Getting the Right Fit
Common complaints among those who have tried shapewear and not liked it are that the garments roll up, are unbearably uncomfortable, or simply push your wobbly bits elsewhere,
which doesn't create a slimming effect at all. Because of this, Kimber
recommends the all-in-one styles as a good basic to have in your wardrobe. "Unless you're fairly long-waisted, a lot of the popular high-waisted shapewear seems to roll as you move. When it rolls over, that's not a good look at all," she says. "So either the short one-pieces that go down to the panty line or those that go to mid-thigh are the easiest ones to wear."
(The Sassy bax All-In-One Shaper ($79) is perfect for this purpose; it looks a
bit like a wrestling costume but
is comfy and gives sleek lines.)
The
Sassy bax All-In-One Shaper
However, Thomson says that if you have bought shapewear that rolls, you aren't buying the right size. "In terms
of fit,
it's always better to go up a size if you're between sizing, and it's really important to try the garment on instead of relying on sizing charts," she advises. As with a bra, Thomson says, you should get yourself fitted for shapewear at a specialty boutique instead of buying something off the rack and expecting it to do the job.
Because there are so many different styles
and brands of shapewear to choose from, you shouldn't be put off if you've tried a shaping garment in the past and it didn't work for you.
"There are so many brands out there to choose from, offering products at various price
points, so you don't
necessarily have to spend lots
of money to get the best brands," Kimber says. The key is that you have to try these things on. "If you
have difficulty getting it up, beyond
having to wiggle a little to get it in place, or if you
feel as if you're being compressed in an incredibly uncomfortable
way, then that's not the right brand for you." Shop around, and you'll find
shapewear that works for you and gives great results.
Shapewear for Men
There's
no shame in wearing
something that makes you look and feel a little better when you're wearing your favorite clothes
Plenty of brands produce shapewear for men.
Spanx, for example, makes
Cotton Compression undershirts that
firm the chest, narrow the waist, and support the lower back. Spanx also offers underwear that "cups, supports, and lifts." EQUMEN also has
a full range of men's garments
(available at Holt Renfrew and other stores; Spanx is carried at both Holt Renfrew and The Bay stores, as well as select other
stores). There's no shame in
wearing something that makes you look and feel a little better when you're wearing your favorite clothes, so don't just leave it to the
ladies to get a little help in
creating a sleeker physique.
Shapewear as Outerwear
Not all shapewear is designed to be hidden
under other clothes. These days, you can get pants, dresses,
skirts, and swimsuits that help you look your best whatever the occasion.\
If you'd like a slimmer bottom half when
you are dressed more casually,
some great options are available. The Power Pant from Spanx (right) looks like a regular pair of yoga pants but has a panel that keeps your tummy taut; the super-stretchy material lifts your butt and shapes your
thighs, too. Sassy bax's Cigarette Pant is comfortable enough to replace your regular leggings and shapes your legs all the way down to the
ankle.
Not
all shapewear is designed to be hidden under other clothes. These days, you can get pants, dresses, skirts, and swimsuits that
help you look your best whatever the occasion.
If you live in jeans, you'll be happy to
know that many of your favorite
brands are probably already including added oomph In their product catalogues. Levi's 512 Perfectly Slimming
Straight Leg Jeans have a
hidden panel that shapes the tummy
as do Aura jeans by Wrangler and the Lee Instantly Slims You
line. You might also want to check out Not Your Daughter's Jeans (NYDJ, left), a highly popular brand sold In
department stores and boutiques
across Canada that has a
tummy-flattening panel the company says will make you look a full size smaller
