The festive season, with its parties, gatherings and social engagements, often heaps on added pressure to look great, even if you’re not quite feeling as glam as you’d like to. Feeling good about the way we look can have such a positive impact, and that starts at the base layer. I tried out some shapewear and underwear that might just help to add a little extra fiesta to your festivities.
From puberty, through childbirth and into menopause, for many women, the constant battle with changing body shapes and weight fluctuations can have an ongoing impact on self-esteem and confidence. I have a fairly challenging relationship with my body, and since hitting menopause and finding that hideously named “middle-aged spread” creeping up and feeling like it might overwhelm me, I needed to find a way to embrace the changes more positively.
Don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a curvaceous figure. I am always in awe of women who display body positivity, but that is something that I struggle with, and I’m not, by any means, alone in that. With party season upon us, I was considering outfits for the festivities when it occurred to me that if my underwear wasn’t making me feel good about myself, I needed to find some shapewear that did.
Sweetheart Wireless Contour Bra from Shapermint
Currently £34.99 (RRP £58)
The sweetheart neckline of this wireless bra creates a flattering shape, and the light foam cups within enhance the shaping for a natural look. The seamless design means it doesn’t stand out under tighter-fitting dresses and tops.
With fuller sides and a wider back, it’s comfortable to wear, helping to prevent the bra from digging in and eliminating bulges. The only drawback for me personally, as I do have a larger bust, was that there was no separation. For the most part, that’s not too much of an issue, but for those who run a bit hot, things might get a little sweatier than is desirable.
What I found most surprising about the Sweetheart Wireless Contour Bra was that it only goes up to a FF cup size. The range of back sizes (from 30 all the way up to 48) is great, but with larger women being the ones I would expect more likely to be searching for this type of bra, It seems a shame that the cup sizes aren’t catered for.
It is definitely a comfortable bra that’s easy to wear and gives a decent amount of support, and it washes well, too.
Essentials All Day Every Day High-waisted shaper shorts from Shapermint
Currently £28.99 (RRP £44)
These were by far my favourite of the Shapermint products that I tried. Available in four colours and a good range of sizes, from XS up to 4XL, they were comfortable to wear and gave a great shape to my waist and hips.
The breathable fabric is thick enough to give a sleek look, without making the skin feel suffocated. The waistband is anti-slip, thanks to the silicone which runs around it, and the four stays around the waistband ensure that it doesn’t roll down over time – simple, but very effective.
The control panels gave plenty of support around the tummy, keeping everything in place without ever feeling too restricted. There was support and shaping for the thighs, too, but not so much that it ever felt uncomfortable. As shapewear to throw on under midi or maxi dresses and skirts, these would certainly be an excellent choice.
Multi-packs are also available, reducing the price per pair, which is well worth checking out.
Essentials All Day Every Day Tank Cami from Shapermint
Currently £28.99 (RRP £48)
I had high hopes for this tank cami. It seemed like a great solution for when I wanted a cami top under a shirt with jeans or trousers, providing shaping support without needing to add an additional layer. For me, though, it turned out to be my least favourite item of shapewear that I tried.
Available in six colours and sizes from small to 4 XL, it has all the promise of something perfect. Stepping into the neck of the cami (yes, you need to pull it upwards to lift everything, which is very effective), the fabric felt nice, and as I squeezed it up over my hips, the shaping felt great.
I put on my jeans and a shirt over the top, and everything looked fabulous. The problem for me was that after wearing it for a little while, the cami started to roll up from the bottom. When I was wearing skinny jeans, all was good, but when there was any gapping, things didn’t quite stay in place.
I tried pulling it down further, but that made it less comfortable on my shoulders. I tried pulling it up a little more, but that made the rolling happen even more quickly. I’m sure that not everyone has the same experience, and it will, of course, be perfect for many, but for me, it just wasn’t a winner.
Chub Rub Shorts from Snag Tights
£9.49
I’d seen adverts for Chub Rub shorts all over social media, but I have to admit that I was pretty sceptical. That was until I gained a little weight around my thighs. I love to wear a maxi dress, but during the festive party season, when it’s cold outside, and the heating gets cranked up inside, I find that I can get too warm. Donning the Chub Rub shorts was a revelation; gone was the discomfort from chaffing thighs.
If I were to recommend one thing this social season, it would absolutely be these. They aren’t strictly shapewear, but I was completely bowled over by just how comfortable they were. Balanced with the very reasonable price tag – without offers, they come in just under £10 – they are a must for any wardrobe.
