Speedo Sculpture Slimline Range

Posted by dulwichmum on Sun 21 March 2010

Name of product: Speedo Sculpture® Shapeline Range.

I must point out that I have the perfect figure of an eleven year old, and so, I was unable to review this product personally (clearly). Body shaping garments are simply not necessary for everyone (smirk). Instead, I sent along my buxom landscape gardener, Morag – a particularly bitter divorcee from the Gorbals (where the hell is that?). She has the calloused hands and table manners of a gaucho… the Tracey Emin of the Dulwich gardening scene (no, really)!

Price: £100

The blurb: “Love your curves in Speedo Sculpture bodyshaping swimwear. Designed by women for women. Speedo Sculpture is a sophisticated and soft medium control bodyshaping range that gives you the support you need for great confidence. The Speedo Sculpture collection offers maximum choice as styles feature one or more of the following features – bust support, tummy control, cup sizing and adjustable straps.” Apparently it is the closest thing to made to measure swimwear available.

First impressions: Morag was initially disappointed as she adores leopard print but was forced to chose simple black as the range comes in just two colours: raspberry or black. Morag remarked that she found the suit to be remarkably weighty.

Ease of Use: Morag was measured by a Speedo professional at their flagship store in Neal Street, to determine her requirements; waist smoother, bust shaper or tummy and hip sculptor – in all the usual places plus body length (which she admitted made complete sense). Over the shoulder, down the front, under and through …ooops! And up the back. Morag commented that the staff were discretion itself.

“I do not need anyone to know which size I was shoehorned into. Imagine, if you can, body shape underwear with additional ironmongery!

Roll the costume down, step in like a pair of tights, shimmy it up over the hips and abdomen, flip up the cups, fasten the corsetry at the back, adjust the straps, make some final adjustments… step back and gaze in wonderment!

I HAVE A 1950s HOURGLASS FIGURE!!! I am gorgeous!” (Clearly I had all of her words translated into English for the purpose of this review, and I do not permit obscentities on my blog).

Calm down Morag… I have to admit that I have seen Morag in the said swim suit, and I must admit that the transformation is remarkable. But this is Morag we are talking about…

Pros: 3 styles. 2 body lengths. B – G cup sizing. All over firm control shaping support. All over medium control support. Additional zoned control panels. Supports the bust and flattens the tummy. Multi-way straps for maximum comfort and flexibility. Soft Italian fabric – exclusive to Speedo. This garment is essential kit for those of you who use shapewear, the Spanx of swimwear!

Cons: The suite is heavy and Morag wondered if there was a possibility of water drag (Morag is a diver). However, she says that the weight is negligible once the suit is on.

Value for money: Speedo Sculpture swimwear is surprisingly affordable when you consider the beautiful body it creates. Morag drinks alcohol from 2 litre plastic bottles, but she is prepared to spend £100 on an additional suit for her holidays in Eqypt later this summer, so yes, I would say the suit is good value.

Dulwichmum (‘s gardener’s) verdict:

Stockists: Online at Speedo , or the Speedo Store at 41-43 Neal Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9PJ. Branches of Rigby and Peller and Bravissimo.