Drop a dress size

How to drop a dress size for Christmas without really trying

Have you ever wanted to drop a dress size without dieting? Of course you have, haven't we all? It's easy. Control pants are everywhere this season and they come in all shapes and sizes for, well all shapes and sizes! They can look like ordinary, albeit rather high waisted, knickers, but pull you in at the front and the back, shaping your bottom, trimming your waist and flattening your stomach. Or they can swathe you in Lycra from top to toe (well above the knee anyway) and give you that silhouette you've always wanted.

They vary in price from a few pounds to a whole lot more and apparently everyone is endorsing them from Trinny and Susannah to Lily Allen and Holly Willoughby and even Beyonce. Of course if you want to look really good, you may have to be prepared to suffer a little, but it should be worth it. So here are some of the best.

Rigby and Peller, famed for bespoke and luxurious lingerie and for being corsetieres to Her Majesty the Queen since 1960, have a huge range of bodyshapers priced from £18.95 up to a whopping £44.95. Personally I like the Luleh Luleh Seamfree Waist Nipper Brief at £28.95 (left) which offers 'ultimate waist shaping control' and looks pretty glam as well!

Just what you need to keep you in shape under your evening dress from Clothes Agency. For our full range of beautiful evening wear, click here.

At the other end of the scale price-wise, the JML Slimming Body Suit at £14.99 shapes and tones immediately, leaving you confident and looking slimmer.

'Strong, light and comfortable it fits like a second skin. Weightless and invisible it shapes your derriere, sculpts your waist and lifts and supports your bust whilst slenderising your hips and thighs. Look shaped and toned in your T-shirt and jeans or feel confident enough to glide into that little black dress with ease. The Slimming Body Suit moves with you and allows your skin to breathe, for all day comfort.'

So they claim. Now I have to confess to owning one of these, so ssshh! No-one knows. I only have two criticisms - all day comfort - no chance - 4 hours at most; and NEVER let your husband catch you trying to put it on - glam it sure ain't! But shaped and toned - definitely!

Last but not least, of course, we have Spanx. These are the ones that all the celebs love. Not owning any myself I tentatively asked around if anyone had any and would like to tell me what they thought. Now this is quite difficult to do tactfully. I had to start the conversation with 'Not that I think you need them of course....but...'

Spanx have the biggest range ever, from bodysuits and shaping camis, to thigh shapers, bottom shapers and lacy or fishnet tights with body control tops. Again they are not cheap with tights at £22 and the Hide and Sleek full slip at £57. The Higher Power high waisted power brief (left) is around £27. Here Spanx have taken the power in the brief and extended it up your waistline. The high waisted brief smoothes tummy, thighs and bottom. It has no leg band, and will not ride up due to Spanx's unique technology.

I also have it on good authority that you can even buy control underwear from M & S and, dare I say it, Primark.

So now ladies, you have NO excuse not to buy that little black dress or figure hugging trousers you saw right here on Clothes Agency.

You know the secret if you didn't already, so if you want to drop a dress size in time for that Christmas party or ball, there's no need to starve, just cheat a little!

Happy Christmas and bye for now!

Serena
Fashion Editor

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