Whether it's lying down to get our zippers up, or squeezing into restrictive girdles that seem to cut off our oxygen supply, too tight is not all right. "Squeezing into small spandex to even out the 'rolls' so we can look decent in a dress… now that's torture!" says Cara Benaski-Bonilla of Staten Island, NY. Spandex doesn't have to be suffocating, however. Just follow these expert guidelines:
• "Look for items with 2 to 3 percent spandex," says Cellini. "Any more than that, and the item stretches out too much during a day of wear, but 2 to 3 percent gives you a bit of give, and shows off your body, instead of making you look like a sausage."
• "Use your actual measurements, not your dress or pants size, to choose your size," says Treacle, who blogs as The Lingerie Addict. Sizing often varies by manufacturer.
• Choose shapewear that targets one or two trouble areas instead of an all- over "body glove." "You'll achieve much the same effect, and be more comfortable besides," says Treacle.
