Get a flatter stomach effortlessly with the expert’s guide to the smartest girdles of autumn

Remember feeling like a stuffed sausage on your legs, struggling to breathe in a pair of control pants, all for the sake of a flatter tummy?

Well, those days of wearing tight, unsightly underwear are finally over. Shapewear has grown up…and it’s sexy, stylish, and surprisingly super comfortable.

Our lingerie queen Rosie Huntington-Whiteley takes on Kim Kardashian’s Skims empire with her new shapewear range, Rosie ContourWear, for High Street favourite M&S.

The 37-piece collection includes corsets, push-up bras, waist-hugging briefs and other key pieces that celebrate “the natural contours of your body” while providing “a perfect silhouette under your favourite garments”. Now entering its 12th year for M&S, Rosie is the retailer’s longest-running collaboration.

And it’s not just Rosie coming to the rescue – there are plenty of other brands creating stylish and sexy shapewear. Better yet, the lingerie you never knew you needed is the perfect option for mastering those tricky fall/winter trends you thought you were too old to wear. Here’s how to do it…

Make a bold blazer

Suits and smart tailoring are the biggest trend, and a blazer or tuxedo jacket is an investment piece that will last for years.

For a more elegant look, wear it alone with a necklace. But if that’s too much, a flattering corset or mesh bodysuit is the perfect way to achieve the “naked” look.

I love the mesh corset with satin boning detail from Rosie’s new ContourWear collection (£34, marksandspencer.com).

Or try their long sleeve mesh bodysuit for £30, available in sizes 8 to 18.

Slide into satin

The satin slip skirt is a versatile piece that millennials can’t get enough of. And who can blame them when it looks just as chic paired with kitten heels and a “nice tee,” or sneakers and a white tee.

This fall, the skirt comes in rich shades of khaki and burgundy.

And how do you wear it if you’re over 50? As crazy as it may seem, invest in another skirt, a shapewear item, to slim your tummy, butt, waist and thighs. The advantage? It will keep you warmer when the days get colder.

It’s a piece of cake

From Balmain to Chloe, Chanel and Saint Laurent, the statement belt was the standout accessory on the Fall/Winter 2024 runway.

It is worn at the waist and has a cinching effect, giving the illusion of an hourglass figure.

The problem is that any tight clothing only draws attention to the lumps and bumps of middle age.

To smooth out bumps and suck in comfortably, try a shapewear bodysuit like this lace bodysuit from M&S (£20, marksandspencer.com).

Pure class

Intimissimi’s ultra-lightweight cashmere sweater was a hit with Gen Z last year, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t invest in one too.

The sheer bra is the best option for women over 50 to try out the ‘naked’ trend. To achieve this, invest in a simple, well-fitting bra, such as Triumph’s Body Make-up T-shirt bra, which has lightly padded cups and shaping underwires (£42, uk.triumph.com).

Or for added modesty, try a lace bodysuit.

Crop tops

Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and step out in style in skinny jeans.

From Mango to Massimo Dutti, the 1950s silhouette is everywhere on the High Street. Great for those with a firm body and toned thighs, but not so much for the rest of us.

Help is at hand with these thigh-slimming, bum-sculpting shorts (£44, wacoal

Lingerie.com), which will make this trend more comfortable. La dolce vita, indeed!

Up to the thigh

As the nights get longer and summer minis turn into fall midis, choose styles with a thigh-baring slit to avoid looking frumpy.

Of course, no one wants their shapewear to be seen and join the party, which is why clever Skims has thought of everything with its one-leg shorts (£42, skims.com).