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Camisole, normal Wearing a normal camisole can potentially help "flattops" (who decide to really go flat!) feel more feminine. Melissa has a few in purple and pink to wear around the house under clothing. They also give a bit of the look of bra strap lines under clothing. "I found children's camisoles to be large enough and non-tapered." Annette BC wears teen camisoles, and says, "they look fine underneath. So when I wear a v-neck the camisole peeks out; that's the fashion these days, anyhow." Stephanie wears camisoles, too, but "I prefer smooth silk (very inexpensive through Sierra Trading Post)."

Catalog shopping, Melissa says, may seem impossible . . . but you can still do it. Catalogs show extra top colors than the one the model is wearing. Some catalogs do this by hanging the clothing on a hanger or putting it flat on a table. (Just be careful, because sometimes they use a figured mannequin to do this job.) "Looking at the tops that are displayed flat, rather than the ones worn by the models, I can better see what a shirt will look like on me. This tip has helped keep me from being interested in clothing that looked just fine on the model. Luckily, anything other than tops (shoes, hats, pants, etc.) will still fit you the same as always!"

Dark colors. Many women know this already for other reasons! Dark colors camouflage. "If you wear darker tops," Melissa says, "the flatness may be less noticeable than when wearing lighter shades, like pastels and white."

Eye. Stephanie advises that you "direct the viewer's eye to your best features. Scarves, hair styles and jewelry draw the gaze upward. Skirts, pants and shorts can draw it downward. Pay attention to the whole effect . . . you see what's missing, but the viewer sees what's there."

Fabric, says Stephanie, "makes a huge difference. Beware of slippery, slinky fabric that clings to every curve. Oversized shirts that drape can billow inward as well as outward �giving you a concave, not convex chest. A slightly stiff or smooth fabric is better at holding its shape and yours. In general, patterned fabric conceals better than solid. And a lace cardigan or vest can hint at hidden treasure without making promises."

Fitted/pin-tuck tops can help camouflage flatness on days when bilateral "mastectomites" want to bra-less. "This was a surprise to me," admits Melissa. "I thought that unfitted shirts would make me look less flat. But they tend to cling and show the flatness more."

Flat-chested fashion is available. Stephanie says: "I especially like Japanese fashion (including street style) and jackets (channel-style, jean, blazers, leather coats). It's important to find clothing designed for flat-chested women. Flax brand is great because the layers are comfortable and stylish."

Layers add bulk and consequently "flatten" most women (think of wintertime, when everyone is in coats). "When the weather is right," says Melissa, "you can dress in layers and the flatness may be less noticeable."

Necklines "can enhance or detract from the overall effect," Stephanie says. "Fabric falling from a high neckline can draw the eye to missing breasts, especially if it's a solid color, smooth or slinky. Experiment with v-necks or lower cuts--a bit of exposed chest can be quite attractive."

Sweaters, according to Melissa, can be very clingy and hug curves, especially normal sweaters. "Pre-surgery, I used to always wear sweaters. That's about all that is in my closet now!" Stephanie says that "Sweaters can work. Cardigans and sweater sets are better if slightly bulky. Bulky handknits are fantastic, as are layers of cashmere. And vests over sweaters offer more options."

Sweatshirts may not be very fashionable, but if they're thick and have a waistband, they can work as camouflage on relaxed days when bilateral ladies want to go without the falsies. Says Stephanie, "hoodies are fun too, especially open in front."

Swimsuits Many women choose not to wear proshetics when swimming, because chlorine can shorten their "lifespan." If you want to swim without wearing prostheses and are of a smaller to normal weight and height, you may fit into little girls' separates and be able to choose a top that offers a lot of coverage. L. L. Bean, for example, has offered girl swim tops that are short- and long-sleeve shirts. As another idea, thanks to the efforts of Susan Scheid (a bilateral breast cancer survivor who prefers not to wear prostheses) Land's End offers a braless women's swimsuit. Please note that there are no prostheses pockets in this swimsuit, so you won't have the option of placing them in. It's item # 28116-2A67 (Source: O Magazine, June 2008) and retails for $40 when not on sale. Another possibility: "TYR (tyr.com) has racing suits that look great if you are staying flat. The colors come in some really cool busy patterns. If you try some on in stores first (they run small) you can then click onto swimoutlet.com and get some for half price" (Mary).

Vests "in a variety of fabrics (flat and bulky knits, cotton prints and solids) and styles (pull-over, zipper, button) can be worn over t-shirts, blouses and sweaters. Vests that open direct the eye up and down the body (instead of across missing breasts) and can be pulled off easily for hot flashes," Stephanie says.

V-necks, according to Stephanie, "are more attractive and eye-diverting than round-neck cuts."

Wraparounds can be good or bad. Annette BC says that shawls "somehow they make you look flatter." But thumbs-up from Annette go to shrugs and capelets.

The above presents the personal views of Flattops visitors. Your experience may vary. Brand names are based on members' experience, and do not indicate endorsement by any party.