https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:36:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521717 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:52:11 +0000 jenny1963 1521717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm beyond late to this, HOWEVER: I wear SPANX every blooming day!! I'd like to be more comfortable with my body, but I'm not a sensitive flower (with regards to how my body feels) AND I LOVE the feeling of being packed in. &nbsp;In fact, before I even had my daughter and was really slender, I still liked wearing control-top pantyhose.<br />So, I'm clearly in the minority. But I'm 52 and tend towards cellulite, and I don't want anything showing in my slim fitting Eileen fisher washable crepe pants.</p> <p>Yay Spanx!! Too bad their quality apparently has slipped hugely.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521692 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:13:58 +0000 retailgirl 1521692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MsMaven, you must be of my generation. When I was about 20, in 1970? Maybe...I was getting dressed for my summer waitressing job, ( gold and white striped dress with apron! ) and my best friend was over and saw me pull on my panty girdle...5'9" and 125 lbs...tan legs from going to the beach a lot...and she said, why are you wearing that? I never considered not wearing it! But I took it off and never wore one again. I remember my mother wearing one of those Playtex rubber girdles, open bottom, that came in a tube. Every day! And she was slim, too! I don't want to be a slave to shape wear, that's for sure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521691 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:05:15 +0000 Janet 1521691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm late to the discussion, but feel compelled to chime in as someone who definitely has a lower half that could use a little "reining in." </p> <p>I actually own a pair of Spanx pantyhose. I think the last time I wore them was with the dress I wore for one of the inaugural balls, yes, going on 8 years ago. Before that, I wore some Spanx under my wedding dress, 12 years ago. I just don't see bothering with them anymore. </p> <p>For one thing, my lifestyle is too casual to even warrant many outfits that would require such shapewear. Even my date night outfits don't need it, and frankly, nothing feels less effortlessly sexy than squeezing into a constricting piece of underwear before a hot date! </p> <p>If I try something on and it is clingy enough to show stuff I don't want visible, I don't buy it. Life is too short to wear uncomfortable things, and there are plenty of other outfits that I find flattering without trying to flatten myself out.</p> <p>Besides, I wonder, am I the only one who feels like these things squeeze in all the wrong places? They flatten down my already flat butt, and don't so much for my tummy (which doesn't need much help anyway), and do absolutely nothing to minimize my saddlebags. So, not worth it for me. Just my experience. Maybe they're more for tummy control than anything. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521648 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:05:56 +0000 lyn67 1521648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have true body con dresses or anything but &nbsp;I always wear a slip (half, or integral) under my &nbsp;tube skirts and all my knitted(jersey dresses) to help smoothing things down. <br />My full slip is actually &nbsp;a former black spagetti strapped underdress from a crochetted one:-). and &nbsp;the half one is actually made from a &nbsp;stretchy lining of another jersey dress. Let me explain if interested.</p> <p>Dress had a double layered self material top part, but under the bust was this stretchy thing attached to it, for inside.&nbsp;The all thing was too hot and restricting, and the hem was even tighter, and rolled up when walking.&nbsp;<br />But I liked the dress so much, I just cut it out from under the bust, and wore without. Bossing the clothes- you know!<br />Then-wait a minute! Started wearing the cut out stretchy lining, with the upside down as a half slip, LOL. I mean, the previous constricting low hem became a comfortable waist and the under the bust &nbsp;was just clean cut, and left unhemmed (and no, it it did not unravel:-)).</p> <p>I don't like control top tights&nbsp;either, too constricting and does a weird line on the waist, which I hate! <br />BTW I never did, but read so much about &nbsp;wearing stretchy biker shorts under skirts and dresses that &nbsp;I wanted to give them &nbsp;a try, too. I &nbsp;bought kind of some shorted tights (shorts done from thin nylons:-)) thinking &nbsp;the &nbsp;thinner the better, &nbsp;but &nbsp;LOL, they rode up on my thighs, &nbsp;their low &nbsp;hem &nbsp;cut my circulation there as it was not meant to wear the hems so high- and they also torn in no time, so never again:-(.<br />&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521617 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 12:30:31 +0000 Karie 1521617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear shape wear under some dresses and skirts. I don't wear body con clothing, but I do like straight cuts and I do have a bit of a belly bulge. I'll wear a light control cotton-nylon Spanx to smooth things out. I find them comfortable and not constricting, but then my belly bulge doesn't need all that much controlling.