Looking for underwear pieces that shape your body underneath that party dress? We’ve rounded up the best that will make you look and feel amazing (mince piece or no mince pies)
The party season is upon us. So dust off your glitzy dresses and heels. If you’re worried that you’re going to over indulge at this year’s Christmas party, we’ve got you covered. Exemplary women like Bridget Jones and many before her know the real staple of the festive season is a big pair of knickers. We have rounded up some of the best ‘skinny underwear’ that will suck you when you walk in to your office party. So, treat yourself to a mince pie or five with the knowledge that you can trust your underwear not to let you down.
THE SEXY BUT SENSIBLE
I wanted to make underwear that says you can be beautiful, strong, sexy, sporty and cool, and also be comfortable.
Elle Macpherson Body is a lingerie range that was made to look good on but also to look good under your clothes. The colours and shapes of the range are carefully chosen to make the intimate pieces disappear under clothing. “I wanted to make underwear that says you can be beautiful, strong, sexy, sporty and cool, and also be comfortable” Macpherson told The Guardian. Soft triangle cups give a great shape and adjustable straps make the piece a versatile addition to any outfit.
THE BEST BARGAIN
MATALAN HIGH WAIST KNICKERS £8
Our tester said she felt like ‘Bridget Jones 2.0’ in these sleek and sexy Matalan knickers. They’re invisible under your clothes but the lace detail around the edges make the underwear a lot prettier than your average shapewear. The Elastane fabric works to pull in your shape and gives you a smooth and sleek silhouette.
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THE ENHANCER
MAIDENFORM BODY £33
Maidenform is the brainchild of two french seamstresses in the 1920s that rebelled against the flat-chested designs of their era and dedicated themselves to creating both clothes and undergarments that accentuate any woman’s natural shape. Almost a century later this Maidenform body lives up to their legacy. The body features tummy control and straps that adjust for comfort rather than style and this plunging neckline will accentuate your shape and look great underneath that party dress.
FOR THE PERFECT PINS
SCHOLL LIGHT LEGS COMPRESSION TIGHTS, £10.99
I really think they made my legs look slimmer
Scholl tights use fibre firm technology in their compression tights that is supposed to reduce tiredness and heaviness in legs by boosting circulation with targeted pressure from the ankles upwards. Our tester was a big fan of this product. ‘These tights are the perfect thickness for winter. I really think they made my legs look slimmer and they are super soft to touch – I LOVED them’. Scholl also insist that it takes 100 washes for these tights to start losing their shape – pretty and practical.
THE PRACTICAL PAIR
BOUX AVENUE THIGH HIGH WAIST SHAPING CONTROL SHORTS, £22
Let’s be honest, this pair are by no means the prettiest underwear on the market and are a closer resemblance to a butchered Victorian swimming costume than a lacy pair of knickers BUT what they lack in beauty they more than make up for in comfort and shape control. The shorts contour your thighs and waist which makes them perfect to wear under a tight party dress that cinches in at the waist. We recommend buying a size too big as Boux Avenue are a small fit.
THE LUXURY SLIP
SPANX £146
When the word ‘Spanx’ springs to mind our heads are filled with images of tight fitted nude pants that we pour ourselves into and hide underneath our party dresses. This sexy nude slip from Spanx defies all that. Never mind hiding you away, it is the main attraction. But at the same time totally conceals itself underneath your clothes. The flat ladder stitch seams make the slip invisible, creating a sleek and smooth silhouette. The fabric is sheer and lightweight while the front panel is double lined for added compression. Definitely a treat for yourself this Christmas.
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THE LIGHTWEIGHT
ULTIMO, £34.30
This lightweight body is shape wear that you can breathe in. It pulls your body in in all the right places but is created with comfort in mind. Plus you can wear it with your own bra meaning it is easier to switch up your look depending on your outfit of choice. A thong at the back means no VPL (visible panty line), so although you have lots of underwear on, it will look as though you don’t have any.
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