Thread: Mastectomy-Friendly Costumes

Hi everyone,

It's been a long time since I posted anything because I've spent the last year being treated for breast cancer. Now that the worst is over and my body is starting to recover from surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy I need to think about costuming. Currently I have a wardrobe full of lovely costumes that are completely unsuitable for someone who has had a mastectomy and is wearing a prosthesis. As I wasn't very well endowed before surgery all my costumes were cut to make the most of what little I had and therefore there isn't enough coverage to hide a prosthesis.

I have a deadline to work towards fitness-wise - March 2012 when I have some work but I've no idea what I am going to wear as a costume!

I'm open to all kinds of ideas but please don't tell me that folkloric costuming is the answer because I am primarily an oriental style dancer and will need something with a bit of bling.

Help me regain my lost dance persona!

Afra

The choli-style costume with the fuller top and sleeves isn't particularly the rage now, but there are some floating around. The trick would be to find one that isn't too bra-ishly low cut in the front. You might have better luck with cabaret dresses.

Hanan is showing some full-frontal halters that give more coverage. If nothing is in your price range or size, they may give you some ideas for how you could modify some of your existing costumes.

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery Hanan (12895)
Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery Hanan (12940)
Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery Hanan (11381)

I was thinking of the same 'full front' halter idea as Tourbeau posted. And if you wanted more coverage you could line the mesh area with nude color or matching color lycra. (I've helped my mom modify some of her swimsuits since her double mastectomy.)

Thank you - they will at least give me some inspiration.

Finding anything that is a full cup will be nigh on impossible I think, as most costumes are built to emphasize cleavage rather than disguise it. The current trends in costuming are just not mastectomy friendly and there's no reason why they should be particularly as I'd like to bet that there are not that many of us in need of them. It's all just a bit frustrating and I'm so relieved that I have several months to try and source something appropriate.

You may want to figure out which designer doesn't use Dina style bras. Nousa, Pharonics, etc., may be a better fit than say Eman Zaki. The other thing which I have been told time and again by women who have had mastectomies is sleeve. So yes, choli style and dresses with slightly higher necklines and sleeve will be your friend. Also, don't forget your fabo regional costume designers. I am sure that Mandy could be able to come up with some great ideas.

Of course, to trip to Cairo might be a good idea.

And welcome back! While I am sorry to hear that you have been dealing with Cancer, I am happy you are a survivor. And that you are determined to thrive! Light ahead!

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

You may want to figure out which designer doesn't use Dina style bras. Nousa, Pharonics, etc., may be a better fit than say Eman Zaki. The other thing which I have been told time and again by women who have had mastectomies is sleeve. So yes, choli style and dresses with slightly higher necklines and sleeve will be your friend. Also, don't forget your fabo regional costume designers. I am sure that Mandy could be able to come up with some great ideas.

Of course, to trip to Cairo might be a good idea.

And welcome back! While I am sorry to hear that you have been dealing with Cancer, I am happy you are a survivor. And that you are determined to thrive! Light ahead!

{{{HUGS}}}

Yes, the current trend for Dina style bras makes a large percentage of costumes no use at all. I have some Nousa's sat languishing in my wardrobe right now - I love the designs but it would be very hard to do anything with them taking into account my seriously limited sewing skills! I will talk to Mandy - she's produced some great costumes for some of my UK dance friends and maybe she'll enjoy the challenge. . . I'm also looking for inspiration so that I can print off pics to show the vendors at my festival at the end of the month to give them an idea of the sort of thing I think might work.

Sleeves - it really depends on how tight they are. I had to have all the lymph nodes removed from my right axilla, so I can't risk anything tight because it can lead to lymphoedema and once you get that you are pretty much stuck with it. Generally it depends on how good your surgeon was at making a neat job of this (mine was!) as to whether you need coverage in that area. My main problem is that my mastectomy scar is quite long, so wide bands/straps are essential - nothing more off-putting to the GP than the dancer putting all her scars on display!

As far as cancer is concerned - it and and the treatment have seriously kicked my a** over the past year but yes, I have managed to survive and I'm looking forward to the time when I can stop using a walking stick and put the wigs away. Now I just take each day at a time, grateful for the fact that I am here to appreciate them.

Remember, my offer still stands to do free work on an existing costume.

I thought this was rather pretty:

Costumes - Full Costumes - Romance Lives - Neenee's Imports - CHANGE THIS ON index_enc_zend.php



Just an idea.

Sending good vibes to you and all the victorious women and the others, still fighting! Last Sunday I've walked 5 kilometers for the Canadian CIBC Run for Life, an event that compares to your Walk for the Cure. It's alway an honor for me to support this cause.



