The Work Edit: Finally, Shapewear I Don’t Hate
Jan 17, 2019
Talking about “shape wear” is a tricky thing. Â Sara Blakely, the billionaire founder of Spanx, originally sold her creation as a way to look thinner and shapelier (at a time when people weren’t as pro-body inclusion as today). Â But let’s be honest, there are some problems with shapewear.
No. 1. Spanx are REALLY uncomfortable.  Unless you like being wedged into Lycra so tight that it makes a sausage casing look roomy.
No. 2. Most of us aren’t looking to drastically remold our bodies. Â Nor do we need to.
No. 3. It’s not great for your mental health to keep squeezing yourself into a modern-day corset just to make your clothes look/fit better.
So what’s the middle path?
Let’s be real honest. Â I want my clothes to look good. Â I want to conceal some of my physical “flaws.” Â Because I don’t want to overthink how I look when I’m at work, but everyone’s insecurities get the best of them from time to time.
Mostly, I just want to smooth some things out, prevent VPL, and get to the end of the work day without wondering if the tightness of my shapewear bruised my liver. Â Also, if they could not roll down, roll up, poke me, or itch uncontrollably at the seam, that would be ideal.
Ladies, meet ideal.
I bought these Jockey Slimmers Seamfree Shorts ($16)Â last week, and I love them. Â Love them.
They smooth. Â They lightly shape. Â But they are not tight. Â They do not constrict. Â They do not pinch. Â They also don’t roll up or down. Â And you don’t need a crowbar to pry them off.
Body image issues are real, but there’s nothing wrong with a little boost, as long as it doesn’t hurt more than it helps. Â I feel a little more confident when I wear them. Â My clothes look just a little smoother, a little more tailored. Â But I’m never uncomfortable or emotionally compromised by wearing them.
I bought two more pair. Â Thank goodness their $28 for two pair.
Jockey also makes a high-waist option. Â The matching camisole would be good under a sheer top. Â Or if you just need to prevent VPL, try their no-panty-line slip.
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This is exactly the recommendation that I needed! I have been in the market to replace my “rib tourniquet” shaper and this looks to be a great replacement option.
These are my go to. They hold up well on repeated washes and are comfortable for long periods (including sitting which was never great in spanx which tend to cut into waist after while.) I use them often under summer dresses as they prevent any chafing and still breath decently. Great rec.
Seconding this comment, I own these and highly recommended for hot summer days under skirts and dresses, they are very comfortable!
I wear them under every dress in the summer and they do hold up so well – they are the perfect anti-chafing solution and help smooth things, without squishing all over. 10000000% recommend to everyone. And they are often on sale at Costco for even less in a 2-pack!
I LOVE these! I bought them for a dress I’ve worn as a wedding guest – I just needed something “smooth things out” and to keep me from getting that belly button dent that flimsy material seems to create. Such a great value.
Belly button dent is a scourge.
These are also great for keeping tucked-in shirts looking neat and tidy. Very helpful for the summer when you don’t have tights for this purpose.
Chiming in to say these are great while pregnant too, especially in the summer (thigh rub)! I went up one size.
Yep, lived in these while I was pregnant!
I wish I liked these, but I really detest feel of the fabric of these, and it sticks to some of my dresses. I’ll give them smoothing but don’t find they provide any support/shape.
What shapewear do you like instead? I’ve been using the Soma smoothing short.
I really like a product called Undersummers. They’re not shapewear, but they do not roll up or down, and really help with “thigh rub” when tights aren’t an option. I have tried the jockey product and they haven’t worked for me.
http://www.undersummers.com
I’m looking for something with a bit more stomach control.Has anyone tried HoneyLove?
I did. They work, but they hurt.
Hurt how?
They’re very constricting because they have boning. I wore them to an event, and after 4 hours, it was pretty painful. They were better with a more forgiving dress. But I had some painful marks when I took them off.
Any recommendations on sizing? I am currently between a M and L in most things. I am hesitant to size up and lose the effectiveness, but don’t want to size down and make them too uncomfortable either.
I went up (in between also), and it’s still effective. And it’s comfortable.
I love these and have two pairs, which I wear to work under skirts and dresses in spring and summer.
… I have been known to take inexpensive leggings that are thin (usually H&Ms leggings that are viscose), and cut them off to wear under skirts and dresses during super hot heatwave days, as the jockey skim fabric is too clingy during hot summer weather— of course, not as smoothing, but it helps avoid the clinging factor.
I used to buy these (or something similar) from jockey back when I lived in New York. I’ve since moved to Singapore I buy similar shapewear from Uniqlo. The Uniqlo ones provide a little more tummy control than the jockeys so they are great under dresses/skirts for work and feel comfortable through the day. They also feel lighter and hence better for hot weather (I like to wear them under summer dresses as well to prevent chaffing in this equatorial heat and humidity).
I’ve owned the slip for over a year and can vouch that it rocks. Jockey is a high quality brand at a reasonable price!