Doomed to wear baggy clothes!!!

[Lola Valentine]

Hi Ladies,

I'm not too sure if anyone will be able to help me with this, but recently I had to have surgery done due to ulcerative colitis (a bowel disease, how glamourous I know!), and have been given an ileostomy (for anybody who doesn't know what that is, it's when you have to have a bag on your stomach to collect your bodies waste, again how glamourous!) Now this is upsetting enough to have to have at the age of 21, but now I feel like I'm doomed to a life of baggy clothes, because the bag shows underneath a lot of clothing. Is there anybody out there who either has this or can think of a way for me to still dress in a classy & elegant style? Having to wear mens t-shirts is so different to the vintage style that I was used to wearing before

xxxxx

 

[Lady Day]

Circle skirts, circle skirts, circle skirts

Oh, and a nice roomy cardie.

LD

 

[Paisley]

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Does the bag go above or below the waistline? Can you, um, arrange it to sit in various places on your person?

Empire waistline? Very structured jackets? Full-cut trousers?

 

[Miss Neecerie]

First of all, Happy to see you made it though the serious business of surviving this.

My mom had a colostomy for a while, and so I do know a bit about how it affected her, so I applaud you for having gumption.

I second the circle skirt idea.

Another possible is 20's style? much roomier cuts in the 20's then the tighter waists of later periods.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about what you are going through. I do, in some way, know what you are going through. I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2000, and have since had 2 major abdominal surgeries, including a sub-total colectomy. I outright refused an illeostomy, so the surgeon kept 2 inches of my large intestine to avoid the pouch. Now that it's done, I'm suffering through lots of problems at the site of the connection (anastamosis). I just spent 9 day's in the hospital due to severe inflammation that almost perforated the connection. Thanks to high doses of steroids, anti-biotics and pain management, the inflammation and irritation calmed down a bit. I guess you could say I dodged a bullet. But, each time it happens, it gets a little worse. I know that soon I too will end up with an ostemy. For know I'll stick to soft foods to avoid further irritation.
Well, back to you.... You are not doomed to wear baggy clothes. It will take some time to re-gain your confidence, and soon enough you will be flaunting yourself with style and grace. Like I said, I don't know what it's like to have an ostemy, but I have a few friends who are living very full lives, and they dress awesome. One of my friends tends to wear button up blouses, just blouse it out a little more. This can look really cute with an a-line skirt and a cardigan. Cardigan's for her have been a staple in her wardrobe. I have found, at least with me, I needed to get used to living with the disease as a whole before I could feel pretty again. As I'm sure your well aware, and this is something nobody could understand unless they've been through this, CD and UC are not glamourous diseases. I fully understand that it's hard to feel pretty when you're going through this illness. I know this might not be much of a help, but don't just assume that you have to wear baggy clothes in fear that the pouch might show through. Try lot's of outfits on. There are lot's of cute, non form fitting tops out there that can be very flattering.
In time, you will become used to it. Like I said, I don't have a pouch. But, I have been cut twice from just below the rib cage all the way down to the pubic bone. This completely destroyed my tummy. No matter what I do, my muscles in my belly are shot and I will always have a good sized lump that just won't go away. I disguise my tummy my blousing out my shirts a bit more, wearing cardigans, and have found that empire waist dresses are very comfortable to wear too. They show off my top by being form fitting, but blouse out enough just under the bust line.
I hope you are doing well, and that each day you feel better. This is something that nobody should have to go through. If you ever need to talk, please feel free to PM me. Although our situations aren't exactly the same, I do know what you are going through.
Feel good, take care, and take some time to play dress up, it might just make you feel a little better. Most important, and I know this from experience, it really does get better with time.

 

[Lola Valentine]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice, I'm liking the circle skirt and cardigan idea. This is hopefully only going to be temporary, probably until Easter next year, so I'll soon be able to get back into my 40's clothing again, thank the Lord!!

Thank you again ladies xxx

P.S. Daisy Buchanan - I've tried to send you a PM, but I keep getting told I'm not able to do that for some reason!

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

You need 15 posts to be able to PM! Just do a few more "Nice dress" comments or something and you'll be good to go!

 

[Lola Valentine]

Aaaah I see, silly me! Thanks xxx (That's another post close woooo!!)

 

[Miss Dottie]

Welcome to the lounge, Lola!

I bet you would look adorable and vintage in a Pendleton 49er jacket. Check out eBay for them. They are very vintage in style and perfect for fall.

That would look so cute on you, I bet! And look nice over a black t-shirt too!

 

[fortworthgal]

Welcome to the Lounge! I am sorry you are having to go through this, but am glad you are doing well.

Another nice idea was posted in another thread regarding casual clothing. There was a photo of Jean Harlow wearing a long flowing tunic-style top over wide-leg palazzo pants. It was a nice look and very vintage 30s. I would think something along those lines would work very well for you.

 

[Lola Valentine]

Thanks for even more great ideas! I'll need to search the threads now for that picture of Jean Harlow!

Much Love xxx

 

[pigeon toe]

Welcome to the lounge, Lola!

I bet you would look adorable and vintage in a Pendleton 49er jacket. Check out eBay for them. They are very vintage in style and perfect for fall.

That would look so cute on you, I bet! And look nice over a black t-shirt too!

I've seen some jackets like those at Forever 21 too! Now is definitely the time to go to the mall & stock up on vintage style clothes. They have some pretty fashionable stuff out now for cheap. It'll probably make it easier for you to find different cuts on vintage-inspired stuff.