Shapewear isn’t your granny’s girdle

By Cloe Cabrera
MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE
Published: November 25, 2008

So, you never lost the weight you vowed to take off this time last year. And there isn’t much chance you’ll peel off those pounds before this year’s round of holiday parties.

Well, if it’s just an inch or three that have to go so you can zip your LBD, don’t sweat it. A body shaper — the modern-day version of granny’s girdle — is a no-sweat way to smooth a little here, tuck a little there, and give you enough confidence to shine through the last New Year’s Eve bash.

Shapewear today isn’t about shrinking your waist to the size of your wrist, or getting your booty back to its prepubescent years; it’s about making your clothes look and fit better.

I’m a big shapewear devotee. I wore power panties and gut busters long before my dress size went into the double-digits.

“Shapewear could be the most important part of a woman’s wardrobe,“ says Heather Gross, shapewear buyer for BareNecessities.com, an apparel Web site that sells brand-name lingerie. “Not only does the right shapewear make you look slimmer, it enhances your wardrobe and saves you money.“

Yummie Tummie has had huge success with its line of midsection shapers that prevent the dreaded “muffin top” and “back bulge.“ (Oprah Winfrey gushed about them on her “Favorite Things” show.) They come in an array of styles and colors, and are designed to be seen. They can be worn as outerwear and as a layering piece.

“I’m not saying to women, ‘This is going to take 20 pounds off,‘“ says Yummie Tummie creator Heather Thomson. “But it will give you the opportunity to wear clothes you wouldn’t wear otherwise.“

Fran Kauchner, vice president of merchandising for Silhouettes, a plus-size clothing store that offers shapers up to size 26W, says improved design helped make shapewear more acceptable for women of all ages and body types. And advances in fabric technology make it possible to smooth your bumps and bulges in the heat of summer without risking heat stroke.

“They’re more comfortable to wear and they’re prettier,“ Kauchner says. “Our fabrics are silkier, and they have a nicer finish. You don’t feel like ripping [the shaper] off two seconds after you put it on.“

Marianne Gimble, co-owner of Va Bien, a lingerie company that has been making shapewear for more than 25 years, says it’s coming out of the closet — literally.

“This isn’t underwear anymore,“ says Gimble, who owns the company with her husband, Richard. “Women aren’t just wearing [shapers] for special occasions; women realize they can wear them everyday and look good and be comfortable. And some styles of shapewear are actually stylish fashion pieces you don’t have to hide under your clothes.“

But before you squeeze into a spandex shaper, there are a few rules to remember:

Recognize the body part — or parts — you want to correct.

Don’t expect miracles. Shapers aren’t going to turn a size 18 into a size 8. They can’t change the laws of physics.

Shapewear isn’t supposed to be uncomfortable. If you can’t breathe, the shaper you are wearing is too small, and it’s going to ride up or down. And if too much is squeezed too hard into one place, it’s going to pop out somewhere else. Not a good look. On the other hand, if you have extra room in your shaper and you don’t immediately notice a difference when you look in the mirror, the shaper is too big.

Think about what you’ll be wearing over the body shaper. Take it home and try it on under your outfit to make sure it’s comfortable.

Selecting the right shapewear can be confusing. Gross suggests these brands and styles to get the job done:

Spanx High Power High-Waisted Power Panties ($36 retail): These panties work great under form-fitting pants, skirts and dresses. The soft, seamless Spanx style provides everyday comfort and has the body-smoothing power to trim your tummy and midriff while eliminating pesky panty lines.

Sassybax Control Slip ($78 retail): This style is perfect to wear under dresses, even the clingy ones. The slip provides moderate control from top to bottom, and the moisture-wicking fabric will keep you dry and comfortable. There are three levels of graduated compressions, with the most control offered to the midriff. The compression lessens in the bottom of the garment so it won’t ride up or cause problems when you walk. It’s also available in plus sizes.

TC Intimates Wonderful Edge Hi-Waist Thong ($22): This innovative shaper smoothes your midriff, but with a thong silhouette to eliminate unwanted panty lines. The back leg of the garment is lined with stay-put silicone that prevents it from riding up.

Yummie Tummie Hip-Length Shapewear Tank ($62): This celebrity and stylist favorite is a good everyday go-to piece; the fashionable tank top also eliminates muffin top. Yummie Tummie tanks combine a tummy-smoothing panel with breathable cotton. They come in a wide array of fashion colors, so they can be paired with your favorite clothes. The shapewear tank is meant to be seen.

Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656 or