https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:02:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1630137 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 15:26:42 +0000 Anonymous 1630137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you , all . &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1630123 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:55:54 +0000 Angie 1630123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You might find this post helpful:</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/2013/02/27/nordstrom-roundup-shapewear/">http://youlookfab.com/2013/02/.....shapewear/</a></p> <p>The shape wear you choose depends entirely on how much "smoothness" you want to achieve.</p> <p>Don't buy shape wear too small either, as that will actually create muffin top and bulges (ironically). These styles are winners:&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1630119 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:46:15 +0000 Colette 1630119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In my experience, the shaping garment needs to extend past the area I want to smooth to avoid ruts and rolling. The camisoles roll on me and leave ruts in my hips that are visible under the clothes, the bike shorts do the same to my thighs, which defeats the purpose.&nbsp;But, it's&nbsp;been a long while since I've jumped into my Spanx because for me, they are for special occasion wear and I have tried to avoid garments that would require them.</p> <p>In the colder weather I just wear the Donna Karan control top hose that extend up to almost my bra. In summer, I really like Aida's idea&nbsp;about a slip, it makes the most sense to me and I might try it myself. For modesty reasons, I tried the Jockey Skimmies in the summer under skirts and dresses. I really like them and wear them with every skirt and dress in the summer. They are not shape wear and don't dig in anywhere. The material is stretchy but the fabric glide over them. I&nbsp;find them very comfortable.&nbsp;</p> <p>Overall, I think my best results are when I just try to smooth things out a bit and not go down a size or two. And definitely try them on, it's just like trying swimwear.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1630107 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:17:26 +0000 texstyle 1630107@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would go with Aida and Una's suggestion and try a slip - if that doesn't work, I'm not sure I'd bother. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1630094 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:45:59 +0000 Laurie 1630094@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I never thought about sizing up on these items....great idea, glad I read this thread! &nbsp;Like Aida, I have good luck with a full slip in many cases.</p> <p>I was channel surfing the other day and watched the first episode of this season of "Girls" ( a show I do not like, by the way) and the Allison Williams character was getting married. &nbsp;She walked around for most of the show in a spanx-like item that went to just under her bra. &nbsp; I was surprised that a person that thin (and young!) would have on such an item. So there you go! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1630068 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:53:51 +0000 Jules 1630068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree in the bike shorts. Although I've never had an issue with spanx riding up, etc, they are terribly uncomfortable especially in the heat and will more than cancel out any comfort and ease you get from a tee shirt dress! Just using the washroom can be an ordeal. I also find Spanx can create new bumps in new places and I'm unwilling to go to a full body armour style I started wearing some "bike" shorts I had around<br /> (just black exercise shorts by Danskin I believe) for comfort in Toronto muggy summers (my thighs rub), but quickly realized they also provide smoothing and definitely made some outfits easier to wear. Personally I suggest black, because if they do inadvertently show, they don't look like underwear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1630064 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:23:01 +0000 Neelie 1630064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you get the bike shorts style of shapewear be sure to try the dresses on sitting down!!! &nbsp;Very important as dresses tend to ride up a bit on the leg when you sit and the shapewhere will peek out the bottom...even if it is skin toned it will show. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1630050 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 10:16:25 +0000 Jjsloane 1630050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There are different fabrications for spanx (and I have tried many brands - they are worth the $). I found jockey to roll too much and are way too thick for comfort. The spanx thinstincts are not like what most are describing here and if you have the appropriate size they can smooth without constricting. I have an older version of the full slip that I wear with most dresses.<br />It's not letting me collect, but this one&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/tank-top-slip---1818">http://www.lordandtaylor.com/w.....lip---1818</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1630030 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 04:35:26 +0000 catgirl 1630030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have two full slips from the Gap that are really good for skimming, as Aida said. They aren't right and don't shape me but they do push any clingy dress fabric a bit away from my lumpy bits. Like you, I don't do bodycon so it's really just to keep a smooth fabric line. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1630027 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 04:14:37 +0000 Beth Ann 1630027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another vote for sizing up! &nbsp;The only piece I've sized down for is a slimming cami by Soma. &nbsp;Love this piece! &nbsp;It's longer than most camis, and stays put. &nbsp;This piece is not really shape wear, but more of a general "smoother," and very breathable.