Magic undies: Spanx or el cheapo?

[herbaceous]

Hello ladies

I realise this subject has probably been done to death, but maybe just one more time?

I'm going to a wedding in a couple of weeks time. It will mainly be populated by young, slim glamorous types. I am none of those things, but have a lovely slinky midnight blue jersey maxi dress for the occasion. The sort of dress that would look sexy as owt over a waspish waist and Joan Holloway arse, but like shit over my back boobs and porridgey buttocks.

So... I need some magic undies. Probably the sort that go from boob to mid-thigh. Are Spanx worth the money? What about John Lewis or M&S versions? Or, even, Uniqlo?

Which ones, in all you wise ladies' opinions, ride up or down? Which will not constrict my breathing and displace my internal organs? Allow sufficient freedom of movement to chase after my toddler all day, yet minimise bum wobble?

And, what's more, if I buy them online should I buy the size I am (14 on the arse) or the size I want to be once they're on?

[nikki1978]

I prefer spanx mainly due to the fact that the fabric is so much lighter so you don't feel hot and uncomfortable. The spanx higher power short things are the ones I use and they don't roll down. I tend to buy the size below the one they recommend but some may disagree.

[fishie]

i tried a load on in m&s once and came to the gloomy conclusion that the only ones i could bear were so feeble as to be not worth it. i did get a pair of light control pants (have a lovely overhang) but have rarely worn them. the all in one jobs didn't suit me at all, but i haven't got a waist anyway.

it might be a different and happier story if you are aiming for arse containment.

[herbaceous]

The main problem is the arse, plus a delightful bit of C-section overhang. My waist is pretty small in comparison to the horse-like rump below.

[wildfig]

after being tight wasting money on many pairs of ineffectual M&S 'shapewear' over the years instead of forking out for Spanx, I've reached the conclusion that with flab-wranglers you get what you pay for. Spanx Higher Power all the way.

[Rannaldini]

trinny and tranny magic knickers in tk maxx atm

[herbaceous]

'flab-wranglers! Love it. Had a look at Spanx's website, and there's a bewildering array of options, ranging from reinforced concrete affairs to gossamer-thin wisps that I can't imagine would be any match for my arse.

I get a bit weird about waistbands digging into me - it makes me feel sick. Are the Higher Power numbers free from that kind of horror?

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Spanx Higher Power are fantastic.

There is no waistband, nothing to dig in.

If you look on the website there is the sizing info.

[herbaceous]

I've seen some for sale on ebay. I fear for gusset cleanliness.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

ewww!

You will get your money's worth, they last for ages if you remember not to tumble dry them

[woopsidaisy]

I really like this one by trinny and Susannah. The straps mean it doesn't roll down,and as it comes below the boobs it doesn't interfere with the shape of your bra either.
Not sure whether your dress has straps though.

[scotsgirl23]

Spanx higher power are great - not worth going cheap with control pants I'm afraid! They come right up to your ribs, so no waistbands to worry about (if you're wearing a bra then mine actually go under the bottom of it)

These ones
spanx

[kateecass]

This is good. Was a bit of an issue when I needed a pee but I was being impatient. It was comfy too and tights didn't fall down unlike with spanx panties.

[kateecass]

Oh and I wore the above with M&S bodyshaper tights. Double slimming!!

[herbaceous]

Ooh yes, and it would remove the 'how to pee' problem. But doesn't it ride up? It would be fine with my dress, which has wide straps.

It's this one but in dark blue...

[herbaceous]

I meant the T&S slip version by woopsidaisy!

Kateecass - tempting, but the neckline of my dress is quite low and drapey, so something like that might show. I was hoping for a kinda 'buxom serving wench' style bosom!

[scotsgirl23]

Spanx have an, ahem, flap arrangement at the gusset so you don't have to remove them to pee!

[herbaceous]

Would the, ahem, efficacy of said arrangement be compromised by wedding-related booze?

[FluffyMummy123]

ive bought them
and every timem i put them on i think
" oh god you arent deformed"£ and take them off and do without

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

JL Flexees are too soft imo. My faves have been the magic knickers I've had since pre-Trinny and Tranny days - shorts which give a good bum-lift.

I also have Spanx but the legless version (don't do anything much) - haven't tried the Higher Power.

With that dress (gorgeous, btw), I'd be mainly wanting arse-lift so would find the best longline shorts I could, maybe an all-in-one but only if it had the right lifting/sculpting effect and didn't interfere with my bra.


Don't worry about back-boobs, get fitted for a bra (JL or Bravissimo not M&S), and if you've got the right lift in the front what's happening at the back is irrelevant.
Anyway, all eyes will be on your arse!

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

Re your bosom requirements: only you know how close you're likely to get to the buxom serving wench look, but that dress is nicely designed to show just a tempting glimpse of cleavage. Again, get fitted, even take the dress with you, and a balconette style might be what does the trick.

[scotsgirl23]

I've never had any issues with it - it kind of works on its own so unless you try to pee with your legs closed you'll be fine!

[herbaceous]

WWWY - how very perceptive you are! It does indeed make the arse look pretty sculptural, from the side anyway, so it just needs some spanx to give it a touch of the J-Los. Not sure I can afford a new bra. My size changes so often, I've ended up buying el cheapos from Sainsburys. Which in fact fit far better than the one I bought from bravissimmo!

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

Thanks.