Well, you've gotten through winter with your brace...but what about summer? Shorts, spagetti straps, bathing suits...
I've already posted some pictures of clothes with spaghetti straps and shorts. You shouldn't worry too much about this! Spaghetti straps can be worn, and so can shorts. Actually, I've discovered how AWESOME those jogging shorts are! They're starting to be in style now, and they're loose and breezy. I love them! And having them be loose is the style, so that's great. I wear them all the time with short sleeved t-shirts.
And now...bathing suits! I worried a lot about this at the start of summer. As I'm sure you have noticed, when you take your brace off, there are usually marks on your skin. So, what do you do? Well, tankinis are perfect, because they cover your stomach, and so do apron top suits (there is fabric in the front like a tankini, but not in the back). Bikinis can be worn! If (like me) you usually only swim with your friends and family, you really should have no problem with a bikini. But if you go to swim parties or a public pool, here are some options: --Don't wear your brace for a few hours before you swim, to give the marks a chance to fade. (This depends on how many hours a day you have to wear your brace.) --Wear a thicker cami underneath your brace the day you swim, to leave fewer marks. --Swim with a light, loose shirt on over your suit. --Or, if you're really brave, just go as you are and if anyone notices (which I doubt many will) then just tell them it's from a back brace you have to wear for a while.
While wearing my brace (almost a year now!), I've discovered a sad truth: tank tops are a problem! Shorts and two layered tanks make a cute outfit, but I've noticed they look funny with a back brace. I've also noticed that layering with most clothes doesn't work with a brace, because it makes you look sort of wide and flat. So--want to wear shorts and a tank? Wear a short sleeved jacket over it. Need to put a cap sleeved shirt under a sundress? Wear a shrug over it instead.
Now you know how to get through summer in style!
P.S. After wearing your brace a while, you get great abs!! So don't freak out over summer and swimming too much...you'll look great! :)
