Plus Size Shapewear?

Ana

Does anyone have a recommendation for plus size undergarments / shapewear to wear under dresses? Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen recently had a post with a similar question but no plus recs. The spanx shapewear I have smooths things out but also ends up gathering the extra weight around my waist (plus they're quite painful!)

11 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from Ana

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I used to own more shape wear but nowadays just have the jockey skimmies that Alison mentions in that post. I find that those work for VPL and anything that doesn't look flattering without more drastic measures is not something that I buy. Shape wear is just so darn uncomfortable that I'm not willing to suffer that much unless we're talking about a once in a lifetime occasion.

11 years ago

Cerinda

Veteran

Like Laura, I only wear sausage casing shape wear for dress-up. I prefer Spanx to its many imitators but I go up one or two sizes. I'm looking for a smooth line, not to go down a size, so usually a beautiful slip (hard to find, I admit) and a pair of pantyhose (usually NOT control top) suffice.

11 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Ana, are you trying to squeeze into regular-sized spanx or actually using some of their plus-sized offerings? Because they have quite a good selection. I really like their tights. They're expensive, but they hold me in really nicely without the hard-core constraint of the body shapers.
If you need something like those Spanx shorts but a little more comfortable, I personally like this brand:
http://www.bodywrap-shapewear......-s/105.htm
The fabric isn't as silky as spanx, so it may be problematic if you're going for a *really* clingy dress, but 9.5 times out of 10 I find it perfect for my needs.

Your reply

11 years ago

abc

Veteran

Depends where in the scale of plus you fall but I have found the typical shape wear styles in places like Macy's and Tjmaxx that go up to 2x. I usually size up one or two sizes like others have mentioned.

11 years ago

Laurie

Active Member

I echo Laura's reply. If it's not flattering without it, I'm just not going to suffer shape wear in order to wear it. Maybe for a special occasion for a few hours, but that's it. I just don't have the patience (or fortitude?) for anything, including shoes, that pinch, bind, or ride up anymore. Guess I am getting old

11 years ago

jenanded

Veteran

I have some really light weight shorts from macys... they are about 20$plus. Great to stop thigh rub and not suck-em-im's.... sorry I can't recall the brand.

11 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I tend to prefer the body suit or tank top style if I'm wearing something clingy and actually want to appear a bit smaller. I've never yet found any high-waisted body shapers that don't roll down, usually in an awkward way. My current one is a UK brand but in the past I've had good luck at Ross and TJMaxx.

Having said that, these days I'm trying to just embrace the fact that I am very fat, and no amount of shapewear is going to change that so I might as well spare myself the agony of trying to squeeze into tight shapewear. I do usually wear the shorts variety with skirts to prevent chafing but it's important here to make sure they are not too tight -- it can make the chafing worse if they are!

11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Same with the body shapers, Mander - they always seem to roll down. I haven't tried one that fastens to my bra yet, which probably will work (but might cause other issues).

I think the more overweight you get the less comfortable shapewear is, just because the more flesh you have to get displaced, the less comfortable it is to compress it, which is what all shapewear does in one way or another. That's been my experience of it at different weights, at least - when I've been slimmer it's been not so bad; when I'm heavier it can be miserable.

11 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

I think shapewear is very uncomfortable for anyone. It was always very uncomfortable with shapewear when I was overweight and it gave me extra bits where I did not have them. After I lost weight I tried them again and I still have the same problem of extra bits where there aren't any. Before I used to think it was part of my problem for being overweight but now I know that the problem IS the shapewear itself. It's an instrument if torture that promotes unhappiness with your body.
I refuse to wear any of that stuff. I will only wear garments that make me happy.
The one thing I like very much are the boyshorts by Shimera. They don't show through pants or dresses and they do not feel constrictive when you wear them.

11 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I suppose I'm an oddity in that I don't find shapewear inherently uncomfortable, but then I go for the kind that is only moderate in its sucking-in power. Once upon a time I tried one of my grandmother's 50s-era girdles, and holy cow, was that awful!

The potential for creating extra bits is another reason why I like the kind that covers the whole body. So far I haven't tried any of the "wear your own bra" styles but they seem promising.

I'll have to look out for Shimera. Decent boy shorts are one item that is never very easy to find.

11 years ago

Ana

Active Member

Thank you everyone for your responses! It was interesting to read all your different takes, and it made me think about why I think shapewear is necessary. For dresses I do think I need something to smooth things out and so I've ordered the garment that Michelle suggested and one other from Macy's. I will report back!

11 years ago

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