If you took a poll of women and asked them what their top five must have items are in their closet, the little black dress would be either number 1 or 2 on the list. The style has become synonymous with no fuss, easy dressing solutions. Now the dress comes equipped with shapewear. Talk about the ultimate wardrobe must have for 2011. Imagine not having to worry about the jiggles, back bacon, thigh issues. Every woman deserves to look her best. Add a classic with a twist to your wardrobe this year.
New Year, New You – The Five Must Have Items Every Woman Should Own
It’s a new year and we all have our goals and resolutions made as we enter 2011. Did you know that January is one of the best months to purchase bodywear and intimate apparel? There are so many after holiday sales and deals. I encourage my clients to revamp their lingerie drawer, and purchase key items that help a woman feel good getting dressed in the morning. If getting in shape is important to you, you’re going to love the list below I have assembled. Here are five key items every woman should own to help you look and feel your best underneath it all:
- Sports Bra (DK 35137)~ Active wear apparel is new, innovative and packed full of technology to help a woman be all she can be for her fitness activity of choice. A sports bra is a must have item for overall health and wellness. Even if it’s a brisk walk in the neighborhood between clients working from home or a power yoga session, companies have made it simple for women to find the perfect sports bra solution. NEVER wear your regular bras as your sports bras. They will loose elasticity and it leads to that not so special look…sagging. Keep it separate sister!
- Underwear (Flexees 2177) ~ You should own at least 10 or more pair of underwear. Styles should range from work basics, to after five solutions. You can now find companies who are doing three for deals that save you dollars and expand your options because you can mix and match. One of the number one fit complaints I experienced last year from clients was improper fitting underwear. Instantly they looked slimmer, trimmer and there clothes fit when they had the right style.
- Textured Hosiery (Wolford 143-47) – So fun and so easy to take your wardrobe to the next level. If you’re a work at home mom, then try trouser socks. It’s also a way to become shapely under clothes.
- Matching Bra and Panty Set (Wacoal 953165)– The spring fashion reports are showing soft and strong tones to bold prints in black and white. Make your own statement with a bra and panty set that makes you smile in the morning. Always get two or three panties for every bra your purchase. Mix it up and have fun.
- Camisoles (TC 444) ~ One of my personal favorites. This one item has revolutionized my clients’ bodies and wardrobe. You can select either a shapewear style or casual lifestyle solution that can take you from day to evening.
Look Better Dressed
Welcome to 2011! The New Year is always a time of reflection. It’s time to let go of the old, and get ready for the new. Looking your best for 2011 has never been easier with fit solutions that really work. We are proud to have been recently featured in Consumer Reports Shop and Save Magazine regarding the issue of helping women to look their best despite figure challenges. We have provided the content in order for you to look your best. Enjoy!
The right underpinnings can take you from frumpy to fabulous, but it’s not easy to find great-fitting bras, panties, and shapewear. In the panty department alone, 55 percent of American women say they have difficulty finding a comfortable style, and almost one-third have a tough time figuring out their correct size, according to our survey. We turned to Lisa Cole, founder of LingerieFitExpert.com, and Jill Staats, the fit pro who helped with our makeovers on page 40, for advice that will put the “voom” back in your va-va-voom.
Bras
Wearing the wrong-size bra can not only make you appear heavier than you are but can also throw off your posture. A professional fitting is the best way to find the perfect bra, but there are some telltale fit signs to heed: If your breasts are spilling over, and if the band is uncomfortably tight or leaving indentations on your rib cage or shoulder blades, your bra is too small. It’s too big if it hikes up in the back (you probably need to go down a band size) or you have gapping in your cups (try on a smaller cup size). “When a bra fits, you should only touch it when you get dressed in the morning; you shouldn’t have to battle with it all day,” Cole says.
Panties
Cole tells clients to look for the Three C’s: covered, concealed, and confident. If your panties are creeping up and creating a wedgie, or if they’re digging into your cheeks or waist, they’re too tight. Go down a size if they look bulky through your clothes. “You want to put on underwear as you would a pair of gloves,” Cole says. “They should glide on and fit like a second skin.”
