I don’t know how else to say it. Don’t be Kim Kardashian. Just because she pees on her Spanx doesn’t mean you have to.
Here’s how to go to the bathroom wearing shapewear.
How do you go to the toilet in Spanx?
First off, you have options. If you’re wearing Spanx bottoms and not a bodysuit, simply roll them down and use the toilet as usual. It’s like pulling down pants or pantyhose, only more challenging. You don’t have to take them all the way off.
If you have trouble getting them back up again because you’re sweaty, dust your skin with baby powder. Take a deep breath and let it out before you start rolling upward. Get your butt settled into place and everything else is easier to adjust.
If you have a leotard that has a fastener in the crotch, try putting a foot up on the toilet to brace yourself and make it easier to reach the closure.
If you’re wearing a faja, corset, or bodysuit when you need to go to the bathroom, those may change things. Keep reading to find out how to handle shapewear with a pee flap.
How to pee in shapewear with a gusset
Some types of shapewear or compression garments have a gusset. This is an opening in the crotch. It typically has two flaps like lips that overlap. This is what an open gusset is. Most people wear shapewear without underwear underneath so the gusset provides a direct exit for urine.
To use the bathroom while wearing this type of garment, pull up your dress or pull down your pants. With one or both hands, pull open the gusset to urinate into the toilet instead of on your clothing.
If that sounds a little gross, I agree. Fortunately, people have come up with solutions. There is a product called peeLUX that holds the gusset open and protects the fabric from getting wet. (You’ll see it later on in this article). Some women carry a portable urinal so they can pee standing up using the gusset.
Toilet paper or paper towels are a low-tech solution to protect your bodysuit from urine. Open the gusset and stuff the paper into place around the edges before using the bathroom. This has the advantage of holding the flaps open so that you don’t have to keep your hand there.
Pro tips for peeing in public restrooms while wearing Spanx or a bodysuit
Of course, it’s a hassle to use the bathroom while wearing shapewear. It’s even worse if you have to use a public restroom with unpredictable sanitary conditions, tiny stalls, and a long line.
Don’t wait until the last minute. The average human pees every 3 to 4 hours. Go before you need to go. That way you won’t be in a hurry and end up doing things you’ll regret later like soaking your Spanx.
Invest in a bodysuit with a crotch closure that you can open easily. Or wear shapewear that you can pull down and pull on again without needing a handmaiden to dress you.
Carry a few hygiene wipes with you to sanitize your hands or surfaces. It’s also convenient to bring baby powder if you perspire a lot. Damp skin makes it hell to get dressed in shapewear.
Lastly, practice at home. I don’t want you to neglect drinking water or eating because you’re afraid you’ll have to use the restroom while you’re out and about.
Don’t sacrifice liquids to prevent trips to the bathroom
I’m serious about this. Don’t harm your body by dehydrating it or starving yourself. Do you really want to pass out and end up with some weirdo giving you CPR? Nope, get comfortable peeing in your shapewear (but not on it) and you won’t have to fear trips to the toilet.
How do you use the bathroom in a corset?
When you wear a corset, it doesn’t cover your bottom. It comes down to the hips so it doesn’t get in the way of going to the bathroom. However, because of how tightly it presses, you might feel uncomfortable sitting down to go.
Your posture can make it easier to pee while wearing shapewear
If you don’t want to wet your bodysuit when you’re going to the bathroom, you might want to try sitting backward on the toilet. That sounds odd, but it may help you keep your legs apart and your body straight so that the stream hits the toilet and not anywhere else.
What if you have a bathroom emergency while wearing shapewear?
The good news is that synthetic fabric dries quickly. Or instead of dealing with the damp you could remove the garment and go commando.
Whatever you do, try not to panic. Everyone on the planet has accidents. Put the shapewear to wash as soon as you can to keep it from retaining odor.
Should you take off shapewear to go to the bathroom?
If you’re at home and not in a hurry, it might not be such a big deal to take off a leotard or similar garment. You’re probably not worried about how clean the floor is, for example.
But if you’re in a public place, it could be downright disgusting trying to avoid stepping on the floor or dropping your clothes on it. Not to mention that public bathroom stalls tend to be pretty small.
Avoid the stress and discomfort by wearing shapewear that doesn’t require acrobatics. Here are some examples:
SHAPERX Bodysuit
Someone asked about how to pee in Skims shapewear. I didn’t have any on hand, but this bodysuit is definitely a dupe for Skims. It comes in sizes from XXS to 5XL to fit almost anyone who wants to trim their silhouette.
