POST SWIM Swimsuits Designed for Flatties
A note from our founder, Lauren Yerkes, about flat-friendly one-pieces, bikini tops, tankinis and rashguards designed after mastectomy.
A friend of mine told me something that stopped me cold.
She had a bilateral mastectomy and chose to go flat. When it came time to buy a bathing suit, she was buying sports bras from the Gap. There was nothing on the market for her that felt comfortable on her chest, didn’t irritate her scars and didn’t pucker when she bent down.
Instead of having a fashion-forward swimsuit that made her feel comfortable and confident, my friend was forced to cut the bra cups out of swimsuits and her cotton sports bras from the Gap and repurpose them as swimwear. After everything her body had gone through, something as simple as putting on a bathing suit to spend time at the pool or beach became a difficult reminder of her breast cancer diagnosis.
When she told me this, I knew I wanted to make sure our swimwear was designed with intention and that there were stylish options that made flatties feel excited to head out to the pool or beach.
That conversation taught me so much, and I’m grateful my friend shared what she—and so many other flatties—have experienced.
Keep reading for more details on what makes these styles flat-friendly. And for those reading this who aren’t part of the flat community, I chose reconstruction after my double mastectomy. I’m sharing some of what I learned about what women living flat need from their swimwear and why thoughtful design matters.
Xo,
Lauren
What Does It Mean to Go Flat?
After a mastectomy, some women choose to remain flat rather than have breast reconstruction. Some women living flat wear a breast prosthesis occasionally or regularly, while others do not.
“Going flat” describes that choice and experience. Aesthetic flat closure is a surgical approach intended to create a smooth, flat chest contour after mastectomy.
Most traditional swimwear is not designed with a flat chest in mind. While mastectomy swimwear exists as its own category, not every mastectomy swimsuit is designed specifically for someone living flat.
POST SWIM’s flat-friendly styles are designed to sit comfortably and smoothly against a flat chest. The specific features vary by style and may include clean chest construction, no ruching, reduced shaping or optional prosthesis compatibility.
For a more complete explanation of flat-friendly swimwear and what to look for after mastectomy, read our guide to flat-friendly swimwear.
The Exact Styles We Designed for Flatties
Every body, and every experience after mastectomy, is different. These styles were designed for women who have chosen to remain flat, with options ranging from bikini tops and tankinis to one-pieces and full-coverage rashguards.
Some styles can also accommodate a breast prosthesis, while others are intentionally designed without prosthesis pockets or built-in bra construction.
The Lauren
Named after POST SWIM founder Lauren, The Lauren is a high-coverage, flat-friendly one-piece created for comfort and coverage after breast surgery.
- Why it’s flat-friendly: It has no built-in bra shelf or prosthesis pockets, helping the fabric sit smoothly against a flat chest.
- Coverage: The silhouette provides additional coverage for port scars and radiation-sensitive areas. It can also help cover visible implant rippling for women who have had reconstruction.
- Prosthesis note: This style is not designed to hold a breast prosthesis.
- Fit note: True to size.
The Jen
Named after Lauren’s husband’s older sister, The Jen is a flat-friendly bikini top designed to sit comfortably and smoothly against the chest.
- Why it’s flat-friendly: It is designed specifically for a flat chest without unnecessary volume or shaping.
- Fit note: Runs small; we recommend sizing up one size.
The Judy
Named after Lauren’s paternal grandmother, The Judy is a flat-friendly and prosthesis-friendly one-piece bathing suit with a front zipper.
- Why it’s flat-friendly: It is designed to sit comfortably and smoothly against a flat chest without requiring additional volume.
- Prosthesis option: The construction can also accommodate a breast prosthesis, giving you flexibility in how you choose to wear it.
- Front-zip design: The front zipper may make the suit easier to put on and take off when arm mobility is limited.
- Fit note: Runs small; we recommend sizing up one size.
The Kim
Named after Lauren’s sister, The Kim is a versatile, flat-friendly and prosthesis-friendly bikini top.
- Why it’s flat-friendly: It is designed to sit smoothly on a flat chest without creating unnecessary bulk or shaping.
- Prosthesis option: The style can also accommodate a breast prosthesis.
