Would You Wear Half a Swimsuit Top?

Miriandra · September 2019

I am a L-UMX, my lymph node was clear, and I'm slated to start PT next week.

At the beginning of the summer, I was diagnosed with cancer. I immediately got on line to search out resources (like this one!) and options. One of the things I searched was "mastectomy swimsuits". Everything I found was, "It's higher on the sides to hide your scars, and here's a pouch to put your pillow." Which is great and wonderful for women who want a more normalized silhouette. But what about women who want to embrace what they've gone through, and be open about what they've survived? There was nothing available to the public to meet this potential need.

To that end, I have designed a line of half-chested swim wear. I wanted to incorporate the asymmetry into the styles without being gratuitous. I also strived to make the styles fun and pretty - something you would want to wear, not just have to wear because there was nothing else. The forum won't let me post images yet, so you'll have to trust me that they're cute and pretty.

So should I try to make these ideas a reality? If this was something available through stores, would anyone here be interested in buying and wearing them? Thanks for the feedback!

Betrayal · September 2019

No.

exercise_guru · September 2019

I can't speak to this as I had a double mastectomy but I know there is a strong desire for swim tops that look nice on flat chested women. As far as a one sided uni swimsuit I think there is a desire to have the bare side covered but flat because of sun exposure. Not many of us want to have aunt damage on our scar areas.

Definitely swimming after mastectomies are a challenge

sbelizabeth · September 2019

Do your designs cover the scar with material or bare it to the sun/onlookers/the world?

For the same reason I wore a wig--well, for a couple of weeks only, because it was hot and itchy--and then attractive caps, I just didn't care to be "cancer girl" to the world at large. I can't even mentally picture a swimsuit that covers the remaining breast and bares the scar on the other side. Not to mention many of us have scars that are lumpy and uneven. Divots, dog ears, and dumpling-esque features. Gah. No thanks.

wrenn · September 2019

I may not be getting what you mean or described but do you mean that only the remaining breast is covered and the mastectomy side is bare?

If the point is to show scars then I don't think breast cancer is any different than others as far as showing survival. Like having openings in clothing in places where other scars might be...bladder, kidney, lung, colon, liver surgeries?

I have BMX and go flat but would not wear a shirt that only covered my abdomen.

I am probably way off on this or not understanding but just thinking out loud here. :-)

WC3 · September 2019

I prefer swim shirts as I like to keep my arms coverer but I'm envisioning a pirate eye patch bikini top and I think it's great.

sbelizabeth · September 2019

Wrenn, you cracked me up. I'm trying to envision an ensemble that highlights my assorted scars and it's not a pretty thought. Shorts for the knee replacements, racer tops for the shoulder reconstruction, flip flops for the bunion. A chilly outfit in a Colorado winter.

amygil81 · September 2019

Some clothing designers once did something like that, with bikinis that covered the remaining breast and showed the mastectomy scar. You can see them online at https://www.today.com/slideshow/mastectomy-monokinis-swimwear-breast-cancer-survivors-55270634 . Most seem more decorative than practical. But they might be fun to try.

ksusan · September 2019

Bilateral, but I cover up more now than I used to (UPF 50+ swim shirt with trunks) because my oncologist told me never to expose the radiated area, front or back, to direct sun.

ShetlandPony · September 2019

When I read the OP I was envisioning a suit that was flat on one side so the wearer would not have to fill it up with a prosthesis if she finds a prosthesis uncomfortable or inconvenient. I could see a one-piece suit or a tankini top with some kind of embellishment on the flat side, or maybe a diagonal ruffle going from the shoulder on the mastectomy side to the opposite hip. The embellishment or ruffle not so much to hide but for balance. (Full disclosure — no pun intended — I myself have not had a mastectomy.)

Miriandra · September 2019

Yes, Amy, I'm thinking along the lines of the Monokini Project. But I agree, many of those designs are more artistic and not good as a practical swimsuit. I also didn't want to be gratuitous, like just cutting out a panel over where the breast would be. I wanted to make the diagonal part of the overall composition.

I fully understand that this style wouldn't be for everyone, and I in no way frown on women who want to cover their surgical site. Everyone will have a different path, and there is no wrong way to reclaim your body.

Some of these styles would look really cute on a bilateral too, but half the chest would still be open. She could choose which side she wanted bare.

Miriandra · September 2019

Yes!! It let me post the files!

I looked up the precautions on sun exposure for scars. Docs recommend strong sun protection for at least 18 months after the wound heals.

Also, some women get tattoos over their chest and scar, and this would be a way to show their body art too.

Would You Wear Half a Swimsuit Top?

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