My next VIP Mutant, all the way from over the pond. Casey underwent a preventative mastectomy and opted for no reconstruction. She shares her new flattie fashion on Instagram and looks banging. Here she is blogging about her experiences.
I’ve always loved fashion and clothes. I remember tussling with my mom as a 4 year old each day as she attempted to dress me – I wanted to pick out my own outfits even then! As I got older, I went through a Disney Channel phase, a Meg Ryan phase, an Anthropologie phase, a hipster phase. But nothing could have prepared me for the “breastless phase” I’ve recently entered into, following my preventative double mastectomy this past summer.
Once I tested positive for BRCA1 last year, I made the decision to have prophylactic surgery. I knew implants weren’t for me, and as I considered my reconstruction options, the idea of staying flat slowly grew on me. In the end, it turned out to be the best option for my body and life and I moved forward without recon. But – how to reconcile my love of fashion with my boobless body? I once filled out a blouse quite nicely, but now I was dealing with a flat canvas of ribs, skin, and two badass scars.
Learning how to dress without boobs after having them for 20 years has proven to be an exciting, odd, challenging, confusing, and satisfying experience.
If I’m honest, knowing I’d be able to wear certain pieces of clothing without inhibition was one of the things that got me through surgery. After my mastectomy, I knew my closet was going to need a revival of sorts – an upheaval, a switch up, a refresh (read: an excuse to purchase new clothes – what whaaat).
When dressing with a flat chest, the obvious perk (due to the lack of perk! tee hee – flattie joke) is that you don’t have to wear a bra unless you really want to. And that was about all I knew as I flung open my drawers and closet doors and began to dig into my current wardrobe, attempting to put together outfits that would flatter my new frame. I wasn’t quite sure how much of my current wardrobe would work on my new frame, so soon after surgery, the experimenting, cleaning out, and scavenger hunting for beautiful new pieces that made me feel feminine and confident began.
It’s been 4 months, and now, for the curious, I present to you a few things I’ve learned while dressing my breastless body:
– I still like to have pretty bralettes on hand. When I’m feeling shy about showing my scars (especially since they extend into my armpits), if I want a little more coverage, or if I’m just looking for a fun, lacy layer, I’ve found bralettes are just the ticket.
– Not every neckline is flattering for me as a flattie. I’ve found that I prefer extremes: either deeper or higher, depending on the piece of clothing. An in between neckline broadens my shoulders and makes me look off.
– I shouldn’t write off entire groups of clothing just because one piece doesn’t look good on my new shape. For example halter tops: I’ve weeded out a couple that broadened my shoulders and weren’t flattering, but have found others that look perfect on me!
– Deep necklines are my new best friends. If I want to feel feminine and flirty, I can unbutton an extra button or wear a blouse with a lovely deep V! Whereas before I would be tugging everything up to cover my virtue, now I don’t care if a neckline reveals a little more or a neckline slips down a tad.
– Layers and baggy, french-tucked tees can hide my lack of chest well if I’m just not feeling it on a certain day.
– Off the shoulder styles are amazing when you don’t have a strapless bra to contend with!
– Heck, all shirts are amazing when you don’t have a bra to contend with. That feeling of taking off your bra after a long day? Yeah. It’s like that. But all the time.
In the end, fashion with no boobs follows the same rule as fashion with boobs, and that rule is: there are no rules! If you like it, wear it! Go with what you love and feel best in, and you can’t go wrong.
I’m excited to continue figuring out how to dress my new body, and am having fun sharing what I’m learning with others. If you don’t already, you can follow my fashion victories and mishaps as a flattie on Instagram at @theflattiecloset. I promise it’ll be a good time.
THANK YOU Casey. Feel free to comment below and share Casey’s blog on your social media.
