Great bathing suit

caaclark

I hope this link works.  I just received a new mast. bathing suit from Nicola Jane.  It is the best fit and most comfortable bathing suit I have found yet.  Way better than a Lands End suit.  I put it on and my husband said, "Wow! You actually look like you are in shape."  I think that was a compliment-lol.  I also bought the new brown tankini with the dots.  Both are very cute.  Even the bottoms fit well.  The top is pretty true to size. 

http://www.nicolajane.com/product-Sunflair-NEW!-Sunflair-Pinstripe-Tankini-2146/

Erica3681

Carol,

That's an adorable swimsuit! And I notice that if you click the little American flag at the Nicola Jane site (toward the bottom of the page), you can see all the prices in dollars. I was wondering, though, how shipping works. If you need to return something, is it a big (expensive) hassle? 

Also, I noticed the suit comes in different band sizes but only in a B cup. I like to wear a 34A. In fact, that's been my biggest problem in finding suits--the cup size is almost always too big, including in the one A cup suit I ordered from Anita. Any suggestions?

Also, Nicola Jane has a really cute-looking strappy top (not a swimsuit, in the tops section), which is available in an A cup. Have you tried that, by any chance? 

Barbara

mthomp2020

Cute suit!  Like Erica, I have trouble with the cup size as I'm a 38A.  Not too many of those out there!  I had to return a Lands End top because of that. 

I really like the Nicola Jane bra line.  They have a seamless t-shirt bra that looks comfy, and a seamless camisole bra that would really be nice to have.  I wear a lot of camisoles, but it would be nice not to have to add that second layer during the summer.  I've tried others that didn't fit right or feel too comfortable.  I might email them about sizing, and take a chance and order them. 

caaclark

Barbara-

I have never returned anything there but you are right, it could be a hassle.  I am one of those people who rarely returns even when it's easy.  I know that my orders have come registered mail so I have to actually go to the post office to pick them up since a signature is required.

The suit I have is definitely for a B cup.  I never noticed they don't have A cup suits.  You could email them, however, since they have responded quickly to me in the past.  I have not tried the strappy top but I may need to check it out. 

starzhere

Bathing suit shopping is so frustrating.  I had problems before the mastectomy, because I need a 32 D, but can make due with a 34D.  I wish more bathing suit lines make suits with cup sizes.  Anyone know of any bras that come in a 32D?

~elaine~

Hannahbearsmom

starzhere:   I recently bought 2 really nice and comfortable 32D bras at Nordstrom's. One was made by Natori and the other by Wacoal. I got them there because I was getting fitted there but I'm sure they are available other places. If you want more specific info you can PM me. Happy shopping!

TCK

JanetfromCanada

Nicola Jane are a wonderful company and have great products. They sell a prosthesis called Been-A-Boob, it's on page 42 of their catalogue, it goes into a mastectomy swmsuit or bra and is very comfortable. I have been wearing one since 2004, and since 2009 I wear two, when I wear a bra - I don't always.

I have just signed up for this site, but couldn't figure out how to enter my diagnosis - can anyone help?

JanetfromCanada

mthomp2010 - you might want to try Janac Mastectomy Wear for a really good Bra-tank,

www.janacsportswear.ca

starzhere

Thanks, Hannah!

I don't live near a Nordstrom, but maybe I can find them at Macy's.  I've tried finding something online, but didn't have any luck.

 ~elaine~

starzhere

Janet, I was looking at the "Been a Boob" and noticed that they come in three shapes for someone who has had a mastectomy.  There's the Round, Heart, and Angel Wing.  How does one choose a shape?  I was thinking I would get the one with the Angel Wing.

~elaine~

angeljoy

starzhere, My daughter's a 32D and has gotten some nice bras at Dillards. Wacoal had a nice selection.  The clerk at Victoria's Secret, which doesn't carry too many 32D's, told her Dillard's is where she buys hers. Good luck!

Angela

mikim

Bathing Suits 

 Fabulous new line for women who have not or could not have reconstruction.

http://www.chikaradesign.com/flash.html#/collection/swimwear/1 

starzhere

Angela . . .