</p> <p>I also love Jockey slipshorts. &nbsp;Again these aren't more about smoothing by adding another layer, rather than compression. &nbsp;I sometimes size down in these, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1629956 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 02:03:49 +0000 Anonymous 1629956@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SandyG - excellent solution . Thank you. And &nbsp;Sally - Nancy Ganz is sold here too - another good idea, thanks. &nbsp;I'm glad to hear that there are others here wearing shape wear !&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1629954 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 02:01:57 +0000 Anonymous 1629954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet - I know what you mean. I bought an actual Spanx branded bike-shortish thing many years ago for some occasion or another, and swore I'd never do it again. I'm not looking for Kim Kardashian -strength lose-two-sizes underwear , but rather something I can now make part of my wardrobe that will make clothes hang better on me. I won't wear it either if it's super uncomfortable. I just need something to take the edges off, per se. &nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks all for your thoughts - all good, all useful, and all sensible, funny and real. &nbsp;I need to stop talking &nbsp;about this - it's triggering my diving down into a pit of self-loathing &nbsp;and &nbsp;I should have known better than to start this. &nbsp;That said, I'm off tomorrow to Hudson Bay to check out Commando and Naomi &amp; Nicole ! &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1629953 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 01:59:38 +0000 SandyG 1629953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The big trouble with lingerie shape wear is that it doesn't work well enough in fit, or breathe adequately in hot weather. Just when you want a bit of coverage beneath a summer dress, it gets sweaty and twists around, up and is generally a mess to untangle or smooth down.</p> <p>If I'm wearing a denim, chambray or dark dress, I pull on a pair of Nike Pro bike shorts (wicking, with a non-roll waistband although lurid colors) or one of Stella McCartney's bike shorts made for tennis (more femme colors than Nike, including a decent peach nude). For an expensive option, try Free People Victorian bike shorts, they're lacy-femme and ultra comfortable, but hard to find. With all of these options, I'm decently covered for sitting down, no thigh rub or roll-ups, and the waistband is flat and doesn't show. The Nike Pro shorts aren't sexy by any standards (yet they work really well) but the Stella and Free People bike shorts are fun, flirty and very comfortable.</p> <p>I think someone could come up with a wicking, smooth bike short in cute colors and solve a huge summer problem!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1629952 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 01:56:56 +0000 Sal 1629952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I own two pieces of shapewear - but mostly default to one.</p> <p>I have a body suit with a built in bra which I rarely wear.</p> <p>I have a pair of bike shorts where the waist goes up to the bra line. &nbsp;I would wear these once every couple of months. &nbsp;Great smoothing with knit body con dresses. &nbsp;I find it comfortable enough - it is Nancy Ganz brand which I think is British.</p> <p>I also wear bodysuits and silky cami's and a slip on other occasions. &nbsp;My hip is my main area of concern.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1629947 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 01:42:13 +0000 Anonymous 1629947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would do a vigorous up-down-up-down squatting session in the changeroom.<br /> It's possible the shapewear will make you feel fab, and increase your outfit options, so I'm with ABC: Try it and see! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1629936 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 01:15:52 +0000 Aida 1629936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa, those knits sit on my tummy and hips too, that's kinda their thing The silky slips help make jersey knits glide over, because they sit on the slip instead of on me. I was all set to toss my jersey knit dresses before trying a slip and it does make a difference. Not all of them can be saved, but if the knit is decent a slip will do the job. I don't know if it'll be as much as you're going for but it would certainly be lighter/cooler than actual shapewear. I will say that I like my slips to be more substantial in fabrication though. A flimsy little thing won't do enough. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1629930 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 01:08:26 +0000 Janet 1629930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't worn my Spanx since 2008. I can't even fathom putting any of that kind of thing on my body in the summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone/page/2#post-1629929 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 01:06:49 +0000 abc 1629929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just my humble opinion of course...Try one piece of shapewear before you rule out all those items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629928 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 01:06:08 +0000 Anonymous 1629928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sharan - thank you ! These seem sensible . I'll try to source some out - &nbsp;like this idea and have my fingers crossed that they will smooth out enough of me !&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629927 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 01:04:37 +0000 Anonymous 1629927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aida - I am considerably heavier than you, and unfortunately, even unfitted knits now show things that are there regardless of fit. &nbsp;I never wear body con dresses either, or even fitted ones for that matter, but a basic loose fit t shirt type dress made of decently drapey fabric will sit on a tummy or a high hip and highlight every extra ounce of fat on those parts. