Shapewear doesn't do anything for me

Anonymous

You often hear about using shapewear undergarments to smooth out bumps but is it just me who looks worse in it?! - some bits smooth and then overspill elsewhere. For my, 'I've had 3 babies and ok, put on a bit of weight tummy', I prefer to wear a long vest under clingier garments. But now I'm wondering whether just ordinary cotton waist-high knickers would be good. Any one else have this problem?

9 years ago

Body Type

23 replies

Latest reply was from Jenny Smith

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I recently tried on a pair of shapewear knickers for curiosity's sake, and it cut into my thigh in a really unflattering way.
I don't own shapewear for a host of ideological and pragmatic reasons, but you might want to experiment. What brands have you tried? Are you looking for full control or mild control? I don't like Spanx, but I do like some of Wolford's and another company--I forget the name!--whose line is carried by Shopbop. If you are finding lumps and bumps, it might be a matter of sizing, too. Trying sizing up.

9 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I find for me to really benefit from shapewear I need it from armpits to knees!

9 years ago

Anonymous

Ha ha, I tried on nearly every style and make in M&co! But maybe I should have gone up a size.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Commando has some options that are more firming than compressing and pinching. Even so they roll up (camisoles) or roll down ( panty, brief, etc) so there's some yanking back into place involved.
I absolutely relied on the footless opaque leggings during the coldest months, they were excellent as long underwear worn under pants,warm, not itchy, and not bulky.
Everything I've bought has worn extremely well too.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Yes, firming the wobbly bits is more what I am after thanks! I will look up Commando - haven't heard if them.

9 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I've occasionally used a very light Hanes(?) kind, kind of like long boyshorts, when I wanted a smooth line and no visible panty under the back of a dress or transparent-ish skirt. Anything stronger (spanx are evil imo) just like you say creates lumps where they end. Shapewear that ends above your hips at your natural waist tends to show through the back of tops for me since it creates a strange indent there. Sometimes a stretchy camisole is helpful tucked into pants though under another top.

9 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Although shapewear actually can compress things so they take up less volume, they mostly just redistribute things. So my middle is my least preferred section of my body, and I used to wear shapewear to try to make my waist smaller. And while it may have done that to some small extent, what it mostly did was to push what I didn't want sticking out inward.

So what it actually did was to make my shape more rectangular - I may have looked better from the side, but worse from the front, as any waist definition I had was mostly gone. DH has a strong visual preference for me NOT wearing shapewear, so I mostly try to camouflage it in other ways now. Or if a dress is clingy enough (well, I generally try to wear fabrics that don't show every lump and bump!), I will wear shapewear that is a size bigger than the label calls for so all it does is gently smooth and not actually suck anything in.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I am going to try long cotton vest tops over high cotton knickers to hide the dimpled fat look on my belly. Natural lookIng is better I think. And cotton is more comfy. Might also try shapewear in a larger size as advised to see if that works. Its just that Ive got a really nice summer dress but dont wear it because of my tummy.

9 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Ooh, in that case, cotton (if it won't stick to the dress and make it bunch) is a much better idea. Shapewear tends to be almost entirely man-made fibers, which can be very hot and sticky in the summer. The only thing worse than most shapewear in the summer is going to the bathroom and finding that it is almost to warm and/or sticky to pull it back up! I've been there, which is why I've mostly chosen to adjust my wardrobe instead of continuing to wear shapewear!

9 years ago

Anonymous

The dress is quite a heavy cotton mix, slightly stretchy fabric so should be fine. Not the best dress for an apple perhaps but I love it! X

9 years ago

Anonymous

Shareware redistributes things and makes me look worse. Don't get me started on how it affects my OA and sciatica pain. And it's not because I'm older and weigh more. It has always been thus. It gets worse as I get older, though. No compression of any amount for me!

9 years ago

lisaflex

Veteran

oh my...had to laugh...lol...not at you...just at the topic....i have 2 drawers filled to the brim w/ spanx and every other shapewear known to man.....and i am not kiddin! i dont even touch them any longer. yes, i am still on the chubbier side (always have been and always will be..) but, i can no longer handle shapewear. it does redistribute the chub imho....lol....even the tights are bothersome these days (not that i have tried them in awhile) i just be sure to wear a thin longer layer on top to help w/ the muffin top and not buy pants or skirts or dresses that need anything underneath to fit into....it took me awhile to get here, but, i am more comfortable not wearing shapewear! it is what it is...life and body changes happen to all of us..no matter body type or size. dress for the body you are in today. lord knows how much i have spent on spanx, yummie tummy and numerous others.....oh well, lesson learned i guess. i am particular about cut of underwear for this reason. i wear a warners pantie that i get at kohls (not my usual shopping venue) that has enough coverage that there are no lumps and bumps and muffin top (they arent granny panties either) i get fitted for bras every 6 - 8 mths to help too and buy good quality (nothing worse than droopy boobs on top of everything else...lol)

