How to Control Your Bits with Shapewear!
Today we are celebrating 21st century shapewear…. also known as the Spanx generation.
You know, those slimming intimates that instantly flatten stomachs, boost busts and smooth thighs.
None of us like our flabby bits and we know darn well how easily they deter us from wearing a fitted dress or feeling good about ourselves.
Enter shapewear.
Now we’re not talking granny-like girdles to tuck in your bits. Today’s technology offers clever undergarments that not only accentuate a woman’s silhouette but are surprisingly prettier and lighter.
However, the market of control wear/shapewear is incredibly huge and buying shapewear is much like being blindfolded in a minefield: there is way too much choice.
So today we’re going to get a little personal as I’ve handpicked several shapely items for your consideration:
1. Shape Underwear
These are one of the original styles of shapewear that compress your tummy and bottom smoothing out any lumps and bumps. Perfect for under a dress, skirt or even pants. There are also seamless versions so you won’t see them through your clothes. Here I’ve selected Ambra and Nancy Ganz.
Above are Nancy Ganz Dream Fit Cotton brief that are a mix of Cotton and Elastane, price $34.95
Above are MY FAVOURITE! the Ambra brief, these come in black, white and nude, they are a Cotton/Elastane mix and are very comfortable, only $16.95!!!
2. Shape Slip
Slips are generally the most popular control wear due to their versatility. They can be worn under a dress, top and skirt ensemble and create a smooth feminine silhouette from top to knees. I’ve featured a Nearly Nude and Nancy Ganz version which is a full built in piece with a V-neck while the third Nancy Ganz slip features removable straps ideal for a one shoulder or strapless dress.
Above is the Nearly Nude Thinvisible Micro Fibre Firming Slip, this has firm control due to the fabric made from Spandex and Nylon, price $79.95.
Above is the Dream fit Cotton Slip by Nancy Ganz, it is made from Cotton Elastane and has moderate control, price $79.95.
Another Nancy Ganz slip called the Sleek Slip Dress which has moderate control, made from Nylon/Elastane and is priced at $149.95.
3. Shape Camisole
This Nancy Ganz “open bust” camisole allows you to wear your own bra, this flatters the side of the bust area while also providing compression of the stomach, bottom and smoothing all the way up to your shoulders.
The Under Bust Body Suit has good moderate control and is made from Nylon/Elastane and retails for $109.95.
4. Shape Shorts
While the full slip can be worn under a two-piece outfit, I would recommend a stand alone shape skirt purely for comfort. Sitting high on the waist, this control piece flattens the tummy and bottom area while smoothing out the hips.
Ambra make these brilliant Killer Figure control short which are great for pear shapes and anyone who has saddlebags, they are made from a mixture of Nylon, Elastane and Cotton and are only $24.95!
Now, there is an unpleasant stigma associated with wearing “nanna undies”, this is not a good thing! There are just too many benefits to let your pride get in the way of these little lifesavers, embracing them without fear or favour opens many more choices of outfits that you can wear without pulling and tugging and feeling uncomfortable.
Let’s face it, who cares if you have to tuck your bits away if it makes you look and feel fantastic, comfortable and confident in your outfit. I do go into this topic in more detail in my new book You Are More Than Your Bits.
For me personally, following four caesareans which stretched the ____! out of my stomach, when I roll on my side, my tummy quickly follows. A few years ago, when I was in the midst of pregnancy after pregnancy, my “girdle” was my best friend and while not the prettiest site, I depended on her.
I still wear shapewear today and the options are so much more attractive with the ability to create style miracles allowing you to consider so many more clothing options.
So I hope this post has aided you in selecting your own foundation garments as we rapidly approach the warmer months. As lighter materials are used in summer equating to flimsy dresses and floaty skirts, getting your underwear or slip right can really maximize your shape and your confidence.
So grab a pair of these little gems and a copy of my book and you’ll be certain to not let your bits dictate your style (or life).
I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic and please post them below because your comments do help other women.
Love Cindy x
Kate Hastings says
I wear mine every day! I wear a knicker one that goes right up to under my bra with pants, leggings and jeans, it completely eliminates any muffin top and back fat. 🙂 When wearing skirts or dresses I wear a short that once again comes right up to just under my bra. Without these under garments I would never have been brave enough to learn how to fully “embrace” my curves and love them.
