl's or Penny's and just rotate those until you can start wearing heels. Kohl's always has basic, work-appropriate slacks for $25, give or take. NY&Co also has cheap pants that are suitable for work. Don't use this as an excuse to go shopping crazy again!

[reeneejune]

A simple, cheap solution is to buy Rescue Tape (made by dritz) or Steam a Seam tape, both of which are double sided, temporary hemming tape that can be used to temporarily shorten a pair of pants. Be careful that you remove the tape before washing. Both of those are available at most fabric shops. Also be aware that you shouldn't iron the pants with the tape in, for Steam a Seam it makes the temporary fix more permanent.

[sarcasticgirl]

I was going to recommend a hemming tape as well... they're a great temporary solution.

[ldawngirl]

Hemming tape is a great solution! I was thinking I might get a pair hemmed by a seamstress and then just have them taken out again later, but hemming tape would be cheaper I imagine!

Thanks everyone!

[reeneejune]

The other benefit to using hemming tape rather than having a seamstress hem the pants is that (depending on how often you wear them) washing and ironing pants with the hem in may make a crease that can be hard to get back out again when you lower the hem.

[mizbear]

reneejune beat me to it with the rescue tape by dritz- which is great to have on hand anyway. Also, Once you are back on your feet, even though I prefer heels and boots, I always keep at least one pair of pants hemmed for a flat shoe, be it a dressy lace up or a standard flat. It can be a real lifesaver.