During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I would be amiss if I didn’t directly address the lingerie issues of so many women affected by the ailment. Women who have had mastectomies to treat their cancer are often faced with the predicament of keeping their figure, and still feeling sexy, despite everything they’ve been through. Thankfully, in later years the market for sexy lingerie for breast cancer patients has opened up options for these women, so they can feel HOT despite their medical condition. The first brand I want to show you is the playful English Rose label, featuring hand-printed designs and embroidery on luxurious silks. Natalie Eley, designer and founder of English Rose, conceived of the brand while researching a dissertation on lingerie boutiques. A close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she wanted to save her friend from the bulky, ugly mastectomy bras she had seen while researching her dissertation. While mastectomy bras do need to be secure enough to hold a prosthesis in place, and need to have enough fabric to conceal scarring or the lack of cleavage, that didn’t stop Eley. She knew that those limitations didn’t have to equal huge, unattractive contraptions. Describing her collections, Eley says,
I felt passionately – after seeing what was available – that I could produce something that was more individual, looked better, fitted better, felt good and sexy to wear. Women of any age who have battled this awful illness deserve the right to feel confident and sexy in their lingerie in front of their husbands, partners or boyfriends. I don’t think that is too much to ask.
Looking at these pretty pieces, it is obvious that Eley has accomplished her goal. Find more lingerie (and information about available custom prostheses) at MyEnglishRose.com