I have no illusions about my body. I am not by any stretch of imagination thin nor slim and I have that problem that plagues most of us sedentary folk – a tummy and jiggly butt. I’d contemplated trying on one of those shaping undergarments but never really took the plunge. So when this piece of shapewear from Marena landed on my desk I was intrigued.
Marena Shapewear is in actual fact, tailored for post surgery compression. The material is designed to be comfortable, breathable and to be able to hold in and compress the flesh. It all sounds quite painful doesn’t it? Actually, it isn’t.
The one I got was the Marena Mini Shorts with High Waist (available here) so it sits somewhere under your ribcage and the shorts come down to mid-thigh. It is very elastic, but also very tight. I found that wearing this was an exercise bout in itself. It is very very tight. I almost felt like oiling myself before struggling into it.
Once you get it on however, it does feel quite comfortable. Initially anyway. All the flabby jiggly bits are kept in and if you want to wear a tight slinky dress, now’s the time to. This shapewear gives you all the smooth curves you need to wiggle your way around in that little slinky number. If you have a dress a little too small for you, this will help you fit right in.
Photos post-compression. Pre-compression pics were too traumatizing 😛 Left: Tummy lies flat except for slight protrusion. Right: Smoother line viewed from front
I took this on a one day trial run, because I was told it is so comfortable, you’d forget it was ever there. I loved how smooth it make the line of my dress look – no unsightly bumps or bulges! – and how trim I looked in one of my favourite stretch dresses. In fact, it helps improve posture too because in this, there is no way you can slouch and be comfortable. You have to sit up straight and that is a huge plus.
From a comfort point of view, it was comfortable in that it was not warm nor too thick. It did not trap sweat nor did it make me sweat. It did not roll down at the waistband nor did it ride up at the thigh. It was very well held together and it was comfortable against the skin.
Unfortunately I started running into problems after about 3 hours. Despite assurances that it was comfortable, I did not find this very comfortable. I definitely knew it was there and that it was compressing parts of me that sorely needed compressing but in quite an uncomfortable manner.
I was originally sized to an XS but I opted for an S. I don’t know if it is the sizing that might be causing the discomfort – maybe I should be sizing up to an M – but it was so uncomfortable, I eventually stumbled to the loo and took it off. And this was even before having lunch!
Going to the toilet is a bit of a trial in this one too. Because it is high waisted, I found it a trial to go to the bathroom. And because I drink a lot of water, I go to the bathroom a lot.
I tried wearing this another 2 times, but I haven’t lasted past lunch all times. Bit of a bummer really because I absolutely love the smooth line it gives me in my dresses!
If you plan to try this, my suggestion is to get yourself properly fitted because that is instrumental for comfort. I believe that I might find this more comfortable if it was sized up. But then I’m not sure if it would compress as well. I would only wear this for special events that don’t need you to sit so much or eat too much or go to the loo often; and where you won’t be wearing it very long. It will make your dress look absolutely divine and I might have a dress or two that could do with a bit of undergarment support!
Have you tried one of these body shaping things? This was my first time. As I said, I loved how my dresses look without the unnecessary bulges and bumps I’m so used to seeing, but this one was a tad uncomfortable for me.
Paris B
Marena Shapewear can be purchased online from www.active-shape.com. This pair of Mini Short with High Waist retails at RM469. Prices start from RM299
xin says
May 15, 2011 at 10:13 amMine was alright for me , not much of discomfort. But I have to jump to get into that pants! I abs agree on the loo part, wore it to office few times, but just too much hassle for the loo, so I guess this is only for special occasion then :p
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 7:26 pmLucky you didn’t find it uncomfy 🙁 my max tolerance is 3 hours. Gives great line but for me, strictly only for very special occasions when I feel the need to impress ie not often 😛
AnT says
May 15, 2011 at 12:17 pmGosh! Very pricey indeed @_@
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 7:32 pmMost body shaping garments are but I do find these a bit pricier than normal. Still they are at least not sticky and hot against the skin
Sam says
May 15, 2011 at 1:21 pmI’m not a big fan of these – but I’ll wear them for an important occasion if needed! I enjoyed looking at the books on your shelves 🙂
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 7:33 pmHaha! My books, my pride and joy! 😉
jojoba (My Makeup Reviews) says
May 15, 2011 at 4:24 pmyou gotta be kidding. you are one of the skinniest girls i know. you certainly do not need those.
i, on the other hand, could get help from wearing them. maybe i shall get some for myself. i never wear any of those as they look very uncomfortable on. the price to look good – pain & $$$. LOL
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 7:35 pmHaha not skinny at all, but we can all do with a bit of help around the problem areas right? 😉 they are uncomfy although I tried a set from Uniqlo and they are inexpensive and quite comfortable!
rosejaejoong says
May 15, 2011 at 5:21 pmowh…i have one of these,bought it for me to wear during my engagement (i wanted to look fab) at mark & spencer and cost me around rm200 something..it’s tight and tuck everything that is flabby in but i totally agree about going to the toilet part..makes me feel lazy to wear it to work……
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 7:36 pmI’m sure you did look fab during your engagement! I would have done the same as you – vanity, thy name is woman! I was told that wearing it often can help sculpt the body but I couldn’t last…
giddy tigress says
May 15, 2011 at 6:12 pmIf they really want to see if this thing works, I have to be the best candidate! With post-pregnancy tummy and rear, we can tell for sure if it works! YOU?? you’re so slim and svelte, you don’t need this really! 🙂
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 7:38 pmHaha I don’t have a pregnancy and I have a tummy! 😛 Perils of the office exec. Wouldn’t say I need this but having similar undergaments on hand do help when I want to slink around in unforgiving stretch dresses without looking like the Michelin Man 😛
yuki says
May 15, 2011 at 6:36 pmouch! Pricey~ I’ve tried an old one, mom bought it a loooong time ago and it’s too small for her… I haven’t worn it for long… It’s like yours, high up to the ribs just below the boobies (lol) but the bottom is like panties only… not mid-thigh… it’s sorta like a corset plus panties cuz have to buckle it… so that’s two layers… hot hot hot!
