I hate to tell you, but Christmas is just around the corner and you’ll shortly (if not already) be planning your festive party outfits.  Your choice of underwear can make or break the best dress, so would you consider trying lingerie shape-wear?

Gossard‘s hugely popular continuity line, the Superboost Lace, is a classical collection offering a range of lingerie solutions.  The beautiful lace styling and solid fit of the balcony bra can be found in the figure fitting Superboost Strapless Lace Slip – a gorgeous shaper that’s functional and feminine.

The corselette slip (not to be confused with the soft cup chemise slip) features softly padded balcony styled cups that contribute to a rounded shape, and fully adjustable straps that are removable so you can wear the slip strapless.  There’s gentle side boning for added support, and for the back, there’s a hook and eye closure for a secure bra fit, finished off with a super sexy (and functionally reliable) zip.

Just beneath the cups is an intricate lace and mesh panel injecting an intriguing, sensual flavour into a classical design.  The stretch mesh slip skirting is doubled layered and sectioned into panels which lends a degree of fitted rigidity you wouldn’t find in a loose slip.

Gold coloured hardware add a glamorous touch to the slip, making it look and feel that little bit luxe.

The Fit

I’m quite wide hipped as well as busty, and this occasionally causes me problems with one-pieces.  Sadly, the corselette slip is one of those unfortunate mismatches with my shape.

The cups fit fantastically in Gossard’s reliable way; it’s supportive and supremely comfortable.  The back zip is a solid quality and feels really reliable, but it is a slight struggle to zip up if you (like I first did) forget to fasten the hook and eye closure first.  In the photo below I can’t quite make it all the way up.

So, while the top part (the bra and waist) of the slip fits well, the bottom half doesn’t; it’s tight, and I managed to put my finger through it as I pulled it on (eek!).  Now I find this problem arises when back sizes are correlated to small hip measurements.  Gossard considers their 32 backs fit a smaller frame.  So when I find myself wearing a 14 (because of my 42″ hips) but a 32G bra, the whole fit is disproportionate.  These hips don’t lie.

You may notice through the slip that I’m wearing a discreet thong – the matching Superboost Lace Thong.  Again styled in the gorgeous lace design to the front of the brief and a plain mesh reverse, this thong is a feminine pair of smalls perfect for wearing under shapewear like this slip, or whenever you want an undetectable knicker line.

The Superboost Lace Slip is a beauty and a fantastic piece of functional kit in your shapewear arsenal.  Under the little black dresses of the forthcoming festive season (sorry, but it is heading this way), this slip will provide a nipped in, svelte figure.  Just be sure of your measurements so you can actually move in your slip!

**Gossard gifted me the Superboost Strapless Lace Slip, 32G, £54 and Superboost Lace Thong, Large, £12**

How do you fair with slips and basques?  Does your bra size match up with your hip measurement?  Do you like wearing all-in-one lingerie pieces, or do you like keeping it separate?  Your thoughts please!