Which sexy party undies REALLY banish wobbly bits?

With stretchy lace and secret panels, they claim to create a seductively smooth silhouette. But...

AnYone who’s spent an evening barely able to move, eat or breathe properly because of the vicious cling of control underwear can let out a

sigh of relief. Those big, fleshcoloured passion killers, made famous by Bridget Jones, have now been replaced by control underwear that’s so pretty, colourful and featherlight, it won’t leave you gasping for air or send men running for the hills.

‘Thankfully, we’ve moved on a long way from 1999 when Spanx first hit the market,’ says Kelly Dunmore, chief lingerie stylist for Rigby & Peller. ‘In fact we don’t like to use the terms

shapewear or control underwear any more, we prefer the term “contouring”.’

The new generation of ‘contour lingerie’ uses lighter and softer fabric mixes and stretch lace and mesh panels to smooth over (rather than squash down) lumps. So it is not only more comfy, but does away with that dreaded fat roll at the waist and thighs.

Many knickers now come with a thick polymide and elastane mix ‘control’ panel only where you need it — across the tummy or bottom — while bras have control contouring at the sides rather than digging-in wiring.

one of the most popular innovations is the all-in-one shapewear body. ‘Wear it as a top under jackets or dresses with plunging necklines,’ says Jenni Burt, head of buying at Figleaves.

FLOATY DRESS FAVOURITE Forest green bralette, £42 and shorts, £34, Spanx at net-a-porter.comFIONA SAYS: This delicate set has a far less structured silhouette than the Spanx of old. The pants have stretch lace panels at the sides and thicker elastane panels where you need them — across the tummy and bottom — with no visible panty line. The bra has replaced underwiring with thicker panels at the sides to nudge the breasts forward and straps which can be adjusted to a halterneck. 3.5/5 Wobble rating:

Bra, £20, pants, £22.50, Marks & Spencer FIONA SAYS:The bra comes with moulded foam cups for extra support, and a wide, comfortable mesh back strap smoothes any wobbles there. The pants are cut high for a waist-cinching, seamless finish. 4/5 CHIC CURVE CRADLER Wobble rating:

LEAN LEG WHITTLER Spanx leggings, £94, Selfridges; bra £28, Next; silk shirt, £175, railsclothing.comFIONA SAYS: You can see why these leather-look leggings from Spanx, complete with biker-stitching, have been flying off the shelves. They compress the legs to such a degree, they cut any bottom and thigh wobble. Yet they have a high-cut, softer stretch waistline so they avoid the dreaded fat roll. Team with a long shirt and heels. 5/5 Wobble rating:

STRETCHY SMOOTHER Wolford mesh body, £133, and bra, £42, at Rigby & PellerFIONA SAYS: This Gossamer-light stretch tulle body has a scooped front so it sits beneath a bra, gently smoothing the waist and tummy. It is sublimely comfortable, thanks to its velvet edging. The bra, with support at the sides, is perfect for smaller busts. 3.5/5 Wobble rating: