Can the right underwear shave off the inches?
Savvy female shoppers have long extoled the merits of a good piece of shapewear for transforming the way they look in clothing, but since the humorous exploits of Bridget Jones hit our screens ten years ago the shapewear phenomenon has grown steadily each year.
There are a myriad of different products claiming to work the areas of your body with varying intensities but unless you do a little research or ask for advice you could well end up with something that makes you look worse rather than better.
Everyone wants to feel and look their best all year round but at Christmas time when the party season swings into action with family gatherings, office parties and various get together’s, the need for some great staple underwear is paramount.
Whether you’re slipping into a sexy little black dress for the office party or going for something more daring on a night out with the girls, a correctly fitting piece of shapewear will turn your favourite outfit into a stunner!
If you have chosen your dress or two piece and feel you could benefit from a “drop a dress size” piece of underwear then the ideal solution is the Waist Cincher from Miraclesuit. This works particularly well if your outfit is waisted with either a belt or a divide of some sort as the Waist Cincher will achieve a great hour glass shape and can help you lose around 3 inches off your waist (tested by models on This Morning). This garment provides dramatic results and you’ll be amazed as your figure is transformed. It is designed with seamless, inner-double-panel construction and side release panels which help it to offer the extra firm control and remove inches from your waist.
However not all shapewear garments are designed to drop a dress size and often you may just be looking for a more smoothing effect. Body Wrap shapewear is designed without seams and therefore provides a smoothing and shaping effect without showing through to your clothing at all. This is ideal if you are brave enough to wear something clingy or tight fitting and want to up your confidence with a little smoothing! There are plenty of styles to choose from within the Body Wrap ranges depending on your chosen outfit, from briefs through to bodysuits but a great piece to invest in is the full slip which has detachable straps so however your dress is designed the slip should fit underneath without any problem or visible lines showing through. If you choose to wear it strapless there is a non-slip band to hold the slip in place.
If you are a fashion lover you may choose to opt for a jump suit this Christmas. An all in one outfit like this can be unforgiving if you have a few lumps and bumps you would rather not highlight so a great option for under an ensemble like this (or any trouser based outfit) is the high waist long leg style of shapewear. Again you have plenty to choose from but two great possibilities are the Naomi & Nicole garments – hi-waist long leg panty or the thigh slimming Torsette. Both choices provide leg cover to about mid-thigh so will help to smooth and reduce the hips and upper thigh areas which will help your trousers to hang perfectly from your waist. They both cover the tummy areas as well so if you have a bulge you would rather banish then these are the underwear for you. The difference with the Torsette is it has straps which help to provide even more support and comfort. It is also a wear your own bra style so you can still choose that pretty lacy number you had lined up.
Shapewear can really be your best friend if you choose correctly. Remember that just because it will help you to appear slimmer it doesn’t mean that you have to buy a size below your regular size. You will just end up with bulging areas at the top and bottom as you squeeze yourself into it. Choose your normal dress size and if possible try it on in store. Remember shapewear will be a snug fit in its very design so don’t expect it to slide on and off with ease. Always step into your garment (never put on over your head) and pull up the body slowly adjusting it as you go. You will end up with a firm and comfortable fit that allows you to move and breathe with ease but makes you look a million dollars.
The final tip for buying shapewear! Always choose nude shapewear if you are going to be wearing it under a white or light coloured outfit. White underwear will show under white clothing but nude won’t.
Happy shapewear shopping and Happy Christmas!
All items mentioned above can be bought from www.shapewear.co.uk
Tagged in Bridget Jones fashion Underwear