Good luck, OP! I'm sorry you have to deal with this and I hope you are back to yourself soon.

I was in this situation with a less serious diagnosis and surgery that kept me off my feet for a long time. I am still in my soft clothes phase afterward because it turns out that soft clothes are nice.

When I need to look pulled together, I have some quarter-zips from Aritzia that look fancier than a regular quarter zip sweatshirt. I get them in cream and beige and they look expensive, and they're thick enough that they drape well and don't cling. I have a very similar build to yours, OP, and find that some soft clothes are too thin and too clingy for our build.

Usually I just wear a plain t-shirt under my quarter zips, but my colleague recently wore a Frank and Eileen collared knit shirt under one with the collar popped to match the lines of the quarter-zip collar. It looked great and made her look really put together.

For sweatpants, I go with the big baggy ones from Aritzia for days that I'm at home in the same color as my top or a nice neutral olive. I haven't fully solved the "pants that look ok in public" issue but if I wear matching top and bottom, it looks intentional instead of like I just got out of bed.

I agree with the Athleta advice- they have some great pants (and tees if you need tees plus the open cardigans)

Other brands I have found stuff to look pulled together- rhone, zella, vuori (I like the wide leg pants)

If you are having a mascetomy you will need front close sports bras and shirts. I wore button downs and cardigans.

I like a lot of loose schmata-type dresses. I live in a hot climate so these may not work for you this time of year - but something like this is what I put on when I can't stand a waistband:

https://www.karmaeast.com.au/products/tully-dress-bluebell-sleeveless-cotton-pockets?_pos=5&_sid=9d7e326e1&_ss=r

I have five of these dresses now - I love them and get compliments (from women, never men, in case that matters) every time I wear them.

Eileen Fisher is the look you may be seeking.

Pact and Athleta have that in between level of outfit too, so you don't feel like you are in jammies, but also aren't uncomfortable.

Anonymous wrote:I keep getting compliments on my Alo Muse sweatsuit (loose pants and cropped hoody shirt)

Ohh, not the OP, but I think I need these. Super cute!

Matching cashmere joggers and hoodie, clean sneakers, and gold jewelry.

Anonymous wrote:These aren't exactly cheap, but they're pull-on and they have a seam where the front crease normally goes so they look put-together without much fuss. I wear them a lot to work.

https://mmlafleur.com/products/colby-dark-navy

PS, as you're 5'5 and 135 like me (with a D cup, if that helps with guessing proportions), a size 8 might work well for you.

These aren't exactly cheap, but they're pull-on and they have a seam where the front crease normally goes so they look put-together without much fuss. I wear them a lot to work.

https://mmlafleur.com/products/colby-dark-navy

Eileen Fisher

I keep getting compliments on my Alo Muse sweatsuit (loose pants and cropped hoody shirt)

Hey OP, I'm the same age and also diagnosed with breast cancer and looking for comfort. Don't forget about the power of comfy shoes! The sherling lined birkenstocks are amazing.

I like Eileen fisher because you can collect a wardrobe over time and it will coordinate.

Anonymous wrote:I was at Old Navy the other day, looked through the clearance rack. Found some petite pregnancy jeans on sale for $8. I bough them. I'm not pregnant, but those jeans were super comfy. I couldn't resist. I also wfh permanently. I plan on wearing it on those days I feel bloaty, and also when I want to pig out eating. I'll just make sure to wear a long shirt over it 😁

My son is 16 and I still have the jersey pregnancy gaucho pants I bought at target because they are insanely comfortable, especially with my dumb mother’s apron. There is no shame in this.