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 7:40 pmDon’t you agree though that these give you that flat tummy you only ever dream of? In my case anyway 😛 I think I know the sort you mean. In our weather, we’d expire from overheating! Hahaa
somebody says
May 15, 2011 at 7:20 pmHey, you just want that people tell you that you are slim, am I right??;-)
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 7:42 pmHow fascinating you would say so. I was fulfilling my obligation to the PR but I guess the undergarment worked in this case.
Connie De Alwis says
May 15, 2011 at 8:00 pmAh… I feel very much the same way you do when I wear this thing. It digs into my ribcage and I’d get really grouchy after a few hours. Though my pants did fit better, I felt my tummy looked a bit rounded and non proportionate to my waist after the compression.
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 10:44 pmOuch! Mine didn’t dig into my rib cage, but I think it sat around my tummy and squeezed it too much so that’s why I didn’t feel comfortable. Maybe I should have stuck to that body suit that I did not need 😛
tracy says
May 15, 2011 at 8:57 pmYou don’t seem to be in need of those at all! I on the other hand, need them everyday. I bought the book “How to Never Look Fat Again” by Charla Krupp. According to her I need to wear those underpinnings daily! I’m surprised she didn’t mention sleeping in them! lol
Liked the glimpse of your books – huge fan of Pratchett!
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 10:46 pm*high 5* Pratchett fan!! woohoo!! 😀 Goodness! Wear these everyday? I guess it’ll be like wearing a corset? I don’t think I’d survive 😛 And despite what many think, I could do with flattening the tummy LOL! That said though, I’d never have thought of trying these if not for the company contacting me 🙂
shuaddict says
May 15, 2011 at 9:10 pmHow do these compare to the ubiquitous Spanx? My favorites are usually from M&S and prefer the bodysuit types as some others tend to roll down. These types of shapers are usually pricey but the results are worth it 🙂
ParisB says
May 15, 2011 at 10:48 pmAfraid I have never tried Spanx (which are just as pricey!) but I have tried the body shapers by Uniqlo which are surprisingly comfortable and very cheap by comparison! The good thing about these is that they don’t roll anywhere, neither up nor down so that’s a good thing. I’d wear these for a special occasion only – every woman needs a little bit of help 😉
Iza says
May 16, 2011 at 8:42 amParis, you are not slim? Arrrrgghhh I am obese then ha ha ha
ParisB says
May 16, 2011 at 10:39 amHaha… all perceptions my dear! We all can do with a bit of help 😉
Cas says
May 16, 2011 at 11:07 amBut but but…………you’re already so slim! Anyway, sorry it didn’t work for you. I’ve not tried any of these shapewear before but after giving birth about 8 months ago, I’m now intrigued. Just ordered Spanx online, waiting for it to arrive next week, hope it’s comfie and works well!
ParisB says
May 16, 2011 at 3:38 pmI was told by a friend who has tried both that Spanx is VERY comfortable so I think it’ll be great 🙂 I saw it in Singapore but it was pricey so I decided not to indulge my vanity LOL! 🙂
DiamondsnDuds says
May 16, 2011 at 4:44 pmI used to think they were uncomfortable until I got myself a good pair from a shop in HK and also a Japanese brand in NY. They are so comfortable and I can wear them regardless of whether I’m on holiday, in the hot sunshine or cold weather. I find that it’s about finding the right fabric and those without the bones in them. And they are available at reasonable prices as it doesn’t have to be really expensive and the cheap ones are just not comfortable.
For a newbie, the ones from ‘Nu ren wo zui da’ that was selling in Guardian pharmacies in Singapore are a good start.
ParisB says
May 17, 2011 at 11:47 amThanks for sharing! I have found a set I can wear quite happily throughout the day. I wouldn’t wear it everyday, but at least it doesn’t make me pass out midway 😛
Issa says
May 16, 2011 at 5:35 pmyeah, i’ve used these body shaping garments a couple of times (during parties) and it is a bit uncomfortable because of the weather here in our country, BUT, i would definitely use it again and I am willing to sacrifice for the sake of beauty! hehehe…. No pain, No gain, LOL !
ParisB says
May 17, 2011 at 11:48 amLOL Good call! When we need to look at our absolute best, these garments do the trick wonderfully. At least we’ll be sure we look good (and don’t have to suck our tummy in all the time)
Amanda says
May 16, 2011 at 8:26 pmI bought a Spanx last year for my wedding day (was wearing Qipao) but didn’t need it in the end. My husband thought I was crazy when I told him to get one for me from Nordstrom when he was in the US. I told him, ‘Just in case!’ *lol*
ParisB says
May 17, 2011 at 11:56 amThe Qipao is so unforgiving! I can see why you thought Spanx might be the order of the day 😀