Singer Katy Perry flaunted no less than 12 outfits hosting the recent MTV Europe Music Awards but the sartorial story wasn’t about her show-stopping frocks.

The singer turned to one of this season’s hottest trends to cause an almighty stir - underwear as outerwear.

Sporting a series of basques and corsets, Katy wowed the audience with her worn-to-be-seen lingerie, and Beyonce joined the undies club performing on stage in red leotard body and suspenders.

There’s no doubt about it, underwear is having a bit of a fashion moment.

But if you don’t want to find yourself in prison for over exposure or just detest the idea of flaunting your smalls to the world, at least work them to the best effect under your clothing.

With party season fast approaching and the slinky body-con trend in full force, shapewear support is your best friend in the lingerie drawer.

“Underwear is without a doubt the foundation to a great outfit,” say British fashion advisors and makeover gurus Trinny and Susannah, who have added a new All in One Body Shaper to their original Magic Knickers range. “You feel so secure and it keeps everything in place.”

So cancel that tummy tuck and stop saving for the lipo - shapewear can be your wardrobe miracle worker.

Slinky scaffolding
Party season may be fun but it’s confusing for our poor figures.

By day we’re in our standard office wear and by night we’re shimmying on a dancefloor in next to nothing. And even if you’re yet to lose that Dubai stone, don’t dismiss all the LBDs and sequin frocks you’d love to wear.

“Shapewear certainly helps,” Susannah reassures. “If you know how to dress, you can disguise problem areas very well.

“When I walk at the moment I feel my stomach is walking on its own and isn’t actually attached to my body, but if I wear Magic Knickers I feel everything is held in.” And with Trinny and Susannah’s vast experience surveying womens bodies, they unanimously agree that “without question, it’s the tummy” that’s behind most of our figure woes.

Slim pickings
Undecided about which shapewear will conceal your wobbly bits? Your first decision in the body scaffolding debate is whether to go for an all-in-one body tamer or specifically target problem areas.

If a slinky party dress is on the agenda, an all-in-one will suck you in to give you a one-size-smaller body transformation.

“Look for an all-in-one that sits underneath the breasts because we found some all-in-ones really flatten the breasts and ride up,” Susannah says.
“A style with straps is the perfect way to keep it up.”

Individual shapewear pieces will sculpt your body giving you oomph just where you need it, but assess your body shape before you buy.

“Trinny advises: “It’s divided between top and bottom heavy, so if you are bottom heavy you need to invest in shapewear that slims down your bottom.
“If you’re pear shaped, like me, it’s about lifting the lower half.”

Shape solutions
An all-in-one will flatten your tummy, shape your bottom and define your waist.

They’re available with or without bust support and straps, and can be bought as a leotard style body, dress or shorts.

Or if it’s your bottom you’re most concerned about, give drooping cheeks a lift with high-waisted full pants or shorts, which will smooth your bum and tummy.

Those who are bothered about their legs can give wobbly thighs an instant tone-up with thigh-length shorts. You’ll also find cellulite-fighting slimming leggings and tights.