What can I wear?! Help desperately needed!

[TwoBigNoisyBoys]

I’m currently undergoing chemo for breast cancer, diagnosed last October. My oncologist warned me I’d probably gain weight due to steroids and water retention…and I have. I’ve gained about a stone and half, (after losing a stone and a half last summer! 😩) and barely any of my clothes fit me. I bit the bullet today and sorted them out, packed away what I want to get back into in the future, and have 3 large bin bags for charity. I have a handful of items left that I can wear. Realistically, treatment will be going on for at least another 3/4 months, so until I can get back to my exercise and dieting, I’m going to be this size, which I estimate to be around an 18. I’m only 5’2” so I look pretty awful. I’ve always been curvy, and have been happy with that, but now I’m not curvy, just overweight.

I need to buy some staples to tide me over. I don’t want to spend a load as I’m hoping this is just temporary but I do need to wear something….! The question is, what can I buy that will flatter me in my current state? I’ve put a lot of weight on my stomach area in particular, but I’m heavy all over. Anything that can help disguise the weight gain would be particularly welcome.

(I’m also completely lacking in confidence now, as I’m also dealing with hair, eyebrow and eyelash loss and I’m struggling emotionally with my diagnosis and treatment. I know how I look is not important in the grand scheme of things but it’s just another thing that’s making me feel so low, so please be kind 😩)

Hopeful bump …

Sorry to hear this OP, sounds really tough

I think some wide legged trousers would look good, and worth trying some petite maxi dresses too which will help tide you over the summer. A nice denim jacket too.

Have you thought of doing a personal shopping trip to John Lewis or somewhere? Will really help you try on stuff you’d never consider.

I’m not an expert by any means on chemo, but I’ve had my brows microbladed and they specialise in natural looking microbladed post chemo brows. Have you considered something like that too?

Why don’t you book a one to one session in somewhere like John Lewis? They could help you pick some lovely things?
In the mean time I would maybe pick some soft comfortable things- like good quality joggers and nice longer tops.
I follow a shop in NI called Alana interiors and they do great videos every day of nice clothes on models of various sizes- link below:
www.facebook.com/alanainteriors/

Sorry to hear you're dealing with breast cancer and chemo, that's tough. I would buy a couple of cardis, some short sleeved tshirts in thick non clingy material and those kind of smart comfy trousers that are everywhere at the moment. This kind of thing: www.marksandspencer.com/drawstring-tapered-ankle-grazer-trousers/p/clp60506828

New clothes in your size will be so much more flattering and you'll feel better when you have a few outfits you're happy with.

It may be worth getting some elasticated waist skirts and trousers bargain and jersey tops that will do for a couple of sizes.

Take a look on Vinted. You can get some real bargains for minimal spend. If you sort by new with tags there are loads.

Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery x

Hi Op, sorry to read of your health issues & wish you all the luck in the world for your treatment & recovery.

I have some health issues of my own and have just treated myself to some comfortable staples to see me through the next year.

Some soft comfy trousers from the Joe Browns Leisure wear range and a couple of long sleeve tops.
100% cotton black leggings, long vest tops with thicker straps to wear bras under. Couple of really nice t shirts & some cotton twill elasticated smart joggers. A beautiful soft jumper. All Asda.

A couple of nice cotton maxi dresses if I actually manage to go somewhere nice!

Hi, sorry about what you’re going through, will keep fingers crossed for you that it all works well.
Not the same, but I’m fairly recently post-partum and also bigger than I intend to stay, but have an empty wardrobe and need some things to make me feel reasonably nice and actually clothe my body. I recently bought these things:
www.peopletree.co.uk/sale/zenia-quilted-top-in-camel
It’s so much nicer than it looks, feels lovely to wear. I intend to wear it with jeans but it would be nice with leggings too, especially if you bought thick athletic kinds of ones rather than the thinner kind that go under dresses.
And these
www.peopletree.co.uk/women/trousers/sasha-trousers-in-black

I know both say that they go upto 16, but the jumper is baggy and in the trousers I went down a size - normally a 12, more like a 14 right now, but wearing a 10. I turn them up at the ankle and they feel like jogging bottoms but look like trousers.

Good luck.

So sorry to hear what you're going through and I totally understand that you still want to dress well, I always find if I look better I feel better.

Perhaps get a selection of basic bottoms and then you can change it up with a good selection of tops. So maybe stretchy mid blue jeans, midi/maxi skirt with elasticated waist and some black or navy trousers? I think magic trousers are great and usually around £25, very comfortable and flattering.

