Do they make a difference? I've tried them in the past but I was just too big for it to really change the way I looked. If worthwhile, good styles or brands? The ones I had were all-in-one which I think smoosh my already meager bosom flat so I've been looking at the ones where you wear your own bra. Would this help me wear my "slightly" too small size? (they FIT - but show every bump and bulge).
Sorry gentleman for a thread that is probably making you roll your eyes!

Nothing? Really? I'm hearing crickets chirping over here....

I think a good shaper can only help to smooth things out and could probably pull things in enough to go down a size. I wore girdles quite a bit through all my sizes and post partum and they made a huge difference in how clothes looked on me. Also made me very mindful of my posture. I've been looking at the shapewear at Leonisa for a little while now and plan to order something when I can, I don't know anything beyond the reviews I have found so can't recommend them one way or another. The girdles I used in the past were cheap ones with hooks, the ones with stays really dug into my back and the ones without would roll down and using the restroom could be a real pain with some of them. I'm looking forward to having a nice one I can zip out of.

Long ago I wore shape wear I had lost a lot of weight and still had a belly thin going on I went to Wal-Mart and bought one that started just under my bra and went almost down to my kneed. Deffanitely made me look better in clothes, smoothed out the lump and bumps nicely.

No real advice here just a possibly illustrative story I heard on NPR some time ago (maybe a year ago or more?) When Lena Dunham was working on wardrobe for her show "Girls" when it first started, she said she tried everything on while wearing Spanx (trademark) body shapers. Then she didn't wear them for shooting the show. She said it gave her that "just doesn't quite fit right" look. I thought that was a brilliant idea on her part. I don't watch the show but my impression is that she is very creative and admirable for her views on women's bodies. Though maybe over the top with nudity for an "older woman" such as myself.

I've tried a bunch of different shapers. What I've learned is that the MAJORITY of them just "smooth you out". I'm not sure how you are shaped but I carry my weight in my butt, hips, thighs. So, when I buy a shaper my problem is that they make a noticeable indentation at the thigh...I HATE that. so I ended up buying a pair that went all the way down to my calf. LOVED IT!!! And the thing is, this pair did WAY MORE than smooth me out! It sucked me in...but for the LIFE of me, I can't remember where I got it from. It's starting to wear out b/c I've worn it so much. EVEN TO JOG cuz it holds me in place so nicely.

I've tried spanx and I just HATE those things. They seem to always TEAR before I can actually get them on. I've tried 3 pairs over the years and for me they are worthless.

I just bought one from Macy's called the "Miracle Suit". It's pretty good and shapes you really nicely. Definitely worth a shot.

I personally like the Spanx that has no straps, starts just under your bra, all the way past your thighs and then a thin "pantyhose" type material to mid-calf. While yes, they are a pain to get in and out of for a potty run, they do make a nice look from all sides.

Deanna