With my passion for 40s and 50s fashion, it’s perhaps a surprise that I’ve never really tried a proper corset before. I’ve worn bustiers and cheap alternatives, I’ve sewn plastic bones into the top of a prom dress, and I’ve even given corset shapewear a go. But until True Corset got in touch, I’d never laced myself into a proper, high-end steel boned number!

So I was excited to be offered the chance to try a really gorgeous burlesque-inspired corset that promised to create the ultimate hourglass figure. I was sent the ‘Dita’ corset in black with polka dot panels, a longer line corset that was supposed to be perfect for curvy girls…

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty first. This is not a corset for the faint-hearted. While it’s not quite as killer as the waspie numbers worn by its namesake, the Dita means business. It retails at just over £100, has three layers of fabric for comfort, and was made by just one corsetiere for the personal touch. It has 12 steel bones that really sculpt and shape, and the results are pretty amazing. I didn’t feel any pain or digging in, but it was restrictive. Don’t expect to be able to sit down much, corsets are for standing around looking glamorous!

Overall, I was really impressed with the corset. It’s beautifully made and the satin is really heavy and not too shiny. I like the polka dot panels, but those wanting something plainer can get it in plenty of other colours.

As for the fit, I couldn’t really fault it. The corset easily whittled my waist down by 2 inches without any pain, and the longer line shape is really flattering for curvier figures – I’m not a fan of corsets with pointy fronts.

The top part is also really well designed for bigger busts (and conversely may be too generous for A and B cups so check sizing). I think one issue you have with corsets if you’re big up top is you can end up with your boobs around your neck. The sweetheart shape and generous cups of this corset gave a little more wiggle room and looks less fake. I did have to be careful how I laced it – too much at the top and it looks too tight – but once I’d got the hang of it, it was fine.

The only real downside is that getting in and out of it takes some practice, though I would probably do a better job with someone to help! The front fastening (busk) is made up of two wide steel bones with steel clips at intervals. Getting them fastened wasn’t a problem, but I had trouble trying to manoevre myself so I could undo them again. In some ways this is good – it means they’ll never pop open – but it did mean I was fidgeting my way out of it for a while, even after loosening the lacing. I’m sure I’ll learn the knack eventually!

Now I just need to decide if I’m brave enough to wear it as outerwear…

The Dita Corset in Black With White Dots is £102.18 at True Corset

Disclaimer: True Corset sent this product free of charge for me to review. However, the review is honest and I was not paid to publish it.

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of shapewear. I love the 1950s nipped-waist silhouette and wear a lot of wiggle dresses that benefit from a good foundation (and no VPL). That said, I see shapewear as a smoothing, shaping garment, not a miracle fix. I don’t really subscribe to the whole ‘magic pants will make you thin’ idea – this is about creating a shape with the curves you have, not making them disappear completely!

In the past I’ve tried – and been impressed with – pieces from the previous Gok Wan collection for Simply Yours. I was recently offered the chance to try something from the new range, and I jumped at the chance to see what they’d done to improve it.

After trying the corset and the slip last time, this time around I decided to go for the bodysuit, called the ‘Curve Controller‘. I went for the black, which has a nude trim and animal print detail, but it also comes in nude and turquoise.

My first impressions were that, once again, the product was high quality (to match the fairly high price tag). A lot of thought has been put into the construction to make sure it works for larger sizes, and the detailing gives it a bit of edge. Though you’re never going to want to slip it on for a hot date, the body looks less matronly and a bit more alluring than some shapewear, and the nude trim is a nice touch. The back has a long hook-and-eye fastening which is tricky to put on, but works well once it’s fastened to keep everything in place. There’s also ruching down the bum to hug curves – great under trousers or very fitted dresses.

The powermesh inside is the bit that does all the hard work, helping to create a smoother line under clothing. Luckily, it does this without feeling too tight and sweaty. It’s constrictive, yes, but it’s not like wearing a corset – you can still slouch a bit and because it’s a bodysuit, you don’t get the irritating roll-down (or fleshy overhang) you might get with big knickers.

