As you may know, I am not always a fan of mastectomy fashion. When I think mastectomy bras, I think of words like: practical, suitable, supportive. But, what I’d rather be thinking is: sexy, beautiful, fun. So, today, I’m going to share with you three people’s online projects – all created with the wonderful intention to support breast cancer survivors (and have a little fun at the same time), and all playing on the idea (what a realization!) that women like to feel pretty.

In today’s post, it’s all about feeling sexy; sexy is self-confidence. And looking beautiful, as you well know , instantly helps in feeling better.  Check out what these online ladies are up to.

Hot shop:

About a Girl – aka At Forty One – has been nominated for “New UK lingerie design 2011” (vote here, if you’d like to help them win). This is a fresh company on the scene and looking for support. I’ll tell you what – their silk bras are gorgeous. I mean, many mastectomy bras offer support and comfort, but these pieces offer style too. From cherry reds, lilac purples and champagne accents, my jaw dropped when I saw Amy’s (the creator) pieces of pretty. “Finally!” I said to myself,  or to the computer screen, depending on how you want to consider the scenario, “something other than beige!”

What also makes About a Girl so wonderfully exciting is that Amy (who has had a mastectomy herself, which was what kick-started her interest in finding better lingerie) actually designs her own bras and – AND – recruits hot bathing suit designers who agree to turn their designer bikinis and full pieces into mastectomy-ready wear (speaking of which, About a Girl has offered a kind 10% off any swimwear purchase made over the next week, so if you want to look pretty (and double breasted) by the pool, stop by and check out her shop. Discount code: BB080611OAS  ).

Being on the internet, About a Girl can ship worldwide – which is why *call out to any 34 AA women near Brighton in the UK* I’ll still keep waiting for their silk bras to be tailored for my small chest, even once arriving in Canada.  If you’re near their shop, At Forty One, and want to lend a hand, they’re looking for a model in that particular size to fit the bra.

Hot cause:

Bras for the Cause – Middle East.

One Wig Stand (who, by the way, oozes with creative bursts of awesome) has teamed up with Fustany to launch this bra design competition in the Middle East. It’s all about awareness, and (hopefully) will have pockets for your falsie of choice.

Good news: the competition is still on if you want to get involved, with voting to take place later this month. It’s a collaboration of designers, fashionistas, and simply anyone with a great idea. How could beautiful bras not result from this competition? (I’m freaking excited to see what get produced from this engaging initiative. What do you get when mixing creative minds with a good cause and a bra template? I don’t know, we’ll see.)

Better news: The bras should be available for international shipping, meaning everyone can look pretty.

I love these sort of things. They build awareness, and improve my wardrobe.  Click here to check this out for yourself.

Hot alternative:

Because sometimes one breast is all you need. Cathie in France has developed a new kind of bra for the beautiful Amazonian women, Souti1. She’s been working hard to make this possible, and the result is a lovely, lacy number that will support your remaining breast (if you had the other one removed). It’s a single cup sensation.  Now, at the moment, her bras are all handmade – so you know the quality is high (which also corresponds to the price). Check it out and see what you think. And keep watching this space, because you never know what may develop in the land of single sided bras.

Cathie was one of the first women I met through the internet. She left a lovely comment on a guest post I’d written, and I was so happy to have her support over the months of recovery and treatment. Even though she’s all the way in Paris – that never hindered her ability to drop a kind word. See, that’s the internet used well.

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How’s that for a slice of international pie? England, France and the Middle East. And it reflects a worldwide shift in after-surgery lingerie. Mastectomy (bi lateral, lumpectomay, etc) no longer translates into ‘boring, practical, and beige’ (am I harping on the beige too much? Well probably, it is very practical. I just think  if you’re going to offer me a variation between black and white, give me blue, or purple or yellow or – goodness me – pink!). And so, we can feel pretty in our under things as we pose and twirl before our mirrors.

If you know of any more great shops/products/causes that help women feel beautiful within themselves (e.g. look good feel better workshops) please don’t hesitate to let me know.  Here’s a quick list of today’s mentioned sites. Why not treat yourself to some virtual browsing (and maybe some creative thinking for Bras for a Cause)? Can’t hurt, can it?

http://www.aboutthegirl.co.uk/

http://www.fustany.com/brasforacause/index.html

http://www.souti1.com/