Thanks for the reply.  We have a Dillards, so I'm going to check it out. 

~elaine~ 

caaclark

k

mthomp2020

Mikim - I forgot all about that designer.  There are some lovely items on that site.  I LOVE the purple bathing suit!  If I wasn't so fluffy, I would SO be wanting that one!

SusaninSF

Starzhere,

Like Hannahbearsmom, I'm a fan of Wacoal and Natori as well as Calvin Klein and I wear a 32DD (uni mast).  You can order bras on the Nordstrom web site and it's very convenient because you can search by exact size so you can see what styles are available for hard-to-find sizes. They even have 30JJ bras! When I do a search for 32DD there are over 120 styles. What's tricky is finding larger cup bras without an underwire.  As far as I can tell, there is only one of these and it is the bra I wear almost every day.  It is the Wacoal "Awareness" bra.

 http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2992917/0~2376776~2374325~2374176?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2374176&P=1

It's not a mast bra but the coverage and fit are so good that I didn't even need to sew in a pocket. The support and nipple coverage is not the best so when I wear a tight t-shirt or sweater I wear a Natori or Calvin Klein underwire bra.  We should not be wearing underwire though because of possible Lymphadema risk.

I have ordered several swim suits from Nicola Jane and they worked out very well.  They often have sales, delivery is prompt and the suits are very well made.  I wish they had stores in the U.S.! I particular like Anita and Carol Weir brands as they are more stylish and youthful (though now that I'm 46, I'm not youthful myself). 

Suzybelle

I got a super cute suit at Walmart yesterday, of all places, and it cost a fraction of the two mastectomy suits I've bought.  And it's way more flattering.  It's very similar to the Kohl's suit that someone posted on here recently.

 And I'm not going to wear foobies with it, either.  I'm going FLAT. 

robinlbe

Suzubelle..you found a suit you can wear flat there??   I have two of my own suit (that are a few years old) that I can wear flat, and I have been looking all over to find some new tops (the bottoms are just fine - they're solid black and solid navy) that I can wear flat, but all I can find have molded cups or if they have the pull out cups, the fronts are gathered and would need some filler.

I really wouldn't mind going flat, I don't think....I just (this week) starting wearing forms, anyway...

blessings..robin

Suzybelle

Hi, Robin:

I did and I am so happy with the way it looks!  It's a halter style and they have a bunch of different styles.  It comes to right below my belly button - I was really tickled with it. 

 This had the molded cups - I pulled them out and like it flat, but it looks fine with them in as well.  I can't believe I paid $14 for a top that looks a million times better than the mastectomy suit I bought...I've learned my lesson!

 Check out the Walmart - good luck!

SuzyB

robinlbe

SuzyB, thanks so much.  I hadn't looked there, like I said.  I'd looked at Penney's, Kohls, Target, Sears....well, I guess that's all so far.  So, I guess that's really not THAT many places...ha!!  My older suits had those pull out molds too, but the one suit I can't wear because there's gathering in the bustline area, so it won't work.  The other two are great - esp. because they have horizontal lines!!  So, looking straight on, you can't tell at all.  And if you look at me sideways, you can tell - but only if you're looking really hard.  And if someone is looking that hard at me, they are SICK ...because I am 50 years old!!!!!  ha

blessings..robin

Ollie

Hello Eveyone!  I am new to this site!  I need lots of help!  After owning a tailor shoppe for 28 years...It has been closed for 5 years!  I am opening a new TAILOR SHOPPE...A PINK PARLOUR!  I will be offering my tailoring services to help all those beautiful ladies feel comfortable in all of their clothing & bathing suits again!!  I also want to offer chemo hats and wig caps and been-boob products. Tell me about the wig caps...some girls say they are too hot or the stitching of the hairs are too prickly...Please tell me what else I need to do to serve my special clients!  What should I make? create? Fix? ....What?  Tell me what you all wish you could buy.  What would you want to see in the shoppe?  What would make you smile? or What would make you want to come back?  What would make you feel comfortable in the shoppe? I really want to know what I can do to help with the gifts God has given me with my hands!