So I don't know if it's your size, but Simone-Raqs posted this pretty burgundy costume for $150! Here is the link:

http://www.bhuz.com/bellydance-swap-...-150-less.html

pic:

Would something like this work?

If yes, it might be possible to modify some of your existing costumes by adding such a drape using a matching fabric ( chiffon or lycra ).

Perhaps something like this? If necessary, it could be made opaque above the bust instead of mesh like mine. Also, mine is a dress, but you could eliminate the mesh midriff section and just show bare skin if you preferred a top and skirt rather than a dress.

Hi there! I'm so glad you are feeling better and able to dance again. You've been on a long road and you deserve all that joy that this dance can bring!


I would suggest that you might try leaving off with the prosthesis and look into padding the costumes you already have. Since you weren't especially buxom before, it might be possible. Of course, if you had a single mastectomy rather than a double, it would be more difficult to even them out without the prosthetic. And adding a matching-color swag of chiffon might cover any scarring/radiation damage peeking around the band. Or you could possibly even replace the bands. There's a LOT that can be done to remake costumes! I have a penchant for vintage myself, so I am well acquainted with ripping apart a bra for rehab and rebuilding it to suit.

Thinking long-term, do you think you will attempt a reconstruction? You might not want to create a whole new wardrobe if you will, as you'd have to replace it all over again.

Please keep us posted on your progress. You're certainly not the only dancer who will ever deal with this, and your experience could definitely help others. Plus, I'd just like to know how you're faring! :)

Wow - thank you so much everyone, you've given me lots of good things to think about!

I will admit that I had a major panic when I started looking around for suitable costuming as it didn't look like there was much to choose from. I think I will have to be a little more creative about the whole thing and I love the suggestions that have been made.

What I'm looking to do at this stage is to have just one or two costumes that I can wear with a prosthesis because I do plan to have reconstruction at some point. I've been advised to wait at least another year before doing so because my body took such a huge bashing with the initial treatment that it needs time to properly recover.

The coming months are going to be a voyage of discovery for me in terms of both dance and body image. I have had to face the reality that breast cancer and its treatment has had a huge impact on me physically, so much so that at the moment I cannot see myself getting back to where I was a year ago. So now I am working at small goals and learning to look at what I can do rather than dwell on the things that I cannot do any more.

You have a great attitude! It's true that you will continue to adjust and change, and you won't go back to your old "normal." You'll find a new "normal."

When you look for your plastic surgeon for reconstruction, be really careful that he/she is very experienced with doing recon after radiation. The amount of scar tissue makes it a much trickier process and you want someone very expert. My mom's recon was not a good one.

Another idea--you might consider having a bolero or vest made to match a costume or two. You could put it on over your bra, and wear it that way until you have a more permanent figure to plan around. :)

Originally Posted by SpicyThai

You have a great attitude! It's true that you will continue to adjust and change, and you won't go back to your old "normal." You'll find a new "normal."

When you look for your plastic surgeon for reconstruction, be really careful that he/she is very experienced with doing recon after radiation. The amount of scar tissue makes it a much trickier process and you want someone very expert. My mom's recon was not a good one.

Another idea--you might consider having a bolero or vest made to match a costume or two. You could put it on over your bra, and wear it that way until you have a more permanent figure to plan around. :)

Yes, the challenge is most definitely to discover a 'new normal' and I hope that I'm up to doing that! The plastic surgeon I will be seeing is an expert in reconstructions for those who have had radiotherapy. I have quite a lot of damage both externally and also to my lung so there will be a lot of things to factor in and I have already been warned that radiotherapy does limit one's options when it comes to reconstruction.

Right now though my goal is to regain my fitness and mobility, so reconstruction will be put on the back burner for a while.

I like the idea of the bolero/vest and I think I will talk to a local seamstress about something of that nature - thank you! xx

For those of you who are interested, I blog about my breast cancer experiences and you can read them here - The Blue Fairy's Breast Cancer Blog

Thank you Bhuzzers - you've made me feel so much more positive about things!

Hi There,
I had a radical mastectomy on my left side. Alot of times, I have found 'halter' style tops in metallic, and pin the soft, foamy water prosthesis in and then wear my bra tops over. Another trick I use is chiffon, silk, or metallic scarves loop them in the center, then bring them up and wrap around the bra strap - and this gives a nice cover - + cool movement. And my number 1 tool is the Wild Rose Tattoo Mesh long sleeve shirts. I put on my bra, then a body shaper -( TOO Cool!), then my sheer tattoo top and then I put on my costume. Everyone stares at me now because of my 'tats', lol. Here is a link to some: Wild Rose Ladies Tattoo Art Shirt Sexy Mesh Sleeves Original Artwork Arm Socks | eBay

And most importantly invest in very good toupee/wig tape to keep your costumes in place. The toupee tape will withstand human sweat and is better than traditional lingerie tape

also, here is a link to learn how to embellish bras - which there are some full coverage ones which will work very well:http://www.thebreastsite.com/booksto...shed-bras.aspx

And here is a link to a type of costume which also will work for us:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1108025281...6.l2649....she has several...
So-where there is a will, there is a way! I too was very over-whelmed in the beginning, but I am here to tell you - there's ways around a missing breast.

