Finding the best shapewear is as tricky as sourcing the best jeans for women – and no less stressful, at that – but it’s a task that deserves as much effort.
Solutionwear remains a contentious issue, and rightfully so. It goes without saying that no one should squeeze themselves into a pair of sculpting shorts or a Lycra bodysuit because of the societal pressures to look a certain way, and you certainly shouldn’t feel like you need to be wearing anything that alters your natural form 24/7, either.
But while I’m the first to acknowledge shapewear as being problematic, there are special occasions and times throughout the year when the need for it is warranted – like when you want to create a smooth foundation beneath form-fitting ensembles. And if you feel the same, then you’re in the right place.
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What is the best shapewear that really works?
Wedding season isn’t so much of a season anymore, it’s all-year-round, but when I have one coming up or it’s nearing Christmas (i.e. when various party invites start to line my calendar), that’s when I’ll lean on my favourite shapewear: SKIMS’ Seamless Sculpt High-Waisted Above The Knee Shorts.
In my opinion, not only do these iron everything out beneath everything from the best wedding guest dresses to the best party dresses, but they also lift and shape exactly where you want them to.
They were completely invisible under the stretchy bodycon and silk slip dresses I wore on two separate occasions, too, and didn’t roll down, cause chafing or bulges, or dig in or bunch up whatsoever. My favourite feature, albeit an odd one, was what the brand calls an ‘open gusset’ – because after a few drinks, let’s face it, no one has the energy to act like a contortionist each time they go to the toilet.
Meet the expert: Silvia Azzali, Chief Commercial Officer at Wolford.
“Shaping products should make you feel good from within,” says Silvia. “We believe that its just as important as your outerwear,” which is why the brand has such an esteemed line-up of different styles.
Yep, far from frumpy or old-fashioned, shapewear encompasses everything from cami tops and thongs to full blown playsuit styles and skirts these days, and they’re all designed to flatter every curve, make you feel confident, and follow your natural figure. As for when you should wear it? Silvia says; “In short, shapewear should be used when you want additional support. It’s always best to look for shapewear after you’ve decided on your outfit, rather than the other way round, as the type of underwear you’ll need will depend on the style you plan on wearing. For example, figure hugging dresses will be elevated by shapewear, while a low-cut neckline may require a specific style of shaping bra or body.”
Should you buy shapewear a size bigger?
“When it comes to a general size down/size up rule, it sounds cliché, but everyone is different,” says Silvia. “All of our product has incredible stretch and so many people can naturally feel they need to size down to harness on the toning properties of our shapewear. However, those with the smallest waist size but a long torso may find they need to size up for maximum comfort, and vice versa. A lot of our styles also incorporate bra cups to create the perfect décolleté, so this is important to try too.”
