Shapewear

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What funny images some of these posts are conjuring up

I too have a drawer full of shape wear in varying styles, sizes and degrees of 'sausage making'! I wore a pair of high waisted knickers for my son's wedding and had the devils own job getting them undone to go to the loo. I've made the mistake of trying to put them on after using body cream and got them stuck half on and half off, I've worn one of the slip ones under a fitted dress only to spend the entire evening trying to discreetly pull it down as it's ridden up as soon as I've walked. I tried a waist cinching belt which rolled up from the bottom and down from the top as soon as I sat down giving an elastic band effect so making two muffin tops. I have bodies which do give a smoother effect round the middle but don't hold my boobs in the right elevation and are a total pain to go to the loo in. I've now resorted to big (very big) lacy knickers and soft bras to match which are comfy but the bras are quite high so can't wear anything too low.

As everyone has said just wear something loose and cool - there are plenty of lovely tops and floaty trousers or you could try a pretty jumpsuit which isn't too fitted. Just enjoy your cruise without worrying.

When DS1 got married I bought a dress and jacket. The dress was well cut to enhance ones figure. I wanted to be sure that was all it enhanced so I bought an M&S all-in-one, it was bearably comfortable and created the required smooth shape, but I couldn't get into it or out of it without DH assistance, which he was only too happy to provide! By 8pm that evening after several glasses of wine I was feeling very hot and itchy so slipped out to the ladies to remove it - and of course I couldn't get out of it! I couldn't find DH so in desperation I went to the hotel reception and asked for a pair of scissors. All they could offer was a pair of nail scissors. Oh the relief when after much squirming and snipping I was free! My advice would be don't buy one! Find a figure flattering dress that you can be comfortable in - and enjoy your cruise.

Try Vercella Vitae from QVC. Keeps you smooth without restricting.

Have a look at Sloggi control pants. They are full-size cotton pants with a slightly firmer front panel. Totally non-restrictive and really comfy. These are Sloggi CONTROL pants, as opposed to Sloggies - but made by the same company. Sold in packs of two. Only come in black, white and skin tone.

Buy dresses that aren't tight, i.e. don't stuff yourself into a size you might imagine you are.

Wide trousers sound just the ticket.
You sound very glam Wilma

My mother wore constricting shapewear to a family party on a very hot day. She fainted whilst eating lunch.

The paramedics advised that shapewear stops you from breathing in enough oxygen and think how embarrassing it will be when they struggle to remove it.

Not sure if buying shapewear in a very large size would overcome the breathing problem but it would still make you hot and sweaty.

Don’t buy any. Choose clothes you like & if you are comfortable, you will feel relaxed & confident. I bought shapewear once, for my son’s wedding in Greece, as I couldn’t find a dress I liked, and ended up with something in far too floaty a fabric, & the design was not very flattering to a slightly lumpy figure. A heatwave started the day before the wedding & it was around 40 degrees. I thought I was going to expire... never again! They are hot, get increasingly clingy, & I had sweat pooling around my middle. I removed them at the earliest opportunity! I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time.

In the book that the film the Sound of Music is made from, Maria, when pregnant and wanting to conceal the fact on a concert trip, is told by a dressmaker to make sure that her bust is always noticeably bigger than her tummy!

Presumably, you don't need to be pregnant for that trick to work. I certainly feel that a good padded bra deflects notice from my too prominent tum-tum!

My sister went in for loose flowing lines to conceal the fact that latterly she was basically pear-shaped and as she was 5' 9 she looked very elegant. I, being only 5'2 don't look good in the long flowing loose garments.

Should have read all the posts first! Size 12! Good grief! I am sure you will look lovely and not need such instruments of torture!

I'd forgotten the shareware, horrible, uncomfortable, hot and restricting! There are some beautiful, we'll cut dress out there that can disguise problem areas that aren't too pricey. Try on lots of different styles to find one that makes you feel good! I am am a big girl, but I have managed find several semi formal dresses for cruise evening wear. Be confident. I am sure you will look fab!

Black dressy trousers with an easy fitting waist, light floaty top or tunic. Covers a multitude of sins and is comfy. No Spanx or anything else needed, and enjoy the food.

I once, and only once, wore a M&S shaper petticoat under a slim-fitting dress, never, ever, ever again ??
It was so hot and suffocating I had to stop in a layby on the way home and strip it off. By then I didn't care less who saw what.
It was claustrophobic and I seriously thought I was going to pass out whilst driving.
I remember trying high waisted Spanx and I ended up looking as if I had a rubber ring under my bust as everything was squished upwards (I'm a size 14 btw)
Just by a dress a size bigger or a more forgiving style- remember that if you intend to eat as well as looking svelte then you'll want to be comfortable and not worrying about whether or not you look uncomfortable!

