The Great Shapewear Challenge – Does Ruby Ribbon live up to the Hype?

Shapewear….not really a glamorous subject, but is often on the minds of many women.  Me included.  I’m no stranger to Spanx and other brands like that.  But it didn’t really work for me when I wanted to wear leggings or jeans and a top – see, I really needed smoothing through my back  (ugh, seems the extra dinner rolls have ended up on my back).  And I’ll be damned if I’m going to wear a bra AND one of those camisole tank top combo things that will just roll up from my hips to my waist when I sit down.  Isn’t there something that’s better????? Enter Ruby Ribbon.

Ruby Ribbon is a shapewear brand that literally has something for everyone.  Their shaping cami’s are a signature product and I started there. I got two Original Full Support Cami’s.  They come in lots of colors and patterns;  they’re a bit pricy ($74), so I had high hopes.  The promises were big:

• I could literally throw my bra away and not look back due to its construction – this was BIG for me as I really hate wearing a bra
• I would be comfortable and it wouldn’t make me too hot (or cause me to burst into flames, ‘cause Menopause, right?)
• It wouldn’t spontaneously roll up to give me an additional spare tire when I sat down
• I would look slimmer and feel more confident about the way I looked

A tall order!  So, the cami’s arrived.  It’s summer, y’all – honestly, the thought of wearing this cami that hugged my body under my tunic and leggings was a bit intimidating. And I was going to Cincinnati – even hotter and more humid than North Carolina.  The challenge was ON!

The Challenge

And what a day. First, I arrived at the airport later than I usually do and had misremembered when my flight took off.  Naturally, the security line was long and full of those who don’t travel much.  I started the nervous sweating then.  But I felt ok with the cami.

I don’t run, so I literally ran-walked the farthest I’ve ever had to go to get to the gate (which reminded me of what terrible shape I’m in).  I reached the gate to find that they had just closed the door and I was too late.  It was the first time I’ve ever missed a flight.  I was rebooked to the next one and dragged myself over to the other gate.  Then, all sweating hell broke loose – it was like a dam of adrenaline broke and flooded off of my head in sweaty drops of disappointment, embarrassment, anger and annoyance. The thing is, I didn’t once feel physically uncomfortable (other than the minor wheezing and slight coughing Iwas still doing from all the run/walking).

Fast forward – I arrived in Cincinnati, where it was hot and humid. The conference started and then there was some sort of “emergency” that required us to evacuate the building and stay outside for about 20 minutes.  No elevators, no escalators and we were on the third floor of a convention center.  Out we went.  I did take off my kimono, but still didn’t feel like I wanted to strip —- in fact, that cami seemed like it was wicking away the sweat from my back.  And this thing had yet to roll up.  I don’t know how they’ve done it, or what gripper strip magic they’ve discovered, but it works.

Keep in mind that at this point I’ve run (almost) through an airport, sat on a tiny plane, walked a mile at the arriving airport and getting to the hotel and then to the conference center, had to vacate the conference center and walk down two huge escalators and stand outside for 15 minutes, and walked back up said escalators.  Oh! And I did make a few trips to the ladies room too.  IT. STAYED. PUT.  I had it close to my skin – not over my lower half’s undergarments (trying not to get in to too much TMI).

I finally took it off at 9pm that night, and while it did feel good to get into my pj’s, I was really amazed how I didn’t think about my body or how it looked or wanting to tear off my clothes due to the heat.

The Results

Bottom line….I’m impressed!  They also have sizes from 32 to 50 and accommodate many cup sizes as well.  While I’m not tremendously endowed, there’s plenty of support to make the “girls” look their best and stand up, rather than look down, if you know what I mean.

I’m ditching my bra and not looking back;  I’m also looking at the business opportunity, as you know I never pay full price for something I love and use all the time.  They also have shaping leggings (black, denim) and other clothing items that seem to cover needs from stay at home mom’s like me to those who work outside the home too (looking at you my professional career gals).

Want to know more?  Drop me a line —- thinking of purchasing?  Let me know that too and I’ll hook you up.  This is what I had on – the full support cami, in a 46.   I’m ditching my bra for good and getting aboard the Ruby Ribbon train!