Fashion Tips for Women

Swimwear After Breast Cancer

Shopping for a bathing suit can bring even the most confident woman to tears, so just imagine how that experience is magnified when shopping for swimwear after breast cancer. No matter what your body type, shopping for a bathing suits has to be one of the most frustrating experiences — right up there with shopping for jeans. As a breast cancer survivor, my body is not what is once was and nothing quite fit like it used to. My breast have been removed and expanders now reside where those soft lumps once perched. In addition to my missing breasts, I am sporting long scars that stretch diagonally across each chest wall and my armpits are now deep caverns where breast tissue used to fill. As summer approached, my itsy bitsy bikinis lay taunting me from my closet drawer. Coming to terms with my new body has been hard enough, I just didn’t feel comfortable climbing into one of those bikinis just yet. So, what would I wear!? I refused to avoid all the water fun that summer brings and I wanted something that would still make me feel like the fun, confident 28 year old I am. So, I dragged my butt to the stores and began the hunt for swimsuits that would help me find some semblance of body confidence during this awkward time.

Swimwear after breast cancer main

Anything with underwire or “cups” was out because my chest no longer has a shape that will fill out a cup and the underwire digs into my scars and sensitive chest wall. My slowly swelling expanders were having none of those perfectly formed shapely tops and needed a soft stretchy surrounding instead. So, I turned my attention to one-piece suits with halters and no forced chest  shapes. Anything to take the attention away from my awkward side/top boob and lots of ruching to disguise my chemo 10 (a cousin of the freshman 15). I am happy to report that I have been very successful on this hunt and I wanted to share this knowledge with my fellow survivor in the same boat.

Check out these survivor-friendly suits and let me know which styles work for you!

http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-slender-tunic-one-piece-swimsuit/id_272510?sku_0=::BLA
http://www.anita.com/shop/en_global/care-bikini-ff344b.html
http://www.anita.com/shop/en_global/care-swimsuit-florinia-2d7dd2.html

Save

7 Comments

    Jessie Bishop

    June 19, 2016Reply

    Who is that gorgeous model in #5?!

    Great post. I love these options. I concur that swimsuit shopping is a nightmare (for everyone without “Angel” on their resume).

    I think the companies that keep women of all body types in mind when deciding their lines are laudable.

      Dana Dinerman

      June 20, 2016Reply

      Hi I am a survivor and I created a swimwear line for those affected by breast cancer. It is called hulabelle. The line is made in the USA and offers a higher quality of fabric. It also has UV50 protection. I only have a few options right now but if a survivor is in need of a certain type of coverage I have enough styles created (just not shown) that I could put in a custom order for them. I am working on a custom site so people have more control over color options and styles. Please support a survivor check out the line. Also proceeds do go to charity. Thank you! Dana

        Anna

        June 21, 2016Reply

        That would be awesome to offer the customization to survivors. I know each women struggles with different body challenges.

        Dora Esbenshade

        March 18, 2021Reply

        I am 65yrs old, 5ft. tall and 200lbs. and just had a double mastectomy. I choose to remain flat. I do not want to wear a prosthesis to swim I need a suit that has no cups but covers my belly. I prefer tankinis. Are you able to help me?

    Dana Dinerman

    June 20, 2016Reply

    Hi I am a breast cancer survivor and designer of Hulabelle Swimwear. It is swimwear for all women but is made for those who have been affected by breast cancer. The suits are a higher quality of fabric with UV protection. Also I am working on customizing options for survivors with having color choices and if they want to have a bra included or not…that will be up in the next season. I hope that you will check it out and support a fellow survivor. Also, proceeds go back to Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Jills Wish. Dana

      Anna

      June 21, 2016Reply

      Hi Dana, Thank you so much for sharing. I will definitely check out your line!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *