Garb For Mastectomy Survivor

[GryffinSong]

I hope this isn't too personal to say/ask, but I really could use some advice. I have had a bilateral mastectomy and chose not to reconstruct. This presents a problem with a lot of garb, and I'm not certain what to try that will be flattering. I'm a little overweight, and without something "on top" to even me out, I think I'm going to look a bit odd in many types of gowns. I want styles for lower class vendor, and higher class for SCA events. Not sure what direction to head ... my artwork is fantasy stuff, so I suppose I'm not limited to authentic renaissance. Fantasy, pirate ... whatever will best flatter my new "figure," if you can call it that.

Whew. I have to admit this is hard. I want my garb to be gorgeous, but I'm worried it can't be because of the body I've got to work with. 

[PollyPoPo]

While a lot of renfaire ladies enjoy the freedom of allowing their "ladies" to fluff up and over, there are many other styles which are much more modest.  Some of these involve bodices and boning that create a shape that could be very flattering to you. 

If I'm not mistaken, some of the Elizabethan silhouettes might be suitable.  Early medieval might fit, too.  Doublets?  A lot might depend on the weather at faire you attend.

What say you ladies?   

[gem]

Whew. I have to admit this is hard. I want my garb to be gorgeous, but I'm worried it can't be because of the body I've got to work with. 

Oh, hugs! I think WE ALL feel this way, even when we haven't gone through something so dramatic. You've gone through an event that has likely shaken your fundamental sense of femininity, and of course it's going to be hard. But your body is your amazing body--it beat CANCER!!!--and you better believe we're going to help you make it look and feel fantastic in your garb. 

I don't have time to pull links for you at the moment, but I'm sure other forum members will come by with a slew of amazing suggestions. I do know we've had some threads on garb for women who can't or don't want to wear anything like a corset, so I'll try to dig those up and see if there are any suggestions you can use.

If you're doing SCA, your garb will be dictated in large part by your persona, right? What era and region do you love? We can build your garb around that! But the first thing that comes to mind is to pick something where you have a lot of opportunity to accessorize, so that people will be completely wowed by the amazing fabrics, trim, partlets, hats, aprons, sleeves, etc. I'm not just thinking noble, here, either--there are a lot of us here who *love* period middle class costume, so I think we have plenty to work with!

[GryffinSong]

Oh, thank you, you ladies rock!!!

I'm three years out from treatment and I thought the grief was over, but this is bringing me to tears again. I think because ever since then I've mainly been in jeans and tees without a care for how I look. I did borrow garb for an SCA event that looked pretty good, but its middle eastern. I don't want that for my SCA persona, and I've never seen that kind of thing at a ren faire. Not sure yet what era/location my persona will be, but I love Celtic/Irish/Scottish things (and I'm half Irish). Clothing that isn't too fussy or tight. Something in natural linens rather than satins. Raw silk is nice. Wool itches. I'm rather fond of the Norse apron dresses, but don't know enough about the period yet to know if I want my persona to be from there/then.

The Adrian Empire was looser about realism than the SCA is, so I'm a little overwhelmed with the amount of detail required to really develop a good SCA persona. And my roleplaying games, in which I have decades of practice building characters, was almost always fantasy based. Rowan the wood elf, or Fae the magical faerie ... that kind of thing. Realism? What's that? LOL

I think, from what I've seen so far, that corsets will not be flattering unless I lose weight.

My hair has grown out pretty well, so I can probably do a braid or something. I don't like the feel of hats or other head coverings, although I realize they seem to be accurate for most periods.

I ADORE jewelry!!! Rings, bracelets, earrings ... bring 'em on. I have tons of silver, and revel in the feel of them on my hands. Gypsy would be fun, although they're not generally accepted in the SCA except at Pennsic. Not sure about most ren faires. I've seen them (and belly dancers and such) at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, as well as pirates and such.

Again, thanks for any help you can offer. I'm surprised at how much this is getting to me, and I want to find a way to look good. I've got to re-find my cancer warrior mojo, which got me through nearly a year of treatment.

[Lady Gregory]

These ladies are wonderul and will definitely point you in the right direction.  I am pretty conservative and prefer a high neck chemise.  The medieval gowns are high neck also; a surcoat would be a nice choice.  Another look would be an Italian gown with an empire waist and much loser style bodice than the Tudor/Elizabethan style. Some of the bodices I have seen have gathering to give it a little fullness (not sure of it being HA).  The empire waist will also help hide some of the weight around the middle (lots of experience with that).    Do you bother with a prosthetic bra?  That helped my grandmother tremendously.  I am sure you will look beautiful.  And since you love jewelry, a beautiful necklace will draw the eye upwards.

[GryffinSong]

Thank you Lady Gregory!

I don't wear a prosthetic bra. I suppose I'm stubbornly refusing to deny what I've been through.    Of course that makes looking good more difficult, but I can't seem to bring myself to fake who I am. I think that makes me an oddball, but what can I do? I've always been a little odd. I've also always hated bras, so wearing one now that I've got nothing to put in one just seems, I don't know, counterproductive. This is all so terribly confusing. My instinct is to never, ever, ever wear a bra again. But that puts me in this ridiculous position of garb difficulty.