That's just brilliant - thank you so much for this!

One of the things I have done is to search for a pretty evening dress that I could adapt into a costume and funnily enough I just ordered one this morning!

It will give me enough coverage to hide my scars but can still be customised to look like a costume.

This is the one I went for - Link to dress I'll bling it up with some crystals and add some detailing around the hips.

I'm still not fully recovered from treatment so I won't be doing a huge amount of dancing this year but I do plan a limited return and will be looking at what I've already got in the wardrobe that I can alter. One thing I definitely need to do is invest in a new prosthesis that's more suitable for wearing with costumes, possibly a contact one.

I've now got some more inspiration - thank you!

While I did not have breast cancer, I am sort of going through the same dilemma as you.
I had melanoma tumors removed from both left and right axilla and now have huge scars that normal bellydance bras do not cover. I have been scouring all the costume sites looking for bra styles that cover the armpits. I have found a couple Eman styles that come with a matching bolera that are adorable, but may not help you cover your prothetic.
If you like the style and can find one, the vintage Abla dresses could work well for you.

Here are couple other styles I found on bellydancestore that might work for you

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery
Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery



Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery






Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery
Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

first Jody, - all the listings for the beautiful dresses, some which will work - and all will, with special metalic foil tissue material kind of tucked into the bodice area. Think of hiding cleavage of any kind - because there ain't any

And ! You're on the right track...OOOOOhhhh LaLa! and a pretty good price. Think out side the box - and really go outrageous - why not? YOu should see my costumes - find me on FB- robertakstarkey in olympia....And I've never been a belly dancer until my chemo stopped. I always thought of it as lewd and lascivious, and something 'good' people wouldn't be involved in - call me a past-prude....and I really don't bellydance like you guys - I belong to a pirate group, and a pirate bellydance exercsie group, and we perform with a lot of heart, but we are not refined like you ladies, lol. And I firmly believe with all my heart - that belly dance not only help me get over my stepfather's need to see me naked, it helped me heal from the mastectomy - it is important to excersize those arms! I attended 3 bellycize classes a week, for I was hooked after the first class. And I am amazed at how good I feel in my skin at the ripe young age of 50!!!

Wow, Jody it's so thoughtful of you to spend time doing this - thank you!

I have a very similar Hanan to this one

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery and this, along with this one

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

has given me some ideas on how I might customise it.

Again, thank you!

Afra x

I just found this on the Dahlal site...under dancers designs...

Dahlal Internationale : Dancer Designs

This is very pretty and maybe you could use pieces you already have to mimic the look....hope it helps!
If the link doesn't work, go to
Dahlal Internationale : Welcome!
and look under Dancer Designs

Hi There! I just stumbled on this thread and want you to know I also am a survivor (double mastectomy, radiation, chemo in 2009...and am dealing with lymphedema). I have since had wonderful results with the Breast Center in New Orleans where I had my reconstruction. They are amazing people there!!

I have to admit it was tough thinking I had worn all my costumes for the last time. Luckily I fought the urge to sell them off/give them away. While I was wearing the prosthetics, none of my costumes worked. I did add trim here and there to a couple of bras, bling out some cholis and modify some other "off the rack party-girl tops" but nothing during this time was all that satisfactory or appropriate in line of what I was used to. The edges of the prostheses extended beyond the cups...

I ran into the issue of under-the--arm side boobage coverage --- (not that I had any...but my under-arm was VERY hollowed out due to all the lymph nodes having been removed and nothing fit me quite right.) The skin on my chest was very fragile and sensitive due to the trauma of not only the surgery/radiation but repeated drains going in and coming out...so stiff edges of bras hit the incisions/wound sites the wrong way.
Also my port site is still a challenge to hide/mask.

SOOOOooooooo, today with reconstruction, i can at least wear a few of my old costumes and I have had a couple of custom made that I am very happy with. I'm glad to see the comments and recommendations from all the other lovely ladies. I'm gonna try to post a couple of photos here to show you a little of my journey...

I wish you the best of luck and would be happy to talk with you personally to swap stories,
information and inspiration!

Sabylla aka Sally Boyd

(The lavendar costume was pre:2009; short bob and pink wig between mastectomy and reconstruction; red and purple costume and hair extensions (!) Fall 2011 after reconstruction.

