Shapewear Slims Instantly

"Shapewear" refers to body-shaping undergarments that take off the inches without a single visit to the gym!

As The Early Show continued its year-long "Weapons of Mass Reduction" series Thursday, Glamour magazine's executive fashion editor-at-large, Suze Yalof Schwartz, showed the ones she thinks work best, with the help of volunteer models and "before" and "after" views.

Schwartz says if you really want to slim down, you should go a size smaller than you really are.

Shapewear, by any name, is hardly new. Women have been wearing body garments to conceal lumps and bumps for years, but Schwartz says the latest trend features shape-shifting undergarments that are sleeker, sexier, and designed to make you lose inches in an instant!

Selecting the right shapewear to get the job done can be a bit confusing. There are many brands and styles of body-shapers, but Schwartz likes Dr. Rey's Shapewear, Spanx and Maidenform.

The following descriptions were prepared with information provided by the manufacturers:

Volunteer No. 1
Problem area: Lumps and bumps
Solution: DrR. Rey's Shapewear
Smooth Slip: $45

Maximum control tummy panels. Highly contoured waist and hips. Hidden, no-slip finish at neckline and straight hem.

Renowned plastic surgeon to the stars Dr. Robert Rey offers a shapewear line designed for women who want to redefine their body shape without plastic surgery. Dr. Rey's pieces give you complete support while helping to smooth and shape your curves, leaving you feeling comfortable and confident in your clothing. Head-to-toe gorgeous gets easier with the smoothing slip from Dr. Rey's Shapewear. Years of surgical experience informs your foundations with maximum control panels and construction meant to mimic the results you'd get from going under the knife. Stretch microfiber gets a shot of softness from aloe.

Stretch microfiber. Aloe finish. 72 percent nylon, 28 percent spandex.

Volunteer No. 2
Problem area: Tummy Bulge
Solution: Spanx
Slim Cognito Seamless Mid-Thigh Bodysuit: $68

Go undercover with the SPANX Slim Cognito Mid-Thigh Bodysuit! This shaper comfortably shapes problem areas, accentuates your waistline, minimizes your tummy and thighs, lifts your rear, and makes inches seem to disappear! The detachable straps attach to your bra to keep the bodysuit in place and allow you to wear the bra that's best for you - and your outfit!

And to avoid the flat, uni-butt look that many shapers give your backside, Slim-Cognito offers "The Great Divide." You won't feel the subtle butt separator, but the natural perky shape won't be lost on those in your wake!

Fabric Content: 80 percent Nylon, 18 percent Spandex/Elastane, 2 percent Cotton

Volunteer No. 3
Problem area: Hips and thighs
Solution: Maidenform
Control It High-Waist Thigh Slimmer: $34

Master your thighs to look better and slimmer in your clothes. Control It! Shapewear introduces a new firm control Hi-Waist Thigh Slimmer that offers 360 degrees of support, slimming and smoothing.

Soft supple 73 percent Nylon, 26 percent Elastane, 1 percent Cotton.