Shapewear for fitted, low-cut gown -- HELP!

agdeierl

So my main concern is my belly. As you can see from the photos, there is a pooch there. Even if I suck in, there's a small (but noticeable) pooch at my lower abdomen, and since this dress is fitted, there's no way to hide it. I'm actively trying to lose weight but am on several medications that cause weight gain/increased appetite, so I've been unsuccessful so far. I am not wearing any undergarments in the photos (except for regular underwear -- no bra, though). I really want to use a waist cincher, but ones I have tried create unsightly back fat. An added complication is that, as you can see, the neckline and back of the gown are quite low, so it's been hard to find shapewear that is not visible. Any suggestions?? I'm freaking out!
Sorry the photos are sideways!

Maggie0829

Gorgeous dress!

Have you tried a pair of Spanxs?  I really think all you would need are the one's that hit right above the waist and come down to slightly above your knee.  Because really you have a fabulous figure in that dress so you don't need anything to tight and crazy going on.

Have you had the dress altered at all?  If not that sucker fits you perfectly!

thelastdreamer

I second the spanx. My dress has a very similar shape to yours - fitted with a super low back, but I'm just wearing normal underwear under with no bra because the lining of mine is stiff enough that it acts like shapewear.

agdeierl

Thanks so much!! Yes, this was an 8 right off the rack (no alterations), and it fit like a dream, but since it was a little too snug in the belly, I decided to order a 10. I wish I hadn't now. The 10 fits nothing like this. I think the snugness of the 8 cinched in my waist. I don't look near as good in the 10. I'm praying that alterations will make it look similar to how I looked in the 8. I considered Spanx but assumed it would roll down, create bra bulge, or just not flatten me out enough. I confess I haven't tried Spanx but I've tried similar products, and it just wasn't enough. The bulge was still visible. I'll try the spanx though...do any of you have a particular style from the spanx line that you think would be best for me?

Maggie0829

I have a pair of spanx that I got about 7 years ago.  I love them so much.  They offer just enough tightness to smooth out the small pooch but are super comfortable.  Now that they are older I notice the waist rolling down a bit but they didn't do that when I first got them.  I did just buy a newer pair but don't like them as much as the originals.

I am sure that once you get it altered it will look great.

I am pretty sure I have these...http://m.spanx.com/products/38-408

agdeierl

Thanks for the suggestions..and for the pep talk! I don't usually wear things as bold as this dress so I'm a little scared. But I just fell in love with it, so I'm hoping I can pull it off! I will definitely look into the spanx!

jellybeann

Another vote for Spanx - but not the knockoff kind that you can get from Target. I've had both and I can say that the real deal is so much better than the alternatives. A lot more sturdy and waaaay thicker/more compressive! I love the ones that I have now, they were a little more pricey but definitely worth it.

emmyg65

I think you look adorable and don't need shapewear at all. Also, that's a gorgeous dress.

missteacherlady16

I second Emmy! Beautiful! 

gladyscf

Not really meaning to thread-jack but what happens to the fluff when you wear spanx? Does it ooze out of the top? 

jellybeann

The spanx that I have go all the way up to my bra, so I think it just stays in the spanx? I've never noticed any crazy spillage happening

beethery

Spanx will smooth out your worries. Plus you don't really have a pooch, its just the satin underneath that's making the shadow seem more prominent. I love satin but it can be an evil dress fabric.

gladyscf

jellybeann said:

The spanx that I have go all the way up to my bra, so I think it just stays in the spanx? I've never noticed any crazy spillage happening

Sweet! How many pairs can a person wear at one time?!

MandyMost

Wow, that is GORGEOUS! I was originally looking for a dress just like that, then ended up getting one that was beaded instead of just lace.

Anyway, all you want is to flatten the "pooch" (which you BARELY have...you're the only one who will notice it). The key is to get spanx (or another brand) that aren't too tight to squeeze stuff out elsewhere, but have a VERY firm tummy-control panel to keep you flat right there. 

If there IS any back-fat spillage out the top of the Spanx, have you tried a long-line low-back bra? This could help smooth the line between the spanx and the top of the dress, and also provide any boob lift you want (which you totally don't need!). 

LittlePeachBlossom

Love the dress! I think you look beautiful. In my opinion, the slight curve of your lower abdomen adds to the overall look and accentuates the dress. Adding a sash will draw the eyes down while leaving it as is keeps the focus on the beautiful details of the top.

LittlePeachBlossom

Or maybe a very delicate sheer or thin sash with a tiny bow or flower to the side might work well. I'll see if I can find a pic of what I mean.

Maggie0829

msstaticfancypants said:

Not really meaning to thread-jack but what happens to the fluff when you wear spanx? Does it ooze out of the top? 