Bellydance Instruction and Performance in Knoxville - Classes, workshops, shows

Hi Sabylla,

Thank you for posting this - you look fab! Dealing with Lymphoedema is a pain isn't it? I have mild LD over my mastectomy scar which I am currently trying to reduce with massage. For various reasons I will have to wait a couple of years until I can have reconstruction and I must admit I've been looking at my costumes and thinking about selling a lot of them. After reading some of the suggestions here I think a couple of them might be suitable to customise for wearing with a prosthesis and I am going to look into giving that a try.

I'm pretty sure that I will only be making a very low-key, limited return to dancing because treatment has pretty much screwed up my health. As a result of this and of where scarring is I will be rethinking what I can keep/sell.

I too have a really big port scar (nearly 4 inches) and it's going to be a challenge to cover that up. One more thing to consider!

As I said in one of my earlier posts, I want any future pre-reconstruction costumes to hide the physical disfigurements that treatment has left me with. Even in the more supportive atmosphere of the belly dance community, I want people to focus on my dancing and not be distracted by scars etc.

It's all been a much bigger challenge than I'd first anticipated but I am hugely grateful for all the dance support I have received both here and elsewhere.

Afra x

I just found this thread thanks to the "boob dam" thread. I had breast reduction 30 years ago prior to the newer surgical advancements. The scarring is extends from my back, under my arms, under my breasts and up the center between my breasts and around each nipple. I use tattoo coverage concealer on the scars around my nipples and usually wear a flesh colored Sugar Petals body stocking (even with dresses)--the armless full leotard style. That covers the scars on my back and under my arms. I have made bolero jackets or shrugs for my costumes and dresses. Because, despite breast reduction, I am still really busty, the jackets and shrugs soften the look and visually balance the look of the trumpet skirts I prefer wearing.

Just some additional ideas.

Originally Posted by Souzan

I just found this thread thanks to the "boob dam" thread. I had breast reduction 30 years ago prior to the newer surgical advancements. The scarring is extends from my back, under my arms, under my breasts and up the center between my breasts and around each nipple. I use tattoo coverage concealer on the scars around my nipples and usually wear a flesh colored Sugar Petals body stocking (even with dresses)--the armless full leotard style. That covers the scars on my back and under my arms. I have made bolero jackets or shrugs for my costumes and dresses. Because, despite breast reduction, I am still really busty, the jackets and shrugs soften the look and visually balance the look of the trumpet skirts I prefer wearing.

Just some additional ideas.

Thank you!

I think I need to get myself some lessons in how to make things like simple shrugs as I can see just how useful they could be. I now have a custom made evening gown which I am going to adapt into a costume. I will document the process on the WAYWO thread when I get started with it.

Originally Posted by afra14

Thank you!

I think I need to get myself some lessons in how to make things like simple shrugs as I can see just how useful they could be. I now have a custom made evening gown which I am going to adapt into a costume. I will document the process on the WAYWO thread when I get started with it.

There are a lot of simple shrug and bolero patterns available from all the commercial pattern houses. You can make these in stretch lace, chiffon, velvet, lycra. And add sleeve drapes. Of f your costume has drape sleeves, put the sleeve drapes on and then put the shrug over it so that they arm band part of the draped sleeve is underneath the shrug but the pretty drape lookes like it is just part of the jacket.

I think Princess Farhana has instructions somewhere on how to make a simple shrug as she wore them for years to cover her tattoos.

And it's always nice to see you here!


{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Souzan

There are a lot of simple shrug and bolero patterns available from all the commercial pattern houses. You can make these in stretch lace, chiffon, velvet, lycra. And add sleeve drapes. Of f your costume has drape sleeves, put the sleeve drapes on and then put the shrug over it so that they arm band part of the draped sleeve is underneath the shrug but the pretty drape lookes like it is just part of the jacket.

I was just looking at this pattern and thought these were pretty cute:

B4731 | Misses'/Misses' Petite Shrug and Dress | Evening | Butterick Patterns

Thanks everyone, I will take a look at all the links. They really do have to be idiot-proof instructions because I'm not kidding when I say that sewing and me do not get on that well together! :) Beading and blinging up are things I can do however and I am looking forward to turning my dress into a costume.

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

I think Princess Farhana has instructions somewhere on how to make a simple shrug as she wore them for years to cover her tattoos.

And it's always nice to see you here!


{{{HUGS}}}

Thank you! I don't come to Bhuz as much as I used to although I do lurk from time to time. I am still having difficulties addressing some of the issues that breast cancer has left me with and as a result dance has been on hold. It's been a long, difficult road and I don't think I've got to the end just yet. I have had some wonderful support from the dance community that has helped me a lot though! :)