Dressing Room Dissapointment - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing Room Dissapointment

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I have been so busy (and tired) lately that I haven't had a chance to do any fashion shopping. Today I had to pick prescriptions up at Target, so I decided to take the opportunity to try some things on at Marshall's. I have been trying to experiment with my back brace and see how best to hide it with my clothing, so I wore it shopping to try things on with. You would think that something called a corset would accentuate my waist, but this is actually bulky and makes me very apple shaped when I am wearing it. Everything I tried on pretty much fit, but it's hard to find anything flattering when there is a big bulk around my middle that hides my waist.
I guess I should look back through all of the apple guidelines to get a better idea of what will work, it's just sad that I worked so hard to get a waist and now my health problems hide it

Shopping

27 replies

Latest reply was from Kappy

lyn67

Veteran

Suck! Oh My! Is really that bad?That's not fair indeed, so sorry to hear about:-((. Do you have to wear it all the time 24/7? I can think some vests (for ex. that stunning fur vest you already own) worn over evrything to hide the corset, or structurred jackets...see what say others? get well soon!!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, how frustrating! I hope you can find something that cheers you up and makes you feel pretty. Feel better soon.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Oh, that is so frustrating! You should be able to enjoy the fuits of your labors - but just think how much more pronounced the brace would be if you did not have that waist. :T I'm sure the apple guidelines here will help you feel more fab, Khris. Don't lose heart; you are essentialy starting over again with new shape guidelines to follow.

missvee

Veteran

Sorry to hear about your ongoing health issues. Trying to work around a brace sounds like a real challenge. Some of the other posters here love to wear tunic style sweaters with leggings or stretchy trousers, and they look wonderful in this combo, especially when they add an interesting necklace or scarf. If you can just find one outfit that you like it might give you the boost you need. Good luck !

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Agreeing with the others here, Khris and your health is #1. I think missvee has some excellent ideas, if that would work, like the tunic-style sweaters and accentuating your neckline with a pretty scarf. Thinking of you and hope the brace helps you.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Thanks ladies.
Lyn- it really is that bad, and this one is actually less bulky and less wide than the original one that I tried one. It has several layers, including super strong velcro over heavyweight nylon and a hard plastic lining. I have been wearing vests- and they do help. I guess I will have to up my search for more. I don't have to wear it 24/7, but I need it any time I am sitting or standing for any period of time, so pretty much if I am out in public it is on.
I do wear a lot of tunics/skinny pants missvee, it's my go to combo for cold weather. They aren't that easy to find, though- and it would be nice to have other styles in my closet.
I tried on a gorgeous top that was very flattering on me- until I got the brace on. It's just frustrating to have two different bodies to dress- and I am already thinking about summer. The brace has to have a layer between it and my skin, so I will be miserably hot during the summer. I hope it's a big shift/sheath year, because that is the only thing that I can imagine working in my climate..

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Khris, I'm sorry to hear about your back and clothing woes! It's no fun having to change the way you dress suddenly and drastically. I find that layers, like a vest or structured jacket are really good at giving me the illusion of a waist.

Anonymous

Wow Khris, it almost seems like you need maternity clothes to fit around that thing. It sounds as bad as a body cast! Thank goodness you *can* take it off and see your waist every night. You have worked so hard for your shape. I know you will find a way to dress around it and highlight the pretty bits that it doesn't obliterate. Good luck!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I'm so sorry Khris. That does sound discouraging. I'll bet though that in no time you'll have your new shape mastered and looking fab as ever!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I can't imagine how frustrating and discouraging this would be. I think it will take some experimentation to figure out what works - just try to keep in mind that you are beautiful, inside and out and no back brace is going to hide that!

Makrame

Veteran

I am sorry to hear about the brace making things so difficult. This does not quite help with the waist definition issue but I noticed that these Target cowl necks are still on sale online. http://www.target.com/p/Mossim.....u=13576302
They are very forgiving in the waist yet somehow have a slimming effect when worn as a layer under a cardigan (I am thinking some drapy-flowy cardigans, maybe?). I wonder if these would fit over a brace. The length is OK for skinny pants.

Jonesy

Veteran

I'm so sorry, Khris! What a lot of adaptations you have had to make these past months! I agree that you will look fab in loose shift dresses, and I like the idea of layering with jackets. Is this a forever thing, or something you need to do for a while?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, no! (((HUGS))).

Will loser woven tunics do the trick, Khris? How about wearing your long cardis over that for extra camouflaging effects?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Jonesy- I have degenerative disc disease/osteo arthritis, so this is a forever thing.

