Shapewear: What do you think about it? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Shapewear: What do you think about it?

Dixie

Yesterday I tried on a pair of pants that were a little too tight and therefore gave me a bit of a "roll", which I thought was a bummer because they were new and I liked the print of them. Then I remembered I have some kind of "girdle" (like pic 1) and tried it on, and the pants fit perfect! I actually liked the siluette that it gave me and that it wasn't uncomfortable at all, really breathable and flexible and I felt that my posture improved. You can see the "before and after" included (pics 2 and 3).
But then, I felt like it was some kind of "cheat". Is it really worth it? I did my little research and found out that spandex is the trendy shape wear of the last years (it's a girdle with another name), and that a lot of celebrities use spandex and such... But most of the time the root of those undesirable bumps and rolls is because we're wearing clothes too small for us, like I did, or unflattering underwear (like panties too tight that give a panty line). In pictures 4 and 5, Don't you think that the dress and underwear are too tight and unflattering and other choice of clothing would be better instead of using shape wear?

Personally, I'm going to use it because I want to wear this pair of pants, but maybe next time I won't buy the smaller size. But I'm still in debate with myself and I want to know your opinion, what's your experience with it, do you use it? how often? do you think it's "cheating"? Because we use other types of "cheats" or enhancements, like make up, waxing, etc... So, what do you think about shape wear?

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I do not think it is cheating at all. In a recent post, which I will try to find later, someone discussed seeing an exhibit on the history of underwear. In those days instead of being responsible for molding their body into perfection women put on a girdle. I remember my always slender grandmother always wore one. That said, I don't wear it, though I have tried, because it never seems to help my issues and it is hot and uncomfortable. But I do wear an industrial strength bra :-)!

rizamei

I also don't think it's cheating, just an individual choice.

"Cheating" implies there's something unfair about it, as if people owe it to other people to be without artifice. It reminds me of the pressure for women to wear makeup that makes them look "natural." They are criticized if they don't wear any makeup (how dare you go out barefaced?) and criticized if you can tell they're wearing makeup (how dare you make yourself look other than nature made you?).

That said, I think it would often be more comfortable to eschew shapewear and to just size up or wear better fitting undergarments. But sometimes sizing up in a off-the-rack dress to fit one part of your body makes it fit poorly on another size of your body. I can see how shapewear might be the best solution for some people (especially if you already own the garment and shapewear, don't have the time/money to buy a new outfit, and don't have the time/money to have alterations done).

To each their own! I'd much rather not judge about this sort of thing. (And I say this as an INTJ who can be Judgey McJudgeypants about other things.)

K.M.

Veteran

Dixie, first of all, you look great in your pants, and I would have never guessed you were wearing any kind of shapewear. They seem to fit you very well--unlike the gray dress in your last pics, which I agree seems just too thin and too tight.
I don't think it's cheating to wear shapewear, although as an advocate of a healthy lifestyle I would hope that it wouldn't replace a mindful diet and exercise in people's lives... But, for example, after I had my daughter my belly muscles are not the same. I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight and shape, but there's this teensy pouchy thing in the middle of my belly. I am very thin already and I'm not sure there's exercise for that. So, if I were to wear a body-con dress (by which I mean a skimming one, not a sausage casing), I might consider shapewear to smooth things over.
However, in my case I just can't imagine wearing it because of the discomfort. I never tried Spanx, but I have worn control-top pantyhose in the past (not by choice--I bought it by mistake) and not only did I find it painful, it actually gave me heartburn and belly cramps. I'd rather choose a different piece of clothing that would fit me better unaided.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don't see it as cheating, but I haven't worn my Spanx slip or stockings in years. I can't even remember what the last occasion was, but it was probably a formal one. For me, if something fits me in a way that shows panty lines and bulges like the dress photo, I just don't feel comfortable wearing it. I would either size up or give up on that style. And I say this as someone who doesn't generally have a problem wearing fitted clothing, although my tolerance for bodycon is not what it once was.

rachylou

Veteran

Can't wear them. Give me indigestion! Not even in xxl. I need to work my abs or something...

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

The pants look great on you! I do see a smoother silhouette in the second photo, so I agree the shapewear is working as intended. I will admit, the first photo looks fine to me, too, and had I not had the second for comparison, I wouldn't have said the pants were too small. But anyway, it's all about how you feel, which is also related to what you see in the mirror. So I see nothing wrong and a lot of benefit in wearing shapewear in this case. Personally I find it really uncomfortable, but the last time I tried it was probably in the early days of Spanx. I had a dress that I wore mine with, and eventually I grew (or shrank?) to feel comfortable in the dress without it.