The pair I have that come up to just above my waist are high enough to hide and compress my love handles but since I have a small waist (full on hour glass figure here) I really don't get much oozing or spillage.  If you are worried about that you can get the one's that go up to your bra like PP said but I am not a fan of those because I don't like having to pee through a tiny hole in the crotch of the spanx.  Too much room for error and I don't want to smell like pee.

KatieinBkln

Holy shit, they have a PEE HOLE?

I guess I never really considered the logistics of Spanx. I am pretty much the Big Ben of peeing (every hour, baby), so I guess that option is a NO for me, ha!

Maggie0829

@KatieBkln - Yup! I first bought a pair that went up to my bra and then I saw the pee hole. That made me put two and two together that with such a high waisted spank that pulling it up and down would just not be easy, especially depending on what I am wearing. So those went back to the store because, no. ETA: This may be gross but I also thought "okay so there is a pee hole, but what happens if I have to take a shit?

drina0218

Maggie0829 said:

@KatieBkln - Yup! I first bought a pair that went up to my bra and then I saw the pee hole. That made me put two and two together that with such a high waisted spank that pulling it up and down would just not be easy, especially depending on what I am wearing. So those went back to the store because, no. ETA: This may be gross but I also thought "okay so there is a pee hole, but what happens if I have to take a shit?

Yeah, I just spit coffee all over my desk at work lol.

mj101114

I am in the same situation, I have a low cut lace dress and i need to flatten out the never disappearing muffin top, without straps. Did you find something you loved? My problem is that I don't have the dress and I can't try it on until one month before the wedding..eeek!

Knottie08302820

Hi agdeierl,

I'm not sure if you're still looking but I would definitely go with something a bit more like a brief.  I typically use the regular Janira shapewear products but I saw that bbasiclingerie has a cute one with lace

http://www.bbasiclingerie.com/products/shapewear/ja31542000-janira-secrets-slip-form

Good luck hunting

weddingcactus

You are absolutely stunning in that dress. Gorgeous. If I may be so bold, your decolletage looks fab and it shows of your waist really well. I absolutely agree with previous posters that you do not at all look like you have a belly and any shadow is largely due to the fabric. That said, I felt the same way in so many dresses I tried. So if you do want to try something, I'd second the suggestion to pick up a variety of Spanx-style shorts and try them out. I have some Spanx girl shorts. The waist comes up to about the narrowest part of my waist (maybe 1-2" above belly button) and the legs are pretty short. I wear it with cocktail dresses when I either worry about thigh chafing or feel like my tummy could use a little smoothing. I bought a size up so things would smooth rather than compress. I think I'd look for something similar for your dress. It'll help the fabric move well and smooth out the tummy just a little. I don't think I'd want something that went up too high or it would be difficult to get on or off to pee. The girl shorts are literally like a pair of spandex shorts and are easy to get on and off. 

Knottie13257900

Personally I don't think you need shapewear! I have a slightly bigger tummy "bulge" than yours, and I'm just rolling with it. I think it's unrealistic for certain styles of dress (more form-fitting ones) to NOT show the curves of your body...and while I'm not ecstatic that I have a little bulge...it's slight enough that I don't think anything is going to think "That looks bad."

porkchops926

GIrl, you do NOT need shapewear. Seriously. I understand if you want to use it for your own comfort, and go right ahead but I'm just telling you from an outsider's perspective, the dress does the job on its own. In fact it looks almost like you are wearing shapewear in the photo, you look so good!

EVERYONE has that spot, it's natural. And it looks like the natural curve of your body.

peachy13

OP your dress is beautiful and so are you! I posted a thread last week or so regarding the same worry I had with the satin of my dress showing off my little pooch. These lovely knotties all assured me that spanx would be my friend and that I shouldn't worry so much. I'm suggesting the same advice for you! I did some spanx research and invested in what looks like a sturdy (and pricey) pair, and can't wait to try them out with my dress.

You're going to look gorgeous no matter what!

MandyMost

mj101114 said:

I am in the same situation, I have a low cut lace dress and i need to flatten out the never disappearing muffin top, without straps. Did you find something you loved? My problem is that I don't have the dress and I can't try it on until one month before the wedding..eeek!

I bought around 10 (literally) different strapless long-line bras that were returnable, and brought them all with me to my first fitting. I actually ended up returning all 10, and buying about 5 more once I had a better idea of what the dress needed. And then returning all but the 1 I wore. Prior to the last fitting the seamstress actually altered the bra for me so it wouldn't poke out at all, and tacked it into the dress so it really stayed in place. 

retterin

I'm going to join the chorus and say that the dress is beautiful and you are beautiful in it--as is! 

I've worn Spanx before, and my experience with it wasn't great. It made me too self-conscious and afraid of things shifting around. If you decide to go with Spanx, make sure that you get the correct size. Too small and you'll feel like a sausage in a casing, and that's not how you want to spend your wedding day.