Thank You and God Bless Each and Everyone of You!   OLLIE

Raye99

Ladies - I just found a new site with mastectomy suits. Very cute ones. I ordered the zebra bikini top with the turquoise bottoms - haven't gotten them yet - hope the suit looks as cute as it does in the photo. I usually wear my bottoms with a sports bra for a top, but this year we are going somewhere with BUSY POOL meaning close talking to others, etc. and I just don't feel comfortable being flat flat in that environment.

 http://www.hapari.com/mastectomy-swimwear/

Erica3681

Raye,

These look great. Such a big selection. The one you chose is adorable. The black aloha s.o.s. tankini looks like it might work for me (with different bottoms) -- enough coverage but not too much. Please let us know how you like yours when it arrives.

otter

Rats.  I looked at the Nicola Jane site, and I really love this swimsuit:

"Nicola Jane Navy with Racer Stripes"

... but, alas, like Erica/Barbara, I would most likely need an "A" cup, since I rattle around in a "B" in most swimsuits.  The Nicola Jane site says the bra cups in their suits tend to run "B/C".  <sigh>

Thanks for the links, everybody.  It's encouraging to see alternatives to Lands End out there.

otter

robinlbe

Maybe it's just me, but I get a little bugged when they show models wearing mastectomy swimsuits and they clearly have cleavage.....sigh.  I wrote a letter to Land's End about that with their models, and they agreed with me.  They should use some of US to model for them

blessings...robin

jenn1975

Robin I agree with you it is hard to figure out if a suit is cut too low for you when the models have obviously not had a mastectomy. I've noticed the same thing in the catalogs I get with mastectomy bras.

Jennifer

Raye99

My bathing suit arrived last night. It fits well and the top looks very realistic; I am thrilled to have boobs in a bathing suit finally -  the bottoms are your typical scoop bottom. I may order the boy short as well.

One thing I am not crazy about  -  and this may be because I am not used to having anything in my bathing suit - is that my forms feel very heavy in the suit. The suit is a lighter material than my mast. bras, so perhaps this is why these forms feel like heavy hangers - something I never had before BC, I was always small breasted. But these forms are only size 3 and I wear them with a 34A bra. So not quite sure - is there another form out there for swimming? Maybe something lighter?

Barbara, I think  you did mention something about forms for swimming? Thanks.

Raye

Erica3681

Yes, Raye, Amoena and the other silicone form manufacturers make "swim forms," which are usually clear silicone, hollowed out in back for better drainage after swimming. They are usually lighter than even regular lightweight silicone forms. If you like the realistic look/feel of silicone, it would probably be worth trying some on with the suit to see if they work better. 

Many women wear foam forms for swimming. I do, though I also sometimes wear my silicone swim forms. Some women like the bath scrubbie solution (see the thread on that here by PurpleMB). On BreastFree.org, at the very bottom of the "Breast Forms" section, I have a discussion of swim forms, with a couple of links.

I still find swimming and swimsuits the biggest challenge of being breast-free. If I were willing to go flat, it would be easier, but I haven't evolved to that point yet . . . Glad you like your new suit! 

Raye99

Barbara -

Many Thanks! I looked on BreastFree.org and read about the swimming and the athletic forms. I like them because they are clear; Clever that the forms are clear so that they are not only visible under suits, etc., but not as easily spotted in the water if one would escape from your bathing suit. I probably wouldn't be able to find it myself.  I have had one regular form come out of my sports bra (no pocket) in the water in a lake with tons of people around and at first thought it was a fish because of the color. Nope, it was my boob swimming right along side me.

Thanks again. I will call my fitter and see if they have any of the lightweight silicone clear forms.

Raye

KathleenR

A couple years ago I bought "breast enhancers" at Lady Grayce. I believe they are marketed as an insert for women who want to add a cup size.

They are lightweight, silicone & work perfectly to add just a bit of projection to my swimtop.

I think the pair cost around $30.

Kathy

Erica3681

Kathy,

That seems like a great idea. The problem I've had is most of the mastectomy suits I've tried have a cup size that would be too big for the enhancers. May I ask what kind of swimsuit you wear the breast enhancers with?

Barbara