Underwear is something I get asked about a lot. Shapewear in particular. You know that guts strangling stuff that squishes your organs into your spine and causes an unavoidable struggle of epic proportions every time you need to use the ladies? Yeah, that stuff. You tell me that you would like to feel sexy, look good AND wear shapewear.
I’m here to say, not possible, stop trying, run for the hills.
That’s my genuine, heart-felt two cents worth. Sure there are a lot of arguments for it. They even make lacy something-somethings that are aimed to constrain and pretty up your under regions. I’m sure there are a hundred and one brands that will argue fit and style and shape. But when you are uncomfortable, when sitting is a chore, when the idea of having to pee fills you with dread it’s just not possible to FEEL good enough to feel sexy. Me? I always feel a lot more like vomiting when wearing such stuff.
So you want a good foundation for your outfits? Something that will build confidence from the ground {of an outfit} up?My advice is buy some well fitting, decent coverage underwear and call it a day. Find something that when you slip it on it makes you feel good. Bright, lacy, revealing, whatever floats your boat. Place an outfit over it that makes you feel even better and go get yours lady.
Putting together the images for this post {from random google type sources with models only so as not to offend anyone} it amazed me how many brands, types and styles of shapewear are out there. It feels a little like the diet industry, the exercise industry, the beauty industry… I smell bullshit just quietly. So consider for a moment if you will that you don’t NEED these garments to feel good about yourself and your appearance.
I vote no.
p.s. I mean ZERO disrespect to the models in these photos who are giving it all they’ve got. They even manage to make them look good in a way that my body refuses to do. I also one hundred million percent am okay with you wearing what you like, when you like and if you like shapewear and it helps you feel sexy, awesome! But to say I am dubious is an understatement, so tell me all about it below, how wrong I am. Then explain to me how you wear that stuff and not squash your organs out. Ok? Great!
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
Agree!!! I mean, wear the shape wear if it gives you confidence and makes your dress swing better, but don’t expect to rock his world when the smooth dress comes off! x
Unless it’s the Hugh Grant character in Bridget Jones, right? Haha.
The only shapewear I ever wore was on my wedding day and my goodness… never again. I don’t even care, I just can’t cope with being restricted!
Don’t fence me in..!! Haha.
When I was in my early 20s and on a teaching prac, I wore this bra/bodysuit thing with the hookeye closures down below so you could go to the toilet. It was so tight and restricting, but I persevered through the pain. It actually ended up affecting my health though – sore back, thrush, and a break out of boils all over my butt on a particularly hot day! Not to mention, it made going to the toilet the most ridiculous escapade! I look back on that and feel so grateful I don’t do that to myself anymore.
Oh man. Soooo hot. So uncomfortable. SOOOOOO glad that time is behind you especially because it speaks to me of a freedom in what you wear now, and being okay with your body. Thanks for sharing.
I like shapewear! But it has to be comfortable. I think uncomfortable shapewear is everything you’ve called it, but comfortable shapewear can be lovely. My two bodysuits (a black one and a white one) are supportive rather than constricting, and they stop my wobbly bits from wobbling too much, and also they hold my tights up 🙂 They have hook-and-eye closures, and I’ve never had them pop apart. I have had one of the hooks get hooked onto my tights though – I was walking to work and didn’t notice what had happened until I was too far to turn back. It certainly left a lasting impression. Ow ow ow.
I should clarify that I have nothing against my wobbly bits – I love my wobbly bits! I have been known to stand in front of the mirror and wobble them for fun! – but sometimes I just want a nice sleek line. It’s along the same lines as wearing a slip under a particular dress. Or wearing my Doreen bra so my boobs are pointier. (And can I just have a quick whinge that Doreen long-line bras don’t exist in my size. I was so upset.)
Although there is one vintage dress I own that I’m so tempted to buy heavy-duty shapewear for (but I know I wouldn’t be able to stand it, plus I have better things to do with my clothes budget). The problem with op shopping is you can’t just go up a size!
Well see now THIS is different! You are actually using it to create a shape. Like the pointed bra etc. and while I get that’s what others are doing attempting to reduce their shape this just feels more ‘ok’ more proactive rather than reactive… Does that make sense? And yes, sizing does matter when it comes to this stuff, that’s for sure.