For the redesign, the powermesh (which was hot pink in my older pieces) comes in animal print. I guess this is a bit of a marmite design detail. I love a bit of OTT glam so it gets my vote, but others might think it’s a bit much, and I’m not so sure it works on the turquoise version. But the main thing to consider is that it doesn’t show once the garment’s being worn, so it’s just a little bit of fun!

I was glad to see one of my least favourite elements of the previous range – the jingly bell on the centre of the bust – had been ditched in favour of a little ‘G’ charm. It’s meant to stand for ‘Gok’ of course, but since we share the same initial, nobody need know that!

The other good news, for me at least, is that the style of the bra on these pieces has also been changed. It’s gone from a plunge to a balconette, which I find a much more comfortable shape. However, I did find the cups on this body to be a bit big and quite…pointy! Once I was in it was fine, because the cups are smooth, have small half-cup pads and maintain their shape, but I think I could have easily gone down a cup size, maybe even two.

A close-up of the cup and internal powermesh

The body itself runs fairy true-to-size, bearing in mind it’s shapewear so it’s meant to be tight-fitting. That said, it comes in cup / back sizes rather than dress sizes, and if you’ve been measured for a bra somewhere like Bravissimo where they fit very close to the body with small back sizes, you may wish to go a band size up or fastening up the hook and eye closure will be a nightmare. I went up one band size and the fit was perfect (though that may go some way to explaining why the cups were a little big).

The final consideration with this body, of course, is the gusset. It fastens with a hook and eye mechanism too, which I have to say is the biggest problem for me. It’s a complete nightmare when you’re in a public toilet trying to contort yourself to fasten it! I would have much preferred good quality poppers or press-studs, though I understand why the hook and eye has been chosen. As shapewear is so fitted, there’s a lot of pressure on the seams and joins – poppers may well have just popped open all the time, and the hooks do hold it securely. It just takes some getting used to. And I definitely wouldn’t recommend it if you know you’re going to be out drinking!

I’ve worn this body a few times now, mostly under close-fitting dresses to give a bit of a smoother outline down my torso. It’s comfortable, it does the job it’s supposed to and it never budges. On the downside, it’s quite hot (rest assured it will not be worn to any Summer weddings if the weather continues to be as beautiful as it has been) and the hook and eye gusset takes a lot of fiddling to get used to.

However, overall, I think the pros outweigh the cons by a huge margin and if you need something to wear under a dress with a close-fitting waist, it’s really good for creating a bit of an hourglass look. It comes in big cup and back sizes and is really well made to suit a more voluptuous figure.

Disclaimer: Simply Yours sent this product free of charge for me to review. However, the review is honest and I was not paid to publish it.

I know many women finding the perfect swimsuit or bikini a shopping nightmare. I love swimwear when I find the right piece, but hunting down something well-fitting is on a par with finding the perfect pair of jeans or the ideal winter coat. In short, it’s a nightmare!

Once you’ve narrowed down your basic choices (swimsuit or bikini, skimpy or full-coverage, plain or printed) there are so many other things to consider. Luckily, this season it’s pretty easy to find something for everyone. In last few years more brands have latched onto the fact that not all women are the same size all over, selling bikinis as separates (ideal if you’re big up top or pear-shaped) and increasing the cup sizes and choices of bottoms. The swimsuit is also back in fashion, so those who feel more confident in a one-piece can wear it with no fear of feeling frumpy.

A while ago, Debenhams very kindly offered to send me a piece from their swimwear collection to try. I decided to give the new modern one-piece a go, and opted for a black and white palm print halter swimsuit by queen of the beach Melissa Odabash…

The swimsuit I tried is £40 – not cheap for swimwear but a far cry from the £150+ you’d pay for something from Melissa Odabash’s mainline range. I liked the look of the halter top and was intrigued by the tummy control panel, but I also liked the fact there are loads of accessories and cover-ups to match, because I am all about the pool glam!

This wasn’t my first piece of Designers at Debenhams swimwear. I have a Butterfly by Matthew Williamson bikini and matching kaftan that I love so much I refuse to throw out even though it’s yellowing inside from all the suncream! That bikini’s seen me though a fair few Summers, so I knew to expect a good quality piece.

