Fashionista's up and down the country have had their prayers answered as the previously unattractive lingerie, known as shapewear has just got sexy, thanks to high street retailer Debenhams.
Nowadays shapewear is a must-have component of the modern female's wardrobe so it needs to be both fashionable and functional.
When most people think of shapewear, big ugly pants and scary corsets come to mind but fear not Debenhams is here to save the day by bringing sexy new shapewear to women all over the UK.
Shapewear isn't just about big knickers - control lingerie covers a huge range of undergarments designed to help smooth out any lumps and bumps and make the wearer look noticeably slimmer.
The new range, which is available in stores and online, consists of practical pants, body shapers, slips and sexy shaping tights.
You can find fashionable pieces adorned with detailed lace and pretty patterns – materials not usually associated with shapewear. The products are available in a range of colours – not just in 50 shades of beige.
Debenhams' head of lingerie buying and design, Sharon Webb commented: "Finally the image of Bridget Jones in her big pants can be banished from our minds.
"Instead, the words sexy, stylish and slimming can go together in harmony. It's a shame that the shapewear will be hidden because it looks amazing."
Rochelle from The Saturdays, Beyoncé, Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria, Kourtney Kardashian and Adele have all openly talked about wearing shapewear. Gone are the days where shapewear is regarded as a faux pas.
In the last five years sales of Debenhams shapewear have increased by 200%.
Continues Sharon: "Some of our customers have admitted to being embarrassed about the idea of wearing shapewear.
"But it's common knowledge now that most celebs wear shapewear so people are much more confident about perusing the ranges in store.
"Once they see the products they seem shocked that they can actually find flattering shapewear.
"Nowadays you can pick up a pair of control pants that, believe it or not, will feel great and look sexy too, resulting in a huge confidence boost."
And thankfully the new sexy shapewear is equipped with the latest innovative materials so you can look noticeably slimmer without cutting off your blood circulation.
Debenhams is the first high street retailer to offer a dedicated service where customers can receive expert advice from trained shapewear specialists on exactly what to wear under their favourite party dress.
In some shape or form, control garments have been around for an extremely long time.
During the 1550s Catherine de' Medici, wife on King Henry II enforced a ban on thick waists in court so because of this she was attributed as one of the reasons for corsets becoming a trend.
For nearly 350 years, women's primary means of support was the corset and then in the 1870's corsets were worn for medical purposes.
Thankfully in more recent years the variety of shapewear has improved and the industry continues to grow each year.
