Let’s Talk About Shapewear

Here it is, the moment you have all been waiting for! A post specifically dedicated to shapewear and undergarments. This is arguably my most requested post and the question that I am asked the most. What shapewear do I use and how do I achieve such a smooth foundation. Having a great foundation is essential to any outfit. MANY women wear shapewear, not just plus size women, because of its ability to firm and enhance a woman’s body. Over the years, I have gone through various brands and I have finally honed in on some of my favorites. Before I reveal them though, I want to debunk some common myths about shapewear.

1. Size down for more “snatch-edness”. Ok so I know that is not a word but you get the point. Everybody these days is trying to be snatched to the gawds right?! In the age of waist trainers and corsets, many think that if you get a smaller size, it will only make your waist look smaller. That could not be further from the truth. Waist trainers and shapewear are two completely different things. Sizing down in your shapewear will only cause bulging, visible lines and most of all discomfort! Y’all do know breathing is essential to life? Ok so give your body a break and purchase the appropriate size for your weight.
2. Shapewear is uncomfortable. I used to be one of these people for sure. I would DREAD putting on my spanx. In fact it would leave me out of breath just trying to put those suckers on! But this goes back to the first point and realizing that I wasn’t buying the correct size for me nor was I wearing forgiving fabrics which contributed to the discomfort.
3. All shapewear is made equal. No, no and no! Did I say no? The saying “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be more true in this case. Just because various brands of shapewear look the same and claim to do the same things does not mean they all do. If the price tag is cheap, chances are its cheaply made and it will not last. I’m not talking about spending a lot of money here because trust me I am frugal myself. However, with something that you will get a lot of wear out of, a $60-$70 investment is worth it.

Shapewear Favorites

Update: this particular one doesn’t seem to be available anymore. The product that is the closest to this in description and look can be found here.

This Maidenform Firm Control Seamless Long Leg Open Bust Shaper is my all time favorite. I wear this one more than half of the time because it provides the support that I need and it is super comfortable to wear. Often times I tuck the straps in so that it doesn’t stick out of my dresses or tops and it still holds firm. It also helps to smooth my legs and the hem doesn’t show through on most fabrics.

This Spanx ‘Thinstincs’ High Waist Shaper is also a favorite of mine. I have been a long time fan of Spanx and truly feel as though they are still one of the best in the business. I wear this one when I need slightly more firmness and suckage (again not a word but you get the point). It has a firm control center that definitely gets the job done.

Bra Favorites

It’s no secret that I am a busty girl so having a supportive bra is essential to any of my looks. I was on the hunt for a quality everyday bra that gave me the support I needed but that was comfortable as well. I definitely found it in the Smooth Balconette Bra from Lane Bryant. I literally have several of these in different colors and I just keep them in rotation. And it goes all the way up to an H cup!

Strapless Bras

Strapless bras are another item that I get asked about quite frequently. Support in a strapless bra is beyond crucial for me to feel comfortable in off the shoulder tops and dresses. My two favorites are from Lane Bryant and Curvy Couture. Here’s my tip on purchasing a strapless bra: size down in the band width. If you aren’t already aware, bra sizes come in a number and a letter. The number represents the band size, or the part that goes around your torso. The letter represents the cup size. So if you are a 42D normally, you can size down in a strapless to a 40D without your cup size changing and it will fit more snug on your torso preventing the bra from sliding down.

So there’s all of my “secrets”. I hope that you ladies found this informative and that you love these items as much as I do!