Have you had a look at Kit & Kaboodle? There's usually a 15% discount code GHK15.

www.kitandkaboodal.com/made-in-italy-callady-stripe-t-shirt-p6166#attribute%5B2%5D=126

Magic trousers......

rubyanddaisy.co.uk/products/magic-trouser-grey

You might like magic trousers? They stretch to fit a huge range of sizes but without looking baggy - they're very clever things. Very comfortable and they have an elasticated waist with drawstring that doesn't dig in.s I have a couple of pairs from here.

All good ideas. My contribution having also had friends go through this is a One Hundred Stars Short Kimono. They are one size fits all so will work with your changing shape. It has the added advantage of being a lightweight coverup in summer and covering your PICC line if that is something you would want to do.

I think a kimono, magic trousers and some nice quality vests/t/shirts sounds like a plan.

Ah, you’re all so lovely for replying, thank you so much. Feeling quite tearful at the kindness from you all. Thank you.

I think the magic trousers are a definite! They look great. And maybe a maxi skirt, and a few neutral tops that I can mix and match. I might get a casual lightweight jacket too. I don’t go out much as a) I hate seeing people 😕 and b) I have to be careful whilst having treatment to avoid risk of infection. As mentioned, I have a picc line that I would want to hide, but that’s due out in 25 days, not that I’m counting or anything 😩

It’s a bit miserable at the moment, but you’ve all made me smile.

Thank you all so much

Oh and a kimono! Thank you 😊

I have just discovered Abercrombie and Fitch vneck
T shirts. Very flattering. Those with wide leg stretch culottes. Or slim leg joggers. Sainsbos are doing lots of good casual staples at good prices and looks alot like Hush. Go there.

Think about a “uniform” of sorts.

Slim leg joggers - dark grey
3 t shirts- one white/black and then a colour you like
Denim jacket
BIG tote bag
White trainers
Silver Birkenstocks
Wide leg culottes in grey/black (Monki have them)
Silky loose blouse (Zara always stock these)
Some pretty earrings
Fine gauge limit pastel coloured cardigan
Big scarf
Maxi dress

All of that can we worn together, matched, worn under/over and will see you through till the autumn.

Good luck with the treatment.

@Bunce1 that’s a great list, thank you! I’ve roped my sister into taking me to Sainsburys next week for a look, and I’ve got the v neck T-shirts open on my browser, thank you so much.

That’s great! Have a nice nose around the shops. I know weight gain can make us feel rubbish, but it’s just another EFF OFF to cancer, and the gross drugs are making you better. One day it will be a distant memory.

I bet you’ll look very gorgeous. Take care of yourself.

Well, I have had a bit of an online spend - I’ve bought magic trousers in navy and black, a black and white chiffon kimono, a black soft blazer, an indigo denim jacket and some white trainers. I’m off to Sainsburys tomorrow to look for some tops and hopefully a maxi dress or skirt. I still need some plain white/black t-shirts too. And maybe some of those power leggings to hold everything in!

I’ve also bought an eyebrow gel that has little fibres in, and my eyebrows look so much more natural, I’m really pleased with the result.

Thank you again everyone for being so kind and helpful ☺️

Usually above my budget but Baukjen has a sale on. I have just bought this sweatshirt which looks very soft and comforting. www.baukjen.com/products/montana-organic-sweatshirt-strawberry

Your haul sounds excellent - well done. Monochrome always looks classy.

And remember that no one ever in the history of MN Style and beauty boards has told anyone that how they look doesn’t matter / it’s not important.

So any time you want a distraction, day or night, pop on here and someone will chat lipstick colours / the fluffiest socks / best budget mascara .

So pleased for you - throwing money at a problem is generally a good idea and I think it sounds like a very stylish and interchangeable set of things. That red sweatshirt looks great, though I had one item of Isabella Oliver clothing in maternity and remember their sizes being a bit stingy, so probably not the best bet for now.
Would love to hear how you get on.

Another vote for magic trousers. They’re comfy, flattering and versatile.

Do you like those shirt/shacket things that are everywhere at the minute? I always think they look very stylish. They had loads in matalan yesterday along with loads of other nice stuff that was reasonably priced x

@mackmama a shacket isn't a bad shout. I have a couple including one from Pull & Bear that's lined and it's the most comfortable and cosy thing ever. Not this one but similar.

Be gentle on yourself, I was a little up and down with thyroid problems and bought colourful long maxi dresses and funky trainers, lovely earrings and very good make up. I thought I might as well use nice products and wear funky stuff anyway.

My friend is over the other side of chemo and hair loss and fluctuating weight and I just wanted to say be extremely kind very gentle with yourself. indulge in lovely perfume, good books and anything that brings you joy. Watching my friend wrestle with it all made me realise she was utterly beautiful in all her shapes and sizes and stages of life as a friend, mother and partner and I'm sure your nearest and dearest feel the same way about you. Sending you big hugs.