Self-image

Growing up can be hard on people with Marfan. Bullies can be cruel. For some, a poor self-image doesn't go away even in adulthood. Any advice?

Fashion Tips to Disguise a Back Brace

"Fashion Rescue," a brochure created by 16 year old Moira Lyons to help other teens who are wearing a brace.

Fashion Tips for Tall, Thin Men

• Wear boot-cut or flared jeans to make legs look a little fuller.
• In summer, wear three-quarter length shorts (shorter shorts draw attention to long, thin legs).
• Wear button-down shirts or polo shirts to disguise pectus excavatum or carinatum.
• When wearing long-sleeved shirts, if the sleeves are just not long enough, roll them up above the elbow.
• Wristwatches and bracelets can help bulk up thin wrists.

Fashion Tips for Tall, Thin Womem

The January 2007 issue of O Magazine included several make-overs for tall, thin women. Tips included the following:

• Well-tailored (i.e., fitted) clothes make you look powerful (looser, baggier clothes actually accent your thin stature)
• A just-below-the-knee skirt length is the right proportion for long legs (above-the-knee can make you look like a giraffe)

Other fashion tips

• Racerback-style tank tops (especially ones with a large, thick section of fabric between the shoulders) can cover spine surgery scars and de-emphasize pointy shoulder blades.
• Tops that emphasize the width of your shoulders, like ballet neck and boat neck tops, will make your torso appear a little wider. They also often provide high enough coverage in front to conceal surgical scars or pectus problems.