While it is nice to look at celebs with no lumps or bumps when we see them walking the red carpet, I think it’s safe to say that for the average “Jane” like us, short of getting our bodies cosmetically re-done, there is a simpler and thankfully much cheaper way of smoothing those lumps and bumps. I’m talking about shapewear. I’ve never been more happier, since the day I saw Trinny & Susannah’s version of the shapewear. And yes I did buy one – well, I was on my third child and the tummy ain’t going to be as flat as it used to be before kids, plus, this butt ain’t going to sit up high what with gravity pulling it down. As the years rolled by, more shapewear came into the market, and not to mention the type of shapewear that were geared up for different purposes. From camisoles that suck everything right in and lift your bust up, to boy leg shorts that help lift your bottom and flatten your tummy. And let’s not forget the capri style leggings, which I think are great for wearing with your skinny jeans.
Styles
I recently trialled the few that I’ve mentioned, trying to figure out which goes under what. First up there was the Anti-Cellulite Smoothing Camisole by Ambra. At a price of just under $25, I thought this was pretty reasonable. So did it stack up? Or more importantly suck in and push up? Here’s the verdict:
I wore it underneath my figure hugging tank top and it was on a hot day too. The camisole came down to just underneath my hips, which meant I had to tuck it into my shorts. While it did flatten my tummy without causing me to be short of breath, it thankfully also pushed my bust together creating some cleavage – bonus! I lasted the whole day without feeling uncomfortable or out of breath. I could eat like I normally would, and considering that temperature on that particular day was around the 30 degree Celsius mark, I thought it stacked up pretty well.
The next shapewear I tried was the Anti-Cellulite High-Waist Capri Leggings (rrp$29.95). The waist bit came all the way up to just half-way up my rib cage, which meant that it sucked it all in, helping to create a waist. The part where my bottom was had a special ribbing, all the way down to the end of the legs. Sort of like a waffle effect. I think that’s the thing that’s supposed to hide your cellulite when you wear this with your leggings? I’m just guessing. But I would feel uncomfortable wearing both my leggings and this shapewear. Instead, I wore this with my skinny jeans. I have to warn you though to steer clear of wearing this underneath your jeans in hot weather. It was pretty uncomfortable, but then again, we don’t normally wear jeans when the weather is warm anyway right? So, I guess, in the warmer weather, this would be great underneath a long body contour dress or a long pencil skirt. That way you won’t be able to see any panty lines when you wear it. You can also wear these underneath your pants, especially those with slightly flimsier fabric. But I still think, it’s best suited for those tight capri pants. For me the length stops just near my calves and I’m 160cm tall. So if you were slightly taller than I am, the I guess, it’ll go well underneath your skirt.
CLio’s Hi-Waist Control Shaper, which is also incidentally seam-free, is great for wearing with your tight dresses; or generally when you want to hide your tummy when you’re wearing a dress or a skirt. One thing I would have loved though was if it had gone all the way up until my rib cage. That way, you won’t see a line – even though it states that it’s seam-free – between where your bra line stops and the shapewear starts. The control shaper was comfortable enough to wear, no killing of air ways but, I thought it could do better in the “seam-free” department, because I think I could see a slight VPL when I wore it underneath my body contour dress.
Ambra’s Anti-Cellulite High Waist Bike Shorts were great to wear underneath any dress or skirt. Once again, there was a waffle like texture on your bottom area and the legs bit. Plus, it gives you that extra security for when the wind blows up your flowing skirt or dress! I didn’t mind the bike shorts. They were comfortable enough to wear all day, kept everything in and gave my bottom some form of security – in other words, controlled the wobbling! Again, the price was hard to beat, at around $22.95 for a pair.
Maternity Shapewear
Thankfully for those who are pregnant, there’s now maternity shapewear. I guess, the idea is NOT to flatten your tummy, but more to help hold up the weight. For instance the Blanqi Body Styler has been designed with a built-in belly support belt, which helps to enhance comfort and also reduce back and abdominal pain that are usually associated with pregnancies. With online stores like Queen Bee Maternity, now you can shop for your maternity shapewear with ease.
Sizing
Besides knowing which goes under what, the size you choose is also important. I’m usually an 8-10, but I wore a 10-12 for all of the above shapewear. Always choose a size up or the range up from what your dress size is. For instance if you’re usually a 10, then the 10-12 is fine for you. If you’re a 12, then I would suggest the next size up – 12-14. That way you still get enough control without feeling totally uncomfortable, because you still want to be able to breathe and enjoy your day or night out instead of feeling like you’re about to fall over because you haven’t got enough oxygen from the lack of breathing.
Putting Them On
Also, when putting something like the capri style on, wear it like you would when you put on stockings. Roll the bottom part, that way you won’t end up destroying the fibres on your shapewear by pulling and tugging on it.
So with the different styles available all for a multitude of purposes, hopefully we can confidently strut our stuff in clothes we never knew we could!
*I was given the Ambra & CLio shapewear for consideration in accordance with the site’s Disclosure Policy.
Baubles, Bubbles & Bags
6 comments
Yolanda
February 9, 2012 at 7:45 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
You’re keen to wear it all day!!!
Yolanda recently posted..Cheap thrills
baublesb
February 10, 2012 at 12:09 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
The lengths I go through for my readers eh? Luckily they were comfy though! If they weren’t I would’ve taken them off immediately. I’ve had some really painful experiences before. :s
Trish
February 9, 2012 at 10:55 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I never knew …good to cover my muffin top
baublesb
February 10, 2012 at 12:09 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
The things I learn everyday Trish.
LisaW
February 10, 2012 at 8:20 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I have a pair of Spanx, which are great for the larger lass, but after wearing them for a few hours, I feel like I need the jaws of life to remove them! lol. I wish there was maternity ones when I was pregnant…I could have done with the support. tfs.
LisaW recently posted..Three things I’m currently procrastinating about…
baublesb
February 10, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I wished they had the maternity ones when I was pregnant too! I think that would have helped a lot! Especially for my back.