9 years ago

Anonymous

Oh I hear you, Glisters! I despise shapewear, so uncomfortable, unbreathable, and never puts things where I want them. I love the comment from Always Trying! I'm with Isabel, I like Commando -- I don't wear their shapewear, though, I use their no-line garments. They seem to be the only company making a cotton laser-cut panty, which is perfect for me. They're not cheap, but one or 2 strategic pairs do wonders when needed. They also make very lightweight full-length slips, some of which have tiny weights in the hem to keep them in place (like the Queen's skirts!). I find silky slips allow dresses to "flow" over my shape and not bunch and gather on my undies. Not sure what your dress is like, but I also go for "distraction factor" by wearing a scarf or other accessory to draw the eye away from my midsection.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Ha ha, ....its awful when you look in your undies drawer and only shapewear is left! It actually gives me stomach ache after a few hours, not great for having a nice time at a wedding etc. X

9 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

The only shape wear I wear regularly anymore are Jockey Skimmies, which are like mid thigh boy shorts, good for avoiding VPL and a bit of thigh chafing when I'm wearing my clingier dresses and skirts. The more aggressive shape wear I find counter productive, like a lot of you, and uncomfortable. If I need to wear shape wear in order to look decent in something, I just don't buy it.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Yes shapewear must just be for those with a teeny weeny bit of fat to suppress ha ha.

9 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I'm really very fat and a little bit of shapewear isn't going to change that, but I do wear it occasionally. For me the high-waisted long-leg types work best as long as they are stretchy enough. The size of my thighs does not actually concern me that much but if the legs are too short they cause the funky thigh bump.

The trickiest part is finding the right style. As a fat lady I find all kind of things marketed to me that show that the person who did the marketing didn't really think it through. I'm fat all over, peeps -- my whole thigh is chubby, not just the top two inches! Compressing the lower half of my belly only makes the top half stick out more! Duh!

Perhaps surprisingly my favourite ones so far have come from Primark. And actually I tend to buy a couple of their stretchy camisoles every year, which although not intended for this purpose have a very light smoothing and firming effect if you go down a size. They also come in a huge variety of colours.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Thats a good tip Mander about the Primark stretchy camisoles. x

9 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have a pair of Spanx in my lingerie drawer, but I think it's been 7 years since I wore them. My solution is to not buy any outfit that requires shapewear! Life is too short to walk around feeling strangled by my clothing.

9 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I refuse to wear Shapewear. I tried Spanx once and couldn't get it off fast enough. Like Janet I will not buy an article of clothing that requires shapewear or some other torture to be worn.

9 years ago

Isabel

Member

I’am a plus size, so it is sometimes hard to find a shapewear that would fit my body type. Until, a friend told me to check out ShapewearUSA I was amaze with their garments that I keep buying for more the quality of the garments is superb. I love their Jackie London brands. You should check them out too.

4 years ago

Melimimi

Member

Shapewear can be an effective tool to help you achieve a more toned and streamlined appearance. Here are some ways that shapewear can help you:

1. Smoothing Out Lumps and Bumps: Shapewear is designed to smooth out any lumps and bumps, creating a more streamlined appearance. This can help boost your confidence and make you feel more comfortable in your clothing.

2. Targeting Problem Areas: Shapewear is designed to target specific problem areas such as the midsection, thighs, and hips. By providing compression and support to these areas, shapewear can help create a more toned and defined appearance.

3. Enhancing Your Natural Shape: Shapewear is not meant to completely alter your body shape. Instead, it is designed to enhance your natural shape, helping to create a more defined and streamlined appearance.

4. Creating a Flattering Silhouette: Shapewear can help create a flattering silhouette by smoothing out any bulges or bumps and creating a more streamlined appearance. This can help boost your confidence and make you feel more comfortable in your clothing.

5. Improving Posture: Shapewear can also help improve your posture by providing support to the back and abdominal muscles. This can help reduce back pain and improve your overall posture and alignment.

6. Supporting Weight Loss Goals: Shapewear can be a helpful tool for those who are trying to lose weight. By providing compression and support to problem areas, lower belly shapewear can help create a more toned and streamlined appearance while you work towards your weight loss goals.

Overall, shapewear can be a helpful tool to help you achieve a more toned and streamlined appearance. By choosing the right type of Lower shapewear and following the tips for choosing the right size, fabric, and level of compression, you can enjoy the benefits of shapewear and feel more confident and comfortable in your clothing.

1 year ago

Jenny Smith

Member

Sure thing! It's common to feel uncomfortable in shapewear. Many people prefer things like long vests or cotton knickers for a smoother, comfy feel. Finding what suits your body and feels good is important. You can find comfy shapewear for your body type at https://fajasfits.com/.

10 months ago

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