Shapewear

Totally agree LizzieDrip I wore an expensive all in one thing to a family wedding as my dress was quite fitted, I took the advice from a friend who swore by them & regretted it. I could definitely feel where the excess was being pushed. They can end up making you look a strange shape and leave you feeling so hot & uncomfortable especially when you’re eating. Id buy a bigger size dress or wear something more floaty as others have advised.
I remember my mum squeezing into tight panty girdles in the 60’s when she didn’t even need one, they were much the same, awful things.

I really wouldn’t bother with shapewear. I’ve tried various styles and none of them have been successful.
Without being too blunt, the ‘excess’ has to go somewhere Shapewear either pushes it up, down or in - none of which look / feel good. Go for comfort and celebrate the lovely, female body that you have

Yes. Mine too! ?

Harvest festival drawers she used to call them (my grandmother)

LadyGaGa .... You made me laugh 'The comforting feeling of the harvest festival, all safely gathered in' I can remember my grandmother saying that. Also as a 5 year old I can remember a teacher who used to read to us, she always had her legs slightly open and we could see her bloomers. You can imagine us all sniggering

I’ve tried Spanx and M and S shape wear, but they are very uncomfortable. Let’s be honest, I’m a wobbly 18 and nothing is going to make me look otherwise! I now go for floaty dresses with some Sloggi comfort shorts underneath. They are so comfy and don’t roll down or up, and they give you the comforting feeling of the harvest festival - all is safely gathered in!

I bought some control pants and to be honest the blooming things crippled me and the fat came over the top ??? so I decided to go for something that fitted my shape better,

I think I'd just buy a nice comfy floppy dress! Sahara have good ones that would be great for a wedding.

I’m with Shysal on this, I’ve tried them in the past, too uncomfortable, I hindsight it would be find something to wear that would suit the shape I am.

I bought a sort of sort of body corset from M and S that worked really well. It came up under the bra and had a gusset with poppers so that loo trips were easy. I didn’t find it uncomfortable and it avoided that over the elastic line bulge you get from control knickers.

I have a pair of control briefs that come fairly high up. They give a smooth line but make me so hot! At my sons graduation one hot summer, I was so uncomfortable I couldn't enjoy it. I just wanted to rip them off and sod the consequences! The slip sounds interesting.

I wear Maidenform corselette WYOB(wear your own bra) they are very good. Available online

Im the same size as you and I would advise against control pants from M&S as I bought some and as soon as I move around they just roll down, very uncomfortable.
The control slip sounds useful though.

I bought shapewear from Amazon 14 pounds , I have tried all brands this does the business ?at half price and not as uncomfortable

Well I think so welshy. It keeps belly ‘firm’, for want of a better word and trims the waist I suppose and gives one a smooth line.

Hi all, thank you so much for your replies. I guess M&S it is then as a few of you have suggested. I will have to go and try some on.

Shirleyw and Elizabeth27 ... Do those full slip type do anything for a large belly though or would the type Grandmadinosaur suggested be better I wonder.

at Aldom

silverlining .... That sounds awful

There's usually an opening in the gusset area to go to the loo.

Just for info. I recently bought some shapewear from Conturve online. I am roughly the same size as you and was wearing a dress for a wedding.

They were long line knickers that pulled up to just under your bra. They had a silicone band to stop them slipping down. They were quite comfy and smoothed me out at the side and eliminated knicker lines

However, most of the restriction seemed to be from my waist upwards.

I have a terrible (apron) belly and I felt like it didn't support it at all.

I did consider wearing another pair of control knickers underneath - and hope I didn't want to go to the loo too often!

In hindsight, I agree with the underskirt/slip, unless your dress is lined.

Aldom

The Mark's and Spencer control slip is easy to lift in order to use the loo. It's also cool and comfortable to wear.

Thanks, Aldom.

I would be more inclined to wear a floaty dress which didn't show the bumps! I would wear a culotte slip to prevent thighs rubbing.

Go into M&S, or order online and try a few styles. The slip is the most comfortable and gives a smooth line.

The Mark's and Spencer control slip is easy to lift in order to use the loo. It's also cool and comfortable to wear.

How do people pee in Shapewear? Just asking the question...

I ended up in hospital after combining two shapewear items and passing out, very briefly, culminating with the loss of my driving license for a year after advice from consultant.
You want to enjoy the wedding without the discomfort of a whole day in constricted clothing is a price too much to pay for smoothing a few bulges.

Shirleyw

I wear under dresses a Medium control full slip from m & s, so much more comfortable and smooths out the lumps and bumps…..I can’t get on with waist clinchers etc, such a job to pull on.

Same here. Works beautifully and doesn't roll up or down. I have the slip designed for wear with my own bra. If you decide on one of these, just remember to step into the garment. Don't put it on over your head. I forgot recently and became stuck. It took me an hilarious thirty minutes to free myself!!