Your hard work has paid off - you're halfway to your weight loss goals, and even your tighter jeans swim on you. Though you're looking great underneath your clothes, the droopy blouses and baggy trousers aren't showing off your sleek new self. There are ways to look stylish as you slim down without spending a fortune on a new wardrobe. Here's how...

Assess Your Clothes Cupboard
You may find a few 'skinny clothes' hidden in the back that can be the basis of your in-between wardrobe. If not, take a second look at your 'current size' clothes.

"Start looking at clothes in a different way," suggests fashion expert Sharon Haver. "A baggy jacket, shirt or shirt dress can be worn as an open coat over a slimmer silhouette." Use a trendy belt to accentuate your figure.

Beg and Borrow Clothes
Your friends may have some bits and pieces you need (and vice versa), so arrange for a clothes swap to get your hands on them. Invite everyone over with his/her cast-offs where guests can find some new favourite pieces. Odds are, you'll find a few perfect things to tide you over - and you can get rid of those baggy items you just can't wear anymore.

Buy a Few Key Pieces
"Look for things that fit close to your body, rather than baggy clothes," Haver recommends. "They won't look ridiculously oversized later on as you lose more weight."

Simple, straight, or boot-leg black trousers with a little bit of stretch can be the centre of your wardrobe. They're easily dressed up or down for casual or work events. If you dress up, try a slimlined stretch skirt.

Combat trousers can get you through several size shifts. Buy them a little snug now, and wear them until they're baggy. A few basic T-shirts will show off your svelte frame, and let you wear some of the baggier bottoms in your wardrobe. "If you're wearing something baggy on the bottom, you need to wear something slim on the top to balance it out," Haver says.

Splash Out on Great Accessories
A looped belt can accentuate your waist when you're wearing baggy clothes, and you won't have to worry about running out of belt holes. And of course, you could always use great shoes.

"Nothing looks better than a really good, sexy pair of high heels," Haver says. "They make you look slimmer and taller, and they make loose fitting clothes look better."

Pamper Yourself
Get a haircut or new colour that shows off your features, or even simply get your eyebrows shaped. Says Haver: "Don't ignore the little things. They can make you look great."