Shapewear Makes Any Gown Red-Carpet Ready

1 Mar

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By Marcy Montgomery Jones
Naomi & Nicole®

Sunday night was full of glamour and grace at the 2011 Academy Awards®.  Whether you watched the Oscars® for the awards, the speeches, or the red-carpet display, you couldn’t ignore the beautiful gowns.  Since the fashion seen Sunday will trickle down into our wardrobes in the coming months, let’s dissect the intimates needed for these hot trends so you’ll be ready for your big night.

One significant trend of the evening was the emphasis placed on body shape, particularly the goal of showing off the waist.  Boned bodices, fitted fabrics, and wrapped waists highlighted the sensuous hourglass shapes that we all know to be very “Hollywood.”  Stars like Mila Kunis and Sandra Bullock wore their waist-hugging styles beautifully.  Of course, nothing creates an hourglass quite like a waist cincher, but cincher briefs, hi-waist briefs, and hi-waist long legs can help you out as well.

Strapless gowns could be seen everywhere around the Kodak Theatre, including a timeless style worn by Reese Witherspoon.  Other shoulder-baring looks included one-shoulder pieces and an off-the-shoulder number worn by Natalie Portman.  The key to making such strapless looks work is finding the right foundation garment that can both support, and remain hidden beneath, your dress.  When you try on a strapless or asymmetrical gown, remember to bring your shaper into the fitting room to make sure its cups and back won’t be on display above your dress.  Strapless slips and strapless bodybriefers do have attachments for straps if you choose to wear a one-shoulder gown like Sharon Stone.

Sparkle, flash, and shimmer were certainly on display too!  Starlettes like Amy Adams and Mandy Moore donned gowns loaded with crystals, sequins, and reflective fabrics.  While this trend is a showstopper, it’s difficult to wear with figure problems because curves easily catch the light.  And making matters more complicated, sleek gowns may already be the most difficult item for which to buy intimates.   It’s easy to understand why most bridal gowns use heavy, structured, non-reflective materials allowing the bride to camouflage her lumps and bumps.  But the types of gowns worn at the Oscars® aren’t so forgiving; they require an uninterrupted, streamlined silhouette.  Waistline shapers aren’t the best choice here because any muffin top produced would be enhanced by the reflective light.  And you’d certainly want to avoid any garment that causes panty lines.   Good solutions could include wearing a shaper employing silicone instead of elastic on the backs of its legs, or skipping a brief altogether and going straight for a long leg garment.  I’d recommend trying a hi-waist long leg or a strapless long leg bodybriefer.

Cleavage and plunging necklines were also out to play Sunday evening, as exemplified by Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Hudson .  Finding the appropriate intimates for these sexy looks can get tricky, because silhouettes must be chosen based on the design of the dress.  Coordinating shapewear could include a strapless bodybriefer with a plunging neckline, or adhesive lifts teamed with a waistline brief or waistline thigh slimmer.  But be careful – make sure to test these styles before your big night.  The last thing you’d want is a nip slip or an allergic reaction!  If your dress has wide shoulders or sleeves, you also could wear a torsette with the proper plunge, accompanied by a push-up bra, for a customized shaping solution.  You could tuck the torsette into a waistline brief for a smooth, all-in-one, custom shaper.

These leading and supporting ladies looked fantastic for their big event.  By using some patience and preparation in securing the right shapewear, you too can look like a star at your next big event.

Which star looked most beautiful on the red carpet Sunday evening?

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CC Image courtesy Dave_B_ on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/daverugby83// CC BY 2.0
CC Image courtesy chadmagiera on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/chadmagiera// CC BY 2.0
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