Things are shaping up: designers sexify support garments

January has the thankless task of giving us back our pre-Christmas bodies, but apart from dieting and going to the gym, there is a sneakier ways of shaping up: new, fashionable support garment lines.

Support garments' image is far from sexy, but if Victoria's Secret is launching a line - how bad can it be? The lingerie label, known for staging the world's sexiest runway show once a year, has announced a new range of shape wear called Secret by Victoria's Secret that will launch at US stores and online January 14.

There will be two collections, Seamlessly Sexy and Confident & Curvy, with all items coming with either light, medium or firm support.

For a less sexy but more sophisticated version of the little helpers, try Cynthia Rowley's creations. The US designer has just announced a shape wear collection to become available in fall. According to the label, Slim by Cynthia Rowley - with prices starting at just over $100 - will be fashion-oriented, including body- and legwear.

But that's not all: German design label Wunderkind has set out to sexify the least sexy of all garments: compression stockings. Together with anti-osteoporis corsets and orthopedic shoes, the unlikely fashion accessory was the star of its Hurt and Heal prêt-à-porter collection shown last fall.

http://www.victoriassecret.com