Oops, forgot the other part of your question. I think that, yes, often a smoother line can be achieved by sizing up. But sometimes not. And it's not always the case that the underwear is too small. I've been fitted for bras and still have back flab--I think it's unavoidable to some extent, unless I go around flexing my back muscles all day! And some fabrics just drape in such a way that they highlight every little bump, regardless of how well one's underwear fits. In that case, layers and textures to the rescue for me!

Aziraphale

Veteran

No, I don't think it's cheating. How is wearing tummy shapewear (the modern equivalent of a girdle!) much different from wearing a bra? Besides the most important reason for wearing a bra -- to keep things from jiggling when I walk! -- I need it to lift and separate my breasts, and to make them look better under clothing. Similarly, one might wear a girdle to make one's midsection look better under clothing. They are less necessary, I suppose, because to some degree back rolls and tummy pooches can be disguised with well-fitting clothing (especially pieces made of woven fabric), but they can be very useful to create a smooth line under form-fitting or clingy clothes. A form-fitting dress, even if it fits correctly, might look better with shape wear if the woman has any extra flesh at all.

Having said that, do I wear it? No. I can't be bothered and I find it uncomfortable. I'd rather just wear clothes that don't cling in unflattering places. Now, if I had to walk down the red carpet in a slinky gown with the entire country watching me on TV, I'd suck it up for the evening and jam myself into a chest-to-thigh shapewear undergarment. Otherwise, no.

shipskitty

Veteran

I do wear shapewear (think oversized high rise granny undies) to help smooth the silouettes under some of my work dresses when I am carrying some extra weight and want to continue wearing them while I address the problem rather than buying larger clothes. It also acts as an incentive to drop the weight so that I can wear my clothes without them. I see them as a practical tool for extending the size range of some of my clothing when I have dropped the ball a bit on work life balance. Ideal no. Workable for me yes.

I also have worn them in the past under special event wear when it is slightly more bodycon than is ideal. Or again when my body is not where it was when I purchased the item. My weight fluctuates a fair bit.

When buying clothes though I want to find clothing that is either a better size, or a forgiving cut or design so shapewear is not required as a matter of course.

Joy

Veteran

I like wearing shapewear. I feel supported and have better posture with it. But I size up so that it is not tight, just smoothing and firming. In the summer it is too hot to wear and I miss it. There are some pretty lacy shapewear choices out there, so it can be attractive.

Sal

Veteran

I am with Joy here.

I own three different pieces that have slightly differing purposes. I wear them with a couple of fitted sheath dresses to give me a smooth line underneath. I find them comfortable but agree in summer they are too hot.

I will continue wearing them as it gives me confidence to wear fitted dresses that suit me.

Gigi

Veteran

I don't think it's cheating at all. I personally don't wear shapewear, but I have the opposite problem—I'm underweight due to health issues and usually have baggy clothes. As others have pointed out, it's no different from wearing a bra. And yes, women of previous generations wore girdles, and corsets before that. I say that you should wear whatever makes you feel good about yourself.

I will also say that even as an underweight person, I still get lumps and bumps visible through form-fitting clothing. I think everyone does unless they are a heavy-duty fitness person with the coveted abs of steel. I could see shapewear being a great help even for an underweight person if she were wearing a very fitted garment.

deb

Veteran

I like shapewear, also. For some reason, I feel more confident in it. I used to have to wear a compression garment (what the cardiologist calls it) because I was having blood pool in my abdomen area. We got that fixed so I do not wear it any longer. I always wear Spanx under my dressy trousers. It just feels more comfortable. Nothing wrong at all.

(I think of it as a jock strap for women)

Astrid

Veteran

I've never owned shape wear and I don't want to start with it. I think when you get used to "smooth lines" it's probably difficult to go back and your lumps and bumps are even more visible in your mind. I think I'd look for different cuts and fabrics instead. But of course if someone else wants to use it they should, I wouldn't think they'd be "cheating". The term seems to imply that there's an honest way to look "perfect" and it doesn't count if you get help. Now that's pressure...

Summer

Veteran

I think that if shape-wear improves the look of your clothing, and/or gives you more confidence in your appearance, you should wear it . I certainly don't think it is cheating. You make a good point, though, that correct fit and well-fitting underwear might be the solution.

Anonymous

No, it isn't cheating. Still, anything that fits me too snugly causes increased pain, so I seek out clothing that has a relaxed fit.

Anonymous

I would never feel it was cheating. I would probably wear it if I could afford it, but the truth is that when I look at the prices, I shudder and walk away.