XxAxX said:

i was wearing 'spanx' back in college when i discoverd that my dance leotards made fine long underwear AND smoothed the bumps. looking back i see i should have patented the idea back then.

I think part of the problem is that, these days, a lot of women don't even wear hosiery. So they don't even get the smoothing power of a pair of pantyhose (minimal as it is). And frankly, unless you're 19 and skinny as a rail (and sometimes even then), you're going to need a little something. Maybe not under jeans, but certainly under a knit dress.

<-- wearing a slip and tummy control tights with her dress today

I have 2.. I bought the first one for my sister's wedding, it was too big and defeated it's purpose.. I went back and got a medium. It was great! I'm not trying to change my shape..It is what it is, but jiggling and what not is a no no...especially at an important event.

Dave1992 said:

My opinion doesn't matter much, but I'll speak up anyway (surprise, surprise!).

- If I still need to take three layers of shape-wear off after I have taken off her dress all romantically and shit, it's simply not sexy, no matter how good it looks.

And that is precisely why sometimes showing that your outfit/appearance is rather minimalistic, simple and natural is way sexier than trying to hide what's underneath it, even if you hide it well.

My opinion.

Your opinion matters just as much as anyone elses!!

For some reason, I imagine scissors being involved.

LadyCasanova said:

Dave1992 said:

My opinion doesn't matter much, but I'll speak up anyway (surprise, surprise!).

- If I still need to take three layers of shape-wear off after I have taken off her dress all romantically and shit, it's simply not sexy, no matter how good it looks.

And that is precisely why sometimes showing that your outfit/appearance is rather minimalistic, simple and natural is way sexier than trying to hide what's underneath it, even if you hide it well.

My opinion.

Your opinion matters just as much as anyone elses!!

For some reason, I imagine scissors being involved.

Roll em down and off like like you roll on a condom.... sorta.

paintedlady said:

LadyCasanova said:

Your opinion matters just as much as anyone elses!!

For some reason, I imagine scissors being involved.

Roll em down and off like like you roll on a condom.... sorta.

I don't get the rolling problem. Why are these things rolling down and up and over and around

peoples ankles? Is it that the wrong size is being bought? Because I am not paying 40-60 bucks for

something that is going to roll around all day, or requires me to buy 3 of the damn things.

LadyCasanova said:

paintedlady said:

Roll em down and off like like you roll on a condom.... sorta.

I don't get the rolling problem. Why are these things rolling down and up and over and around

peoples ankles? Is it that the wrong size is being bought? Because I am not paying 40-60 bucks for

something that is going to roll around all day, or requires me to buy 3 of the damn things.

depends on your size...

I am BIG... a 2x. So I usually buy the largest size. You may only need one, but since I need it for FULL tummy/torso smoothing I buy the camisol top and hipster and wear both for a full body smoothness since the fuckers who make spanx don't sell full scuba suits.

But its like taking off pantyhose... they just roll down easily.

Its putting them ON that's a bitch.

And yes, the rolling factor happens when you buy the wrong size or wear the wrong item for your body type.

[Edited 2/26/13 11:18am]

If I had a dress or gown that I truly wanted to look perfect for an occasion I would take the garment into a Nordstrom or other store where they have a well trained lingerie staff and try on items with the gown or outfit.

Right now my income level means that I am buying all of my clothes at Walmart so my undergarments are of the same quality.

But one of the dumbest moves possible is to spend oodles of money on an outfit and hang it over cheap ass panties and "shape-wear".

Hell, even a crappy outfit that will only look good for one evening out of clubbing (like something from Rainbow) and will never look the same after washing, will look even better with quality undergarments.

But;

I do not get this "several pairs" thing. It seems to me that will make you look tubular, like a skinny sausage.

Deadflow3r said:

If I had a dress or gown that I truly wanted to look perfect for an occasion I would take the garment into a Nordstrom or other store where they have a well trained lingerie staff and try on items with the gown or outfit.

Right now my income level means that I am buying all of my clothes at Walmart so my undergarments are of the same quality.

But one of the dumbest moves possible is to spend oodles of money on an outfit and hang it over cheap ass panties and "shape-wear".