I wear a “shapewear” camisole – but a size larger than I normally take in shirts etc, to stop clingy fabrics to stop, well, clinging!! I’ve also found, being big busted, that the firm fabric in these is AWESOME for added support for extra bouncy activities (for me living in the bush – mustering/horse/bike riding) holding things in place and stopping underwires from digging in. And I love cotton bike pants for under dresses/skirts and keeping my dignity intact climbing in and out of vehicles (and with kids). But each to their own. I just want to be comfortable, but look good as well. Totally agree that well fitting undies and bra are key.
This makes sense! I often wear a slip or something under sheer fabrics too. I’m much too conservative to do otherwise. And those pants for under maxi’s etc are a godsend in summer.
I’m kind of the same as Alexadra. I have a really wobbly loose tummy after decades of yo yo dieting and growing a giant baby. I have no abdominal wall and it makes my back hurt. Moderate foundation underwear offers my tummy and back some support. I need to fix this issue with strengthening my core though. But in the meantime its a help.
Uh oh, more pilates or something for you. Take care of that core it’s good for your whole body. But I hear you, I can see them working as a support garment like this. It makes more sense than for vanities sake, that’s for sure!
This is what I´ve been saying all along!!!
Haha. Nice one.
I used to wear the shapewear that looks like undies but go up to underneath your bra. Used to wear this pair that wasn’t too tight, but it smoothed out my huge roll that came about when I wore my old work uniform (black pants that were not made for a plus figure and button up shirt). It did make me feel a lot more confident, but come summer I just couldn’t wear 3 layers anymore (shirt, singlet and shapwear). Especially in a 40 degree kitchen! Nowadays I wear those stretchy sport-legging pants, and pull them up over my belly. I think I have a short torso/long legs because every pair of pants I buy seem to be too short in the legs and too long above the crotch lol.
Ugh. Work uniforms. Seriously if you find something that can stop my buttons gaping that would be AWESOME. Haha. It makes sense to wear something like that to make your uniform fit better, a little mad that you have to, but I get it. I cannot IMAGINE how hot it was with that extra layer in summer. Ouch.
I once had a pair of shapewear briefs with a snap crotch. Chaffed like crazy. Long story short, I was seeing a show on Broadway, sat in my seat and the snaps popped open. Cue mad rush to the bathroom to fix the situation. Sad story. True story.
Sad but true. I hear you. And I’m pretty sure we all have a version of this one. Ridiculous. I get the argument for them fitting better to be less restrictive or prone to accident but I keep coming back to whhhhyyyyy!!?
You know what’s sad? When I was 19-20 years old, I literally wore shape wear with everything (even swimsuits) because God forbid my size 12 chub roll stuck out. Now at a size 22, I refuse to even deal with that mess… If I need a torture device to feel pretty in a dress, it’s not the dress for me.
“If I need a torture device to feel pretty in a dress, it’s not the dress for me.”
This! Yes. Exactly. And I hear you, that’s probably why I’m so suspicious of them, for years I tried to hide behind them, squish into and wear them. What torture. And for what? For nothing.
Seconded! Shapewear is bullshit.
Such bullshit.
Amen Sista!! I have binned so many shapewear items it ain’t funny. That fat you want smoothed away .. Well yes it ends up popping out somewhere else and yes your organs do end you in your spine. I am with you I smell bullshit. Jump on the big lady dacks bandwagon and happiness will ensue.
HA. Pops out somewhere indeed. Big daks are where it’s at. Haha.
I wear shapewear on the regular. After swallowing the “you must be thin to be happy” rhetoric for a long time, my weight has yoyo’d from anywhere from half what I am now, to 20 kg heavier than what I am. I also grew an 11lb baby. I have a lot of excess skin that is very, very loose. So I like shapewear to sort of make me a bit firmer. Not skinnier, just less of a puddle — less likely to zip my skin in my fly, that sort of thing. I like the high waisted briefs that meet your bra — I find them easy enough to go to the toilet in. But I guess that’s because they aren’t SUPER tight. It’s kinda like undies with a thicker fabric.
That I can get. Absolutely. I have a couple of pairs that I use as a base under dresses etc that give a nice clean line but they don’t really stuck in. I guess they are the lighter version of what you are talking about. Thanks for sharing. I told you I really WAS curious.
Hate feeling like s stuffed pig in them. Also hate the sound they make when your thighs rub together. Yummie Mummie have some great camisoles but I steer clear of any of the pants.
HA! Stuffed pig. Nice one.