Gosh, January can be gloomy. Daylight is hard to come by and we’re all still paying off Christmas. Lots of people treat this month as a period of abstinence – be it from booze, meat or chocolate. It feels like no one has planned fun socials (sorry, January birthdays, we know this can be tough!) so it’s hard to find light through the month. So as we emerge from this longest of all the months, why not take heart in looking into the year ahead and the special occasions that might be coming up.
Weddings, anniversaries, milestone birthdays, even reunions. Do you feel excited about the next special occasion that is in your diary, or maybe a bit nervous? Busy social occasions are a time to catch up with old acquaintances, maybe make an impression on new ones! To feel great, though, you should feel confident in your silhouette, so let’s work out how to make it perfect!
1. All on the Waist
So many special occasion outfits, from dresses to trouser suits, rely on a defined waist. It makes sense, then, that this is the best place to start when it comes to creating the perfect silhouette. Cinching, high waist control, from shaping briefs to shaping skirts is ideal here. Depending on how defined you want your waist to be, you can choose shapewear that offers differing levels of compression.
2. True Hourglass
If you want a dramatic hourglass shape, it’s wise to extend your control further than your waist. Control that begins at your bust and continues over your hips will create a smooth, uninterrupted hourglass line. This sits wonderfully under tailored dresses or separates. Check out ranges of girdle and corset, which provide a very structured control which extends along your torso.
3. Subtle Lines
Perhaps you prefer a less defined silhouette. Something sleek and long. This shape works fantastically under floaty summer dresses and so is a popular look for weddings. Your shapewear needs to be a more gentle compression and hold your shape equally from shoulder to thigh. If you are wearing a dress, the anchoring of a shaping slip will smooth any bumps and will not budge all day long. Similarly, a control body suit will support your torso and hips to maintain a gentle silhouette.
4. Sleek Thighs
For trouser suits it can be all about the thighs! If you’re worried about leg shape, you must begin the line at your waist. With shaping shorts, the compression moves from your waist, over your hips and down your thighs. So under trousers and skirts alike, you can enjoy a great silhouette whilst maintaining the flexibility of movement that shorts provide.
5. Secure Shaping
When you’ve chosen the style and control of shapewear for your special occasion outfit, make sure that it’s secure. By this we mean preventing the item from shifting or rolling. Moving shapewear means the creation of lumps and bumps, when these are the very things that you’re seeking to smooth out. So, make sure your garment is well fitted. Shapewear that is too small is more likely to move on your body. Anchoring is a great solution, so either choose shapewear which begins at the shoulder, or attach your shapewear to your bra.
So often, the confidence with which you approach a special occasion affects how much you enjoy it. This is the wonderful thing about creating the perfect silhouette using shapewear. When your foundation is smooth, sleek and comfortable, it gives you the confidence to be yourself at that special occasion. Whether it’s making small talk or letting loose on the dance floor, it’s time to look forward to the dates in your diary!
Becky is an author and copywriter who has been writing about women’s issues and underwear for several years. She also writes blogs which cover a range of topics for local businesses.
Ultimate Guide to Mother of the Bride Dressing
