Feb 11
9
How not to look old–learn to love shapewear!
There are no panty lines on the red carpet. There are also no saggy boobs, flabby rears, jiggly tummies, or back fat. You may ask yourself how all these people can possibly defy the laws of nature. Well, they don’t… they’re just wearing shapewear. In Charla Krupp’s chapter entitled “Learn to Love Shapewear,” she praises fashion’s unsung heroes for their ability to lift, smooth, shape, minimize, take inches off, and even reveal new wardrobe possibilities. Let’s learn how it works!
We’re all dreadfully aware that as we age, lumps appear in places that were once smooth, and things start to jiggle and sag. This doesn’t just happen to those of us on Weight Watchers. Jessica Alba and Caterine Zeta Jones, among others, attribute their sleek on-set silhouettes to Spanx, while Gwyneth Paltrow swears by shapewear bike shorts for everyday control of her postpartum posterior. (Check out this website to see who’s wearing what! Even thin women lose elasticity in their flesh, so we all need to learn how to take advantage of the abundance of undergarments that have been created for our own good!
First, it’s critical to purge your wardrobe of any lingerie or undergarments that do not improve the way you look and feel. Toss any “bad” lingerie (i.e. frumpy granny panties, love handle-creating thongs, stretched out “around the house” bras, and anything with holes, snags, or tears.) If you’re not sure whether to dump a piece, try it on. Does it enhance your features, or does it just sit there like a wrapper on bubble gum?
Shapewear companies are constantly improving their garments for better function, technology, and fit. If you own any old school “foundation garments,” disown them. Not sure what this means? Try on every single piece under a pair of white pants or a body-hugging dress and ask yourself: Is it so uncomfortable that you can’t forget you’re wearing it? Does it create lumps or bulges where the bands and seams come into contact with your skin? Would you be just as shapely naked? If so, get rid of it! Next, try each bra on with a fitted white tee. Do you spill out anywhere? Is it stretched out? Does lace or nipple show through? Does it create lumps in your back?
When women over 50 shop for shapewear, it’s best to go to a specialty lingerie store or a well-stocked department store during non-peak hours. Ask to be fitted, and don’t be embarrassed- these people are professionals! Once you know if you are a small, medium, or large, choose several styles in nude or black. (There is absolutely no need for any white undergarment, ever. Nude always looks better.) Next, choose your level of compression. Light control will smooth bulges and eliminate panty lines. Moderate control can stop jiggling, and firm control can actually take off inches! The heaviest compression should be reserved only for use under the most unforgiving attire.
Let’s talk bras. Three-quarters of us are wearing the wrong size, so get fitted! Bra fitting is a quick and easy task for any lingerie professional (do not try to do this yourself), and can change the way you feel about lingerie all around. A properly-fitted, supportive bra is one of the greatest weapons against looking “old lady.” Why is fitting so important? As we age, our breast composition changes, causing them to become softer, larger, and more pendulous. This is why it is so important to get fitted at least once a year.
The right bra will contain all supportive elements of the bra trifecta: cups, band, and straps. A good cup will “encase and lie flat on the entire breast without any extra material or air.” If you are bulging out anywhere, you’re wearing the wrong bra. The band, which is the main supportive feature of your bra, should feel snug without digging into your flesh, creating lumps. Also, the proper band position is “level across the narrow part of your back beneath your shoulder blades.” The straps should only do about 20% of the work for a bra. If you’re always tightening your bra straps to get “lift-off,” you’re wearing the wrong bra.
Whether you are in need of better bras or some Power Panties, get shopping! Janeane Garofolo has said, “If I did not have my Spanx on, it’d be like a bunch of water balloons, or a melting candle.” I can relate. There is no reason for women over 50 not to take advantage of today’s shapewear options. Just a few good pieces can change the way you feel when you leave the house. Trust me, you’ll love the way you look!
