Saturday 16 July 2016

Cool World

Here in Brisbane, we are well and truly into Winter. Complaining constantly about the cold, arguing with my husband for turning the heater off and struggling to get out of bed and do some exercise has pretty much become a full-time job for me, but I did want to share something with you that I have found helpful this season.

Last Winter I realised that my preferred top in the colder months is a long-sleeve T-shirt style. They are warm and soft and cosy, and I find them much more comfortable than woven fabrics when the days are cool. The only downside is that whilst I usually wear them as a base layer with a jacket over the top, sometimes I need to take the jacket off and I am very ambivalent about the look of closer fitting tops worn on their own.
 Top:Witchery
Jacket:Cue (last season)
Pants:ScanlanTheodore(last season)
Boots:Wittner
Happily, fashion has once again come to my rescue with the off-the-shoulder trend. I found this knitted top recently and have worn it often on days when it was warm enough to possibly require jacket removal. Whilst it is still close fitting, the cross-over detail and skin exposure around the shoulders and neck provides enough interest for me to feel that all the focus is not on the contours of my chest. I wear the top in a "portrait neckline" style, but if you were a little more daring than me it could easily be worn completely off the shoulder for a more glamorous look!
 Now, this certainly doesn't solve all the problems with fitted tops. The side view is still unapologetically flat, and if anyone is rude enough to look closely at my chest from the front, the lack of breasts is obvious.

However, one thing I have learned over the last three years is that looking good is much more about how you feel and the confidence you project, than the items you choose to put on your body. As the wonderful Mr Bill Cunningham said "Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life".
Now I just need to find thermal armour.

Vale, Bill.

Cool World by Mondo Rock

17 comments:

  1. Sharon that is a gorgeous top and it does actually create a subtle illusion of shape. This is such a lovely option for a long sleeve tee. Crushing on that jacket too:)

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    1. Thanks, Deborah. I originally bought the jacket thinking I would wear it as a top, but it is the perfect weight for an extra layer in the mild winter we have had this year.

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  2. Oh my goodness, you have done it again. I had competely crossed off my list anything off the shoulder and anything that accentuated or looked like it "cradled" the breast, such as wrap-like tops...and yet here you are looking fantastic. And let me say that I crossed these items off having never tried one on:) So next time I am shopping I will give it a try. I am getting tired of my plain white tees so am super excited to give this look a try! Thanks so much !

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    1. I'm so pleased this gave you another option! I was a bit wary of this style too, but I really like it now. Have fun shopping!

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  3. Oh, you look wonderful! These kind of shirts are my favorite thing to wear now too.

    I´m still not entirely comfortable with those shirts on my very flat chest - I feel exposed when I walk outside without a jacket, but I can imagine it comes in time.

    Off shoulder tops are very "in" in my country this summer, so I am trying to stock up on those I like - in case they go missing from the fashion scene for years again!

    You are so lucky you have such a fabulous figure; I admire your strenght to lose all the weight I seem to recall you write about somewhere - but also that your hips fit so well with your body. I have enormous hips (bones), despite being slim, and the lack of breasts makes it hard to find a balance.

    Anyway you look great. Hair too, that is an awesome colour on you! (is it dyed, I cant remember - it just looks so "fresh")

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    1. So pleased you are doing OK - getting used to a new body takes some time, so be kind to yourself.

      I think having wide hips is very feminine and sexy. I sometimes struggle with having such a straight figure now, so I think you should definitely embrace the curves you have!

      I have dyed my hair to this colour, but it is actually now quite close to the natural colour. :)

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    2. You are right, it really takes time, and has a lot of ups but also downs, where things feel harder than at the beginning, I think.

      I will try and keep your embracing words in mind, even though it aint easy!

      I see about your hair, it really is so fantastic I think, fitting for your age, but also with an edge :)

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  4. Hi Sharon - I have just discovered your blog. Its great. I have had a mastectomy on one side and have been considering having a bilateral mastectomy rather than going for a reconstruction. Your blog totally confirms that a bilateral mastectomy is a realistic option. I also have very bad wardrobe envy right now

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    1. It is a difficult decision to make. I definitely miss the sexual aspect of having breasts, but going flat was the best choice for me in terms of simplicity and function and I would make the same choice again if I had a do-over. Ultimately, there are no really GOOD options: you just have to choose the one that sucks the least for your personal circumstances and priorities. Wishing you all the best with the decision!

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  5. You have made me interested in purchasing the Witchery top. In two colors. Does the off the shoulder aspect interfere with ease of movement?

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    1. Hi Melly, it is fine with day-to-day use. It doesn't fall down, and it's not a big deal to me if it creeps up a bit sometimes. It's a jersey knit, so quite soft and stretchy and comfortable to wear.

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  6. Hello, Sharon, Thank you so very much for your blog. I am just gearing up to go back to work after 18 months off for mastectomy, chemo and all the rest, and have been wondering about work wardrobe. You are my new fashion inspiration. All the very best to you. Marion

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    1. Marion, I am so pleased this was helpful. Good luck with re-entry into the workforce and congratulations on finishing all the awful treatment stuff!

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  8. What a nice color of the hair is this and I like it very much.
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