Foundation Wear: Spoiled for Choice?

So I have a few extra pounds! The diet is going well and the scales don't creak so loudly when I step on them. Looking at the dial everything seems to be progressing. The mirror and waist measurement tell a different tale. Nothing seems to be changing! I've even tried the gym but fat-burn does absolutely nothing for me except make me hot. Nothing is burnt off by the heat I generate.

It seems that the next thing to try is the firm control foundation garment, nowadays called shapewear. But how firm is "firm control", and prices and materials vary so much. I have used, with some success, the standard corsellette in the past but now this item has been joined by the body, the waist sculpt, shaping slips and tights, high waisted thigh slimmers, magic secret slimming waist cinchers, waspies and bonded knickers. I could go on.

The constituents of these garments are mainly the same polymide and elastane, tho some also include polyester, cotton and viscose in small amounts. . I wonder if there is a connection between the amount of elastane used and the firm control I desire. I wonder if I should go up market for better quality and firmer control; perhaps success is down to technique of manufacture rather than in the materials used.

I have a tummy which I want to hide. I don't want the garment I buy to slide up or roll down. Ideally I would like to be able to go to the loo without getting undressed. Maybe buying a smaller size of whatever might assist. I cannot be the only girl in this predicament. What would you do?

Joan Carson

This post was edited by Joan Carson at September 27, 2013 11:13 AM BST

Well in my view the world of foundation wear and/or shapewear seems to be full of contradictions and illusions.

After wearing both for many years I have come to the conclusion that what they really do is smooth out the lumps and bumps, rather than actually making your waist slimmer. The only things that can do that are - losing weight and wearing a real corset which will definitely knock a couple of inches off.

The elastane or lycra content usually needs to be above 20% to have efficacy (Playtex goes as high as 45% I think), as in smaller percentages it just adds stretch. After all most women's outer clothes are either made from stretchy fabric like polyester or viscose or contain up to 5% of lycra. That's whether its dresses, form fitting skirts or jeans/trousers. The addition of lycra to the fabrics used in women's garments does make them smoother when on, and if you add hip padding then they fit and hang better too.

Back to control wear. In the old days of girdles and corselettes control was achieved through construction and these items were and still are expensive. The addition of elastane or lycra has enabled the designers to have more freedom, and these days there are light control items of lingerie which contain less than 10% (many bras after all have 6-8% lycra). These levels will only ever give light control, but they do look good on and fit better.

The serious control that you are searching for requires higher levels of lycra and better ways of construction. Going to the loo requires an all in one to have hook and eye fastenings in the crotch area, though some manufacturers use a hole type "comfort" device which is actually easier for us "special girls" than real women, in my view.

I would suggest that you look at all in ones or panty girdles (whatever they may call those) with a comfort opening or fastening (though they are a bugger to do back up), or open bottomed girdles or corselettes...or even a control slip which either has a built in bra, or you can wear your own bra.

As to brands - have a look at Miss Mary of Sweden, Playtex, Rago, Maidenform (I think they do the comfort thingy, I know Rago do). And of course M&S do good control wear. Try also Daxon's catalogue on line - they have some very severe looking French control "devices".


Hope that helps.



Pauline xxxx

Thanks for the post Pauline, and will look into the info you've provided, lots of love Jady xxx

corsets are the way to go

I use corsets mainly... tho having them too tight can be painful, I've had to 'skip to the loo' on occasion to loosen one cos my kidneys were aching ( and always put your shoes and stockings on before lacing up as it's impossible to bend over very far)

2 sand 1 cement for me ha ha ha xxxx

well i use dream matte mousse for base then a liquid one over and blend then a finishing powder xxx

My foundation garment is usually a straight jacket! lol

Thank you ladies for your kind replies and Pauline for the research your answer must have required.It was much appreciated. Why is nothing straightforward? Maybe Ill just wear one of each of the items mentioned!

<blockquote><strong><a href="/se4/profile/mecov51">Mal Redman</a> said:</strong><br />My foundation garment is usually a straight jacket! lol</blockquote><br />


ha ha nice one mal do you got to the same tailor as i do for mine

crazy al's mad cap jackets ha ha xxx

To be honest Joan, my reply was based on what I remember from all my years of wearing control wear.

Unfortunately with ladies foundation wear as with all their other garments there is a lot of choice and option - its best to check out brands on line first and then if possible go to a lingerie department to examine.

Straight jackets are of course designed for some admirers !!!!!

Pauline xxx

Bring back the girdle - my mum's was ace!!! xxx

Here are a couple of links that may help - for all you girdle fans - and mainly for Joan

hugs

Pauline xxxx

http://www.corsetiere.net/Spirella/Contents.htm

http://www.guysingirdles.com/index.html