And that it is. There’s a lot of attention to detail in this swimsuit. The front is fully-lined, and the ‘tummy control’ comes from a powermesh panel that goes from under the bust right down to the crotch. The back is low and not lined, but the fabric is thick enough that even when wet, it didn’t go see-through.

The halter top has textured silver rings to attach the straps to the cups. I’m always cautious of metal trims on bikinis that might get hot in the Sun, but a quick bite (not even kidding) assured me these are plastic and perfectly safe. The cups and empire band are trimmed with shell-style beads, tiny pearls and seed beads, which is a nice touch. Odabash is famous for her zebra print swimwear, and the black and white palm print of this swimsuit is a cool way of imitating that for her cheaper line without just recreating something she’s done before.

Being between two sizes, I often struggle to get swimwear that fits properly. I tend to go for the smaller size to avoid saggy bum syndrome when wet, but sometimes that can mean it digs in around the top of the thighs. Designers at Debenhams pieces are notoriously generous size-wise, so I went for the smaller size in this swimsuit, which fits well. It could perhaps be a couple of inches longer in the body, but apart from that, it’s great. The Tummy Control panel really does seem to smooth and flatten the tummy, too. It doesn’t work miracles – I’m not saying it makes me look a size 10 – but it would definitely be a bit of a confidence booster!

Next up, and probably most important, I should talk about how it holds up in the boob department. I’m not a fan of padded swimwear really (as my friend and I discovered one year, the padding soaks up loads of water meaning you have to squeeze your boobs in a completely non-alluring manner when you get out the pool or you’ll drip for ages!) but they are flattering when you’re sunbathing or sat at the bar. Luckily the ones in this cossie are removable, so I get the best of both worlds. The cups manage to contain my boobs which is a minor miracle, and I suppose a lot of that is down to the support you get from a halter neck. However, I do find I sometimes get a mark on my neck wearing a halter swimsuit or bikini because I tie it too tight in an attempt to hoik up the girls – a lesson to be learned there, I think!

Overall, I’m impressed by this costume and will definitely be taking it away with me in the Summer, though I suspect it’ll become a swimsuit more than a sunbathing suit (I’ve got a retro bikini for that). That said, I’m sorely tempted to get the matching kaftan (down to £28) just in case!

Disclaimer: Debenhams sent this swimsuit free of charge for me to review. However, the review is honest and I was not paid to publish it.

Forget the corsets and girdles of old. The new breed of hold-you-in foundation garments give you a sleeker silhouette without the pain of more old-fashioned alternatives. Since we’re bigger on average than we used to be, it’s no surprise that women are queueing up to buy products that’ll make them appear slimmer or more toned. But which do you go for? To help, I’ve tried everything from smoothing tights to powermesh slips in my search for the best shapewear…

Spanx Higher Power high waisted briefs £27 Figleaves.com

Many would consider Spanx the ‘original’ shapewear. Obviously they’re not (just look at undies from fifty years ago) but as far as the modern revival goes, this brand does really take things to the next level, and ‘higher power’ is the star product for those who want to flatten their tum, lift their bum and define their waist. It was the first product I tried, and since then I’ve been hoooked on the power of good shapewear.

With a waistband that sits directly under your bra, these beat old tummy-control knickers because you’re not left with a roll of flab over the waistband. They shape you from hips to waist. On the legs they’re more like low-denier tights, slowly graduating up to a powerful, thick fabric that’ll definitely give you a slimmer appearance.

Spanx work because they’re powerful without being painful more mildly uncomfy) they don’t roll down as easily as some other products, and they definitely make you look slimmer. However, they’re not sexy; the nude ones give you the appearance of a sausage in its casing, and there’s a hole at the crotch with two ‘crossover’ gusset sections that allow you to go to the loo without removing them – this isn’t exactly attractive but it does the job!

8/10 – marks lost for the ugly factor!

Flexees Waist Nipper $26 Maidenform

Like a simpler and less attractive alternative to the corset, this does a similar job; helping to hide ‘muffin top’ and smooth the stomach and waist to create a more hourglass shape. While it doesn’t make you drop inches in the way a good steel-boned corset can, it does help to create a smooth line and stop any wayward flab from spilling out (mmm, nice) without the pain of a corset. The hook and eye fastening is extremely secure; mine is quite a tight squeeze but I’ve never had the stitching come loose or a hook break or bend. It’s made from a stretchy, control fabric similar to what you’ll find on most bodysuits and girdles, and because it fits in the gap between bra and knickers, can be easily sneaked off if you suddenly need to impress. I have this in nude and find it works really well under trousers and slim-fitting tops to create a smoother line.

9/10 - Works well, does the job perfectly, except under very fitted items where the hooks show.

Gok Wan ‘Sex Kitten Corset’ £45 SimplyYours.co.uk

Many of my clothes are quite fitted at the waist because I like that 40s/50s bombshell look, and this corset is very good for creating that nipped-in silhouette, but also has the added bonus of looking attractive in its own right. You can team it with nice undies and you can go to the loo like a normal human being. It looks pretty, gives a flattering shape and definitely hold everything in. So far, so good.

Like the other pieces from the Gok Wan shapewear range, a good deal of though has gone into the construction of the garment. Though some of the branding is a bit in-your-face (I could have done without the bright pink ribbons with ‘Gok’ scrawled on them) I did appreciate the attention to detail; the ‘modesty panel’ under the ribbons, the fact the lacing fastens at the waist and not at the hips (gives more ‘pulling’ power!) and the double hook & eye fastening to secure it properly at the bust. It also has a really nice sweetheart shape at the neck, rather than being straight across and giving a shelf-like effect.

However, I would warn you to be careful. I actually managed to bruise the skin under my boobs by pulling this too tight the first time I wore it. Don’t be tempted to yank it too tight if you’ll be wearing it for more than a few hours. Corsets improve your posture and keep everything well and truly strapped in, and overall, this is probably one of the pieces I wear the most, but it is restrictive (I rarely sit down / eat when I have it on)!

8/10 – Marks dropped for the overt Gok branding and the bruising!

Firm control low leg knickers £16 Marks & Spencer

As ‘big knickers’ go, these are some of the best. The waistband is thick enough that I avoided the awful muffin top (just about) but others might not be so lucky. I found these were great to wear with jeans (and long tops, natch) to help avoid too many lumps and bumps, but they began to dig in a bit by the end of the day. For the elevated price, I don’t think they’re as good a buy as a the even higher waisted M&S pants, a waistnipper or a pair of Spanx.

They wash well, you can tell they’re good quality and the anti VPL cut around the hips and upper thigh is clever, but overall, I think the price is too steep.

6/10 – Work well, but too expensive considering the potential for rolling flab at the waist!

Gok Wan Sassy Slip £55 at Simply Yours

Wow. Once I’d shoehorned myself into this thing, I was impressed, but I do have one tip when you’re shopping. If you’re a graduate of the Bravissimo school of bra measuring (ie. you’re quite curvaceous, but they’ve measured you as a narrow back size with a big cup) go up at least one back size when ordering this. Trying to get myself into 34DD was tantamount to getting an egg through a sieve. However, when I finally did it, I looked like I was about to be painted by Alberto Vargas.

This is the closest to a proper old-fashioned girdle you’ll find without buying vintage / repro vintage. The top is cut like the bra from the same range – a padded deep plunge with a slightly irritating bell charm on it. It’s got adjustable straps to make it halter / crossover if need be, and the hook and eye fastening extends all the way down to the hips. Then the rest is cut from a seriously hard-working powermesh that holds in all your wobbly bits to create a smooth line. It’s topped off with removable suspenders (four of them). Inside is a gusset with hook and eye fastening that makes getting it on even trickier.

All in all, though the results are amazing, I found this one quite a struggle. I’m sure if I had a bigger size it would be fine, and it’s perfect if you want to look amazing for a big night, but don’t want to have to reveal ugly shapewear at the end! However, just beware the powermesh really is powerful, and you’ll feel quite constricted.

7/10 – In a bigger size, this would probably get higher, but still loses a mark for that god-awful bell charm!

Spanx Hide & Sleep Full Slip £57 Figleaves

If you wear a lot of jersey pieces, wrap dresses, sheer items or fabrics that cling, this stretchy, full slip is a lifesaver. Though it’s not as shaping as some of the other items from Spanx, what it does is create smooth lines under your clothes, giving medium control to keep things where they’re meant to be and also stop VPL. Though it’s expensive, I thoroughly recommend it as I’ve worn my black one frequently (in fact, I have it on as I’m writing this). Unlike other options, this doesn’t feel restrictive or tight, and as an added bonus for those with big boobs, it can replace a ‘modesty cami’ if you wear the black version under something with a low neckline.