The material is soft and stretchy. The top part of the bodysuit fits all cup sizes and has adjustable straps. It does a great job of smoothing the figure without feeling too tight.
Since we are talking about how to pee in a bodysuit, the highlight here is the convenient hook and eye fastener in the crotch. You don’t have to take anything off, pull anything down, or worry about peeing through a flap. Just unhook it like you would your bra (because it’s the same type of fastener) and do your business.
The easiest way to close it is to pull down the rear part first and settle it over your bum. It doesn’t have full bottom coverage and it’s important to get it situated so it doesn’t rise up.
Bring the front part down next and put a foot up on the toilet to make room. Clip, clip, and a little adjustment, then you’re ready to get on with your day.
Flexees Women’s Maidenform Firm Foundations Hi-Waist Thigh Slimmer
If you can pull it down like shorts, it’s way easier to go to the bathroom. This high-waisted garment tucks in the tummy, butt, and thighs. It sits just below the bra which means you may be able to place it underneath the bra if it rolls down after a few hours. (On the bright side, the reviewers say that it tends to stay up).
Nevertheless, it’s a pain to get it back in position if you pull it all the way down to go to the bathroom. That’s why there is a split gusset in the crotch. Simply slide the flaps apart to go to the bathroom. You can tuck toilet paper around the edges to protect the fabric. Otherwise, you can use something like peeLUX below to hold the flaps open.
On the bright side, the crotch is lined with 90% cotton to keep things breathable. On the downside, some women are nervous about wearing pads directly on the split gusset opening.
FeelinGirl Shapewear Triple Control Faja
How do you go to the bathroom in a faja?
First, what is a faja? It’s a girdle, a garment that doesn’t just create an hourglass shape for fashion. It also speeds recovery from surgery.
I like this particular faja because it has a zippered crotch. It’s more secure than a split gusset or open gusset. And it’s much easier to manage than hook and eye closures. On the downside, be careful not to pull any hair!
If your shapewear provides a lot of compression it might not be comfortable enough to have a zippered crotch to go to the bathroom. The very act of sitting down might be uncomfortable. Therefore, it’s time to try alternatives. Here’s one that may seem silly but actually works amazingly well.
Reusable Silicone Female Urinal
Hmm, I wonder if I can get my boyfriend to try this. It might help him aim. It’s a portable silicone urinal. With it, you don’t have to sit down to pee.
The wide opening fits through the gusset and over the private part to funnel the urine down and out away from clothing. The extra tube provides more distance for safety.
The two sections pull apart to fit into the carrying bag. Do you really need to use the tube part? Not really, but let’s be honest. Haven’t we all been jealous of guys who can urinate into a bottle? Well, this makes it possible.
The urinal is washable with soap and water. If possible, let it dry completely before storing it.
peeLUX Womens Shapewear Bodysuit Pee Accessory
We’ve finally reached the famed shapewear accessory that someone should probably send to Kim Kardashian. (I think J. Lo already uses it).
It’s a soft ring that holds the flaps of the gusset open so that you can use the bathroom without getting wet or using your hands to keep things in place. It wipes clean with toilet paper or hygiene wipe and no one needs to know your secret.
What’s interesting is that women who’ve had surgery and must wear shapewear 24/7 find this device super helpful. It’s not just a fashion accessory.
It’s compatible with any type of shapewear that has an elasticized crotch opening. This includes Spanx, Assets, and more. In other words, the fabric needs to be a little stretchy so that the peeLUX will stay in place.
Trust me, it’s much nicer than dealing with wet toilet paper.
To sum up, here are the highlights of the products I mentioned in this article:
| Shapewear that doesn’t require undressing to go to the bathroom | Highlights |
|---|---|
| SHAPERX Bodysuit |
|
| Flexees Women's Maidenform Hi-Waist Thigh Slimmer |
|
| FeelinGirl Shapewear Triple Control Faja |
|
| Shapewear accessories that make it easier to go to the bathroom | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Reusable Silicone Female Urinal |
|
| peeLUX Womens Shapewear Bodysuit Pee Accessory |
|
Conclusion
I hope I answered your questions about how to use the bathroom while wearing Spanx, fajas, corsets, and other types of shapewear.
Don’t let it intimidate you. People all over the world manage this every day. Soon you’ll be comfortable and proficient in dealing with restroom trips.
Try different methods to see what works best for you. Although a minimalist might not use toilet paper or accessories to help, it’s okay if that’s not your style. Use what you need and don’t forget to hydrate.