Clothes after bilat mastectomy with no reconstruction

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jasinsa
jasinsa Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

I had a bilat done in 2006 and for various reasons decided not to have a reconstruction.  I don't regret that decision but I am running into a problem finding clothes that fit.  In the past  I used to make a lot of my own clothes and could again but I am not sure what patterns to use.  I am 63 years old and, unfortunatley, not thin.  I buy size 20 - 22 clothes and, of course, there is lots of room in the front of the tops that I can no longer fill.  I was wondering if buying a man's pattern would be the solution - or maybe adjusting patterns so that the darts are not there.  I would appreciate advice from any others who have managed to overcome this problem.  Any help out there for me?

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  • GryffinSong
    GryffinSong Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2010

    I dress really casually, so might be of no help. I tend to wear t-shirts and sweatshirts a lot. Or a henley with another shirt (usually unbuttoned) over it. The layered look is great for those of us who are breast free. Or draping a scarf across our chest to draw the eye away from that area. I'm an artist, and haven't had any occasion to dress up since my surgery over a year ago, but I expect that I'll wear nice jeans or slacks, a henley or other "man" style knit shirt, and a loose, pretty jacket over it. Women's clothing is often out because of the dart issue. If you want women's styles you'll probably have to look at stretchy stuff or clothing that's intended to be worn loose, so that it doesn't have a tailored cut.

    Good luck!!!

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  • chainsawz
    chainsawz Member Posts: 3,473
    edited February 2010

    This would be a great clothing line because everything out there is geared for women who choose to wear a prosthesis....nothing for those of us who go "flat" :>  There is a site run by a person on this site (I can't remember her username right now) called http://breastfree.org/ which has a section under development called fashion ideas.  Maybe we can submit ideas? 

    Edited to add info:  Erica is the one who runs breastfee.org.  There are other good threads on the Breast Prostheses and Reconstruction Alternatives forum that might have some good info, too.  Best to you!!! 

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  • jasinsa
    jasinsa Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2010

    Thanks for your responses.  Like you I tend to dress very casually in pants and t-shirts but was thinking I would like a change.  I will check out the website you mentioned, chainsawz - or should that be Lisa?  It looks intersting.

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  • jacgrehanjul
    jacgrehanjul Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2010

    This is a clothes designer website for exactly what you are discussing!

    http://rebel1in8.com/rhea.html

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