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Welcome back, summer. It's time to show off some skin in tiny tank tops and spaghetti-strap slip dresses. But summer skimpies are a flabby winter figure's worst nightmare. And you know what that means: body shapers to the rescue. Full-body slimming suits -- miraculous under jeans or a slinky skirt -- feel hot and binding when the temperature rises. Luckily, a slew of new sleeveless shaping tops promises to minimize, suck, tighten and lift torsos, love handles, breasts and backs -- no crunches or lipo required. We strapped ourselves into five modern-day corsets to see which could best mold our floppy flesh into a beachy body. Two actually created new bulges and left us with stomach rolls rivaling a Shar-Pei. But the best created a washboard-flat stomach and, more important, enough confidence to last through Labor Day.<br>
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<i>By Erin Weinger, Times Staff Writer</i><br>
<br>
<b><a href="http://yummietummie.com">Yummie Tummie Freedom T</a></b><br>
<br>
$72<br>
<br>
<b>Visibility: </b>This seamless cotton tank top has a shiny spandex midsection, so it looks funny worn alone. But it can pass as a standard shirt (and protect against embarrassment) if what you're wearing over it rides up and exposes your slimming secret.<br>
<br>
<b>Wiggle room: </b>Our morning routine was unhampered by the comfy, breathable tank. We cooked breakfast, tidied the kitchen, checked e-mail and even lounged in bed without giving our Yummie Tummie a second thought.<br>
<br>
<b>Taming the beast: </b>Our stomach was somewhat compressed but the pesky belly pouch that plagues us was left to continue its wrath. The built-in shelf bra lifted and supported so well, we can't wait to wear it out on a date.<br>
<br>
<b>Final verdict: </b>Not quite the body-shaping miracle touted on "Oprah," but the most comfortable style we tested.
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ig-store

( Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times )

Welcome back, summer. It's time to show off some skin in tiny tank tops and spaghetti-strap slip dresses. But summer skimpies are a flabby winter figure's worst nightmare. And you know what that means: body shapers to the rescue. Full-body slimming suits -- miraculous under jeans or a slinky skirt -- feel hot and binding when the temperature rises. Luckily, a slew of new sleeveless shaping tops promises to minimize, suck, tighten and lift torsos, love handles, breasts and backs -- no crunches or lipo required. We strapped ourselves into five modern-day corsets to see which could best mold our floppy flesh into a beachy body. Two actually created new bulges and left us with stomach rolls rivaling a Shar-Pei. But the best created a washboard-flat stomach and, more important, enough confidence to last through Labor Day.

By Erin Weinger, Times Staff Writer

Yummie Tummie Freedom T

$72

Visibility: This seamless cotton tank top has a shiny spandex midsection, so it looks funny worn alone. But it can pass as a standard shirt (and protect against embarrassment) if what you're wearing over it rides up and exposes your slimming secret.

Wiggle room: Our morning routine was unhampered by the comfy, breathable tank. We cooked breakfast, tidied the kitchen, checked e-mail and even lounged in bed without giving our Yummie Tummie a second thought.

Taming the beast: Our stomach was somewhat compressed but the pesky belly pouch that plagues us was left to continue its wrath. The built-in shelf bra lifted and supported so well, we can't wait to wear it out on a date.

Final verdict: Not quite the body-shaping miracle touted on "Oprah," but the most comfortable style we tested.

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