Clothing advice for the flat chested?

camillegal

Scarves, scraves, vests, vest and wrap scarves--But the very best is the infinity scarf, tey are light some have a few sparkles some just are very patterned and u can adjust to any length and no necklace, if u wear a liht wrap, (sheer) u can pin it and for sure nice big earrings all the attention oes from scarf to face. And personally (just my opinion totally) I wouldn't wear liquid make-up until u see if u sweat at all or what.  Buy a baked makeup easy 123 putting on, cover lots and doesn't crack or run off. And again my opinion take the time after a bath or shower to put u'r favorite lotion on all over and sit and relax for 10 mins. and just refresh u'rself with the scent of what u'r wearing. Oh and if u wear a cowl nec (good) don't get one that just folds a little, get one that has enough cowl in it LOL

Starak

Wrongchick:  I feel as disclosure, I need to mention that after having dog ear correction surgery, I have been wearing prosthetics virtually every day for the last 3½ mos.   Prior to that I went flat for 20 months. 

You do need to try things on.  Just remember the problem is not you.  If something doesn't work, put it back and try something else.  As much as I liked the idea of the One World tops, I mostly ended up putting them back for two major issues.  Some have elastic at an empire waist.  This tends to create negative (cave in) spaces where the girls should be.  Not all of the One World styles have this feature.  In spite of losing a lot of weight, like many of us with a BMX, it was a little startling how prominent the tummy seems afterwards. I also had a leftover extra skin roll at the waist.  I understand wanting clothes to skim that area rather than show every bump and lump so a little bit of flare or forgiveness is a good thing.  However if there is too much fabric or it flares out too much, you can start to get the impression that it looks like a maternity top which I would sometimes see with some, not all, of the One World tops.

Others have mentioned many things that work.  Definitely consider horizontal stripes.  These are especially good when the stripes are at the top and also that the color is light at the top and darker at the bottom.  This creates an illlusion of an hourglass figure and has enough interest to take the eye away from anything missing.  Things that enhance the shoulders are also good as they draw the eye up, help to create an illusion of an hourglass figure and as odd as it might seem, but when paired with a flat chest makes you look especially slim, which at least for me is a plus. 

While it is good to avoid clothes with darts that cause the chest area to cave in creating "negative" girls, don't be afraid of clothes that lay flat across the chest.  Just create a strong focal point for the eye.  Interesting earrings, prominent necklace, rousching (sp?), color blocking, scarves (personally never been a fan), prominent design, embroidery, and as odd as it might seem even a t-shirt with a big logo or saying right across the middle of the chest.   The eye sees the saying/logo and not what is missing.   Thing is, even if the missing is noticed, it is simply an after thought and not at all disturbing.

I have become a huge fan of the 3" stretch belts.  They control my extra skin in the middle and again create an hourglass figure.

Claire-In-Seattle had great advice.  Go out and have fun with it.  I did wear the baggy stuff in the very beginning but the sooner I lost that stuff, the better and cuter I started to feel.  I am in my 60's and I still want to look cute.  Please don't forget what I said earlier, if something doesn't work, it is not you that is the problem, it's the clothes.  I think we forget that there are precious few people in the world that look good in anything.  Most of us had to choose carefully and thoughtfully before BC and we still do.  The challenge is that we have a totally new body to dress and that it takes time to learn and embrace the new rules.

For some, prosthetics are an option.  Once my center dog ears were removed, they became a viable option for me and I now wear them all the time.  I actually have 3 different sizes and get a perverse pleasure out of being able to simply put on a smaller size if the larger one causes a blouse to gap.  Still I look at my 20 mos flat as a blessing in a number of ways.  It was certainly a steep learning curve, but I did learn to be happy and at peace in the new body.  I think too, that all that extra time allowed my body to fully heal.  Looking back, I think that time was necessary for my body to be ready for the prosthetics.  And even now, while I wear prosthetics virtually every day, I know I can go without and not give it a second thought.

Oh yes, one last bit of advice.  Fake it until you make it. Head up, shoulders back, walk and speak with confidence, and never forget to look people in the face and smile.  Makes you likeable and forces them to move their eyes to your face.

Barbara

Momine

Mom3, now, now! Some of us were an A/B back when we did have boobs, lol. I am sorry for your trouble and hope you get to feeling better one way or the other soon.

Wrongchick, I whole-heartedly ditto the encouragement to keep your mind open to feeling good. I have found positives in the strangest places, and if you embrace those hidden gems they add up and before you know it, life is pretty good. It is also incredibly helpful to let go of what you think others may be thinking and what others think you should be thinking and all that nonsense. The best advice my surgeon gave me when I got my DX was that now was the time for me to take care of number one and please myself before anyone else.

momx3

Momine, don't get wrong... I love the little ones!!! When my PS said I should go bigger, I said NOPE!!!  I'm just fine.

My intentions are to see IF we can work on the scar tissue before June and make both girls happy. As for the tug of war on the muscles... I'm goona WIN that fight because the weeds and gardens aren't going anywhere!!! LOL 

AND someone else always has it worse the me!!!! I love the stories and this really helps!!!

GUESS WHAT!!!! I'm adding achild this summer My niece is going to stay with us. YAH!!!! A 19 & 20 yrs old to keep me wondering!!!

Momine

Mom3, no worries, just teasing you a little. I never minded being small-chested.

Sounds like you will have your hands full this summer.

Wrongchick

Does anyone have advice about what style/cut of dresses look best on a flat chest? Sundresses from Eddie Bauer are a wardrobe staple for me in warm weather, but ( insert big sigh here) the ones in my closet won't work anymore. I know I need to go try stuff on...however, the darn ROM issues post-BMX makes this process tiring and painful. If anyone has suggestions, especially a specific make and model, I'd be grateful.

p.s. More fitting details: Pre BC I was a size 8 or so, with lots of breastfeeding and belly curves. Presently I'm more straight and narrow----at least for now, before the estrogen-suckers.

