Revealed! Your Secret Weapon This Summer!

There’s so much to talk about here — but let’s start with the obvious question: Why? Lifelong fashion entrepreneur Sunny Sherman is 71 (I’m not sure I believe it!) and embraces aging and life with style. She says there are times when nothing but shaper shorts will do — such as with sheer white linen pants or a fitted T-shirt dress. Or maybe you just want a little help to hold in that tummy or smooth those thighs, says Sherman, formerly a clothing designer whose brand sold in various stores for 30 years. Whatever the case, her go-to is Spanx’s mid-thigh shorts — and for those slipping into a body-con dress, she suggests opting for the high-waisted version.

Randall also vouches for Spanx’s shaper shorts because they are off-the-charts comfortable. She says that they hold in all your bits without feeling too constricting and are ultra-thin and lightweight, with absolutely no visible panty lines (VPL).

Shaper shorts prevent chaffing, a key reason modest plus-size fashion blogger Alejandra Urrego is a fan. “Shorts help with shape, tummy control and mostly to prevent rubbing legs during the sweaty summer months.” She recently tried and fell in love with ones from Xwaist. Sometimes a cami-style slip is a better layer, liberating your body to be free and breathe during hot months, says Sherman, who loves sheer, flirty boho dresses. Add a mini-length black and nude slip to your undergarment arsenal, she advises, noting that she personally doesn’t like the fitted shaper slips, especially for summer. EaseWay offers Sherman’s go-to, an inexpensive but excellent option on Amazon with 6,000+ reviews and a 4.5 rating.

A few others to consider:

Xwaist Mid-Waist Shaping Short, $21

Amazon EaseWay Women’s Basic Adjustable Spaghetti Strap Cami, $15.19

T-shirt bra

For 8+ years, Marsh has written on fashion, beauty, natural hair and wellness. Her line of work includes reviewing bras — meaning she’s tried hundreds of all types, she says. In the T-shirt category, a bra by Negative stole the show for her. Marsh says it’s among the best she’s ever tried, citing its baby-soft feel against her skin. “I constantly fall asleep in this bra — which is a complete marvel in the undergarments world,” she admits.

A good T-shirt bra promises to be invisible and seamless, offering support and a low cut to accommodate a plunging V-neck, says Sherman. Her fave is Soma’s Enbliss, which promises you’ll feel like you’re going braless. Sherman says it’s made with a silky-smooth nylon/spandex and will fit “your girls” — whether you’re a 32A or a 42DDD.

Two others to consider:

Negative Whipped Non-Wire Bra, $68

Soma Enbliss Wireless Bra, $48

Tummy-control underwear

Compression thongs are Urrego’s preference because of the dreaded wedgie problem. “I tend to get wedgies, my underwear tends to show, and I get rolls here and there.” Coupled with the heat of the summer, thongs offer huge appeal. She applauds Target’s inclusive range of plus-size options but specifically suggests checking out the leopard-print thong from Torrid.

Sherman is all about a lacy light-control panty by Spanx that promises zero VPL. And if full coverage is your MO but you’re not keen on shaper shorts, Randall suggests a traditionally cut shaping brief made by Yummie, which provides solid support and an ideal fabrication combo, making them breathable and pitch-perfect for summer.

A few others to consider:

Torrid Second Skin Mid-Rise Thong Lace Trim Panty, $10.43

Spanx Undie-tectable® Lace Hi-Hipster Panty, $24

Yummie Ultralight Shaping Brief, $12 to $24

Where do you like to buy your bras and underwear? Let us know in the comments below.