Celebrity stylist Jessica Paster used to make undergarments for her red carpet clients from control top pantyhose.

"Before Victoria's Secret and Spanx and all those companies, I used to take a pair of tights or pantyhose and cut the feet off," she told StyleList. "That was our shapewear."

In fact, Paster was sewing one of these makeshift undergarments into the white strapless Randolph Duke gown Kim Basinger wore as an Oscars presenter in 1999.

"At 7 in the morning on that Sunday, [we realized] what we forgot to get was a strapless bra or girdle. Because all the stores were closed, I took pantyhose that I had and cut the bottom to make it into a bustier," Paster shared. "That is a true story."

Paster, who is a spokesperson for Victoria's Secret Shapewear this Oscars season, said she wished she'd had Victoria's Secret on her team that year.

However, her current clients Emily Blunt, Jordana Brewster and Carla Gugino will definitely benefit from the association.

"It doesn't matter if you're a size two or a size 12, every woman looks more beautiful in shapewear. When you put it on, all your clothes just hang beautifully," she said drawing this analogy: "It's like having a hoop [earring] and then having one with diamonds on it. It's that extra umph."

And the stylist, who's worked with A-listers including Cate Blanchett, Charlize Theron, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston and Naomi Watts, offers some tips for the rest of us when it comes to wearing shapewear:

• If you're wearing a tight dress, always wear one size smaller than you normally wear in shapewear. "If you're a size medium, go to Victoria's Secret and get a size small. Don't be afraid. It will fit you beautifully," she says

• Don't be afraid to wear shapewear under pants. "Nothing is more beautiful and sexy than a smooth behind," and;


• Always wear shapewear in your skin tone. "Skip the [stark] black and white."

And check out what the top stars do to ensure flawless skin on the big night.