beauty

5 things we wish Bridget Jones had known about shapewear.

 

 

 

 

 

By JACQUI PORTER

Recently, a few of us ladies at Mamamia were lucky enough to be sent some sexy shapewear.

Of course, at first everyone pretended they would never need/wear/want shapewear but once we got a peek at the new SLIMS range from Nancy Ganz, it seems our misconceptions of shapewear went out the window because, well frankly, the SLIMS were nothing like the shapewear any of us had tried before.

It’s safe to say that a few of us from the team are definitely all converts now.

Firstly, they are super slim (ha, see what I did there?) and sheer, but at the same time, they actually hold all the wobbly bits in. SLIMS make use of a revolutionary fabric which is firmer than the traditional shapewear without the weight. They have these kind of “tiger stripes” across the dodgy areas (tummy, booty…you know) that hold you firm in the right places, rather than being an overall sausage casing.

Basically, throw out everything you knew about shapewear (as well as your old Bridget Jones gut huggers). Because here are six myths of shapewear debunked.

Just as an FYI, you should know that this is an advertorial sponsored by Nancy Ganz.  But all opinions expressed by the author are 100 per cent authentic and written in their own words.

Myth 1. Shapewear is only for ya mum.

I bet, if you rifled through the “intimates” drawers of most women under 35 (besides getting yourself arrested) you’d find shapewear of some description. You know why? Because no matter our age, many of us feel we could use a little bit of help.

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I personally, at the age of 28, have a very impressive collection of shapewear. This isn’t because I wear it all the time (although I probably will now thanks to my SLIMS) but because I loved the idea of shapewear, but I just couldn’t find that perfect piece that did all the things I wanted it do.

Myth 2. Shapewear is hot and heavy.

Ok, this one I get because historically, shapewear has been a heavy, sweaty downright uncomfortable experience.

Many women will know the social trauma that is a summer wedding and tight dress. I almost started to think I was a bad person for wishing for blizzards during some friends’ weddings. I knew that for me, the evening entailed tuning out of conversations with strangers mid canapé, because all I could think about was how hot I was in the holder-in undies.

It seems I wasn’t the only one that had a stockpile of unsuitable shapewear. Mamamia’s Style and Beauty Editor, Nicky Champ said, “I have so many pieces of shapewear in my closet, but I hardly ever wear them because they are so uncomfortable. I put up with it if my outfit demands it but I hardly ever look forward to putting them on. That changed when I tried Nancy Ganz SLIMS. The fabric is 50% slimmer than the shapewear I was used to and it feels about 80% lighter. It’s sheer- not hot and heavy so it’s perfect to wear in Spring and Summer for the races/weddings/all of the time.”

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Myth 3. Shapewear is for special occasions.

Probably due in part to point number two, generally most ladies would agree, shapewear is reserved for special occasions only. Weddings, parties, knowing the ex is hanging out at a particular bar. You get my drift.

Shapewear has typically been reserved for occasions where you want to look your best, and you put up with the uncomfortable side effects. So, tell me, if the shapewear was comfortable, light and able to be worn under any item of clothing you already had, wouldn’t you want to look your best all the time? Yeah me too.

Avi was pleasantly surprised to find  that the Nancy Ganz Slims range was so light and sexy.

Myth 4. Shapewear is totally unsexy.

I beg to differ. Sure, maybe back in the day of shapewear infancy it was true. However, here’s the proof that this is no longer the case.

It seems shapewear can indeed be sexy as evidenced by Avi Vince’s feedback on the new SLIMS range. She said, “I never ever wore shapewear for one reason. It isn’t sexy. It is like those undies in Bridget Jones’ Diary, which you would only want to wear to avoid sleeping with the wrong guy. SO I was pretty skeptical when Nancy Ganz SLIMS said that their shapewear is sexy. But then I tried the slip on and showed my husband. I’m not going to say what he said…but let’s just say…they are sexy.”

Myth 5. Shapewear is really, really uncomfortable.

In the past, I too have felt like soft serve trying to squish itself into a straw. Tres attractive.

Like many ladies, I’ve made a dash to the loo to unroll the tops of pants/pull down shorts/breathe, because dammit some of the shapewear I’ve tried can be akin to torture, especially after extended wear (like loooonnnngggg wedding vows).

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Dimity Kirkwood told us about how she used to think of shapewear as being inevitably uncomfortable. She said, “I have been a bridesmaid twice and as such, shapewear was my best friend. However, both times I found that I was running to the bathroom to keep the bottom of them from rolling up and creating little rings on my thighs under my dress. Because this look is not so flattering really. Nancy Ganz SLIMS stays where they’re meant to, but aren’t too tight. They’re also the right length which is useful and are a lot lighter and more breathable than my others.”

Myth 6. They don’t match my skin tone.

This used to be true, because I am yet to meet a lady who has the same tone as peach coloured skin, as some manufacturers seem to favour. So, why make peach undies? Ugh. Especially a tone so pigmented that you can clearly see it under clothes. It’s almost salmon. I was therefore happy to see that the SLIMS range comes in a (gasp) actual nude colour (and black, which is fab under any LBD).

I personally tried the nude bodysuit which was perfect for under a white singlet and jeans. The colour was just right so that it was undetectable but held me in, held me up and smoothed out all the lumps and bumps. Winning.

What item of clothing would you like to fit into a little better? 

Click through to see images of the MM team trying out the new SLIMs range…

 

Nancy Ganz is Australia’s #1 shapewear brand. Its latest innovation, Nancy Ganz SLIMS, is 50% thinner than regular shapewear.

Listening to what women want, Nancy Ganz is designed in Australia for the Australian & New Zealand body type.

Mamamia readers can use the coupon code MMSAVE to enjoy 25% off when shopping online at NancyGanz.com.au until 30th September 2014 (see website for full T&Cs).

Nancy Ganz shapewear and swimwear is also available at Myer, David Jones & leading retailers in Australia and New Zealand.