Susannah Constantine shares her shapewear secrets ahead of party season – including the most comfortable bra she's ever worn
"It’s about comfort, support and helping my clothes sit properly"
Susannah Constantine is no stranger to talking honestly about clothes and confidence. Best known for her work alongside Trinny Woodall, the TV presenter and author has spent decades helping women navigate fashion. Now, as she launches a shapewear collaboration with Shapermint, I asked her about the shapewear pieces she swears by, how her style has changed over the years, and the importance of comfort when getting dressed.
Her five-piece edit includes leggings, shaper shorts, and the bra she says is the most comfortable bra she's ever worn. What's refreshing is her strong belief that the best shapewear shouldn't be about women trying to make themselves smaller. "I really, really believe it has got nothing to do with weight for me. I don’t care how much I weigh, I’ve worn shapewear in every size."
To begin with, I ask her what her favourites from the collection are, and she says, “The bra has been a game changer for me because I have spent my entire adult life since I had children looking for a comfortable bra. I was someone who, as soon as I walked through the door, before I’d even taken my shoes off, I was taking my bra off. So that has been a game-changer."
Shop the Susannah Constantine edit
Susannah called this a "game-changer". It has a smooth, seamless silhouette and offers support without underwiring. It comes in four colourways and in sizes from 32A to 48FF.
This simple cami has built-in bust support and an all-over smoothing effect, making it perfect for wearing every day. What's great about this piece is that it can be tucked into jeans or tailored trousers whilst offering hidden support.
These high-waisted leggings are made from a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that's designed to smooth and shape your figure to perfection. You could even wear them as part of a smart-casual outfit paired with a blazer and heeled boots.
One of Susannah's favourites from the edit, this bodysuit shaper is perfect for wearing underneath eveningwear dresses thanks to its confidence-boosting design. The shoulder straps keep it in place whilst the open bust means you can wear it with your best bra.
These shorts leave your thighs and tummy smooth and sculpted, and they come in five colours in sizes up to 4XL. They offer comfortable coverage underneath everything from jeans and trousers to dresses and skirts.
A Shapermint bestseller, this top combines support with an everyday staple. It will smooth your tummy, back, and upper arms and can be worn as a base layer for any outfit.
"You’re not trying to change or conceal anything"
Living in the countryside has naturally changed the way Susannah dresses, and these days she says getting dressed is "very much about comfort" and that her style is low-key. She reveals that she still makes an effort when working from home because she likes to feel put together. "I would never in a million years write in my pyjamas all day because I just think that’s bad for a woman’s self-esteem."
As well as comfort, Susannah reveals that she cares about longevity when it comes to updating her wardrobe, saying she would rather buy pieces she knows she’ll still be wearing in 10 years. She often finds pieces on Vinted, a great shopping tip for getting a better price on a designer item.
Although she says her style may have become more low-key, she still likes getting dressed up. We move on to talk about party season dressing, and what she wears for special occasions. "I love a really good velvet jacket, and I’ve got one in navy velvet that I wear all the time. I’ve also got a really great long, fishtail dress, but it’s got these sort of frilled sleeves, which I think I wore in the shapewear campaign. That’s something I think I’ll be able to wear for years."
"Shapewear is about comfort, support and helping my clothes sit properly."
In terms of everyday wardrobe essentials, she relies on denim and well-made T-shirts. "I’m a big fan of Uniqlo T-shirts. I buy those in bulk. My favourite T-shirt of all is one that was given to me by a friend, by Bella Freud. I love her stuff."
She stresses the importance of investing in a good pair of jeans, mentioning several brands including GAP, Donna Ida, Mother and Agoldes. "I love jeans. I will invest in jeans because I wear a pair probably five days out of a week. I feel like it’s good to invest in them... Mother does great jeans. I have a pair of Agoldes which I’ve had for maybe 30 years, which have stretched, but I can still fit into them."
When it comes to body confidence, her attitude is simple and positive: "I want to show my shape more subtly these days. And I do feel very good. I do feel comfortable about my body."
When I asked her how to combat insecurity or lack of confidence, something everyone deals with in life, she offers some sage advice. "It’s remembering that everyone feels the same, and you are a bit of a freak if you are in love with your body and you feel completely confident about it."
And when it comes to her styling tips for women now, Susannah’s message is refreshingly uncomplicated: “keep things simple.” She admits she has experimented with different trends over the years, only to look back and realise they weren’t right for her. But she is equally resistant to the idea that women should follow a strict set of fashion rules. "We’re all different shapes, different sizes, different ages," she says. "Fashion is about experimentation and finding what is comfortable and what suits your lifestyle."