For the very brave, I also reckon the black version would make an amazing body-con dress!

10/10 – Comfy, flattering, and works brilliantly under fitted dresses.

Cette Magic Knickers Support £16.99 TightsPlease.co.uk

Imagine a pair of stretchy tights knit so finely together that they’re the approximate size of a postage stamp when you’re not wearing them. You’re not far off these babies if you have that image in your head. Probably the least attractive of the bunch, these super-powerful pants really do suck in your tummy, bum and thighs just like Spanx, but there are a couple of downsides.

Firstly, the shape is cut fairly low on the waist, resulting in the famous muffin top. There is a higher-waisted alternative that I’m sure would be a better option. Secondly, there’s no gusset opening which means every time you need the loo you have to wrestle with 140 denier of sheer torture. They do hold you in and they’re slightly more comfy and breathable than Power Panties, but all in all I don’t think they quite compete.

7/10 – They do the job but they’re ugly and going to the loo is a nightmare.

Slimming bodysuit £14.99 JML

I wasn’t expecting great things of this bodysuit, sold through infomercials by crazy purveyors of mad gadgets JML. But actually, for £15 it’s not that bad. A sort of Spanx-lite, it doesn’t have the suck-you-in power of the more specialist products, but it does help to give a smooth line under a fitted dress or pair of tight trousers, and the added bonus of spaghetti straps means it stays up better than some of the cheaper underbust shorts. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this, but it doesn’t sit up there with the ‘megabrands’ in shapewear terms. It’s also worth nothing the gusset has an unflattering hole (with no crossover section for modesty) and the fabric is very thin in places meaning you must buy the right size or it’s likely to rip.

6 / 10 – Ok, but nothing special.

note: parts of this feature were originally published on my old site, Catwalk Queen.

At the blogger’s preview of Beth Ditto for Evans I got the chance to see the pieces from the collection up close and there were loads that caught my eye. However, I decided if I was going to give this collection a go, I may as well go for one of the stand-out, ‘famous’ pieces. The body-con domino print dress was the item Beth herself chose to wear to the launch party, and I loved that the super-fitted shape and bold print were so unusual for a plus size range. Beth’s known for sticking two fingers up to convention so I decided to do the same. Keeping away from the pieces that were more ‘me’ (like the strapless stained glass dress) I put in an order for the domino dress. And I must say, it was a novelty to be ordering the smallest size for once!

It takes a brave Big Girl to pull off a fitted dress like this, but I was really impressed to see that Evans have done a lot to help you on your way. The dress is far heavier and of a better quality than I expected, lined throughout with another layer of quite heavy stretch fabric. This saved me whipping out the spanx slip I usually wear under anything fitted, though I did put on my trusty magic knickers – a body hugging style leaves little to the imagination around the tum and bum.

Shape wise I had my usual problem of excess fabric at the waist (I’m resigned to always being a size smaller on the waist than I am on the hips and bust!) which is good news for apple shapes…though this probably isn’t your ideal dress shape. But the whole point of Beth’s collection is about giving larger women the chance to try things that aren’t normally available to them – fitted shapes, bold prints, interesting shapes and sequins galore.

Speaking of those Beth signature elements, the domino print takes a bit of getting used to, and I have to admit I usually tend to stay away from anything with too much white in with my pale, flabby skin. I’d probably throw something over the top and put on a pair of killer heels to help streamline the look a bit.

Overall, I’m surprised to say I think this dress is a success. Obviously, I’m at the smaller end of the sizing scale when it comes to this collection, but I can definitely see this working on brave larger women.

As for me, I’ll probably only wear it on days when I’m feeling brave, and I’ll be ready for a lot of standing up straight and breathing in! I’m afraid I’m just not as confident as Beth in terms of ‘letting it all hang out’ but I’m definitely working on it!

The Beth Ditto at Evans range can be purchased here. The Domino dress is £40.