- Fit note: Runs small; we recommend sizing up one size.
The Joyce
Named after Lauren’s maternal grandmother, The Joyce is a bandeau-style bikini top with adjustable straps and a clean, streamlined design.
- Why it’s flat-friendly: The front has no ruching, allowing the fabric to lie more smoothly against a flat chest.
- Adjustable fit: The straps can be adjusted for your preferred level of comfort and security.
- Collection: Part of POST SWIM’s Thrive Collection.
- Fit note: True to size.
The Lynn
Named after Lauren’s stepmother, The Lynn is a flat-friendly and prosthesis-friendly tankini top.
- Why it’s flat-friendly: The design has no ruching across the chest, helping it sit smoothly without creating unnecessary bulk.
- Prosthesis option: The construction can also accommodate a breast prosthesis.
- Coverage: The tankini silhouette offers more torso coverage than a traditional bikini top.
- Collection: Part of POST SWIM’s Thrive Collection.
- Fit note: True to size.
The Melanie
Named after Lauren’s friend Melanie, whom she met through the breast cancer community, The Melanie is a long-sleeve rashguard inspired by someone who chose to remain flat and appeared in POST SWIM’s first campaign shoot.
- Why it’s flat-friendly: It is designed to sit comfortably on a flat chest while providing full upper-body coverage.
- Post-surgery feature: The full zipper may make dressing easier for women experiencing limited arm mobility after surgery.
- Coverage: The long sleeves provide additional coverage for radiation-sensitive skin and areas affected by treatment.
- Styling note: Wear it over The Lolo for a coordinated layered look.
- Collection: Part of POST SWIM’s Thrive Collection.
- Fit note: True to size.
The Bonnie
Named after Lauren’s aunt, The Bonnie is a flat-friendly, full-coverage, long-sleeve rashguard.
- Why it’s flat-friendly: It has no built-in bra shelf or prosthesis pockets, allowing it to sit smoothly against a flat chest.
- Coverage: The long sleeves and full-coverage silhouette provide additional coverage for radiation-sensitive skin and areas affected by treatment.
- Prosthesis note: This style is not designed to hold a breast prosthesis.
- Collection: Part of POST SWIM’s Thrive Collection.
- Fit note: True to size.
Find the Style That Feels Like You
Whether you prefer a bandeau bikini top, a tankini, a one-piece or a full-coverage rashguard, these styles were created to give women living flat—and anyone shopping for post-mastectomy swimwear—more comfortable, fashion-forward choices for the pool, beach and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flat-Friendly Swimwear
What makes a swimsuit flat-friendly?
Flat-friendly swimwear is designed specifically to sit smoothly against a flat chest without unwanted cups, bulk, ruching or shaping that can cause gaping or puckering. It may be included within the broader category of post-mastectomy swimwear, but not all mastectomy swimsuits are flat-friendly.
What does it mean to go flat after a mastectomy?
Going flat means choosing not to have breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Some women living flat wear a breast prosthesis occasionally or regularly, while others do not. Aesthetic flat closure is a surgical approach intended to create a smooth, flat chest contour after mastectomy.
Can someone living flat wear a prosthesis with flat-friendly swimwear?
Yes, depending on the style. The Judy, The Kim and The Lynn can accommodate a breast prosthesis. The Lauren and The Bonnie are designed without prosthesis pockets.
Which POST SWIM styles offer more coverage for port scars or radiation-sensitive areas?
The Lauren offers high coverage around the chest, while The Melanie and The Bonnie provide long-sleeve, full-upper-body coverage. The best option depends on the location of the area you want covered and your personal comfort.
Which flat-friendly styles have long sleeves?
The Melanie and The Bonnie are long-sleeve rashguards designed to sit smoothly against a flat chest. The Melanie also has a full front zipper that may make dressing easier when arm mobility is limited.
Do flat-friendly styles run true to size?
It depends on the style. The Jen, The Judy and The Kim run small, so we recommend sizing up one size. The Lauren, The Joyce, The Lynn, The Melanie and The Bonnie are true to size. Check the fit note on each product page for more details.
For more on flat-friendly swimwear, see our full FAQ.