Shapewear: Do or Don’t?

Many body positive advocates take issue with shapewear feeling that it encourages women to hide or transform their bodies in an attempt to come closer to an ideal that is unattainable for most. I take a more flexible approach. I don’t feel the need to hide my body, or conform it in uncomfortable restrictive ways. However, on occasion, I have an outfit — a dress, a cute top with jeans — that in my opinion, on my body, looks better with smooth lines. Smooth lines that are more easily created by wearing shapewear. I don’t look at it as some problem I have to solve as some ads might want me to think, but simply a style preference.

So yes, I own a few shapewear pieces myself. Do I wear them every day? No. Would I recommend them to everyone? No. It’s a personal choice, and I would never encourage anyone to wear something that made them feel uncomfortable or even that they are sacrificing comfort for fashion. I’m a big proponent that you should be able to have both!

What do I wear? Well, early this year, I blogged about a Merona Fit Solutions Faux Wrap Dress. I think it’s an excellent example of having a streamlined look while staying true to myself and my body. It doesn’t mold my body into something it’s not. It doesn’t make me feel like if I eat dessert, I will burst out of the seams. But it does make me feel like my look is more pulled together and I like that.

I was also given the opportunity not long ago to review the Spanx Bra-llelujah bra, which I absolutely love. Not only is it the most comfortable bra I’ve ever owned, but, as promised it smooths things out under my t-shirts.

More recently, I bought a couple of Hanes shapewear items at Target. I will be wearing this Hanes Waist Cincher in black (don’t let the name full you — it’s not really a death grip on your waist) with the outfit I picked out to wear to my 20-year high school reunion.The outfit consists of a pair of dark rinse trouser jeans I picked up from Banana Republic (thankfully there were on sale for $49.99) and a cute sparkly gray tank top from Express. I bought the outfit before I had the shapewear, and I would be perfectly happy to wear it without the Hanes cincher. But for me, the smooth look that comes from wearing it makes the outfit look even better.

Oddly enough, the other piece of shapewear I bought recently at Target has been impossible to find online. It’s also from Hanes and is similar in style to this Spanx Open Bust Camisole, but at Target I found the Hanes version for only $14.99. I actually bought this one to go with my reunion outfit only to find that the back of the cami goes up too high for the tank top, which is how I ended up with the cincher. But I have been wearing the Cami shapewear almost every day because I actually find that my posture is better when I wear it.

So am I recommending that you go out and buy a piece of shapewear? Not in the least. But if you like how you look and feel in it, I can personally recommend the Hanes products.

Fab Fashion Find: Merona Women’s Floral Wrap Dress

Ok, by now you know I am a huge fan of Target fashions, and why not? They have great styles in a variety of sizes at super prices! So introducing the latest Fab Fashion Find! I LOVE this Merona Floral Wrap Dress.

Maybe it’s the fact that it’s still February and I am longing for spring, but it was love at first site when I first saw the dress hanging on the rack. The colors are so vivid and fun. I couldn’t wait to try the dress on, though I always remain cautious. I generally have a good idea of what will work for my body shape, and this looked like a good candidate, but you can never tell for sure until you actually put something on. I am happy to say this dress was just as adorable on (in my humble opinion) as it was on the rack! And the best part is, it’s only $24.99! And that’s full price!

I will say, the size seems to run a little big, and where I usually wear a medium in many of the clothing items at Target, a small definitely was a better fit. And don’t let the picture fool you. It’s not as short as it looks (unless you have mile-long legs like the model in the picture).

I read some of the reviews online, and the consensus is this dress works on curvy figures. So next time you’re at Target, get in the spirit of spring, and give this dress a try!

Fab Fashion Find: Merona Fit Solutions Ruched Dress

I found this dress completely by accident. I went to Target to take advantage of their sale on Champion athletic wear, and as I was coming out of the dressing room, ready to head off to the cashier, this little black dress caught my eye.

I am always quick to notice potentially flattering, affordable clothing, but my style senses were heightened by the fact that my husband and I are going to a fancy French restaurant this Saturday to celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary, and, well, I have nothing to wear. Or should I say, I had nothing to wear.

I didn’t have time to try the dress on, so I looked for a medium, prayed it would fit, and threw it in my basket with my new workout pants and tops. As soon as I got home, I stripped down and started to slip the dress over my head, immediately feeling how tight it was, and thinking there was NO way it was going to fit. But I went ahead and finished putting it on, thinking I would at least get an idea of whether or not it was worth it to exchange the dress for a larger size. While I was wriggling my way into the under layer, I noticed on the tag that it said “Built in slimming underlayer.” Aha! I had not heard of Merona’s line of Fit Solutions apparel, but I was instantly a fan.

After I got it all on, and adjusted the underlayer, I looked in the mirror, and WOW! It was love at first site! Between the high ruched waist line, and the a-line bottom, this dress is super flattering. If you have any excuse whatsoever, I highly recommend this Merona Women’s Fit Solutions Ruched Dress for a mere $29.99. You can dress it up for a fancy night out, or you could throw a fitted blazer over it and wear it to work. Wear with flats and voila! You have a perfect dress for a Sunday outing. There is no end to the possibilities this dress has. And it comes in plus sizes too!