Hell, even a crappy outfit that will only look good for one evening out of clubbing (like something from Rainbow) and will never look the same after washing, will look even better with quality undergarments.

But;

I do not get this "several pairs" thing. It seems to me that will make you look tubular, like a skinny sausage.

LadyCasanova said:

paintedlady said:

Roll em down and off like like you roll on a condom.... sorta.

I don't get the rolling problem. Why are these things rolling down and up and over and around

peoples ankles? Is it that the wrong size is being bought? Because I am not paying 40-60 bucks for

something that is going to roll around all day, or requires me to buy 3 of the damn things.

I wear these, covers most of the problem areas and they dont roll down

http://www.amazon.com/Mai...+shapewear

LadyCasanova said:

Deadflow3r said:

If I had a dress or gown that I truly wanted to look perfect for an occasion I would take the garment into a Nordstrom or other store where they have a well trained lingerie staff and try on items with the gown or outfit.

Right now my income level means that I am buying all of my clothes at Walmart so my undergarments are of the same quality.

But one of the dumbest moves possible is to spend oodles of money on an outfit and hang it over cheap ass panties and "shape-wear".

Hell, even a crappy outfit that will only look good for one evening out of clubbing (like something from Rainbow) and will never look the same after washing, will look even better with quality undergarments.

But;

I do not get this "several pairs" thing. It seems to me that will make you look tubular, like a skinny sausage.

All your fat would just be very very SMOOOTH and even. That is not yummy to me.

veronikka said:

LadyCasanova said:

I don't get the rolling problem. Why are these things rolling down and up and over and around

peoples ankles? Is it that the wrong size is being bought? Because I am not paying 40-60 bucks for

something that is going to roll around all day, or requires me to buy 3 of the damn things.

I wear these, covers most of the problem areas and they dont roll down

http://www.amazon.com/Mai...+shapewear

Maidenform makes good stuff. And it's reasonably priced.

Genesia said:

veronikka said:

I wear these, covers most of the problem areas and they dont roll down

http://www.amazon.com/Mai...+shapewear

Maidenform makes good stuff. And it's reasonably priced.

Well if YOU trust it, I know it has to be O.K. You are supper picky about these things.

Deadflow3r said:

Genesia said:

Maidenform makes good stuff. And it's reasonably priced.

Well if YOU trust it, I know it has to be O.K. You are supper picky about these things.

My first job in apparel was in the foundations department of a department store. By the time I was 19, I knew how to fit a bra or girdle. And I could still tell you what the cup shapes are like on various brands of bras. (Warners and Vanity Fair were always deep and pointy. Bali and Maidenform were round and shallow. Olga was in between.)

Maidenform had this line of very pretty bras and panties called "Sweet Nothings." Front close bras with no underwire and lacy cups. Bikini and hipster panties with the same lace detail at the sides. I always liked their stuff. It was well made and fit me very well.

[Edited 2/26/13 12:10pm]

Genesia said:

veronikka said:

I wear these, covers most of the problem areas and they dont roll down

http://www.amazon.com/Mai...+shapewear

Maidenform makes good stuff. And it's reasonably priced.

What about the ones with the straps? Those should take care of the rolling problem. Are they

worth the extra cost?

I'm also worried because a lot of these garments have low ratings.

LadyCasanova said:

Genesia said:

Maidenform makes good stuff. And it's reasonably priced.

What about the ones with the straps? Those should take care of the rolling problem. Are they

worth the extra cost?

I'm also worried because a lot of these garments have low ratings.

You mean the straps that hook over the center of your bra in front? I would be more inclined to go with that, myself. Because I have an hourglass shape, I find that if a high-waisted shaper is going to roll on anybody, it'll roll on me - just because the waist of the garment wants to settle at my smallest point.

Genesia said:

Deadflow3r said:

Well if YOU trust it, I know it has to be O.K. You are supper picky about these things.

My first job in apparel was in the foundations department of a department store. By the time I was 19, I knew how to fit a bra or girdle. And I could still tell you what the cup shapes are like on various brands of bras. (Warners and Vanity Fair were always deep and pointy. Bali and Maidenform were round and shallow. Olga was in between.)

