Clothing issues...

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newvickie
newvickie Member Posts: 3,939
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I have been asked to participate with Cornell students to help develop clothing for woman with breast cancer.  They asked that I post and get any and all suggestions from anyone affected by any surgeries, radiation etc.  They are looking to design an "updated" version of comfortable, professional, casual, sexy, pretty clothes.  As these are young students they are just learning the amount of distress there is in trying to find comfortable bra's, pj's, summer tops, bathing suits, etc. 

I am working with Fatma Baytar and Professor Chiwese and will send all your ideas to them.  This is a very large project and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

V

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  • yellowrose
    yellowrose Member Posts: 886
    edited July 2010

    Bathing suits are a challenge.  I still haven't located a suit that really works for me. 

     The pocket openings are too small for a large prothesis. There is definitely a difference in the look between the natural side and proth side due to the fact that the support focuses on restriction. (Of course, sport bra/workout clothing has the same issues with the sides looking different because the natural side is more flattened and the proth side is more prominent.)

    What about a pocket that is partially sewn in and partially "velcroed" to allow for ease in inserting the prothesis. 

    How about a niche market for specifically addressing smaller swimsuit sizes with larger chest sizes.  Even tankinis don't fit.  To address the chest issue the waist area tends to be too loose and ride up.  One piecers are even worse.  Try designing the suit with a chest that allows for more expansion with subtle gathering, etc.  This might also address the flattening out of the natural side.

    There are other clothing issues but this is my main  concern.  If I am going to pay 3 digits for a swimsuit, I have to feel like I look good and somewhat stylish in it and not like I'm wearing my grandmother's 40's style suit.  (And what's up with all the huge flowers on mastectomy suits?)

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  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 3,939
    edited November 2009

    Just had an idea from a friend...wider spaghetti straps...or no spaghetti straps at all. 

    thank you Yellowrose...

    I also suggested to them to please design a line of clothing that is affordable.  Clothing that can be bought from Target, Kohls, Macy's, etc.

    Bra's that close in the front rather than the back.

    Wicking fabrics for those endless hot flashes.

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  • yellowrose
    yellowrose Member Posts: 886
    edited July 2010

    Great idea about affordability!  How about higher cuts under the arm area on sleeveless shirts?

    Pretty bras without underwires! (In larger cup sizes, smaller band sizes!) Not granny stuff.

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  • gracejon
    gracejon Member Posts: 972
    edited November 2009

    second the cut of sleeveless shirts.  Also necklines that don't show all my delayed reconstruction scars. Less plunging v necks and the like.  Empire waist that don't hit me mid breast since my breast size from reconstruction is wide and breast  projection is limited so empire stuff is not wide enough.

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  • dreamwriter
    dreamwriter Member Posts: 3,255
    edited November 2009

    Something flirty across the V of shirts to look like a pretty cami and hide surgery uglies.

    Addressing the issue of shirts/tops for someone with two different arm sizes due to lymphedema - something blousy and wide wrist with three buttons to size the wrist from small to large.

    If the weather is nice I like to wear skirts I made myself.... so I like to find tops that go with them that accent the waist, or simply make me feel feminine.  Hot days call for tank tops and skirts.  Warm days call for cami covered by shirt with a skirt and sandals.  I love bare feet from spring to fall.  I wear cute slip ons to match because they are like ballet flats, cute, flat and easy to get on and 4 pairs covers a week of travel. They are so small they fit in the suitcase no problem.

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited November 2009

    I have found some pretty gathered neck raglan sleeve tops that address both the uneveness of breast size and arm issues (I have a PICC line).  Mine are 3/4 sleeves and made of a synthetic material.

    Something like this:

    Anne Klein Three-Quarter-Sleeve Blouson Top

    http://shop.seenon.com/detail.php?p=90618&v=seenon_products_show_the-office

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  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 3,939
    edited November 2009

    These are great ideas and I will be sending them all to the University on Monday...keep them coming ladies and thank you!!!

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited November 2009

    Velcro closure - for those with neuropathy.   Small buttons do NOT work very well.  Permanent press type fabric but not with material that makes one perspire (sweat).  Some things I felt like I was in a steam bath and they were not high neck or long sleeves.   

     Sleeveless vests or tunics with pockets to go over tank tops or tshirts to give a more feminine look.  And most important of all - affordable.    

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  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 3,939
    edited November 2009

    Thanks again...keep the ideas coming...emailing Cornell now with the suggestions you have offered...the students will be thrilled!

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  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 3,939
    edited December 2009

    Sent your replies and received an email back that I wanted to share...you are helping these students more than you know...thank you...

     Hello Vickie,

    Thank you very much for initiating a thread about clothing issues! I think that this will be very helpful for the professor whom I help with the scanning. I forwarded your email to her as well and I hope she can contact you soon.

    I will be looking forward hearing from you more!

    Have a great week!
    ~Fatma

     FYI...I had my body scanned...yikes LOL.  Not an especially pleasant thing to look at!!

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