Last week I had to do one of my least favorite clothing rituals… determine which shapewear I need for my event outfit (in this case a family wedding). This demoralizing activity almost makes me want to opt for a mu mu. Instead I soldier on and try on version after version of modern-day corsetry trying to figure out which part of my anatomy I loathe the most in order to prioritize which area I should focus on. Tummy control? Thighs? Backfat? What level of compression is called for? How about something from my big toe to my jaw line so it can give me a face and butt lift all at the same time?? What would be the clever name for that piece Sarah Blakely??

But the truth is that many times when I put on shapewear it ultimately makes my outfit look worse. Possibly because the fabric of the garment now doesn’t hang the same way because it’s clinging (for dear life) to the shapewear. Or because, as my father always says, “you can’t squeeze a balloon at both ends and not expect it to pop”. That fat’s gotta go somewhere! So I end up with a lump in a new place. Hence, I think it’s fair to say that my relationship with shapewear could only be described as a love-hate relationship (unfortunately I have a similar relationship with exercise and dieting). When I do finally find the shapewear piece that will enhance my outfit it’s nothing short of wizardry.

My conclusion is this, and as you shimmy or shove yourself into your holiday finery keep this in mind. Shapewear should be used to smooth and enhance an outfit, but we are not airbrushed humans. And if God intended us to be “perfect” He would have made us that way. So go for the tummy/waist/butt combo or whatever makes you FEEL GOOD. Because the goal is to walk into that holiday party feeling like a million bucks, not to pass out from lack of oxygen.

Here are a few of my go-to’s.

Happy Holidays!

To see how the outfit turned out and my super-fancy selfie backdrop, check out my IG page: @jspersonalstyling