Shapewear: The Slimming Camisole

I was a late bloomer when it came to shapewear. Sure, I'd rely on control-top tights occasionally — and of course I owned a few pair of Spanx – but beyond that I didn't experiment too much (not that I didn't need it.)

Then one day when we were shooting video for a fashion project, my best friend very nicely told me I could use, you know, a little smoothing under my knit top. She was a devoted convert to the Spanx camisole shaper, so I decided to listen.

My own search for the perfect tummy trimmer led me to try on many different styles and brands. Although the new shapewear – or what we used to call foundation garments – are touted as technologically advanced beyond the girdles of yesteryear, some of it feels just as restrictive to me.

A few of the camis I tried made me feel like I was wearing a giant bandage. Some had built-in bras, which I really didn't like since I'd feel naked without an actual bra on. What I finally ended up with was a low-priced Barely There cami (under $30) in a nice cotton/spandex blend that felt more like a regular cami with a bit of support rather than restrictive shapewear.

What I found during my search was that not all cami shapers are created equal. Some feature all-over support, like Spanx. Others, like Yummie Tummie, look more like a regular tank – in fun colors and prints – and are meant to be seen. Prices for the shaping camisole vary widely and range from $18 to well over $70.

I started my shapewear cami collection with just the basics: a black cami and a nude cami. At first, I wondered how much I'd actually wear them. Then, one day off to lunch with a friend, I tried one under a long-sleeve tee. Amazing! Lumps and bumps disappeared and I looked firmer. It even aided my bra in getting everything back up where it was supposed to be.

Soon, I found myself reaching for a cami every time I got dressed. Why not look sleeker all the time?

One of the problems I've heard from women about this piece of shapewear is that sometimes it tends to ride up. I've had it happen a few times, but mostly it stays in place. I actually like tucking the camisole into my pants or jeans to keep it secure.

What can you expect from a cami shaper? For one thing, it does make everything firmer, but it's not going to completely eliminate a belly. In my experience, it works great, especially if you like non-mom jeans like I do (a bit lower rise) but need a little support around the middle to carry it off. 

One of my favorite slimming parts of the cami, though, is how sleek it makes you look in the back. Backfat? Gone! All those annoying little rolls and lumps left by your bra are smoothed away under a shaper.

So basically now I have a bit of a shapewear addiction where it's hard to get dressed without wearing a cami. But it's such an inexpensive and easy-to-wear piece that delivers big results. How much of your wardrobe can you say that about?