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>I suppose maybe I just have to eliminate these things from my wardrobe now, and many of you are dead right and have a good point: &nbsp;why bother? who wants to wear them (shape wear) anyways? &nbsp;and if the doesn't doesn't look good enough without underarmour (ha) then one shouldn't be wearing it. &nbsp;Guess I was hoping to still be able to wear those kinds of dresses. &nbsp;</p> <p>Gaylene - that happened to me once with a swim suit. I though I was going to have to wear it out of the store under my clothes. &nbsp;Sigh. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629922 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:59:20 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1629922@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't stand Spanx. I had a pair that I wore a couple of times. I second Muffin's endorsement of Commando slips. They are not shapewear, but I always wear a full one when I wear a dress. They are so comfy. The edges are laser cut, so they add no lines under a dress, and they have a little chain sewn into the side seam to keep the slip from riding up. You may not need any more smoothing than what they provide. I get them at Nordstrom, and you would be able to try it on there. </p> <p>The first Find below is the one I have (I have both nude and black), and the second Find is one that is actually shapewear, which I haven't tried. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629916 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:51:26 +0000 rabbit 1629916@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have two pairs of Spanx, and never wear them, they are so evil. &nbsp;I got them to be a maid of honor and almost passed out during the ceremony. &nbsp;I wear the bicycle short type of shapewear that are Maidenform &nbsp;flexees. &nbsp;They are lightweight, not uncomfortable, not noticeably hot, and they work under wrap dresses and summer cotton or knit dresses with thin material that stretches. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629913 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:47:04 +0000 JAileen 1629913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My summer has regular 100 degree temps. There's no way I would wear Spanx on a regular basis. Maybe for a wedding, but only if I were a member of the wedding party. I think wearing Spanx on a regular basis is counter to the spirit of a summer dress. I mean, why bother? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629910 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:40:04 +0000 Gaylene 1629910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It would have to be a pretty important event, full of photographers, for me to wear Spanx in the summer. I've tossed all of mine, usually after a single wearing, because I hate the tugging and adjusting--to say nothing of the feeling of being held hostage by my clothes. Looking hot and uncomfortable isn't my best look, so I'll stick to clothing which fits without serious spandex intervention. :)</p> <p>On a funnier note, my worst dressing room experience was getting tangled up in a Spanx bodysuit with siliconed edges. That garment refused to budge as I twisted and turned trying to get it off me. The more I struggled, the hotter and sweatier I became, which, obviously, didn't help matters. If I had had a pair of scissors, I'd have cut the dang thing into bits, handed over $200, and fled the store. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629909 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:36:40 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1629909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bought a Spanx slip once to wear under a dress to a semi formal event. It was a disaster -- rolled its way up my legs toward my waist like a pinchy inner tube. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629901 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:19:42 +0000 Anne-Marie 1629901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisap, you can try them on, yes. I've always been able to -- over my undergarments of course.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629897 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:13:17 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1629897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>By the way, the bike shorts I recommended have a small bead of silicone at the top of the waist and the bottom of each leg - this keeps anything from rolling down and creeping up. Nothing moves. I'm on my 3rd pair of these over the last few years - that's how much I like these. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629892 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:05:02 +0000 Muffin 1629892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been able to at Nordstrom with my own undergarments on underneath, much like trying a swimsuit. After reading responses I'm going to try one of the slip dress types but those I worry about riding up.<br /> Just checked the Spanx shorts I like a lot- it's the Hide &amp; Sleek line (I did not size up). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629891 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:04:13 +0000 Aquamarine 1629891@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm having hot flashes just reading this thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tips-for-buying-shape-wear-anyone#post-1629890 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:03:47 +0000 Aida 1629890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like full slips in slippery materials, no compression or anything fancy, coupled with a cami if more coverage is needed. That'll usually make the whole thing skim over any bumps. But then I don't really wear body-con nor even fitted things all that often, so perhaps it might not work as well with a more fitted knit dress? Tights ruin dress lines for me more than anything!</p>