Ok, seriously - we are in the last month of winter now, can you believe it? And before you know it, it's Spring and with Spring comes smaller, lighter, tighter outfits. So, seriously it's time to shape up, and the easiest way to do that, without hitting the gym - which isn't easy either if you ask me - is to invest in undergarments.

Before you panic however, I'm not talking about the kind your gran used to wear (although, she was on to something) but the new, improved amazingly effective styles that many major lingerie companies are now producing.

Believe it or not, most celebrities' have been aware of the benefits of shapewear for years now, with some openly spruiking the benefits. Take our own Kate Ceberano for instance - she's just become the New Ambassador for Playtex and their new campaign labelled "Confidence" It is a celebration of fuller-figured women, offering them comfortable and sexy underwear. But, better still the Playtex range also includes a glamourous shapewear line called Secrets Satin Support. So whilst Kate is all about celebrating her curves (we applaud you Kate), she also recognises that there are times when we need a little bit of extra help!

And, there's no doubt the best way to get that extra help and create a fabulous outfit at the same time is to make sure you wear the correct underwear. It's Style 101 for any Fashion Editor or Stylist worth their salt, and thanks to people like Kate, it's now becoming common knowledge for women everywhere.

No longer relegated to the bedrooms of our grandmother's, modern women are now embracing shapewear in all its forms - tummy tighteners, magic knickers, bum lifters, bra enhancers etc - and why not? It's definitely cheaper than surgery, and a lot less painful. And with the array of great new designs and new looks in shapewear (check out big W's Instant Shape by Anabella range), it's high time this hitherto hidden secret was exposed. And expose it we did in this week's issue of New Idea. Check it out, you can actually see how sexy they really do look.

Ok some may be a little hard to wriggle into or clip up, but the harder they are to get into the more they'll pull you in. Plus, with all the new technology it means they don't just displace fat to other areas, they actually flatten and lift where necessary.

For everyday events though, many major companies, such as Berlei and Playtex, have developed lighter hold garments to keep you looking streamlined and comfortable and with a return to tight tailoring this fashion season, shapewear is becoming bigger than ever (no pun intended). But don't be fooled into thinking it's just the plus size gals that are purchasing it, size 8-10 women are picking up on the tricks in order to eliminate lines under their clothes as well.

While we may have Bridget Jones and her "enormous underpants" to thank for outing the benefits of under garments, we also have technology to thank for making them more comfortable and less ugly. Here's cheers to progress I say!

Until next time

Lee