If you thought all shapewear was designed to prevent you from breathing, you have probably not discovered Yummie Tummie.
November 5, 2009 11:57ByJan Shure, Jan Shure
If you thought all shapewear was an evil re-creation of medieval methods of torture, designed to crush your rib-cage and prevent you from breathing, you have probably not discovered the USA’s newest and most on-trend collection of shapewear, Yummie Tummie.
Created by Jewish designer and celebrity stylist Heather Thomson — who has styled curvy girls such as Beyoncé and J-Lo — the Yummie Tummie collection has taken the UK market by storm since its arrival here last autumn. A series of tanks and tees, they are designed to smooth out the tummy and waistline, and more recently — with Yummie Bottoms — to haul in hips and glutes.
Heather, the daughter-in-law of leading American Reform Rabbi Alexander M Schindler, calls the original Yummie Tummie vest top — designed at her kitchen table —“a tank top on steroids”. She decided to create the range when, in her stylist role, she couldn’t find a shapewear garment that was functional, appealing and comfortable.
“I could never imagine putting celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé Knowles in the shapewear the market had to offer. Even hidden under their beautiful couture gowns, they were like dirty little secrets, and certainly not what today’s modern woman needs to look and feel her best,” says Heather.
“I didn’t want a garment that I had to kick my husband out of the room before I would put it on, and I didn’t want to wear something I couldn’t breathe in.
“I knew exactly what was needed: a tummy-smoothing panel in the middle of a sexy, cool vest that was long enough to battle muffin top and give me security in a low-rise jean. I couldn’t find what I wanted, so I made my own.”
Available in sizes 4 to 18, in good colours for the current season (black, white, nude, chocolate and navy), and priced from £49 to £69, the tanks and tees have hidden minimizing panels made of firm control microfibre to shape the waistline from bust to hips.
And now — just in time for the party season — Heather has given us the Glamour Tank. Available in black only, it sports those hidden panels to slim the waist and tummy while deploying just enough bling to be perfect for any winter dress-up event.