Tis almost the season for slinky dresses, weddings and formal wear. If you’d like to breathe a little easier about your figure – figuratively, not literally – then shapewear may be a good option.

If you’re afraid of that can’t breathe effect, then the Bordeaux Skinny’z Sexy Suit, $50,
may be for you.

The thin slip dress isn’t going to reduce inches or provide maximum support, but it is smoothing and will provide extra coverage in the see-through fabrics so popular in the latest collections.

For more slimming options, keep reading.

The Hanes waist smoother is sort of the next step in control before you get to the cult-favorite Spanx, at a lower price point. This does smooth over lumps and bumps with about the same effectiveness as a bathingsuit would. The band can be constricting under your bust line, but the rest of the slimmer is comfortable and it’s easy to wear.

Spanx are by far the popular favorite of shapewear addicts, one of the first of these products to burst onto the scene in the glossy mags. But be careful about sizing on this product, it’s difficult if not impossible to try one on in-store, and a too small garment could be impossible to get into.

We’ll be looking at more shapewear products next week, so be sure to check back!