&nbsp;</p> <p>I like the idea of the slimming tank that was mentioned above, I might have to try that.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521604 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 12:14:24 +0000 Maneera 1521604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so glad Cheryl chimed in!!!! I knew she would be the right person! </p> <p>I think I see a pattern here. Hourglass figures with curves do wear shape wear under structured formal dresses. Cheryle, I haven't worn shapewear in a while either. And like Kiwigal, I only need it under certain dresses - all formal (especially those with a belt), just to smoothen out the curves. I want a smooth line under the dress, not have fat pushed around or pushed up and form lumps. I'm surprised to hear that so many women have bought and discarded their spanx because they got conscious of lumps....</p> <p>Probably it's a size issue. I've NEVER had lumps wearing shapewear. It just glides over my body to smoothen the shape and never rides up/down or has a sausage effect. </p> <p>Lisap....this turned into a rather fascinating thread! Thank you! And sorry to keep writing here even after you decided you don't want to try spanx! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521601 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 12:07:30 +0000 Maneera 1521601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aliona, I agree with Deborah. You're fabulous in that dress!!! You definitely don't need shape wear under it. Though, I would recommend high waisted well-fitting underwear. You have a very slim body.....so you don't need shape wear ever! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521590 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:51:17 +0000 Anonymous 1521590@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, Deborah what a super ego boost to start my day. Thank you! I love that dress--so comfy--but it is a tad outside my comfort zone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521587 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:48:03 +0000 Deborah 1521587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not Maneera, but Aliona darling you do not need shapewear with this dress. &nbsp;This is in no way 'offensive', in fact I am just the little bit envious at how fab you look in that dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521583 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:37:47 +0000 Anonymous 1521583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maneera, since I know you'll be popping back in and joined after I stopped posting pics, could you look at this link and LMK if you think I should be wearing shape wear with this dress? It's knit and pretty body con, at least around the hips--also a size too small since I gained weight. I'm wondering if I'm offending others with my lack of appropriate undergarments.<br /> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-citron-grey-hair-shot" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-hair-shot</a></p> <p>Lisa, sorry for hijacking your post, but for various reasons I'd prefer to keep my images more buried right now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521581 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:32:20 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1521581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have spanx that are like bike shorts. &nbsp;I bought them to wear under a bias cut silk gown for a formal event years ago. &nbsp;I was between sizes and went up so they weren't tight and they worked beautifully and were comfortable. &nbsp;I noted that when I gained a few pounds they were no longer as comfortable and the waist rolled so the trick was to wear them so they were fitted but not tight. &nbsp;My goal was simply to smooth the line under the dress so that the silk flowed over the body and it worked perfectly for that purpose. &nbsp;The ones I bought/have are not the high power hold you all in type. &nbsp;I also have a nude slip in a stretchy fabric for the same purpose. &nbsp;I can't remember the brand but its purpose is also to give a smooth line under soft fabrics. &nbsp;I rarely wear either of these options but when I regularly attended formal events they did help to get a nicer smoother look. </p> <p>I just read Maneera's comment and thought to note that I haven't worn shapewear in months. &nbsp;I find that knit dresses don't need it if they are a tighter knit that drapes without clinging and is just slightly loose. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521569 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:22:59 +0000 Maneera 1521569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow. Looks like Kiwigal and I are the only two people who wear shape wear under some dresses. We do have a similar body shape too.....so I guess that explains it! </p> <p>But from what I've seen so far with WIWs, not many Fabbers wear form fitting dresses. The only other person I can think of right now is Cheryle. I hope she chimes in on this.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521496 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 05:53:33 +0000 Deborah 1521496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Closest I get is some firm fitting underpants that firm up my tummy. &nbsp;But they are only moderate firming and not tight, or uncomfortable and dont cut into my waist. &nbsp;I don't do uncomfortable:)</p> <p>Lisa for your info, read this...