Angie- looser woven tunics are about the only thing that do work. They are difficult for me to find though, and at my size it's difficult to find any loose enough not to pull across the brace. There's only so much sizing up that you can do, and I am at the top of the size range for many brands. I don't really have any long cardi's, but I don't really care for them anyway.

Jonesy

Veteran

Khris, I'm sorry. Maybe brace innovation will occur and they will become more streamlined over time? In the meantime, it seems key to find some perfectly-suited loose dresses and tunics in high-quality fabrics that make you feel fab and you can wear the heck out of! I know you knit--do you sew? Or what about finding a good tailor who could custom make a few pieces for you? Maybe I'm in la la land and these aren't realistic ideas, but I'm just brainstorming a few things :).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Khris, I have no words of advice, but I wanted to say I am so sorry for what you are going through; it must be beyond frustrating and disheartening. Knowing you, you'll find a way to look chic and unique even with this incredible challenge, but it can't be easy and no wonder you are feeling frustrated. Sending hopeful wishes your way.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

This isn't going to help for summer, but as soon as you mentioned sheaths/shift dresses, I thought of this dress which is currently in my wishlist - it's on sale for a really good price right now, and there *is* free shipping and returns now with Nordstrom:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/t-.....n=wishlist

I don't know if it's the right style, right size - but I can just picture this on you with flat riding boots, sheer hose or tights and whatever jacket/vest/topper you want to throw on. I think it would look beautiful on you with your hairstyle and colouring. It's the kind of dress that could be MOTG or dressed up.

Hang in there...

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krishnidoux

Veteran

I am so sorry for you. Sending you all my good thoughts and hoping you find something that you like!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Khris, this is so frustrating! <<<hugs>>>
I think that it is a great idea about flowing tunics. Also I really like to wear A-line dresses above the knee:they are very forgiving around the middle so they may just work for you.

I hope you get well soon !

AJ

Veteran

Oh no! I'm so sorry, Khris! That does sound so frustrating!

I saw these shift dresses at Old Navy.

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soobee

Veteran

I'm so sorry you're having a tough time with this. I can only imagine how this must be disrupting your life. I too have a degenerative thing, with my bones. It's supposedly "age related". Ack. I'm only 45. Not 95! I've had a look at some of your previous posts and you have a great figure with a lovely flat stomach, so I'm not sure if dressing for an apple (that's what I am) would be appropriate? Maybe you could post a piccy of you in your brace with a fitted tank or something like that over it so the YLF ladies can see just what you're working with? If you have sewing skills or a seamstress on hand, perhaps you could have a couple of garments made to accommodate the brace. Sending hugs and positive vibes to you *now* .... can you feel them?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Thanks ladies- fortunately I don't really need anything right now. I do have things that work for the winter. It's just a new challenge to my already challenging shopping issues. I know what you mean soobee- I am 38 so I am going to see an endocrinologist to see if a hormone issue is causing this, but I did have a car accident when I was young.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Bummer!! I also have some degenerative discs (I'm 41) and the chiro suggested an inversion tilt table to help. Don't know if that's at all in the realm of therapy for you or not but I thought I'd mention it. Is the brace really going to be a daily thing from here on out? I do hope you find an outfit solution that you are happy with. But again, your health really is the most important thing.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Mo- I am looking into spinal decompression therapy where they use something like that. I've been in therapy 3 times a week for over three weeks now, and it isn't helping (plus they never show me anything new- I can do it on my own at the gym pool).
Unless there is some miraculous discovery, or the decompression works miracles, the brace is going to be a daily thing. They've told me that surgery is not an option, therapy isn't helping and I can't stand, walk or sit more than a few minutes without getting uncomfortable. Ironically, the PT didn't want me to get the brace at all, and the doc who prescribed it wants me to wear it all the time. I am compromising by wearing ti only when I really think I need it and looking for different docs.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I am sending empathy and hope for a breakthrough!

And a crazy thought. I have friends who wear corsets as outerwear. Don't suppose you could rock this garment outside of your clothes in summer? Like in a goth way? I know, I know, it's a long shot, but sometimes you can get things in black with velcro and they look really cool and tech. I hope I haven't embarrassed myself by mentioning this.

And another, maybe easier idea: What about wrap tops and longer wrap sweaters?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

IK- it doesn't look like a sexy corset- more like a rock climbing belt but wider.

It has a separate piece that tightens it up and attaches to the other part of it, and this part shows through almost anything fitted- especially knits.

I will post pictures of it soon.

Kappy

Veteran

I'm so sorry to hear this. It all sounds just horrible. I'm sure you're tired of unsolicited medical advice but have you looked into any of the info on People's Pharmacy (http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/). There are lots of different remedies to try for arthritis related problems, curcumin looks particularly promising.