Comfort was a high priority when I got married. It affected my search for the best bridal shapewear, but also other decisions like my wedding shoes, hair, and makeup.
I just wanted to feel like myself and I’d never owned shapewear, let alone did I consider it as an essential. However, during my fittings I found that, depending on the wedding dress, it can help to create a more streamlined look–so I took the plunge.
Although I didn’t wear it with my “main” wedding gown (which had a fitted bodice that provided all the support I wanted without anything underneath anyway), I did decide to sport it when I slipped into my evening wedding dress—a pair of Skims shorts and a strapless bra to boot.
Instead of feeling restricted or confined, it helped me to feel more comfortable in a dress that erred on the slinky side, as the smooth line made the silk drape, rather than cling. But whether you’re planning on wearing something similar or you’re opting for a loose and flowy gown, wearing shapewear should have absolutely nothing to do with wanting to look or feel smaller, or alter your body shape.
“The choice to wear shapewear is a personal one and while by no means essential, if it gives some added confidence then go for it,” advises Kate Halfpenny, founder and creative director of Halfpenny London. “Some women swear by it, some can’t get on with it at all, and others choose to wear it primarily because it provides a smooth, seamless look under dresses. It totally depends on the individual.”
A lot of thought, attention, and craftsmanship goes into a wedding dress, and the last thing you want is a VPL on show due to some ill-fitting lingerie or undergarments. So try to not make it a last-minute decision a day or two before the wedding day, either, as you will want to spend time ensuring you have shapewear that will sit undetected under your bridal look. I’d even suggest wearing it during some of your fittings to be sure you’re happy.
“If you’re unsure of the best style to buy then always chat with your bridal stylist, and she’ll be happy to give you personalized recommendations specific to the bridal gown you’ve chosen, whether that be styles to suit a low back or a leg split, for example,” advises Halfpenny. “It’s essential to find the closest match to your skin tone and the edges should never pinch or roll, so if that’s happening you should try a different size. The perfect pair will be completely invisible under your dress.”
“Non VPL, sticky bras, nipple stickers, strapless plunge bras—wedding lingerie/bridal lingerie it is a bit of a minefield,” says Jess Kaye, cofounder and codesigner at The OWN Studio. Her advice is to stick to the styles you usually feel confident in; “Comfort is paramount, so if you don’t normally wear thongs for example, your wedding day is not the time to experiment,” she says.