</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/amanda-keller-blames-health-scare-on-combination-of-spanx-and-overheating/story-fnndfy6b-1227144288219"><a href="http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/amanda-keller-blames-health-scare-on-combination-of-spanx-an" rel="nofollow">http://www.news.com.au/enterta.....f-spanx-an</a>...</a></p> <p>one of our local tv personalities thought she was having a heart attack but she wasn't....!?!?!?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521380 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 00:47:06 +0000 MsMaven 1521380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Retailgirl reminds us of panty girdles. I was given my first panty girdle at age 14 to wear under a sheath dress. I was 5'8" and 110 pounds. This was in the 1950s and there was a famous model, Dovima, with the same height and weight, but then I kept growing and gaining. I was proud that I matched up with her.&nbsp;</p> <p>And yes, you had to either wear a garter belt (not practical under a sheath) or a panty girdle to hold up your stockings. At that time girls/women were not supposed to show the least bit of buttocks jiggle. We had to be unibutts. And most of the time we wore dresses or skirts because pants were not allowed at school or work.</p> <p>At some point in the late 60s I stopped wearing them, but we soon had pantyhose. Now I rarely wear skirts, but when I do I wear pantyhose because of my blue and white legs.&nbsp;</p> <p>A few years ago I went to a wedding wearing Spanx underneath a bias cut dress. On the way to the ceremony DH became alarmed because I was sitting in the passenger seat of the car pulling off the Spanx, which had rolled down from the top and up from the thigh. I reassured him I was wearing regular panties under the Spanx. The dress was loose enough not to cling. Now I avoid wearing anything that requires any item other than pantyhose, which are trouble enough. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521359 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 00:13:45 +0000 Tania 1521359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>During one of my first shopping trips to Nordstrom's a couple of years ago, I asked the (younger) SA for help with jeans to fit with a new pair of knee high boots.&nbsp; She brought me a pair of AG legging jeans.&nbsp; I mustered up my courage to ask&nbsp;her for everything I needed to fit into them.&nbsp; I thought most folks wore body shaping stuff to fit into jeans like that.&nbsp; She looked at me with a sweet face&nbsp;and assured me that it would be ok.&nbsp; lol.&nbsp; I hadn't been shopping in a very long time!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521358 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 00:11:52 +0000 Carla 1521358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A good bra, yes...girdle type things, no. Another fan of the old fashioned loose slip under unlined dresses and skirts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521340 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 23:30:43 +0000 deb 1521340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love my spanx tights and long shorts thing. They make me feel pulled together and not uncomfortable at all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521329 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 22:50:27 +0000 Staysfit 1521329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ummm, No....... Never have tried any............ Would it make my flat bum look like it belonged to a Kardashian? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521323 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 22:36:10 +0000 frannieb 1521323@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't wear shapewear but I do wear the good old fashioned slip. they do wonders with dresses and I love jocky slip shorts but those really aren't shape wear they are more of a short. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521311 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 22:06:04 +0000 approprio 1521311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Heh. I did this once a few years ago for my cousin's wedding. It was like squeezing myself into a sausage skin but the dress looked sensational. I haven't done it since. I've made my peace with my lumps and bumps.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521309 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 21:52:56 +0000 Sal 1521309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay I am a dissenter. &nbsp;I have three items that I don't wear a lot, but I do wear, strictly with dresses. &nbsp;I have a pair of bike type shorts that smooth my tummy and hips, and a body suit with a built in bra. &nbsp;I don't find them super comfortable, but they are fine for certain occasions.</p> <p>With one or two dresses I find they smooth me around my hip which is my main bumpy area. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521305 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 21:47:42 +0000 retailgirl 1521305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I never wear shape wear, except for control top pantyhose. I'm pretty slim and I don't wear body con clothing. I remember wearing a panty girdle every day from 7th grade to my 1st year of college to hold up my stockings...this was before pantyhose and you weren't allowed to wear pants to school! So I think I had my fill of shape wear from back then. I won't buy clothes that require complicated underwear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521262 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 20:22:24 +0000 Marie 1521262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I purchased a Spanx all-in-one pantyhose item that went from toes to under bra to wear under a form-fitting wrap dress.</p> <p>Never again.</p> <p>I was very uncomfortable &amp; kept checking in the restroom mirror for slippage, lumps &amp; bumps.</p> <p>I LOVE Jockey slip shorts. I wear lots of maxi skirts &amp; flowy midi skirts &amp; they don't ride up &amp; they suck the pooch in &amp; smooth the rear just enough to feel a bit "smoother" around those areas.</p> <p>Another shout out for Soma Vanishing Edge panties. No VPL &amp; they stay (stick lol) in place. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521256 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 20:09:53 +0000 Anonymous 1521256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you made the right decision. Although I have one piece, I doubt I wear it even once per year. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution/page/2#post-1521202 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 18:22:58 +0000 Anonymous 1521202@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, thanks - you've cured me of any need to think about this for one more minute. &nbsp;Who wears body con dresses anyways? &nbsp;Oh yes, Beyonce does. So let her keep Spanx in business - not for me:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution#post-1521201 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 18:19:30 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1521201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, Beyoncé and KK have jobs that require them to look awesome (in a very vampy way) all the time, whereas us normal folks don't... I think shape wear works best for some body shapes and sizes and not so great for others.</p> <p>Lisa, I suspect you didn't have the right size of the jockey slip shorts - theyre the only shape wear-like things I wear anymore and I like them underneath knit dresses and skirts that are a bit clingy, to avoid really bad VPL. But they aren't the most breathable things - they have a new wicking version which I haven't tried yet. So I only wear them for the odd special occasion, not all day long.</p> <p>I also own the Spanx brand tights and wear them in the winter - they're opaque and long lasting. I don't think they're any more snug than other tights, though. I got rid of most of my more girdle-y shape wear a few years ago. I'm overweight - all the really tight stuff does is push my fat somewhere else on my body, not so attractive... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution#post-1521199 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 18:18:46 +0000 Marilyn 1521199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No torture devices for me.&nbsp; Comfort first!&nbsp; I wear Elita boy shorts under dresses and skirts that require a smooth finish or that cause regular undies to shift around.&nbsp; They are smooth,&nbsp; no VPL, and they are comfy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution#post-1521182 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 17:36:39 +0000 SW Ann 1521182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like most of you, my experience with the Spanx was NOT GOOD.&nbsp;&nbsp; However, I went old school and tried some of my more form fitting dresses with silk slips and they smoothed out the "bumps" without any constriction.&nbsp; This may not work for everyone, but it works well for me.&nbsp; The trick is finding slips that are NOT shapewear, just simple old style slips.&nbsp; Yes it adds a layer, but I don't mind, since the dresses I wear them with a lightweight.&nbsp; <br />Probably the TMI front, but I really do need to smooth things, as I lost a huge amount of weight 30 years ago, and did not have any kind of surgery, so I have more lumpy-ness and bumpy-ness than many.&nbsp;&nbsp; However, the slip just makes the dresses kind of glide over it all.&nbsp; <br />I got my slips at a Hanes outlet, I think.&nbsp;&nbsp; Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution#post-1521181 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 17:34:19 +0000 Anonymous 1521181@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I own one piece of shape wear. &nbsp;I must have bought it to wear under some garment some time ago. &nbsp;I don't wear it often, but I noticed I haven't purged it either. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shapewear-do-you-wear-it-am-i-missing-out-on-the-great-solution#post-1521172 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 17:21:02 +0000 Elizabeth P 1521172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One thing to add... while I looked great in my dress with the Spanx contraption, as soon as I put panty hose on, THEY gave me a big indentation line around my middle (why do panyhose companies think you have an 18" waist?).&nbsp; So half the purpose (pantylines) was defeated. </p>