If knit dresses and slinky tops are catching your eye this season, slip them on! Thanks to the supportive, smoothing effects of shapewear, you can strut your stuff in snug fits, showing off your shape with confidence.
You can wear shapewear under all types of clothing, but the magic is particularly evident under clingy fabrics. And today's fabrications are stretchy yet light. These new fabrics also stretch more, so your pieces maintain their fit and function.
Whether you want to create a smooth silhouette for a form-hugging dress or simply want more strategic body contouring, make sure you get a proper fit. Once you choose the shapewear style that is best for your body type or your specific outfit, do your own “before and after” viewing so you can really see the difference.
If you aren't shopping with a specific outfit in mind, look for foundation garments that target certain body parts.
THIGHS
A thigh covering moderate-control slimmer in microfiber or spandex offers control and shaping beyond basic briefs.
BOTTOM
Try a control panty that features shapewear qualities and a reinforced front support panel, such as a medium-control brief. This complete coverage allows skirts and pants to simply glide over your behind and your tummy.
TUMMY
Choose full shapewear briefs, which offer control, or high-leg briefs, which flatten. Both offer full support and comfort styling.
FULL BODY
A long-leg bodysuit smoothes and shapes the body from breast to either the hip or the ankle. Look for styles with a hook-and-eye closure at the crotch or open crotch panel so using the ladies' room is easy.
Shapewear in a color closest to your skin tone should be invisible under your clothing. Black works well beneath dark clothing. Keep in mind that white is actually visible even under white clothing items.
Another tip: If you want to wear your own bra, buy a bodysuit shaper style without an underwire and wear it over your bra for control and minimizing. Most bodysuits come in bra cup sizes and back widths as well.
Skip shapewear that binds, is poorly made or doesn't breathe. You'll find some great pieces under labels such as Glamorise, Flexees, Wacoal, Spanx, Body Wrap and Lipo in a Box .
For the best selection of shapewear we recommend Bare Necessities.
Editor’s Pick: Spanx, the brand that started the shapewear craze.
Women everywhere have been looking . sleeker and smoother for nearly a decade--ever since figure-firming Spanx hit the style scene. This collection of power panties, panty hose, camisoles and other shapewear makes lumps, bumps and panty lines vanish. Founder Sara Blakely got the idea for Spanx when she cut the bottoms off her panty hose to wear under her white socks. Soon after, she designed and patented footless pantyhose, sold the idea to Neiman Marcus and earned a spot on the list of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2000. Ever since, she's been known for showing off her prized and ever-expanding product line by willingly lifting up her pant legs. From Hollywood to the United Kingdom, Spanx are a wardrobe must-have.
 
|