Shapewear
The right shapewear should decrease the measurement in your targeted area by at least half an inch. The key: Read the size chart and pick the size that corresponds to your actual measurements, not the ones you’re hoping to achieve. If your skin is spilling over the edges of the garment, it’s too small. You’ll know it’s too big if it creases, bags, or rolls. “If you’re wearing the correct size, it should feel like a pair of firm-fitting underwear,” Cole says. “You should be comfortable; the days of wearing a sausage suit are over.” But don’t be surprised if the garment looks tiny when you pull it out of the package, Staats says. When wearing a high-top, mid-thigh shaper like the ones we used in our makeovers, she adds, be sure the top of the shaper meets the bottom of your bra; otherwise, you’ll get a bulge in between.
source: Consumer Reports ShopSmart, January 2011 issue (ShopSmart.org)
Body Confidence – Rocking the Body
Women today can select from so many hot mama solutions to go from day to evening to play. One of the hottest trends to come back recently is the bodysuit. The bodysuit allows you to show your curves and not worry about panty lines, the jiggles or the bumps we normally get in our clothes. Is it for you? I always encourage clients to go beyond the line and try things on, how else will you know? Can I wear it to work? Absolutely! If you’re in a conservative environment, then use it under a jacket or blouse. After work, break out sister.. One of the advantages of the style is that you don’t need to worry about multiple layers (bra, shaper, and camisole). One garment does it all!
Shapely Jeans and Tees
I can not think of any woman who does not love jeans. It’s the lifestyle fabric of choice for today’s woman who wants versatility, style and convenience. The new way to do denim is to have shapewear solutions built in for our not so perfect figures. You can take care of a sagging touché to a burrito roll tummy in a nano second.
In addition you can become sexy and slim on the top with tanks and tees that have shaping technology built into the fabric. I remember when a snug fit jean was a terrifying proposition for a woman. Now you can not only look stunning, but bend stretch, walk with ease. Can all the ladies say yeah!
Total Body Makeover – No Surgery Required…
Party time is here and getting dressed for the occasion is amazing this year. There are no rules, everything from vintage with faux fur to short dresses with platforms to the timeless ball gown are in style this season. We as women become hesitant about our choices because we feel not so sure about our rolls, and I am not talking about on the dinner table. The ones that show up in the slinky knits and hot mama tops suddenly when were trying to wear something body conscious.
Shapewear has allowed women to be fierce, flawless and sculpted within an instant. On the horizon is the trend of the “total body shaper”. It went away, but now women everywhere are asking for HELP! Help get me into my outfit for the company party. Help me for my date with hot daddy. Help me just feel comfortable within my own skin while I transition with weight loss or gain. Divas around the world, they heard you and you have the empowerment tool to make it happen. Go forth to the events in your life with power (and shape).
Holiday Fit Solutions – “Shape-Wear” Fashionista
Tis the season to look like a hottie….Grab your shapewear Clothes and Party! Yes. I did say shapewear clothes. How many of us have had that moment when you want to wear a diva skirt but you have a few challenges that just seem to show up at 6:00 when your getting dressed.
This season, you can wear the pencil skirt and have the egg nog too! Totally takes all the challenges away. If you add hosiery, your totally sculpted sister! How many of us would not be caught in white pants.
Think again, and say yes I can with my secret shaper taking care of the bumps and not so nice bulges. Add a camisole top and a leather jacket and you will be called the smoking hottie of the evening. The goal is to create a new you without all the self defeating messages about your going to loose weight or if I was a size X. New conversation…Wow, I look amazing!!!
Luxury Lingerie – The Beauty Of Lace
What woman does not love lace lingerie? It’s glamorous, soft to the touch, and makes your soul come alive. Lace has also become another way to do seamless if you have challenges.
No lines are seams are possible with lace. You can take your lingerie to another level when you incorporate lace into the clothing mix as well. Try a camisole with a slim skirt for a holiday party. Yes, you can wear it out with the help of a shapewear camisole or a stretchy liner.
Lace in long sleeve is a perfect compliment to faux fur jackets and trench coats if you want to do the inner wear/outer wear connection. Don’t forget the bottom half. Matching lace underwear is a must! Go confidently sexy diva!
Style Shape and Solutions – The New Way to do Leggings
Fall/Winter Sweaters are stunning. You can choose from chunky, vintage and classic inspired designs. This year, the must have is the statement legging with your sweater. Leggings solve so many solutions especially when there is tummy control built in. Don’t be afraid to wear your sweater a little more body conscious this season. Showing curves is feminine and your legging will make you look shapely. Rock the sweater and legging this season!
Return to the Retro – The Bodysuit
In the 90’s one of the hottest trends was bodysuits. The bodysuit was worn with everything from jeans to a Chanel suit. My favorite feature of this fabulous garment is that it is slimming to the midsection no matter what size a woman comes designed.
In addition, they can be worn as a shaper and an outerwear garment for ease and a style solution. As we enter holiday party season, put this one on your list to review and perhaps own. I would pair this with a vest, slim skirt and statement tights. Simply sensational and sexy!



























