Flattering Fashion for Flat Friends
Post Mastectomy Fashion
Flat Friends UK has teamed up with Flat Friends trustee and fashionista Sarah Coombes of Flatter Fashion, a website she set up to explode the myth that you cannot find great clothes if you do not have reconstruction – to share tips and photos about finding clothes that suit post-mastectomy figures, both those living flat and those using prostheses, more widely to our members.
The Flat Friends Flatter Fashion blog is a page on Flatter Fashion where the shopping experiences, tips and photos of members of Flat Friends are shared, each post focussing on a seasonal trend. It offers advice and secrets to looking fabulous across both unilateral and bilateral styles, and covers different ages, tastes, budgets, styles, shapes and sizes as well as bras and breast forms.
- Flat Friends Flatter Fashion Blog – Spring/Summer 2023
- Flat Friends Flatter Fashion Blog – Spring/Summer 2022
- Flat Friends Flatter Fashion – Autumn/Winter 2021
- Flat Friends Flatter Fashion Blog – Spring/Summer 2021
- Flat Friends Flatter Fashion Blog – Autumn/Winter 2020
- Flat Friends Flatter Fashion Blog – Summer 2020
- Flat Friends Flatter Fashion Blog – Spring 2020
- Flatter Fashion Sewing Tips by Jan Poole
- Getting your head around hair loss – with Nicky from Suburban Turban
Dressing for your new body shape
You have spent most of your life a certain shape. You have been experimenting with clothes; finding styles that suited you, following trends, and reflecting your personality through what you wore. Now you’ve had a mastectomy, and you may have a new outlook on life. You are faced with a wardrobe of clothes accumulated over many seasons, but do not assume they won’t suit you after your mastectomy.
Whilst it may be tempting to donate the contents of your wardrobe to charity as you prepare for your surgery, we recommend waiting. Once your scars have healed and you have your range of movement back, try on everything. You will be surprised what will still suit you and fit your new body. Depending on your shape, you may find that your breasts had been hiding a tummy and that your tummy is more noticeable after your mastectomy. However, your dress size may not have changed.
Shopping for your new body shape can feel daunting but finding clothes that fit well on a single or double flat chest is not that difficult. Focus on finding clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin. Be true to your own taste, but try experimenting with styles you may not have previously chosen. Be creative with different patterns, textures, styles, and accessories until you find the look that reflects your personality, and expresses who you are. And finally, you may try things on that do not suit you (this is something everyone experiences whether they have breasts or not) but this is what makes finding the perfect item so special!
Body Shapes
One woman who has a mastectomy will have a different body shape to the next, and some may find that their body shape has not changed post-mastectomy. Body shape is about your proportions, rather than your dress size; someone who is a size 10 can have an ‘apple’ shape and someone who is a size 18 can have a ‘banana’ shape. Be ready to take a few sizes in to the changing rooms as you get used to what size you need in different style tops and dresses.
If your waist appears wider than your shoulder and hips, then you have an Apple body shape.
Show off your shoulders and legs, and add volume across your chest to balance your tummy. Try:
- Halterneck, strapless and cold-shoulder styles
- A-line tops and maxi dresses
- Swing dresses and tunics
If your shoulders, waist, and hips are around the same size, then you have a Banana body shape (also known as rectangle, athletic, and straight). Highlight your waist, and add movement.Try:
- Layering colours, patterns, and textures.
- Gathered waistbands on tops and dresses.
- Waterfall jackets and cardigans.
If your hips appear wider than your shoulders thenyou have a Pear body shape. Show off your narrow top half by drawing attention to your waist, and balance your figure by adding decoration and volume across your chest and shoulder.Try:
- Bright or patterned tops with plain bottoms.
- Wide neck, off the shoulder, and cowl necklines.
- Ruffles and frilly tops.
If your shoulders appear wider than your waist and hips then you have a strawberry body shape (also known as inverted triangle, and wedge). Highlight your waist, and add decoration down your centre and to your legs.Try:
- Patterns or bright colours on your bottom half or down the centre of your body.
- Eye catching waistband or belt.
- High-waisted, A-line, or tulip skirts
Tips on clothing that flatters single-flat and double-flat chests
Shape
To add movement and volume look for:
- A-Line tops and swing dresses which flare gently from the chest
- Bubble hem tops, or dresses with elasticated waistbands
- Off-the-shoulder, halter-necks and boat-necks can all add width across the chest
- Avoid darts and princess seams in heavy fabrics where you are flat, as they may not hang properly.
Fabrics
Floaty fabrics such as crepe, chiffon and light cotton create movement. Bust darts in
light fabrics will still hang properly where you are now flat. Jersey fabric drapes and
gathers to create shape. Lace and embroidered fabrics add interest, and textured knits
add depth. Layer contrasting textures and colours to add depth and shape.
Detailing
Look for extra features such as:
- breast pockets
- gathered or cowl necklines
- frills and pussy bows
- pleats and pin tucks
- contrasting sleeves.
Decoration
Be proud of your chest:
Decorate it! Look for:
- Patterns to draw the eye around your outfit
- Appliquéd designs such as sequins or beading
- Contrasting patterns on the bib or yoke
Asymmetrical Designs
If you have had a single mastectomy also look out for pleats, draping or frills from one shoulder as well as contrasting panels or bold patterns to decorate your flat side.
Accessories
Scarves worn in various ways are a quick way to do all the above. So, if you do not feel
ready to splash out on a bold gingham halterneck top, or bright floral maxi dress, then
build your confidence with your new style by decorating plainer outfits with bold
accessories. Try patterned scarves, statement necklaces, and bold jackets instead.
Post Mastectomy Fashion Gallery
Style Inspiration
Now you know how to flatter a flat chest, and what styles suit your body shape, it’s time to think about how your clothes can reflect your personality. Find your style icons in magazines and on television. Use Pinterest to search your favourite celebrities and designers, and save the looks that you like on your own boards (you can set these to private so only you can see what you are saving).
Most of all, have fun, experiment, and be confident. If you are in the UK please join the closed Flat Friends UK Facebook group and share your successes with women like you!
Latest Fashion News
Fabric painting, or as I sometimes refer to it, “Thank you mastectomy”
Last autumn’s mastectomy demanded a tremendous amount of space in many areas of my world. A space for healing, space for strength training to regain ...
Read More
Flatter Fashion Blog – Spring Summer 2023
Thank you to these amazing women for sharing themselves and their clothes! We hope they spark some inspiration for you… Rachel Rachel’s summer dress is ...
Read More
Getting your head around hair loss – with Nicky from Suburban Turban
Appearance can change rapidly with treatment and there seems little time to get your head around all the changes happening to your body. Most women ...
Read More
Flatter Fashion Sewing Tips by Jan Poole
I have been busy sewing today, adapting clothes to make the neck higher and more discrete. I have not changed my style now I’m flat ...
Read More
Flat Friends Flatter Fashion Blog – Spring/Summer 2022
The clocks have ‘sprung forward’ to British Summer Time, the bulbs are flowering, and we are wondering we put out sunglasses last October…so it must ...
Read More
Flat Friends Flatter Fashion – Autumn/Winter 2021
The start of Autumn is always a busy time for me as it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. So, Flat Friends takes priority in October…and ...
Read More
Flat Friends Clothing
Where your purchase helps us support women living flat after mastectomy, and those facing that decision.
Whatever your style, shape, or surgery – we’ve got the perfect top for you!
We know finding clothes for your new body shape can be daunting, and deciding how to dress your flatness is very individual. That’s why we have put together this new collection with something for everyone!