It all started with a simple pair of pants. We posted about this suspiciously flattering pair a little while back and the response was so enthusiastic, it got us thinking: Why not sniff out the most flattering things across a bevy of categories, from the most skin-enhancing light bulb to the brightening eye drops to the shapewear designed for all sizes? Welcome to Flattering Week on the Strategist.
A properly stocked closet for a female actor on a TV show always includes the following: a pair of seamless Commando underwear, a pair of Uggs for wearing between long takes in high heels, and an assortment of these brilliant Nordstrom lingerie tank tops.
I know — I wish I could report that the very best tank tops were something more exciting or indie, but these super-soft nylon and spandex tanks from the Seattle department store are the single most useful item a woman can have in her wardrobe. They are an incredible layering piece that manages to smooth out every bulge, creating a totally sleek line under clothes. The straps are also wide enough to completely hide your bra straps (while also keeping them from sliding down your shoulders). If you’ve ever picked up one of those see-through tops currently ruling the racks of department stores and thought, “What the hell am I supposed to wear underneath a transparent shirt like this,” this tank top is your answer.
As a Hollywood costume designer, I put them on every single actress I dress. Since this tank top has absolutely no seams, it doesn’t create extra lumps under thin garments, like a cashmere-blend sweater. It’s also a godsend for clothes with strange cutouts or open-weave sweaters that would otherwise expose your bra to the whole world. The shirt is a perfect length: not so long so that it hangs out beneath shirts, but not so short that your guts are left exposed (it comes in plus sizes, too). They are totally tagless — and one side is slightly lower than the other, so you can flip it around based on the neckline of whatever garment you are wearing it with. It comes in a rainbow of fun colors (not just your basic boring black and white), and smooths perfectly without the riding up, digging in, and general discomfort that comes with a shapewear tank top.
Nordstrom’s sizing chart says they run small (and to order one size up), but I very much disagree. These tanks aren’t meant to be loose and flowing — the whole point of them is to create a comfortable “second skin” that your clothes can lie nicely upon. I buy them in doubles (and sometimes even in triples), since my actors constantly steal them. When women with Oscars on their shelves snag things from the costume department, you know they’re good.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
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