Maidenform had this line of very pretty bras and panties called "Sweet Nothings." Front close bras with no underwire and lacy cups. Bikini and hipster panties with the same lace detail at the sides. I always liked their stuff. It was well made and fit me very well.

[Edited 2/26/13 12:10pm]

warner was the best bra, fit wise, that i ever had

Genesia said:

Shapewear is absolutely essential under certain garments and for certain occasions, for the simple reason that it makes your clothes look better - and makes you look better in your clothes. If you are wearing a dress that you spent a lot of money on, I would think wearing something that smooths out any lumps and bumps underneath is just common sense. Do I want people to see panty or bra lines under a pretty dress? I do not.

Personally, I don't care all that much for Spanx (the brand) because they are not made of slick fabric and don't slide under clothing. What is the point of wearing shapewear that your clothing can get hung up on? I've worn various types of shaping undergarments - girdles, corsets, merry widows, shaper panties, camisoles, etc. I even wore them when I was young and thin - because no matter how thin you are, you still get bra or panty lines.

paintedlady said:

Lammastide said:

Depends on the shapewear also.

I have a huge gut... and if I wear a garmet that may creep or sticks to me I will layer up.

So a shape wear piece may only cover my butt/thighs and the top cami-bra may only cover my tits-to-mid-section....

So a fat bitch like me will get what you call "condom-roll" issues. Where shit rolls up or down lik a condom in a wrapper when you sit down and the fat shifts causing the stretch properties of the shape wear fabric to "snap back" and retreat to crevices unknown. So you layer up for TWO reasons.

1- You want that shapewear pantyhose to stay up OVER your belly and not retreat and roll away like a fruit roll up under your clothing. That sexy "condom-ring" effect under your skirt or trouser will have you fishing for the hem and if it continuously rolls down then it may very well roll right off under your butt if you suffer from lackoass. It just can get down right ugly. The same goes for those stretchy Ahh bra (Genie bra) shits that roll up and define any back breasts... giving them more fullness and shape... and God no we don't want that.

The apple shaped or big bellied woman has to face these issues on a regular. And some of today's stretchy lighter fabrics offer less construction and more reason to layer so stuff doesn't shift or roll away. So you wear TWO pieces, one which coveres the edges of another in order to prevent the roll away. Sometimes wearing a double layer - even triple layer prevents this too.

2- Some women have DEEP dimples and ZERO muscle, causing too much movement one mere layer of spandex can not solve. So may place an extra layer to get the desired smoothness ... filling out carvenous dimples and pushing down peaks of hardened fat deposits. No one needs to know your not so lovely lady lumps exist.

Genesia is right... it does get VERY warm. I myself have worn two layers in order to prvent to "roll-up" effect...

thank goodness it was never an ALL day thing... its mostly a thing to do when you wear a special occasion gown. If you need it on a daily then its time to either lose weight and firm up or rethink any clothing not constructed with boning.

dammit, I you

I didn't read all previous comments in-depth, but I think I agree with Genesia on this.

My personal view is that I don't really like it. And I don't like wearing it at all. BUT, there have been occasions (mainly evening doo's) where I have had to wear spanks.

For example - a few months after giving birth to my firstborn, I went to a fancy-dress (costume) party and thought it would be a great idea to wear a tight, PVC catwoman outfit. I thought it would be a good idea... I thought I was going to look fabulous darling! Anyway, I got the outfit the day of the party and decided that my post-baby tummy was in no way appropriate for a skin tight PVC outfit. So i went and brought some knickers that do all the way up to my underboob... and it was fine. I looked fine. Nobody knew what underwear I was wearing and I felt comfortable in what I was wearing.

I also get to go to a lot of awards evenings and such with my work... there's no way i'm ever going to have a flat tummy. So shapewear comes in handy if i'm wearing an evening dress - depending on the dress type.

Lisa10 said:

I didn't read all previous comments in-depth, but I think I agree with Genesia on this.

My personal view is that I don't really like it. And I don't like wearing it at all. BUT, there have been occasions (mainly evening doo's) where I have had to wear spanks.

