Trying to find outfits when you have a stoma can be very hit and mix. Sometimes, there will be days when everything feels great on and other days all you can see is the bag.
It can be really frustrating when you’re wanting to find a special outfit and you feel rubbish about yourself. We’ve all been there, bag or no bag, and it can take time to feel your fabulous self.
Taking that time to find the right outfit is so important. If you’re free one day and feeling good in yourself, head out to the high street and try on all the styles of dresses and find the right one for you.
Or, if you can’t go out to the shops, order online lots of different styles (and make sure you return the majority!!) and have a fashion show in the comfort of your own home.
Whether it’s finding a dress for a wedding, prom dresses or a ball gown, we all want to feel special when we’re wearing a dress and comfortable. There is no reason you shouldn’t feel this way with your stoma either.
Here are 5 styles of occasion dresses from Quiz which are 100% stoma friendly and will leave you feeling fashionable and confident without needing to worry about your stoma bag.
1. Emerald Bardot Frill Dip Hem Maxi Dress 2. Navy Embroidered Bardot Dip Hem Dress 3. Wine Woven Sequin Flare Skirt Maxi Dress 4. Grey Chiffon High Neck Maxi Dress 5. Red Bow Ruffle Front Maxi Dress
5 tips for finding the perfect occasion dress with a stoma
1. Loose fitting maxi dresses are your friend. If you’re new to your stoma, self conscious about your bag or you just want room for your bag, a loose fitting maxi dress is amazing! They give your bag so much room to the point where you really do forget about it.
2. Look for ruffles. If you are going for a more fitted kind of dress, ruffles are an amazing way to deflect from the bag. The red and green dress above are great examples this – even if your bag starts to fill up noticeably, the ruffles will distract the eye.
3. Look for dark colours and patterns. I don’t know why but darker colours and patterns make it harder to see the bag. Even in a block colour, more fitted dress, it makes your bag less noticeable.
4. Find your style. I always think that you should dress exactly how you want to, regardless of your stoma. It’s just finding the right style for your body shape. I normally opt for either skater style dresses or ones which are looser around my stomach because that’s the style I like. If you want a bodycon dress, DO IT!! There’s no right or wrong way to dress for your stoma, as long as you like it!
5. Support your stoma. If you’re worried about being able to see your bag or nervous about it, support wear is your friend! Whether it’s spanx, high waisted underwear or support garments like the Comfizz waist band. These offer support, can help with ballooning and give you piece of mind.
The most important thing, regardless of what outfit you’re wearing, is that you feel like you. You feel confident and comfortable. There is no reason to not feel like that with your stoma; it’s just sometimes it takes a while.
My biggest piece of advice is to try lots of different styles – whether you order a load online or you go in store. See what you feel comfortable in, what looks good on you. Don’t be scared to try some out there prints and styles. It’s amazing how little you can see the bag sometimes!
Don’t forget to leave your tips in the comments below for finding the perfect occasion dresses with your stoma!
Post in collaboration with Quiz and contains affiliate links
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