It is time to get alterations done on my dress which means figuring out what exactly I’m going to wear underneath it. I decided to scope out the shapewear at Victoria’s Secret—specifically the bust minimizing strapless bra. I may have mentioned that my dress didn’t zip up so I was curious what kind of effect this bra would have. I put on my old standby strapless bra, measured the ol’ bust, put the tape measure in the purse and hightailed it to my closest Vickie’s.
My thoughts on the strapless minimizer? I have never found a strapless bra that actually felt supportive. It has underwire and is made out of a super stretchy supportive fabric. It also has some strong elastic in the back that keeps things in place.
![Underneath It All : wedding calgary undergarments Imgp3424 Thumb1 IMGP3424_thumb[1]](http://www-static.weddingbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/30/imgp3424-thumb1.jpg)
No saggy girls in this undergarment here.
As for its ability to minimize?
My bust measured exactly the same. I still purchased it anyway for use with the wedding dress because it has to be the best strapless bra I’ve ever tried on.
As for the rest? I was originally thinking about wearing a pair of my favourite Hanky Panky panties. I have a pair in light blue that I bought way back in January that I have been saving in my underthings drawer. For as much as I dislike the thought of wearing shapewear I may be changing my mind. I’m thinking it might help to smooth things out a bit. Maybe the Hug Me Tight High Waist Brief from Victoria’s Secret? I’d like to not have to worry about sucking it in, but I am worried about being comfortable. If it is hot, am I going to be boiling in all of this?
So ladies, please help me out! Did you decide to go with shapewear to keep it all smooth, or did you go with regular skivvies? What was your experience? Do you have a great product to recommend?
i’m going without a bra… my dress fit perfectly without it, but i might use some stick on things just for extra lift.
as for panties, i think i’m going to go with my old standby – the boy short. it will keep my thighs from touching which will save me some discomfort when the temperature under my dress makes me a sweaty mess.
TMI? HAHA sorry
Honestly, I am a shapewear kinda girl but I ditched it for the wedding. I had my strapless which was specially fitted to me. And I wore plain old cotton panties because I knew it was going to be sweaty under all of that tulle. And it was.
If you’re really after shapewear, I stand behind Spanx (or something like it) as being effective and comfortable. Anything with boning was right out in my book.
I just have to give a shout out to the Spanx “bra cha cha” strapless bra. It’s the only one I’ve ever found that actually held me up all day, no tugging. And no, I am not on their payroll!
I thought I would need it and a spanx tummy control thing, but after trying on my dress, I need neither! Yay! However, I’ve used the bra with other dresses since buying it, and it works wonders.
I’m planning on gonig with the Spanx as well. I haven’t had them on under my dress yet, so we shall see if they make anything look different, but I like them with other dresses!
Undergarments were puzzling for me, but it all worked out in the end. The strapless bras flattened me (I have your opposite problem) and I worried about them falling down. Ended up getting a bustier that was surprisingly comfortable.
I once wore a pair of Spanx and my dress kept riding up. It was almost like there was static or something. So for my wedding dress, I am wearing regular, albeit fancy, panties and no bra. Fabulous!!
I have the SAME bra from Victoria’s Secret and its my FAVORITE. It stays up like no other!
Ugh I am shapewear limbo right now! I *love* Spanx but unfortunately they will not work for my dress – it is clingy (think Pippa’s dress) and the ones I’ve tried on so far hit at a spot that makes things bunch out rather than smooth out. I just want a little help in the lower tummy area. Alas, I may just say “oh well” and suck it in all day. Or go with the Spanx that smooths you from bra line to calf 
I just ordered my first set of spanx and then the temperature spiked to 90. Now I’m freaking out about how shapewear + heat will mix for me. Ugh.
My dress makes me looks thin so no spanx needed. I am also getting cups sewn into my dress because it has a low back. Yea! I am also just wearing pale blue hanky pankys that say “bride” on them. However, I am thinking about wearing some sort of… short so my thighs don’t rub together
I just bought a waist cincher from VS. Not sure if I’ll need it, but it couldnt hurt to bring to the fitting. I bought a VS biofit strapless, but am hoping to either get it or cups sewn in to the dress. First fitting is on the 9th, I’ll find out then!
I tried on my dress originally with Spanx on, and without it my dress doesn’t fit! Oops. I guess I kind of have to wear it now…or drop 20 pounds. I love that Spanx hides my curvaceous belly. I got the one that goes from under my bra almost to my knees so I won’t have chub rub. I’m just worried that it will roll down and leave a giant fabric roll underneath, or that it will be blistering hot. This is Florida, so that is pretty common in November!
I have a corset back, so am going with no bra. I had purchased spanx-like shorts to wear underneath but after a recent fitting I was so hot in the dress with all the layers of tulle and such (I didn’t remember that many layers on a slim-fitting dress!) that I realized I would be even hotter with a skin-sticking layer underneath. I tried on some nice lace blue panties I already had at my last fitting and with so many layers, you can’t see the blue, and with the corset, it’s all sucked in anyways.
Also think of how hard it will be to pull the spanx up again with the dress on (i.e., after going to the bathroom).
I am still debating the bra thing, but I am going with a half shape ware/half panty. I am using Spanx’s simplictiy girl short. It’s Spanx boy short underwear with super tummy compression, so it will smooth me out.
I swear by Spanx (or non-name brand cheap alternative). They work wonders! The only trouble is finding one that works for you. They have so many different options, so you really have to shop around for what you want and what works on your body type.
@Mrs. Lox: @Nicole: @Kcoleybear: @didymoose3: Thanks for the tip on Spanx ladies! I’m trying to find some of the boyshort style ones in Canada but so far no luck.
So…I tried on some shapewear last night and determined that it didn’t make enough of an impact to steer me clear of just going with my blue Hanky Pankies. So unless I find some Spanx boy shorts and love them I’m just going with the cute undies!
I have no product recommendations since I just wore my regular garments! I wanted to be comfy!
Ladies, just had to share my most recent purchase: http://www.herlook.com/commando-high-waist-thong.html. Let me tell you, I never thought I would love a pair of underwear as much as I love this one!! it doesn’t pinch, and comes up just high enough to help hold in the lower belly. Perfect!
Ms. Gazelle, Calgary/Vancouver Age and Occupation: 32, Engineer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Technology Analyst Engagement Date: September 3, 2010 Wedding Date: July 2011 Venue: Brock House Restaurant, Vancouver About Me: I am a marathon runner, cyclist, Ironman triathlete and beautiful shoe fiend who also loves kicking back and watching Glee. I grew up a bit of a nomad as I traveled around the world with my family, living everywhere from Australia to England to South America and Indonesia. I finally settled in Calgary a few years ago and met Mr. Gazelle who loves me even though we cheer for different hockey teams. We are planning a bit of a destination wedding in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia and we can’t wait to share the day with our close family and friends.
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