For example - a few months after giving birth to my firstborn, I went to a fancy-dress (costume) party and thought it would be a great idea to wear a tight, PVC catwoman outfit. I thought it would be a good idea... I thought I was going to look fabulous darling! Anyway, I got the outfit the day of the party and decided that my post-baby tummy was in no way appropriate for a skin tight PVC outfit. So i went and brought some knickers that do all the way up to my underboob... and it was fine. I looked fine. Nobody knew what underwear I was wearing and I felt comfortable in what I was wearing.

I also get to go to a lot of awards evenings and such with my work... there's no way i'm ever going to have a flat tummy. So shapewear comes in handy if i'm wearing an evening dress - depending on the dress type.

This is what shapewear is for - to make the wearer feel better in her clothes!

If some woman wants to burn her bra and go commando, swinging and jiggling as she does, more power to her. She probably isn't someone who is going to attract attention for her lovely appearance (especially past a certain age) or care whether she does. That's fine.

But that will never be me. I was taught from knee high that it pays to make an effort with one's appearance - and I truly believe that it does. I'm 99.9% sure I wouldn't be where I am career-wise or relationship-wise if I didn't expend the effort I do on the way I look.

Trust me - shapewear is the least of it.

Genesia said:

LadyCasanova said:

What about the ones with the straps? Those should take care of the rolling problem. Are they

worth the extra cost?

I'm also worried because a lot of these garments have low ratings.

You mean the straps that hook over the center of your bra in front? I would be more inclined to go with that, myself. Because I have an hourglass shape, I find that if a high-waisted shaper is going to roll on anybody, it'll roll on me - just because the waist of the garment wants to settle at my smallest point.

VERY true... this is why I double up with a camisol shaper top to smooth the back lumps, and also covers over the waistline of the hipster so it doesn't shift and roll down.

I do not wear that stuff in the summer though.

i only ever wore these undies once & never again! going for a waz was a whole lot of drama.. it was a very hot day & trying to pull those knickers back up was like putting on a wet swimming cozzie. i gave up in the end & binned them there & then. i can now say i abandoned my knickers at buckingham palace

paintedlady said:

Genesia said:

You mean the straps that hook over the center of your bra in front? I would be more inclined to go with that, myself. Because I have an hourglass shape, I find that if a high-waisted shaper is going to roll on anybody, it'll roll on me - just because the waist of the garment wants to settle at my smallest point.

VERY true... this is why I double up with a camisol shaper top to smooth the back lumps, and also covers over the waistline of the hipster so it doesn't shift and roll down.

I do not wear that stuff in the summer though.

How on earth do you double up? I feel like a sausage wearing just one unless I get the light control style.

My adventures with shapewear...

I'm tall and there is one...yes, one long torso body briefer in the entire world. I'm not gonna bother with stuff rolling up or down so I prefer one piece. If I buy a regular torso I have to use an extender to fasten it at the bottom to make it long enough.

But the bra portion of the long torso briefer has seams and I hate seams...on the plus side it does have underwire which I need because I'm busty. Being busty also raises the need for wide straps. I'd prefer fabric that's thick enough to prevent show through as well.

However, I don't want my butt flattened so I wish there was one with a thong design.

On top of all that, the sliky ones cause my clothes to slide sideways and I don't like pulling and tugging on my clothes all day.

Oh yeah...is it too much to ask to be able to find one in black?

I wear them mostly with dress clothes...I don't think I could stand wearing those things every day.

babynoz said:

paintedlady said:

VERY true... this is why I double up with a camisol shaper top to smooth the back lumps, and also covers over the waistline of the hipster so it doesn't shift and roll down.

I do not wear that stuff in the summer though.

How on earth do you double up? I feel like a sausage wearing just one unless I get the light control style.

My adventures with shapewear...

I'm tall and there is one...yes, one long torso body briefer in the entire world. I'm not gonna bother with stuff rolling up or down so I prefer one piece. If I buy a regular torso I have to use an extender to fasten it at the bottom to make it long enough.

But the bra portion of the long torso briefer has seams and I hate seams...on the plus side it does have underwire which I need because I'm busty. Being busty also raises the need for wide straps. I'd prefer fabric that's thick enough to prevent show through as well.

