Post Mastectomy Fashion

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.

Dressing for your new body shape

You have spent most of your life a certain shape. As a teenager, you began experimenting with clothes; finding styles that suited you, following trends, and reflecting your personality through what you wore. Now you suddenly have fewer breasts, and possibly a new outlook on life. You are faced with a wardrobe of clothes accumulated over many seasons, even years, which no longer feel like they belong to you.

Shopping for a single or double flat chest is not that difficult; but, it is daunting to suddenly not know who you are, or what to wear. As you develop your style, 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 would not have worn pre-mastectomy. Be creative with different patterns, textures, styles, and accessories until you find the look that reflects your personality, celebrates who you are now and expresses who you want to be.

And finally, be prepared to try things on that do not suit you or that you don’t like, this is something everyone experiences, whether they have breasts or not and 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:

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:

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:

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:

Basic tips on how to flatter and decorate 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 where you are flat as they may not hang properly.

Fabrics

Floaty fabrics such as crepe, chiffon and light cotton create movement; jersey drapes and gathers to create shape; lace and embroidered layers add interest, and textured knits add depth. Layer contrasting textures and colours to add depth and shape. The lighter the fabric, the less bust darts and seams matter.

Detailing

Extra features which suit a flat chest include:

Decoration

Be proud of your chest: Decorate it! Look for:

Asymmetrical Designs

If you have had a single mastectomy also look out for:

Accessories

Scarves worn in various ways are also a quick way to do all the above. So, if you do not feel ready to splash out on a bold gingham cold shoulder blouse, 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.

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!

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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!