The awkwardness of going to the loo and the fact that when you eat your tummy swells has put me off the whole affair. I was at a company ball with my husband and the CEO made a very funny speech referring to Spanx. Their was a lot of rueful laughter in the room. I couldn’t wIt to get mine off!!

I must admit, I'd never thought about going 'commando' like totallylost! Hmmh, I'm not that brave but were are saying the same thing!

As someone who has suffered all the shapewear going, from panty girdles in the 60's to the shaping slips (with and without your own bra) in the 00's, I think there are a few things you can do with your underwear to help yourself.

Firstly, buy underwear that doesn’t cause bulges, so be brave, buy pants a size or two larger than you would normally. There are many different styles, some more flattering than others, high waisted ones make a mutton top look worse. Look for pants that don’t dig in, anywhere. Spend time buying bras that fit but again look for ones that retain bulges, not cause them. Some bras reduce the bulges from back fat too and M&S make a thin 'shaping vest' which helps to control that area too. Just don't buy it too tight.

If you wear underwear that doesn't cause bulges and buy classic clothes that are well cut and designed to make the best of your real shape, you will feel comfortable and look and feel better as a result. People may notice the 'sausage look' but wearing a happy smile in comfortable, well-cut clothes will mean they will only see your personality and not your figure.

Vacations are supposed to be relaxing. When it comes to wardrobe, 'Comfort' should be your mantra. That means you must ditch all notions of corsets and similar torture devices.

Have you considered evening pants and a jacket? We went on cruise recently and I packed my favorite pair of black (wide leg, soft drape) evening pants. They combined very elegantly with a (bronze/black brocade metalic) slightly fitted jacket with a plain, black sleeveless camisole underneath. A pair of black, strappy mid heeled sandals, a black lizard evening bag and the right amount of jewelry, completed the look. The same pants worked again later at a less formal shipboard event combined with a loose, figure flattering floral print blouse and a hip hugging, gold tone, chain link belt.

Swim suits are the biggest challenge. I buy tops and bottoms separately. I don't like skirts when they get wet so I avoid them. For me, a traditional pantie leg still works, but there are many types of bottoms from panties to shorts. Top wise, I have a prominent tummy so I prefer loose fitting or very busy fronts. The 'fly away' tops are the most flattering since they hide tummies quite effectively. Finally, pay attention to your cover up. I find long tunics are the best and in dark colors, to make me look thinner (I think). Finish your look with a large, floppy beach hat, colorful flip-flops, over sized sunglasses and an enormous beach bag so you don't forget anything when you go on excursions.

Best of luck and Bon Voyage!

I’ve got quite a few shape wear too...lot of uncomfortable rubbish!
Much better to be comfortable. Cruising is definitely becoming less formal and stiff. The last one I went on in July surprised me with one formal night a chap turned up in denim ?

Mariann, Paddyann, I was 62 before I turned up one day and my mother said 'I like your hair like that'. First and only time she said it...

Marian1412 I understand that ..my mum told me not to visit her in hospital wearing trouserss as I was" too fat for trousers" I was a size 10/12 .I'm still weight obsessed 13 years after her death after 51 years of never being slim enough for her.Its not easy to change that mindset

Have enjoyed reading all the messages. Thanks Juliette. Good to know I don’t need to be too formal. I shouldn’t care what other people think, I know. I definitely have poor body image although my husband thinks I’m fine. Until she died my tiny Mum never greeted me in any other way but, “You’ve put weight on”- or “You’ve lost weight”. It’s hard to undo these sentiments, but I’m determined to go away and enjoy myself and live life to the full.

I'm a frequent cruiser, just realised how bad that sounds ?,
I used to try all sorts of different hold em up, hold em down, hold em in things all to no avail other than discomfort and pushing various bits of flab and flesh to be where it wasn't supposed to be. I now have what's my tried and tested and totally works for me, a stick on bra, yes it works, and commando for the waist down, hey presto no lumps and bumps and bulges which are mainly caused by trying to squeeze into undies n the first place.
Enjoy your cruise

This one is good. Very comfy easy exit for loo purposes.
No fainting even after wearing it on hot occasions.
More of a light control than the Spanx but just as effective. Highly recommend.https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Natural-Firm-Control-Waist-Sculpting-Brief/132545045-Natural?searchTerm=:relevance&searchProduct=