Claire_in_Seattle

Wrong chick....don't assume that you won't keep your shape.  Mine is just fine.  Crunches on an exercise ball do wonders for my lazy a** abs.  You have to show them who's boss.

I am sorry, but I can't help with the sun dress prbblem, other than say that upper body exericises are really important.  For one thing, you need something that exposed about three days a year in Seattle.

Before you sigh, this could be the best thing that ever happened.  You may discover something super fab that never looked right on you before.

Having said all this, I would think a trapeze shape would be fun and work with a triangle-shaped body.

Anyway, good luck.  I can say that you need to think about something long sleeved and flowing.  It took my skin about 2.5 months to recover post Taxol.  Up to that point, it was very delicate.  So bear that in mind.  (Pink linen over shirt can be pretty and fun....eBay item.) - Claire

corgigirl

Because I need a higher neckline, I find mostly sleeveless shirts that I can wear backwards.  Works especially well with shirts that have a ruffle that goes all around the shirt.  Make sure tag can be easily removed or shirt has a "tag" printed on the shirt.  No one has ever noticed that I do this.  Allows  a larger choice of shirts/T's and patterns. BMX in 2007.  Lumpectomy 2006.

shirleysangels22

Hi Wrongchick.

I had a double mastectomy July 28, 2011. I'm almost 69 years old. I bought all the fake boobs and even made my own. I found it is sooooo much easier to go camando. I wear a tank top with a over size shirt over that. I felt as if every person I saw was looking at my chest. Then I figured out that by the time it takes them to see I have no boobs I'm gone. Our body is what it is. We are still alive. That's all that really matters when you get to the bottom line. Stay strong. God bless.

Your Sister in Pink, Shirley from Arizona

brazos58

Hi Everyone

This is a new thought .... I was watching a Women's Softball College game on the tube over the weekend. I noticed that they all looked flat chested/  if not near! as they were most likely wearing compression sports bras.

gave me an idea to shop for sports jerseys and more athletic gear. And wearing sports bras with the slightest of foobage stuffing / or comando just may be another look we can hang with.

xo

brazos

dressager

how about some of those cute smocked sundresses--with or without straps? there are some great ones out now, in both short and maxi lengths. you could throw on a cropped crocheted cardigan or a light pashmina for extra coverage or warmth. here are examples of what i'm thinking:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/splendid-costal-stripe-strapless-maxi-dress/3291679?origin=keywordsearch&fashionColor=&resultback=1616

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bcbgmaxazria-strapless-ruffle-dress/3252249?origin=keywordsearch&fashionColor=&resultback=6046

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/inc-international-concepts-petite-dress-strapless-empire-waist-maxi?ID=679821&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=PDPZ1

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/michael-michael-kors-dress-strapless-straight-smocked-tie-dye-a-line-maxi?ID=672896&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/bar-iii-dress-sleeveless-straight-neck-printed-empire-maxi?ID=672363&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=PDPZ1

River_Rat

Dressager, I'd be afraid to wear the strapless ones, but the general shape is great and I think I'd love the ones with straps.

riley702

I posted this in another topic, and thought it would go here well, too.

I like to shop at http://www.jjill.com/, as they have lots of tops, t-shirts, tanks, camis, etc. in TONS of colors, for layering and mixing and matching.

Ditto for http://www.peruvianconnection.com/, their tops, skirts, tank, camis, etc. are soft pima cotton in LOTS of colors and priced similarly to J.Jill. They DO have some pricey, classy pieces that I indulge in every now and then, but the basics are usually much lower priced.

Peruvian Connection and the Sundance catalog (http://www.sundancecatalog.com/) have some cute tunics that disguise a bit of a belly until I can exercise it back down. They have enough detail that they disguise no boobs, too, but may be too hot for blazing summer days.

Last recommendation: North Style (http://www.northstyle.com/) Just a list of their new styles show some really cute tops.

Momine

That olive green top has a cool neckline. I may have to copy that for a summer dress. I was thinking that kind of neck line and then ruffles across the front, like on that last, blue top you posted. If the fabric were jersey and the bodice had built in pockets, you would actually be able to wear it with or wihout foobs, as long as the foobs are ligthweight and a modest size.

riley702

That olive green halter top was my fave, too! I might just have to go order it. It reminds me of my swingy trapeze top in black that I adore.

Mopsy

At long last, I can wear lots of prints, after white shirts for years.  Gathering at the neckline, pleats, are a very good idea.  Don't go low-cut, and when you try shirts on, bend over to see if people can see down the shirt, if so then the cut is too low.  I am having radiation now and have to be braless, so I am wearing polyester with pleats.  It has a very nice drape and does not weigh on the skin, and you can't see through it.  I don't know why polyester gets a bad rap.  It comes out of the dryer without needing ironing, no dry cleaning.  Rayon is nice also if you find things that are machine washable, some are very soft.  Someone mentioned here: try it on first.  I wasted some money with online purchases.  I am making myself go to store to try things on.  Macy's has a lot of good shirts for me right now, so I am going to stock up before the fashions change.

riley702

I have returned items from some of the online stores mentioned above, and I believe all of them include prepaid return labels with the package. Most of the online descriptions of each item also have feedback from others to tell you if a certain item runs large or small. I haven't found that I "waste" money with online purchases.

One of my favorite tops is a rayon cowlneck and I love not having to touch it up with an iron after laundering. Rayon and polyester can be very versatile fabrics, although I still wear mostly cottons and/or linens.