Monday, August 4, 2014

7 Casual summer outfits with your back brace

Hey everyone! So we are dead in the middle of summer right now, and temperatures where I live in California keep rising. It's hard enough being in the heat, but its even harder when you're wearing a hunk of plastic around your torso! It's essential to stay hydrated and cool. I definitely recommend drinking a ton of water, changing your tank top or undershirt often, and wearing loose, breathable fabrics. Anyway, I thought I would share some of my go-to outfits for concealing my brace without sacrificing comfort!

1


This first outfit is super simple and great for those days when its crazy hot outside. I paired a plain aqua tank top with a pair of black cutoffs. The tank top has huge arm holes but it is still wearable with a plain tank underneath. In the second photo you can see a tiny sliver of my brace but other than that it is hidden pretty well! My black cut-off shorts are surprisingly comfortable and I got them in a size up. They fit well over my brace without being baggy at all.


Tank: Forever 21
Shorts: Forever 21

2



I fell in love with this dress when I first saw it in store but I assumed I couldn't wear it with my brace because of the thin material. I tried it on anyway, and I was so surprised that it worked! The arm holes go up high enough, and everything else works perfectly. My sister took pictures of me today and asked me why I wasn't wearing my brace with this outfit (when I was.) She was literally shocked when I showed her that I was! Anyway, the point is, it's literally impossible to see my brace in this dress. 

Dress: Hollister

3


This is another simple outfit, but I really wanted to show that you can still wear sheer or lacy shirts with your brace! I am wearing a white lace tank top over a plain knit black one, and I paired it with a pair of jeggings. Don't be afraid to wear lighter colors and shirts with low arm holes, as you can always cover them up with any tank top underneath. Layering is your best friend! In my opinion, jeggings are great for braces because they are stretchy, comfy, and stylish.

Top: Charlotte Russe
Jeggings: Hollister

4







I love rompers because they're fantastic for summer and super cute. They are loose, flowy, and skim over my brace. I am wearing a tank top underneath again, but in case you don't want it to be noticeable under your romper from the back, you can always cover it up with a loose denim shirt or cardigan.

Romper: Forever 21
Denim Shirt: Target

5


This is yet another t-shirt and shorts outfit! The shirt is very thin and soft, but still doesn't show the outline of my brace. The bright pattern also distracts from any problem spots. My shorts are slightly high-waisted, and super comfy. Like the pair above from the first outfit, I purchased them a size up to accommodate my brace!

Top: Nordstrom
Shorts: Aeropostale


6


One thing that you'll find a lot of in my closet is lace. I think it looks lovely with everything, even when it is paired with destroyed denim shorts. The top I am wearing in this photo is sheer and lacy, and so yet again I am wearing it over a trusted black tank top! My shorts are the same as in the first photo, and they easily fit over my brace. I threw on a thin, cropped army jacket on top because the sleeves of this t-shirt shrunk. This jacket is one of my favorite staples, and it goes with pretty much anything in my closet. It hides my brace too! On days when you want to wear a tighter shirt, or feel like none of your shirts cover your brace, a thin jacket or lightweight cardigan can really help disguise any straps or bulges. 

Shirt: Nordstrom
Shorts: Forever 21
Jacket: Forever 21

7


For my last outfit I am wearing a polka-dot top with khaki shorts. I like the combination of these two pieces because it's slightly dressier than the rest of the outfits but still perfect for any summer day. The shirt I am wearing in this picture is very sheer in person, but I wore a thin cami over my brace like always to hide it. 

Top: Pacun
Shorts: Forever 21

I hope you all enjoyed this post! Please leave any comments or suggestions below, and tell me what kind of posts you would like to see in the future!

Sunday, August 3, 2014

25 Reasons to love your Back Brace

25 reasons to love your back brace

1. You're invincible when people try to punch you
2. It can help with back pain
3. It gives you amazing posture without even having to try
4. It's your own personal musical instrument
5. You don't have to tie your own shoes if you don't want to
6. You can tell people you have a hollow stomach and then knock on it
7.You get to brag about your abs of steel
8. It makes teeth braces seem like no big deal
9. You learn how to handle things better than other people your age
10. When people inadvertently touch your stomach for the first time, their faces are priceless
11. It makes a great sound effect in a knock-knock joke
12. You can sled down hills on your stomach faster than anyone else
13. When you're lying down in bed reading a book or on your laptop you can rest it on your stomach
14. If you happen to get shot, it might be somewhat bulletproof
15. It keeps you warm in the winter
16. Summer heat doesn't faze you because you're used to worse
17. It feels like someone is giving you a hug all the time
18. It makes your stomach super flat without even trying
19. Your brace is a great shield from tickles
20. You can drop stuff on purpose and make other people pick it up for you because you can't.
21. When you're lying on the couch eating a TV dinner, you have a great tray on your stomach.
22. You have a better chance of winning fights.
23. It hurts others more than you when you get jostled in a crowd.
24. You can pretend to be a turtle
25. It makes you special, unique, and stronger. 

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