Tops
Unfortunately, I've found that my brace squeezes me in around the bust and chest area and my stomach spills out a little underneath the brace. This makes finding tops that fit and look okay really difficult; I don't want to look like the Michelin man! However saying that, I do hope that my legs and sense of style are better than his....
The key is to ensure that any top has a hint of elastane or give, that means it can fit easily and stretch where it's needed. Another good tip is to choose a top with volume that skims the body rather than fits tightly. Empire or A-lines are good as they flare out where the brace is, without being shapeless or baggy. Otherwise, I've found it's necessary to go a few sizes up from what I used to wear. Another tip is to get a top with a high neck line, to disguise the top of the brace, if needed. However, as I've gone on, I am finding that I care less and less about this. Why should I always hide the fact I wear a brace? And anyway, scarves work well, should the need to hide the brace arise. |
Dresses work really well over the brace. I especially like maxi dresses that cover everything; they are so easy to wear and look fab!
Tunic tops with a little elastane are prefect for wearing with a brace. As they are longer than the average top, one can wear one's normal size - or at least only one size bigger - and it covers the brace and stomach as well as fitting okay.
Blouses or other tops that fasten in front are excellent. It means they are really easy to put on and take off. However, most blouses don't have much give in the fabric, so I do find I need to go up several sizes to get ones that work well.