8 tips for (re)finding your personal style following mastectomy
Liz wearing Rixo
Regular readers (and listeners) might remember Dr Liz O’Riordan. The consultant breast surgeon’s world turned upside-down in 2015 when, aged 40, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She joined me on the podcast last year to talk about her experience; from diagnosis, to treatment and recovery. Whilst chatting we spoke briefly about the impact that having a mastectomy has had on how she feels about her body (Liz doesn’t have a left breast and doesn’t wear a prosthetic) and how she’s had to adapt her personal style to offset the loss of a breast. At the time I made a note to come back to this as there seems to be very little personal and practical advice out there concerning the challenges of dressing post-mastectomy.
‘It can be very hard coming to terms with a new body shape and image after a mastectomy,’ she tells me. ‘It’s not just the the missing breast(s) that can affect what you wear. For some women, breasts hide a tummy below, their absence can make it seem a larger. Unless you’re very slim, there might also be a noticeable bulge at the side where the breast used to merge into the soft tissue below your armpit. These can create odd shapes under clothes if a prosthesis isn’t worn. In the beginning I would cry as I walked around department stores with my shoulders hunched over, desperately looking for something that might disguise my uni-boob. I wanted to hide in huge baggy jumpers that often exacerbated the asymmetry. Eventually, I realised that no-one is really looking at me. I had to learn to love my body again and to wear what made feel good instead of worrying what other people thought. Time is a great healer. Now, I wear what I want.’
Credit: Liz Twitter @Liz_ORiordan
Here Liz O’Riordan shares eight tips and ideas for post-mastectomy dressing:
When it comes to mastectomy bras, they have to be full cupped to hold a prosthesis flat against the chest wall. This means that plunging necklines and anything low-cut will show the bra underneath (I struggled with this as a lot of my pre-cancer dresses had V-necks). An alternative is to wear a modesty panel or cleavage cover that clips on to a bra.
I found hot-weather dressing really hard. Many mastectomy bras have wide straps – flimsy, lacy things won’t hold the weight of a prosthesis – which means that the bra will show under strappy dresses. Instead I wear light vest tops underneath – in black, navy or white. Ones that contain a lot of Lycra don’t ride up and create wrinkles as I go about my day. Also useful are those old-fashioned dress slips (like granny used to wear) that I found at good ol’ M&S.
Wearing a shawl, scarf or bolero over a strappy dress will hide the bra, yet this adds another layer of clothing that may not be ideal when the hot flushes come (due to hormonal changes) – or if the weather is particularly hot and humid. Experiment with what works for you since layers are good for both (body)form and function.
If you choose to go without a bra or a prosthesis, this presents different challenges. As a small-breasted woman, I’m lucky that I can go bra-less, but I would recommend nipple covers (fabric and silicone). There are no one-sided bras that I know of to support single breasts sans prosthesis. Although it can be pricey, companies like Buttress & Snatch can make a custom bra for you.
Re-addressing the (dis)proportion issue… Tops with a fussy neckline can distract the eye: straps that tie in a bow or hang down, ruching, gathering or piping along a centre row of buttons. My dream top for hiding asymmetry has ruffles or flounces (sadly, every time I’ve found one I liked, the ruffle was on the wrong side – designers take note!). If you don’t wear a prosthesis, avoid wrap necklines as they gape terribly on the flat side. I’ve moved towards floaty, breathable fabrics (hot flushes again) and experimented with bolder colours and patterns for more smoke’n’mirrors distraction. Loose and drapey layers are also good.
There are days when I have cleavage envy, especially at parties when everyone glams up and I struggle to feel sexy. It’s much harder to find occasion wear now. Tailored clothing like fitted dresses and jackets – or anything with an obvious dart – can be difficult to wear because what can’t be filled out is more obvious. Wearing waistcoats or open shirts and blouses works well. Generally, I avoid strapless, stretchy dresses as they tend to fall down without two breasts. If you really love a fancy dress, a corset-style top – if it’s tight enough and has some boning or shaping – can disguise a mastectomy as long as the material sits close to the chest at the top. Instead, I love a jumpsuit. There’s no faffing about finding a top that goes with a pair of trousers or a skirt, and no worrying about tights. Jumpsuits are a funky alternative to both day or occasion dressing and there are some very smart, dressier versions in velvet or sequin fabrics out now.
A huge necklace becomes a talking point instead of the clothes I’m wearing. I look for closer-to-the-neck style statements, rather than once loved longer pendants. I gave mine away because without two breasts to keep a pendant in the middle, they just become a nuisance. While I’m not a scarf person, these can be great in diverting the eye from a flat chest and adding a splash of colour to your outfit.
I also focus on earrings and lipstick – or bold glasses and hairstyles – to draw the attention to my face, not my chest. When my hair grew back grey, some colours just didn’t suit my skin-tone anymore. Like Alyson, I had to change a lot of my wardrobe and makeup. I like contrasts so [clothing-wise] I stick to black, white, and navy with a pop of yellow or orange or green.
