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.