I was looking at some of the blouses with very many gathers at the neck. That might be a good place for me to start. It will add fullness to the top.

[LadyFae]

Thank you Lady Gregory!

I don't wear a prosthetic bra. I suppose I'm stubbornly refusing to deny what I've been through.    Of course that makes looking good more difficult, but I can't seem to bring myself to fake who I am. I think that makes me an oddball, but what can I do? I've always been a little odd. I've also always hated bras, so wearing one now that I've got nothing to put in one just seems, I don't know, counterproductive. This is all so terribly confusing. My instinct is to never, ever, ever wear a bra again. But that puts me in this ridiculous position of garb difficulty.

I was looking at some of the blouses with very many gathers at the neck. That might be a good place for me to start. It will add fullness to the top.

I have no help to add about the garb, these other ladies are MUCH better at that part, so I'll leave it to them BUT, if you noticed what I've highlighted in your above statement:
You're NOT an oddball for that!  I used to work with a gal who also beat cancer and had a double masectomy, no reconstruction, and wouldn't wear a prosthetic bra (she said it hurt and would make her cry when she "had" to wear it for family's sake.) 
You are obviously a strong woman- a fighter, a survivor, and someone who should be admired as such!
(((HUGS))) to you!!!!!  Welcome to the Forums!

[CenturiesSewing]

A few ideas:

Surcoats or loose gowns with a loose kirtle under it, depending on what fabric you make it out of it can be as plain or as fancy as you would like.

http://www.lynnmcmasters.com/surcoat2.html

http://www.lynnmcmasters.com/surcoat.html

http://simbelmyne.us/elizabethan/comfort-gown/index.htm

http://www.extremecostuming.com/gallery/elizabethan.html bottom of the page has a very nice example.

[Lady Gregory]

Thank you Lady Gregory!

I don't wear a prosthetic bra. I suppose I'm stubbornly refusing to deny what I've been through.    Of course that makes looking good more difficult, but I can't seem to bring myself to fake who I am. I think that makes me an oddball, but what can I do? I've always been a little odd. I've also always hated bras, so wearing one now that I've got nothing to put in one just seems, I don't know, counterproductive. This is all so terribly confusing. My instinct is to never, ever, ever wear a bra again. But that puts me in this ridiculous position of garb difficulty.

I was looking at some of the blouses with very many gathers at the neck. That might be a good place for me to start. It will add fullness to the top.

Completely understandable and you are not an oddball at all.  I should have clarified that my grandmother had a single mastectomy and wore the prosthetic more for comfort than aesthetics as it helped to alleviate back pain due to the weight imbalance.

Huzzah to you for living life on your own terms and not conforming to society's expectations.  You are obviously a very strong woman.  God bless.

[GryffinSong]

Thanks again, everyone! I love those surcoats for cooler days!!! I think I look better with a belt than with a totally loose gown, but will try both with my local A&S ladies and see what they think. What do you do about really hot weather? Roll up sleeves? Short sleeves? It seems all the gowns I see have long sleeves, but I think I'd faint from the heat in summer.

[CenturiesSewing]

Another option might be a fitted english gown, some of them were made with short sleeves which gives you the option to wear it with something lighter. I think it would be quite comfortable if made in linen.

Full shot of my icon,

Mine is just held shut with my sash.

A few other styles..

http://www.ninyamikhaila.com/galleries_c16th_jess1569-2.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/liabucket/507674418/

http://www.dellacivetta.org/philippa/?page_id=43

[GryffinSong]

That's wonderful! I think the layered look would be very, very good for me.

I also found this online ...

http://www.garbtheworld.com/items/RenFaireFemaleSpecial.shtml

What I like about it: layered, the stick-out shoulder on the vest will add some visual size to my smaller top.

What I don't like: It doesn't look period to me, especially the vest. Can this kind of style be altered to be more realistic? If so, what needs to change?

Thanks!!!

[Auryn]

Firstly, Gryffinsong- you ROCK.
My total admiration at your will power and tenacity.

I don't have much I can contribute to the historically accurate garb but I am gonna go dig up some fantasy garb links for you.

[isabelladangelo]

That's wonderful! I think the layered look would be very, very good for me.

I also found this online ...

http://www.garbtheworld.com/items/RenFaireFemaleSpecial.shtml

What I like about it: layered, the stick-out shoulder on the vest will add some visual size to my smaller top.

What I don't like: It doesn't look period to me, especially the vest. Can this kind of style be altered to be more realistic? If so, what needs to change?

Thanks!!!

That won't be good for the SCA.   Have you considered wearing male clothing (it was done!)?  I would definitely go with the doublet idea. (Something more like this) Also, you may want to add "falsies" to a bodice (they had them!)

[GryffinSong]

Thanks, isabella. Yes, I've been wondering about male clothing, and might feel more comfortable in them. I LOVE some of the doublets I'm seeing.

I also noticed what looks like merchant's garb you made on page 240 of the sewing pictures thread. I really like that too.