Living flat: style without hiding it

indoorgardener

Hello all,

I’m 22 and just got a nipple sparing double mastectomy without any reconstruction or plans in the future. I’m still in compression gear, but while I haven’t been upset in the slightest with being completely (12 year old boy!) flat before, getting dressed now feels like a bit of nightmare. I didn’t realize how my entire closet was made for boobs- darts in buttonups, sweetheart busts in dresses, etc. I am not interested in “hiding” or “distracting” from my flatness, but it’s left m wondering- is there anyone else out there who likes to dress up AND live flat? What do I wear besides t shirts??

Thanks so much. You’re all so brave. I read this forum every day leading up to my surgery and it meant so much to me.

ravzari

You can wear button down shirts that aren't darted or 'fitted'; I find I look like a box in babydoll style shirts or fitted shirts, but straight style dress shirts look just fine. Most of mine are from the mens' section as I have pretty broad shoulders so most womens' shirts, including straight style ones, don't fit unless I go up into plus sizes and then, though they fit my broad shoulders, they hang like drapes on the rest of me, so I usually just opt for mens' shirts as they fit all the way down.

If that's a bit too boring or unfeminine for your liking, you can always wear some kind of camisole underneath and not button up all the way so any detailing on the camisole peeks out but--honestly, I've always been pretty tomboyish so regular button down shirts, t-shirts, polo shirts, etc...have all been just fine for me as that's what I wore previously.

I don't mind how v-neck shirts look on me, so long as they're straight styled ones and not 'babydoll' style.

Moderators

Hi indoorgardener!

Welcome to our community! We hope you're recovering well. You've definitely come to the right place for support. We have a pretty active thread on going flat, where members share stories, advice, and day-to-day issues that may arise: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/82/topics.... We suggest giving that a read and hopping in with questions where you feel comfortable! It can definitely be a struggle to shop and find clothes that are flattering and stylish, but some of our members can surely point you in the right direction.

The Mods

DATNY

I went to Peebles this weekend shopping for the first time for my new body shape and I found a fairly large selection....bottons down, blouses, stylish tops etc. I wear them over a regular sports bra and, and even for me is hard to tell, when I look in the mirror, that I don't have breasts.

ksusan

V-neck with a scarf is pretty effective. Unconstructed jackets, too.

indoorgardener

hey! Thanks so much, everyone, and thanks for the links from the mods. I have to say this is really inspiring me to design my own swimsuit..

Metta

Hi, I have to say I'm jealous because I didn't know we could have nipple-sparing mastectomy without reconstruction. Argh! I should have done that. Without nipples my chest looks like E.T. Oh well.

Halter tops and off-the-shoulder shirts look pretty good even when flat. Boat-necks are good, too. This woman started a great instagram that might give you some ideas. https://www.instagram.com/leavemebreastless/?utm_s...

I think the new high-neck bathing suits will be good for us! Don't worry, it gets easier.

SuC

Cowl necks work really well. Layering is perfect.

I sometimes just emphasise the flatness and go for a more 1920s flapper style look.

Some clothes, even though they have darts, are actually really flat - I don't know where boobs would go! Desigual in particular is like this.

Other times you can get a shirt with some sort of different twist which looks good - I have one from Cos which has a double ruffle diagonally across it which works really well.

It actually becomes fun to see what you can wear. I wear things now that I would never have dared to do with boobs!

Jennie93

If you are on Facebook, there is a group called “Flat and Fabulous” which is so inspiring for the sheer number of fellow flatties out there, plus tons of great sharing about clothes that look good, fit right, etc.

amygil81

Jennie93, good to see you here again. We each have UMX with no recon. And you're one of the few ladies that had to have pectoral muscles out, as I did. Do you have trouble finding a prosthesis that fits?

indoorgardener

I can’t post links but I’d love to share all my looks lately! Weirdly loving showing off my shoulders! Thanks ladies. Xoxo

Jennie93

amygil, I’m not the one to ask about foobs, since I don’t bother with any. Just a padded bra does the trick. The hard part is finding one that doesn’t dig in where the LE area is tender.

crystlda

Just had a bilateral mastectomy in Nov.2017 so winter short and long sleeve tees no problem but now in May I realize all summer tanks are built for breasts and since I chose to go flat they don't fit me correctly and most show surgery scars. Now looking for fashions with out extreem low fronts without going into mens tees. Looking on line but just frustated.

Moderators

Hi Crystlda-

Welcome to BCO! We certainly understand your frustrations, the styles are so limited for living flat survivors! There are some very helpful suggestions and ideas in another thread in this forum, about fashion after going flat: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/82/topics...

We look forward to seeing you on the boards, and hope you find the support and information you're looking for!

The Mods