If someone said to you that you could reap the benefits of having a perter bum without having to go through consultations, surgery and a whole lot of money, you'd probably think it sounded too good to be true. M&S, however, has invented a pair of 'bum-boosting shorts' which offer women a larger derriere without any kind of BBL or bum implants. Instead, it's a new kind of shapewear for just £15.
Since Kim Kardashian broke the internet back in 2014 with her Paper magazine cover, it feels like the world hasn't stopped talking about bums. Some of the most searched-for bottom-related terms of Google include: 'What's the best bum workout?', 'What is a BBL (and where do I get one)?' and 'How do I get a big bum?' Kim K herself put it down to her rigorous workout routine that includes a whopping 1000 squats per day (although I think most of us will agree that we're lucky if we do that per month). But, if you don't have the time (or energy) to commit to doing 1000 squats a day, there is another option to try.
Earlier this month, M&S released a pair of shorts labelled the 'BBS' which it calls 'a first of its kind of the M&S lingerie business, designed by the in-house team.' And they are pretty ingenious. With removable bum-boosting pads, a seamless design and a Cool Comfort finish, these shorts are here to boost your bum whenever you feel you want it.
M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
The M&S shorts, dubbed the 'BBS' (move over, BBL), are made out of a lightweight recycled nylon and feature the cutting-edge Cool Comfort finish that aims to keep you cool. The shorts are available in a range of sizes (small, medium, large and extra large) and are offered in three colours (rose quartz, rich amber and black).
My review of the M&S bum-boosting shorts:
I would say I have an average bum or maybe slightly larger-than-average bum, but I was still intrigued to try these shorts.
Before shorts:
My immediate thoughts: these bum-boosting pads are LARGE, which isn't great if you've been holding onto the same pair of Levi's jeans since you were 18 and sometimes struggle to squeeze into them after a big meal, let alone when you have two thick pieces of fabric stuffed in your backside. So, just be aware that if your jeans are already on the tighter side, you may want to swap for a pair with a little more room when wearing the shorts underneath.
After shorts:
As for the positives, these shorts do make you look like you've got a great bum and it looks natural, too. I was a little worried that it would look obviously fake but, when you sit down, there's no creasing. M&S is basically royalty when it comes to lingerie, so I'm unsure as to why I was so sceptical. Plus, the BBS does what is says it would do and removes any visible panty lines. Even if you wear the thickest pair of underwear beneath the shorts, you won't be able to tell.
I'd also say the sizing comes up true-to-size. I usually wear a size 8-10 and a waist 27-inches in jeans, and I took a medium because I purposely didn't want the shorts to be aggressively tight. Saying that, I definitely could have got away with ordering a small as they've got a lot of stretch in them - it just depends on how you prefer your shapewear to fit. I also need to mention that the shorts are surprisingly lightweight.
I'd wear the shorts occasionally for a greater feeling of confidence but, because of their lightweight nature and seamless design, you'd be able to wear them all day, every day, if you really wanted. After all, you know that famous saying, behind every great woman is her - bum?
Gemma Lavers is a Fashion Writer at Bauer Media, writing for brands like Grazia, heat and Closer. Gemma specialises in all things fashion and enjoys outfit planning (especially for holidays), scrolling social media for the next trend and shopping (probably for a new coat).