You can find Liz over on her website HERE and instagram HERE. You can pre-order a copy of her new book HERE.
That’s Not My Age is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Discussion (16 Comments)
Karen McB says:
Liz is one gorgeous lady. These are great tips — even though I don’t have the challenge she’s addressing, her approach is inspiring. What a good person to have walking alongside in traumatic times.
Elizabeth Hill says:
I have the same challenges as Dr Liz, though my mastectomy was on my right side. Wish I had read this before I started trying to find clothes that work, but funnily enough my conclusions are the same! I haven’t found a bra that fits and is comfortable with a prosthesis, so I go bra less too. I wear a Poetry linen vest top with a shirt on top. I find Lycra too hot (those hot flushes). I have found patterns distract, and a tie at the neck is good. If I wear a dress I hang a big scarf over my right side. I shall certainly be looking into the bespoke bra firm mentioned. So great to read this from Dr Liz, and thank you for bringing it to us.
Alyson McGarrigle says:
I think this is an example of why your site is so good. Practical advice from someone who knows and is very stylish. Thank you.
Boadicea says:
What an amazing lady! No whingeing, whining or feeling of entitlement shown by many of today’s little petals. Just sheer pluck and determination and, I like to think, maybe a smidgen of cussedness. Good for her! I don’t gift my admiration lightly but this lady certainly has it. When I imagine the horrors that must have beset her upon diagnosis because of her specialist knowledge, I am in awe.
Jill Brewer says:
The thing I discovered after right side mastectomy was the problem with horizontal stripes. They went wonky. I agree with the prosthesis issues – it was incredibly heavy and fell away from the body if bending forwards. I gave it a try but I’d often remove it part way through the day. I’d often return from a dog walk with it in my coat pocket! My solution was a padded bra top with removable pads. Insert a silk scarf and it was perfect if particular clothing required it. I mostly go bra-less but occasionally find nerve pain is helped by a soft bra top. It’s almost 10 years now and I’m happy I chose mastectomy over lump removal.
Allyson says:
Thank you Alyson for sharing Liz’s tips for post-mastectomy dressing. Although I don’t have a mastectomy, I do have an ostomy pouch and so I read Liz’s comments about learning to embrace your new body silhouette and finding a few smoke n’ mirrors distractions with empathy and understanding. I relate to the challenge of comfortably supporting a breast as I’ve spent a few pennies on products in search of a solution to comfortably support the weight of an ostomy pouch all day long. Your article helped me feel connected to the many others who have courageously faced health challenges and have found creative ways to re-define some of their dressing underpinnings and style. Liz – you look fantastic and you have a beautiful radiance about you. Keep shining!!
Gill says:
I had a left side mastectomy in 2017 and have been wearing a prosthesis but hate it. Any opportunity I get to take it off I will. I decided last year to not wear a prosthesis at home and now I’m going out without it. Not noticed anybody looking! My problem is that I’m always very hot so I can’t wear layers, especially not Lycra. I find shirts are great for disguising the lopsided-ness, especially silk or fine cotton. I’ve decided that if people stare then it’s not my problem I love that Rixo dress that Liz is wearing!
Kay says:
What an uplifting and practical article! This is what women need in their lives. How to deal.
Ellen Tannenbaum says:
As someone who has gone over 10 years with a single breast and then a few years with none, the key point in this article is that few, if any, people are scrutinizing your body as you live your normal life. And anyone who does is way out of line. Which translates into wearing what makes you comfortable and opting out of reconstruction or wearing prostheses. These days there are amazing FB groups supporting women who are living with the results of mastectomies and explant of reconstruction or implants. Fierce, Flat and Forward is one..
Christina Phippen says:
I just happened to come upon this site as I was browsing for hairstyles for women over 50. I had a bilateral mastectomy in 2021. You really do have to re-think your wardrobe. Sometimes, you don’t know how something is going to fit in all the right places until you wear it. Not wanting to spend a ton of money on a new wardrobe, I turned to second hand stores and online sites. This has been my saviour! Thank you so much Liz for your inspiration!
Goddessinthedetails says:
Does anyone have any tips for front-fastening, comfy sports bras? I find the over-the-head, compression type too uncomfortable after wide-local incision surgery and radiotherapy but exercise is a big part of my recovery/treatment. (Exercise apparently has a beneficial effect against hormonal cancers, including prostate.)
Thank you for the article. Liz is, and looks, amazing.Goddessinthedetails
I find the Sloggie Zero Feel Non Wired Bralette works for me, but I am small (single!) breasted.Ocd says:
“Shoulders hunched over” yep it’s a posture killer.
My PT told me I need a “compression garment.” I was genuinely perplexed. “Excuse me,” I asked, “do you know what month it is?”
Hot flashes & compression garments—in Florida.
I do not recommend.
And yes, my better half now has to be disguised, by ruffles (meh) or even better—a jacket. In summer in Florida.
Don’t take that HRT, ladies. Not worth it.
Bernadett 
Cindy Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
That was such a fantastic interview Alyson. I listened to it several times.