House of Fraser unveils the best shapewear picks this party season

Shapewear has seen a huge increase in popularity in recent years, as celebrities and influencers across the globe express their love for figure-hugging undergarments online. In 2022, sales of shapewear at House of Fraser, increased by over 40%, as women flock to purchase everything from tummy control underwear to full body slips.

Shapewear is for every type of body and every type of occasion, whether it's to feel sexy in your favourite pair of jeans or to show off your figure in a Christmas party dress. Leading fashion retailer House of Fraser has partnered with Maria Pastor, Personal Shopper and Stylist to answer the nation's burning questions on shapewear and share their product recommendations for every outfit this party season.

Expert tips on how to shop for shapewear: Avoid this sizing mistake Maria says: "The first rule is to stick to your true size and try on the garments where possible. The biggest mistake that a lot of people make is trying to go down a dress size when buying a body shaper. If your shapewear is too tight, it won't make you look any slimmer or give you more control, it will just make you feel uncomfortable and give you an unnatural lining under your clothes."

Maria adds, "Don't let the size number that appears on the label worry you; nowadays, sizes can vary depending on the garment's cut or the fabric in which it is made."

Check for the signs of a poor fit. She adds, "If your shapewear pulls or puckers in any place, you'll know that it doesn't quite fit. To check whether this is happening, I'd suggest looking at key areas around the seams. The shapewear should lie flat against your body, creating the illusion of a smooth silhouette. I recommend sitting down and moving around so that you can see the effect it will have when you are wearing it."

The waistband on any shapewear, whether it be leggings or shorts, shouldn't dig into your body or make it difficult to breathe or sit down either - if this is the case, you're wearing shapewear that is too small. Maria tells us, "if your shapewear feels too baggy or is creating folds, you're probably wearing a size too big."

NEVER expect your shapewear to change your dress size. Maria says, "We've all been there - that feeling of wanting to squeeze into a party dress we absolutely love but it's just that tiny bit too small. Unfortunately, shapewear isn't the answer we hope for here. Shapewear might be magic when it comes to giving control and smoothing over areas of concern, but it won't help you to drop a dress size. There's still a misconception that shapewear can help you to lose weight and slip straight into tighter clothes, but it's important to remember to shop for your size no matter what you're wearing underneath."

Shapewear top picks:
Shapewear for bodycon dresses - Maidenform full-body slip
A spokesperson from House of Fraser says: "Shapewear bodysuits, such as the Maidenform Full Body Slip, work well under bodycon dresses as they give complete control over the areas where the material would come close to the body."

Shapewear for strapless dresses - Wonderbra Strapless Bra
"For strapless dresses, I'd recommend the Wonderbra Strapless Bra to give support and modesty. This bra is particularly great if the dress has a deep plunge, as you'll want maximum support to give you full confidence!"

Shapewear for high-waisted jeans or skinny jeans - Spanx Everyday Briefs
"For jeans, I'd suggest trying the Commando Butter Briefs for light comfortable smoothing or the Spanx Everyday Briefs for a little more control. Both are great options for everyday wear or would be perfect for a jeans and nice top Christmas party look."

Shapewear leggings - alternatives to jeans:
"If you're looking for an alternative to jeans but still want to show off your shapely legs, swap out your jeans for some Commando Leather Control Leggings, giving you built-in shapewear all over."

Shapewear for a fitted t-shirt or blouse - Spanx high-waisted briefs
"For a fitted upper body garment, such as a blouse or t-shirt, we'd recommend looking for shapewear that offers flexibility whilst still providing some control over the tummy. You could opt for the Jamaika Bodysuit for full coverage or the Spanx High Waisted Briefs if you prefer to wear your own bra."

Shapewear to wear with skirts - Spanx Power Short
"Shapewear can offer control over the tummy as well as some modesty under skirts, for which I would recommend the Spanx Power Short as a great quality solution. Since the shorts provide coverage over your thighs, it can also help to prevent chafing, something which many women suffer with when wearing skirts."

House of Fraser has pulled together a full guide that answers the UK's most searched-for questions on shapewear, helping to solve every conundrum, from how to check you've bought the right size, to how to stop them from rolling down. For the full guide, please see here: https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/shapewear-and-solutions/shapewear-conundrums