When working for Cindy recently I introduced a lovely plus size lady in her 60’s to control wear. It had been over 20 years since she had tried them and wasn’t very keen. I convinced her they have come a long way since then. After trying them on and putting her clothes back on she came out of the change room, with tears in her eyes and said that if she learnt nothing else from me that day she wouldn’t care. These knickers had changed her life. There’s a reason I call them “magic undies”. 🙂
Cindy says
Thanks Kate, this is the foundation garment and really does make a difference to not only how an outfit looks but it makes a huge difference with how you feel!
Carla Armytage says
I have only tried shapewear a few times. Some dresses I will not wear without it. However I found that a full slip rides up around my bottom and thighs especially after sitting down or driving and I have to excuse myself to the bathroom to pull it all back down again!
I also find shapewear to be too hot on days over 30 degrees. On a hot summer day it’s nice to wear a pretty dress to stay cool but that is all undone when wearing shapewear as it adds a skin tight layer and makes me very hot!
Cindy says
This is a common complaint with shape wear Carla, finding a brand that best suits you that does not roll is a trial and error thing and some brands are better than others.
Hot days are certainly a problem for the full body types, personally, I find using the brief style Ambra undies, combined with a dress that cleverly works for my body shape, hiding my bits, works well especially in the heat.
Amy says
Hi Carla, Amy from Nancy Ganz here – I saw your questions and thought I’d offer a couple of suggestions you might like to try. If you find certain shapewear rides up, may we suggest an Underbust Jumpsuit – here’s one of our most popular: nancyganzdotcom.au/Underbust-Jumpsuit/ . In terms of shapewear being too hot for summer, Nancy has a new Dream Fit Cotton range which is light and breathable while still offering control. I wore the Slip nancyganzdotcom.au/dream-fit-cotton-slip/ on a hot, humid Sydney day and while the weather wreaked havoc with my hair, I definitely didn’t feel too hot in my clothes!
Karin says
Hmmm… I have used them in the past, when I was much heavier than now. I have to say they are good for hiding the less attractive bits but I didn’t find them all that comfortable. I have tried the knickers that come up to the bra line and a control skirt (like a tight lycra tube). Thankfully I can now do without any of them… I have burned away my body fat and love everything about my body now… there is nothing left on it that needs hiding.
I don’t understand the concept of loving your body with all its bits yet having to hide the more curvy bits! If you are proud of your cuves, why do you need to hide them? Just because someone decided bulges are unsightly?
Personally, now that I have shed extra weight and my body is lean and toned, I think reshaping the body is the healthier, cheaper and more sustainable option. So, to all the ladies that have bits to hide…It is totally possible to reshape your body and with it come huge gains in self esteem. I have a better body at 44 than I had a 30!!!
Cindy says
That’s great Karin and yes I can vouch for you that the changes you have made are incredible. However, not everyone has your drive, will power, energy or whatever else made you make those changes, so for the rest of the population that love their bodies ( as I do….stretch marks and all!!) but don’t necessarily want their bits on show, shape wear is a great friend. Wearing them is not the world ending, it may be just a transition like you had with them a few years ago, they may end up with super slim bodies also one day…….till then, bring on shape wear I say. Nothing wrong with bits, but most people don’t want to show them! Thanks Karin xo
Karin says
I could not agree more, Cindy! I just think we need to get away from the concept of hiding our bodies… yet saying that we love them. I come from South America and on the beaches there people wear whatever they feel like, even g-string bikinis on larger bodies. Those women truly love their bodies as they are prepared to let it all hang out (literally!). I think that is a really healthy attitude. Like I said in my post earlier, who said that bulges are unsightly?. One of my work colleagues said that women need to have soft bits. It is the media that makes us believe we need to be a certain size to love our bodies. I would like to empower women to think they can change the bits they don’t like (within reason, we can’t change a longer torso or broad hips). I was told once that I would never lose the tummy bulge from having kids… I believed it for a long time… then I discovered it is not true! Yes, it takes, determination, drive, and a changes to lifestyle habits. It is not easy but it can be done!
Cindy says
This is a huge issue Karin, of the thousands of women I have styled and taken shopping, the major concern that most have is about the bits they don’t like, that’s why I wrote my book You Are More Than Your Bits to help women develop a healthier attitude towards their body by using a combination of clever dressing tips and inspiring and thought provoking real life stories to get to the root of many psychological issues that surround self confidence and body image issues. Thanks Karin, loving your well thought out comments! xo