fashionably whole.

I've blathered on about the challenges of being a woman, wearing a pump and trying to be and feel stylish. Others have too. With all due respect to the pump engineers, it feels like they assume that everyone wears waistbands ALL THE TIME, regardless of gender, so a nice plastic clip is all you'll ever need. I've whined about the pathetic option we women have been given, of strapping the pump to our legs like we're some kind of modern day pirate, if we have the gaul to want to wear a dress once in a while. It's not the end of the world by any means but still, it's kind of demoralizing when the rest of the female world just gets to go with the fashion flow, while we're left the worry about how to deal with the lumpy, life giving brick attached to our bodies.

Case in point: I personally love the diane von furstenburg wrap dress. It's been around forever and given half the chance, I'd buy about a thousand of them to wear as a part of my perfect uniform. They're sassy, grown-up, comfortable and very flattering. But please, barring the velcro pirate trick, it's not going to work with my friend the pump. Somehow I can't imagine the body hugging silhouette working with you know what attached, well, anywhere. Sigh. I guess I have to pass on this particular fashion moment.

But sometimes, on the other hand, the fashion stars do align and there are some sweet choices that can work for a diabetic gal such as myself. Take for instance, the rise of the empire waisted silhouette. Fabulous! I've always loved the look and now, thanks to the shifting winds of fashion, there are a myriad of fantastic options to choose from. Pretty dresses, luxurious sweaters, flattering blouses. They are comfortable, very sassy at the moment and guess what, thanks to the design of the garment, no pump is ever going to show it's clunky little face when I'm wearing it. I splurged and got myself an amazing cashmere, empire waist sweater this fall and I love it. I feel groovy and I love the fact that my pump isn't hanging out there like it usually does when I wear my basic jeans, sweater, tee uniform. I'm convinced. I'm looking for more. Because they work. Because I feel less outside of the fun of fashion when I wear it. Because, in the end, I feel better, feeling pretty and sassy and hipper once in a while.

I feel more whole today with my diabetes than I've ever felt before. Whole and normal. But still, that doesn't mean that sometimes I could feel just a little more so, thanks to a groovy, cashmere sweater.

Comments

[erica]

Glad you found a look that works - but you CAN do the wrap dress: Spanx power panties! I have 2 wrap dresses like that from Kohl's - they are so flattering. I wear spanx and stick my pump in the thigh, I can even bolus through my dress without being conspicuous. Power panties are like the control top part of panty hose but you wear them when you want to have bare legs :-)

[birdie]

I'm buying them tomorrow and then it's on to Kohl's or Nordstroms or wherever to get the dresses. You've opened up my fashion world. When I first wrote about my pump issues, lyrehca at thesweetnesswithin.blogspot.com suggested tennis shorts with the pocket (for the ball). Another brilliant idea, but one that wouldn't work for the clingy wrap dress I imagine. I will try your suggestion. Thanks a million...

[Lyrehca]

Yeah, I was just thinking the bike shorts I wear might add an additional layer.

Haven't tried the Spanx panties, but they're a great idea.

[cassandra]

that is the main reason that i am still on mdi. i want to wear pretty clothes... if there was a way to wear the pretty stuff, i would love a pump.

[net.au]

Superb website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I'd really like to be a part of community where I can get suggestions from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Cheers!