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the outer body* from heist studios was gifted to me. all thoughts and opinions are my own and, as always, entirely uninfluenced.
okay gang, let’s chat shapewear. normally this is something i’m personally not that fussed on – partly because i could never find any that fit comfortably, and also because i frankly don’t really care that much about some lumps and bumps under my outfits. however, i can totally appreciate that some situations call for a smooth silhouette, and it can be a huge confidence boost in some outfits. also, i’ve recently discovered that shapewear shorts are great for a winter styling hack – tuck your chunky knit jumpers into the waistband to get a smooth fit under that floaty skirt! but anyway, let’s get into why you’re reading this: a review of shapewear that ACTUALLY FITS. heist studios have popped up a lot on my facebook and instagram feeds but i’ve never quite been able to bite the bullet to try them out, as no matter how good the reviews are i’m just always skeptical of shapewear! however, when they reached out to collab, i couldn’t help saying yes and trying out their ‘outer body‘*. i’m a sucker for anything that can be worn as under-and-outer-wear!
the look
i received the outer body* in black, and at first glance it looks like any other piece of shapewear: smooth matte fabrics, minimal seams, and looks about 3 times smaller than it actually is. this body uses a firmer fabric for the main part of the bodysuit (called HeroPanels™ which are made from a unique breathable membrane), with two sets of hooks and eyes at the gusset and slim, fully adjustable shoulder straps. the cups are made from a softer, slightly stretchier thermal moulded fabric and you can see the joining if you look closely – but this isn’t noticeable from a normal distance and the black colouring is uniform.
the cut is quite a low plunge with a scooped back, and a classic brief fit around the hips and bum for good coverage. it is sleek enough to pass off as a standard spaghetti strap bodysuit top from the high street with a pair of jeans and a blazer, making it that ultra-versatile piece everyone needs in their wardrobe.
the fit
was i skeptical of this fitting? very much so. i find bodies and shapewear in general can be such a tricky fit, at least for me! coming in at a UK 28G on my bust and anywhere from an 8-12 in clothing (26″ waist, 39″ hips) i’m usually left with something as baggy as a potato sack or something that comes nowhere near covering my boobs and bum! i checked their size guide before buying and it put me right in the middle of a small and medium, but i went with a small as i wanted it to really fit my waist snugly. there was absolutely no need for me to worry – it was a bit tricky to get on (as is all shapewear, i think that’s just something we need to accept given the nature of it!) but once it was on it felt like a second skin. its buttery-soft fabrics perfectly moulded to my body, really highlighting my natural waistline without an over-exaggerated slimming effect.
with the cup section being made from such a soft fabric, it really moulds to fit your bust. i didn’t get any of the dreaded bulging or overspill, and it came to a nice height at my underarm. there’s no boning whatsoever, but the firm elasticity of the main part of the body really holds it up in place and i’m so surprised by how perky it makes my boobs look! based on my sizing i don’t think it would fit much bigger in the cup, i’d say up to a 28H/30GG/32G before you start getting some overspill.
i’m always wary of a classic knicker shape, partly because my butt likes to eat knickers that give fuller coverage, but again thanks to the firm fit of the fabrics it stayed firmly in place and actually worked to give a wee bit of a butt-lift! it has seamless bonded edges that ensure a smooth fit too, for minimum VPL and full comfort.
in terms of cons, the body length is just a bit too long for me personally – but i am a petite 5’3″ and mostly leg. this isn’t a deal breaker for me and is something i’m used to, but it did cause a little bit of wrinkling at the back of my waist where it bunched up slightly – not so noticeable in the front unless i sat down. also – the shoulder straps. i think this is down to me having a fuller (thus heavier) bust, but i would prefer just a little bit of extra width on the straps as they had a tendency to flip/twist on themselves. again, not a dealbreaker for me, but something to bear in mind if that would irritate you.
the verdict
heist’s outer body* is an amazingly versatile piece – just imagine how good this would look with a pair of jeans and a blazer for a killer office-to-bar outfit! or even under a cute sheer mesh dress for modesty… the fit is superb, the quality is incredible, and it makes me feel amazing when i wear it. i actually shot the images for this blog then sat and ate my lunch in it before changing into my next set – i can confirm it is also comfy to sit and slouch in! if you’re of similar proportions to me (slim waist, bigger boobs and bum) and struggling to find a good piece of shapewear that doesn’t pinch or restrict, this is it.
i love the branding and marketing of heist, you’ll probably recognise them for their tights*, and they’re a brand i’m really looking forward to seeing more from in the future. even though they focus on shapewear, their advertising is so diverse and natural and they even collaborated with 150 creators to make the perfect pair of knickers!
the outer body* comes in at £95 which is certainly at the higher end of my usual lingerie budget, but i think it’s definitely worth the money considering how versatile it is and how sturdy and well-made it feels. it’s one of those core pieces of clothing/lingerie that you can wear over and over, mixing and matching and paying for itself time and time again.
currently available in three colours – black, brown and beige – in sizes extra small (8) to extra large (22) with a helpful size guide to help you find the perfect fit. shop it directly at heist studios here*!
xo, the lingerie princess
p.s – check this out in motion! video on their instagram feed:
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