Frequently Asked Questions
What is flat closure?Aesthetic flat closure, or “flat closure” is post mastectomy chest wall reconstruction (from breastcancer.org). The National Cancer Institute defines aesthetic flat closure as follows: A type of surgery that is done to rebuild the shape of the chest wall after one or both breasts are removed. An aesthetic flat closure may also be done after removal of a breast implant that was used to restore breast shape. During an aesthetic flat closure, extra skin, fat, and other tissue in the breast area are removed. The remaining tissue is then tightened and smoothed out so that the chest wall appears flat.” (NCI)
Do your clothes fit women with breasts?Yes! Most of our designs fit women with flat closure, goldilocks closure, breast reconstruction or breasts. All the clothes in our shop tell you what kind of closure or bust they will fit.
Why do flat women need different clothes?Flat women don’t need different clothes, but they do deserve clothes that are designed specifically for them. Nearly every garment in the women’s clothing industry is designed around breasts. Breast darts, necklines, breast shaping and the proportions all assume a body with curves in a particular place. We design for the flat body first. Every neckline, seam, gathering detail, and silhouette is thoughtfully created to complement a flat chest.
What is different about your clothes?Every garment we make begins with “how will this look and feel on a flat woman?” Instead of adapting existing styles, we design from the flat silhouette first. Every detail is taken into consideration, from the neckline and shoulder line to the placement of gathers, drape, sleeve shape, and fabric choice. We create a flattering fit without the need for breasts to "fill out" the garment.
Where are your clothes made?Our newest FlatWear designs are made in Maine, where they're sewn in small batches by our incredibly skilled seamstress. Producing locally allows us to collaborate closely throughout the process and ensure every garment meets our standards for quality and craftsmanship. Our very first collection was produced in India, where we learned valuable lessons about manufacturing, quality control, and the realities of building a small apparel company.
Are the owners of FlatWear flat?One is! Becky had a breast cancer diagnosis in September of 2019 and had a bilateral mastectomy to flat closure in October of 2019.