The minor downside for me is that after a few weeks of wearing and washing, the fact that they are essentially shorts made from thicker denier tights and the lack of robustness that comes with that became evident. Around the reinforced crotch, signs of stretching and weakness began to show. They are still holding out, and could well do for a while, but they are probably going to only last for one season.
Having said that, being reasonably inexpensive, do they need to last any longer? I still think they are a worthy investment.
Available in a wide range of colours, you can match them to an outfit if you’re wearing them under something shorter, or just go for something neutral. They wash well and dry quickly, which is a bonus at any time of the year.
They might not suit everyone, but I was impressed by how such a simple product could make me feel so much more comfortable.
Smoothwear Open Bust Bodysuit from Snag Tights
£35.99
I’m a big fan of a flowing dress, no matter what time of year it is, but as a woman with a not inconsiderable bust, I was finding that some of the more flatteringly cut dresses weren’t sitting right. I needed just a little lifting and smoothing to make them look fabulous.
Snag Tights’ Smoothwear Open Bust bodysuit provided that in spades. Worn over your usual bra, this shapewear bodysuit features mesh panels that offer extra cupping support to your breasts, lifting and shaping them as they go.
As it’s a bodysuit, it gives some support to the torso and sculpting without being overly restrictive. It’s designed to smooth, not squeeze, helping fabric flow naturally and drape comfortably.
It did a great job and was very comfortable to wear. I did find that the poppers at the crotch could be fiddly to do up after a trip to the loo, but it was by no means a deal breaker. The fabric had a lovely feel, and the bodysuit was well-made and felt robust, so as I hauled it over my thighs, I had no worries about stitches popping.
Once on, it sat well over my bra (being open-fronted, you can pair it with your most comfortable or flattering bra). It gave me just a hint of extra lift while holding everything else in just a little tighter.
I loved this one. It felt so comfortable, without being overly restrictive, and while it held my lumps and bumps in, the mesh panels meant it didn’t create extra ridges, just smooth, contoured lines.
Smoothing Built-in Support Bodysuit from Boux Avenue
Currently £24.50 (RRP £35.00)
This seamless bodysuit from Boux Avenue is made using a soft-stretch knit fabric which feels fabulous on. It’s more about gentle sculpting and internal bust support than shapewear, but it is extremely comfortable to wear.
I was a little worried that the stretch in the fabric would mean that wearing it without a bra would lead to my nipples meeting my naval, but thankfully, that wasn’t quite the case. I can’t say I felt particularly well-supported, and personally, I probably wouldn’t choose to wear this one without a bra underneath, but I can see the appeal for those who are less well-endowed.
Another plus point of this bodysuit is that it can convert into a cross-backed suit, giving more style options if you’re wearing it in place of a cami top or under different tops and dresses.
The Smoothing Built-in Support Bodysuit is thong-style, but it is well-made and comfortable, with a good range of colours and sizes available.
Strapless microfibre multi-way bra from Boux Avenue
£32
If you’ve ever shopped for a strapless bra, you’ll know the pain of trying to find one that gives enough support without slipping and is comfortable to wear for more than an hour or two.
Boux Avenue believes it has found that Holy Grail that we’ve all been searching for. And for many, they could well be right.
The strapless microfibre multi-way bra comes in a range of sizes from 28A to 40G, and five different colours. The moulded cups are smooth, making them less visible under clothing, and the cup’s curve extends a good way towards the armpit to prevent any unsightly bulging in the wrong place.
The band, which has silicone grips around the back to help hold it in place, presents a double-edged problem. It is rather tight and restrictive around the rib cage, which is great for keeping it in place, but some will find it uncomfortable. While I didn’t think it was too tight, it did create a slight under-bra bulge, particularly when I was sitting down.
Very much on the upside, though, the bra gave great shaping, and even with plenty of jiggling, stayed in place with everything where it should be, which, if I’m honest, did surprise me.
As well as being strapless, the detachable straps can be configured to suit whatever you’re wearing, making it a practical piece to add to your underwear drawer.
It might not be entirely flawless, but the Boux Avenue Strapless Microfibre multi-way bra is one of the best strapless bras I have tried in a very long time. You could be well advised to try both your usual back size and the size up to find the most comfortable fit for you, but at just £32, it’s an excellent option for the festive party season.
