Available in purple which is nice. Has boning through the waist and something called powermesh in the front. It has a vintage feel to it, and flappy bits that reduce the potential for VPL. Not a bad look, although there's some definite wrinkling on the dress Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian
Essentially a tight pair of knickers with a high waist. Note the rumpling of the dress, particularly on the back view, and the uneven draping. The silhouette is not as smooth as it could be Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian
Looks like flesh-coloured tights and stretches from your thighs to your chest. Could be slightly deceptive because of a wonky posture. There's a fairly smooth silhouette but a fair bit of wrinkling, too Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian
A somewhat Dita von Teese-esque 50s-style body suit with a built-in bra. It also comes with detachable straps and suspenders. Slight bulging on the saddlebags is in evidence when worn under the Christmas party dress Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian
Suitably revolting-looking - like cheesewire attached to a fleshy cummerbund. The definite loser in terms of unsightly bulges. Check out that shelf bum! Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian
Stretches from mid-thigh to the chest, creating a bulge-free silhouette. A thicker fabric than the Spanx. Brilliantly smooth silhouette and a minor bit of rucking-up on the dress. A definite contender Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian
