Figure shaping

You may sometimes need a little help in the underwear department and that's when you consider figure-shaping garments. Basically, they have strong elasticated panels that hold you in in the right places. All control underwear offers extra support without discomfort; although it is probably a good idea not to wear them for long periods but to save them for special occasions.

• Gaffs: Specially designed for cross dressers, gaffs have a restructured crotch that smooths down your front to create a smooth feminine look. Using tape can also help with tucking the masculine bulge between your legs, but you need to beware of using one with too much adhesive unless you have either waxed or would like to!
• Magic pants: No one can fail to have heard of these pants, slightly high-waisted and covering the thighs, they pull in the tummy and create a smooth outline.
• Padded pants: If you want a more feminine hip, try padded pants that will give you the appearance of a more rounded backside. Most have a reinforced crotch.
• Body suit: For maximum control, you can also try an all-in-one body suit.

Corsets
A historical throw-back but still popular for their sex appeal, some people enjoy wearing a corset to help train and shape their waists, great for those masculine shapes that tend to have thicker waists. They can cause a bit of excitement in the bedroom but still have a reputation for being uncomfortable so many are more decorative than functional - and none the worse for that! A decorative corset - or basque - can be made of any fabric.

Proper corsets are made from drill or heavyweight canvas covered with a decorative fabric and a lining. Originally, the shaping was bone - hence the name boned corset - but is now usually made of plastic. Any fastenings at the front of the corset are usually steel, for strength. There are laces down the back made of strong cotton.

The main styles that might be suitable are corsets with full, underwired cups for good support, which are probably most suitable for padding; corsets with a high body that covers the breasts; and half bust or Nell Gwynn corsets that cover only the lower half of the breasts. You can also get corsets shaped below the breasts which give no coverage at all.

The shapes can also vary on the hips. A short hip was originally designed for riding; a mid hip was used for everyday wear; a long hip gives good control over the stomach area; the Titanic, popular in the 1800s, was designed to support good posture; and a corset dress was used by fetish madams.

If you buy a corset, you will need to have a shape that is curvier than you are, with a waist size up to 4 in less than your own measurement. It is better to have one made specially for you, so that the dressmaker can measure and advise you on a shape that gives you more of a feminine figure but which you can wear comfortably.