Fake it for Christmas with Control Wear

Why Sweat it When You Can Fake it?

Time is running out FAST. My good intentions for a pre-Christmas diet were sabotaged by festive parties starting in November. I have so much work to do before being able to relax over the holiday period that I haven’t been to the gym half as much as I’d like. Plus it got cold, who wants to go running in the cold?

I needn’t fear though, because the lingerie industry has our back. Does shapewear count as lingerie? Let’s say that it does. We all want to look nice over the holiday season for all those photo opportunities and catching up with friends and family once a year, but mid-winter isn’t so kind on us sometimes. There are however, plenty of ways to fake it this year and avoid hours of trudging around clothes shops looking for an outfit to hide our bulging waist line. With a sophisticated under garment, you will be able to wear any outfit with confidence this year.

Push it Out and Suck it in

Thanks to some clever fabric technology, it’s not just tans and eyelashes that we can fake this year. A UK wide survey found that 75% of men said they looked forward to seeing their female work mates swapping office clothing for more risqué attire at the annual do, and 35% said that a good cleavage is often the first thing that they notice about a lady on a night out. First impressions count, and once you have invested in some serious underwear you will not regret it.

The Miracle OMG plunge bra by Ultimo is the brand’s top seller as a result of its innovative technology (developed by Michelle Mone) which gives wearers a boost by two cup-sizes. Push-up bras aren’t new, but they do keep getting better. Make sure you shop around, try on as many as you can and ask for help from a fitter or sales assistant if you aren’t sure on the fit.

If you want to slim down your stomach, legs and bum, Spanx are the ultimate way forward. Founded by Sara Blakely she had her brainwave whilst getting ready for a night out when she realized she didn't have the right underwear to get a blemish-free look under white trousers.  She cut the feet off her control top tights and the Spanx revolution began for which women all over are eternally grateful. The Spanx product range has since diversified and expanded, but their body shapers are still the most popular. Again, they aren’t cheap, but what price can you put on body confidence?

If you want something a bit more elegant, there is always the good old fashioned corset. Luckily for us women there is certainly no pressure to wear such restrictive undergarments every day, but for special occasions when you want that perfect silhouette without prancing around in Lycra you might well fancy getting laced up.

Men Too

And don’t forget the men because Spanx also sell Spanx for Men Zoned Performance crew neck t-shirts and vests which help to make their abs and chest look firmer and stomach slightly flatter. It doesn’t surprise me that men are stealing all of our tricks of the trade. Don’t want to hurt his feelings? Buy him one as an early Christmas present, take it out of the box and say how great it makes him look . . . it must be miraculous!

Emma Waight is a PhD researcher and freelance fashion and style writer for www.clothes.org.uk