However, I don't want my butt flattened so I wish there was one with a thong design.

On top of all that, the sliky ones cause my clothes to slide sideways and I don't like pulling and tugging on my clothes all day.

Oh yeah...is it too much to ask to be able to find one in black?

I wear them mostly with dress clothes...I don't think I could stand wearing those things every day.

I consider doubling up as follows...

something for the bottom

added peice for the top...

I buy these peices too...

but the one-peice falls apart quick because it must be washed with each wear.

So I tend to keep different types of shapewear pieces for different needs depending on an outfit.

I do not layer the same pieces over one another.... unless its a pantyhose + hipster

or bra + corset combo.

BTW I had thong peices, they make those too... I prefer the ass out ones better.

paintedlady said:

babynoz said:

How on earth do you double up? I feel like a sausage wearing just one unless I get the light control style.

My adventures with shapewear...

I'm tall and there is one...yes, one long torso body briefer in the entire world. I'm not gonna bother with stuff rolling up or down so I prefer one piece. If I buy a regular torso I have to use an extender to fasten it at the bottom to make it long enough.

But the bra portion of the long torso briefer has seams and I hate seams...on the plus side it does have underwire which I need because I'm busty. Being busty also raises the need for wide straps. I'd prefer fabric that's thick enough to prevent show through as well.

However, I don't want my butt flattened so I wish there was one with a thong design.

On top of all that, the sliky ones cause my clothes to slide sideways and I don't like pulling and tugging on my clothes all day.

Oh yeah...is it too much to ask to be able to find one in black?

I wear them mostly with dress clothes...I don't think I could stand wearing those things every day.

I consider doubling up as follows...

something for the bottom

added peice for the top...

I buy these peices too...

but the one-peice falls apart quick because it must be washed with each wear.

So I tend to keep different types of shapewear pieces for different needs depending on an outfit.

I do not layer the same pieces over one another.... unless its a pantyhose + hipster

or bra + corset combo.

BTW I had thong peices, they make those too... I prefer the ass out ones better.

That's just ridiculous.

I have a body shaper that goes from just above the knee to under the breasts. I've worn it a handful of times under certain outfits and it's perfect.

I also always always always wear control-top tights under dresses. I am today, in fact.

I could never wear them every day but for certain outfits for certain occasions it's the perfect thing.

LadyCasanova said:

Do you feel that shape-wear creates an unfair illusion that can not be lived up to when the person

is fully naked? I only ask because I have a guy friend who hates Spanx and padded push up bras.

Unfair? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

There's nothing "unfair" about dressing any damn way you want.

JustErin said:

paintedlady said:

I consider doubling up as follows...

something for the bottom

added peice for the top...

I buy these peices too...

but the one-peice falls apart quick because it must be washed with each wear.

So I tend to keep different types of shapewear pieces for different needs depending on an outfit.

I do not layer the same pieces over one another.... unless its a pantyhose + hipster

or bra + corset combo.

BTW I had thong peices, they make those too... I prefer the ass out ones better.

That's just ridiculous.

For some people it isn't, though. It's all about what an individual wants to do to look and feel good in their appearance. I could be wrong, but i think almost everyone might have something that they do for themselves to go that extra mile in creating the appearance that they want, unless they just don't give a rat's ass how they look, or hit such a genetic lottery that they can just roll out of bed every day looking camera ready for a photo shoot.

Some people would probably think that the lengths you and I go to to keep our hair dyed is outrageous, and wonder why we don't just cut the chemicals & go all Silver Foxette already (I'm an icey grey just like you- and this hair on my head ain't seen no parts of grey since I don't know when ) I think people just do what they want to do to look and feel "put together".

JustErin said:

That's just ridiculous.

Its not for everyday... but for getting gussied for a special occassion you better believe it!

Like I said... I know my body and I sport a big belly but, despite being 230 and 5'5" I never look fat and sloppy in my clothes.

It is what it is.

As I approach 50 I have learned that I don't need to wear anything like this. My body is not perfect and I have a few jiggles here and there, but I would never wear this stuff now.