You spend a lot of time and money shopping for that perfect special occasion dress but do you put as much thought into what goes under it? A great piece of slimming shapewear can make all the difference between how your dress looks and how you feel wearing it.
Shapewear can make you feel confident (and keep you from having to worry about sucking in your tummy or tugging at your waistband all night!)
So I’m sharing some of my favorite secret weapons to slim and smooth.
5 Must Have Shapewear Basics For Women Over 40
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1. Shaping Camisole
One of the things I wear just about all the time are slimming camisoles. If you’re not big busted, or don’t need a lot of bust support, you can wear them instead of a bra. And they are way more comfortable.
I’m pretty much always cold, so I wear camisoles underneath my shirts and sweaters to add a layer or warmth and hey, a little extra tummy smoothing is a good thing too.
Here are two brands and styles I love.
2. Slimming/Shaping Boy Short
For those times when I want just a bit of support, say underneath a sundress, I love a boy short. I feel a bit more covered up but comfortable enough to wear under just about anything.
VIP tip: Do NOT dry your shape wear in the dryer. The heat from the dryer can degrade the nylon and rubber. This stuff ain’t cheap! You’ll need to wash it more gently. Here’s a care guide with info on how to care for your shapewear, here’s another guide with more info on how often to wear your shapewear between washes.
For dressier dresses, fitted dresses or formal wear, I go for the big guns. Support shapers with a higher shaping/slimming level.
3. Slimming Firm Control Shaping Briefs
I love this one! It has firm but not overly heavy control. It has the grippers on the legs so it doesn’t ride up and move. And it hits just below your butt so it stays in place and doesn’t give you booty bulges.
Shapewear Hi-waist Full Brief Firm Control Tummy Slimming
4. Shaping Slip
For formal dresses when you really need to feel nipped in! Full support slip with detachable straps. When you want the ease and slimming of a full slip shaper. This style is especially useful with knits or any other type of dress made of a thinner fabric. The slip smooths completely and you can wear instead of a bra so that you get an overall smooth appearance without bra or underwear lines. (And you can’t beat the price on this slip, either.)
Flexees by Maidenform Slimming Chemise
5. Pull Up Waist Cinchers.
Now here’s something that I haven’t gotten the chance to try out yet, but thought this looked interesting. Looks like a great piece to layer under form fitting dresses if all you need is some waist shaping. The reviews of this shaper look promising and says that it stays in place nicely.
Maidenform Flexees Shapewear Seamless Waist Nipper
Stretch Lace Thong Panties
Bonus tip: Now I know that this isn’t shapewear but you need a good pair of thong panties so you don’t have any dreaded VPL, or visible panty line. If you haven’t tried Hanky Panky thongs, do it. Yes, they are more expensive than most but the stretch lace is wonderful. They last, wash well, and the stretch lace doesn’t shred or peel. They come in a ton of basic and fun colors and patterns too. (Again, don’t put them in the dryer and they’ll last a lot longer.)
Hanky Panky Stretch Lace Thong
What are your Shapewear go-to’s?
xoxo-Rosie