Looking both stylish and slim determines how women feel about themselves.

Most women, regardless of age, shape or size, perceive that they have body flaws and most believe their stomachs is their major problem area, followed by thighs, hips and last, but not least their rear ends.

These “problems” significantly increase for women who wear larger than a size 10 who describe their attempts to control their weight as unsuccessful.

Although diet and exercise are the best solutions for looking and feeling better, some women have also turned to shapewear, such as old-fashioned girdles and other undergarments for instant effect.

Brands like “Shape FX”, “Wacoal”, “Spanx” and “Sara Blakely” feature ready-to-wear apparel with built-in shapewear panels that trim the waist, slim the hips and shape the rear. “Shape FX” also have a large range of fitting pants, skirts and dresses, and the other manufacturers also have invaluable assets in swimwear collections and conventional shapewear intimate pieces as well.

All the above manufacturers offer these slimming styles:

1. Higher necklines that support and minimize a full bust.

2. Vertical stripes, princess seams and single-breasted jackets that provide a slimming illusion.

3. Boot cut pants and flared skirts to minimize heavy hips, thighs and rear.

4. Tunic tops that stylishly conceal hips and rear.

5. Clothes containing super control fabrics with Lycra and power-mesh panels that can smooth away imperfections.

I’m not going to tell you if my ‘perfect’ shape is an illusion. You’ll just have to …….