Wolford Tulle Forming Body: A stylish way to banish lumps and bumps

Whether you’re battling with a wardrobe dilemma or long-standing body hang-up, never underestimate the confidence-boosting powers of the best shapewear. 

Wolford Tulle Forming Body sits on the sexier side of shapewear to offer lightweight support for a streamlined silhouette. We’ve put it through its paces with real-life testing to check this bodysuit is not only comfortable to wear, but gets the job done.

I have trialled a wide range of shapewear, from sculpting shorts through to high-waisted briefs, to find the very best shapewear on the market. In each review, I’ll be filling you in on how they look, how they feel and, most importantly, whether they’re worth spending your hard-earned money on.

First impressions

Best known for their high-end hosiery, this influence isn’t hard to spot in Wolford’s Tulle Forming Body. 

Far slinkier than anything I've tried from other shapewear brands, it’s crafted from semi-sheer tulle with a luxe velvet trim. This is shapewear you’d be happy to be seen in. 

As it’s been designed to offer light hold, it won’t make any extreme alterations compared with a bodysuit crammed full of contouring panels, but it will compress your shape, as well as smoothing out any lumps and bumps. 

Comfort

Not just a doddle to slip in and out of, but so comfortable you’ll almost forget you put it on in the first place, Wolford’s Tulle Forming Body is a joy to wear. 

The beauty of the design comes from its simplicity. The stretchy shoulder straps snap into a snug fit, with no need for clunky adjusters. In fact, the only metalwork on the entire bodysuit can be found in the popper fastening along the gusset, added to help you use the loo with ease.

There’s no niggling boning or panelling to contend with, either, making this comfortable to sit, stand and, maybe most importantly, dance in. 

Shape and appearance

One of the most common gripes about all-in-one bodies is that it can be tricky to find the right size, especially if your boobs are considerably bigger or smaller than the rest of your frame. 

Sidestepping the problem of how to wear shapewear with a bra, Wolford’s Tulle Forming Body features a plunging scoop neckline that finishes just below the bust. Leaving room for you to add your own bra. This is a feature that’s especially handy if you need your bra to serve a particular purpose – think a push-up style to fill out a low V-neckline or minimiser bra to avoid button gape on a high-neck blouse. 

The back finishes just beneath the shoulder blades, offering plenty of versatility, but a bit too much coverage to wear under a backless dress. Having said that, you could always try wearing your body back to front. 

As mentioned above, the main selling point of this shapewear piece is how little it feels and looks like shapewear. Every detail has been carefully considered with both fashion and functionality in mind, from the supportive but semi-sheer body through to the smooth velvet edging.

Unique features

A welcome contrast to the matte, opaque fabrics most shapewear is crafted from, this hosiery body made from semi-sheer tulle feels like tights against your skin. The key benefits are the super-soft feel, a slightly saucier look and full flexibility of movement. 

It’s brilliant to be able to wear a body with your own bra, but it can make for an unsightly mix of double straps. Luckily, the straps on the Wolford Body are wide enough to neatly tuck your bra straps beneath. Topped with plush velvet, they not only feel soft against your skin, but they’re pretty enough that you wouldn’t be embarrassed if one snuck out from beneath your top. 

Washing instructions

To keep your Wolford Tulle Forming Body as good as new, wash carefully on a gentle cycle at a maximum temperature of 30°C. The care label advises skipping fabric softener, too, as this can leave a coating on the fabric and lessen its effectiveness. As this is a delicate piece, we’d recommend popping it in a laundry bag before washing to stop it from catching on other clasps and fastenings in the wash. 

It’s not suitable for tumble drying or ironing, so for best results air dry on a flat surface. 

Value for money

Streamlining your shape without the need for uncomfortable panelling, the Wolford Tulle Forming Body is great value for money. 

But remember, it’s a high-end piece and needs to be treated properly to stand the test of time. Follow the washing instructions to the letter and take care with the delicate fabric when pulling it on and off. If you wear a lot of rings or bracelets, it would be best to take these off when you’re putting it on to reduce the risk of snagging. 

Sizing

Coming up true to size, online ordering is made easy with this body. If you’re between sizes, I’d recommend sizing down to make the most of its tummy toning powers.