Throughout history, women have explored countless ways to enhance their bodies to achieve a desired silhouette. Then, shapewear emerged and became one of the easiest ways to achieve a flattering fit. Shapewear can significantly improve any outfit, and best of all, your confidence. It can smooth and accentuate natural curves, cinch the waistline, and improve overall fit helping you achieve the most flattering fit. In my opinion, shapewear is a game changer and should be a wardrobe staple for everyone.
Shapewear is especially useful in today’s world where fast fashion is everywhere and clothing companies skimp on quality fabrics to decrease costs and increase profits. More specifically, polyester is one of the cheapest materials on the market, so it is widely used in the fashion industry. Unfortunately, polyester clothes are often thin, sheer, and usually don’t do much for the figure. This is where shapewear can come in handy!
I’ve tried several different brands and types of shapewear over the years, including Spanx, SKIMS, Commando, Honeylove, and many more. Shapewear can be an outfit saver, but be warned, it can be tricky. Some shapewear is very uncomfortable. Some are not seamless and create lines under clothes. Some cinch in certain places but end up creating bulges in others. Some roll down. Some are too compressing, while others don’t compress enough. Needless to say, it’s tough to find shapewear that is comfortable and actually works. Thankfully though, shapewear has come a long way, and more and more styles and brands of shapewear continue to emerge.
Types of Shapewear
Shapewear has evolved significantly over the years. It is available in many different silhouettes so it can be worn discreetly with various clothing styles and outfits. Whether you are looking to cinch your waistline, scuplt your thighs, or both, there is shapewear to accommodate your preferences and help you achieve the most flattering fit. The most common types of shapewear include shorts, bodysuits, tank tops, camis, briefs, and thongs.
Shorts
Shapewear shorts are a great piece to wear under a dress, skirt, or pants. They help hold in your tummy, thighs, and bottom. They often include a reinforced panel around the midsection to flatten the stomach and smooth the hips, thighs, and bottom.
Shapewear shorts are available in various lengths depending on your preference and outfit. There are even some shorts that have one leg that is shorter than the other, so they can be worn discreetly under a dress that has a slit near the thigh. Like I mentioned previously, shapewear has come a long way!
SPANX Oncore Mid-Thigh Short
SPANX Power Shorts Body Shaper
Bodysuits
Bodysuits are a great type of shapewear to wear under dresses, and they’re available in several different styles. Some are made with a built-in bra offering an even more comfortable, seamless fit. Others are made with a deep plunge in the front, so they can be worn with a plunge dress or top without showing.
In addition, you can find bodysuits that have spaghetti straps, wide straps, sleeves, or no straps. Several bodysuits are made with a gusset that snaps open and close, so when nature calls, you don’t have to remove the entire bodysuit. Yay for convenience!
SPANX Suit Your Fancy Strapless Cupped Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
SPANX Oncore Panty Shapewear Tummy Control Compression Bodysuit
SPANX Suit Your Fancy Low Back Bodysuit
Camis and Tanks
Shapewear camis and tanks are great to wear with just about any outfit. They are usually less restricting and not overly compressing, so they’re easy for everyday wear. If your top is made of thin or sheer fabric (like polyester), and you also want some extra support around the chest and waist, then a shapewear cami or tank is a great solution. Plus, these are usually very comfortable as you don’t have to worry about them rolling, creating bulges, or pinching in places like many other types of shapewear.
SPANX Hollywood Socialight Tank
SPANX Socialight Cami
Briefs and Thongs
Shapewear briefs and thongs are ideal for when you want to compress and sculpt your waist and bottom. Briefs cover the entire bottom, so if you like a little extra support on your backside, then these are for you. Since thongs don’t really have much in back, they provide support around the waist only. Shapewear thongs also won’t create a line that can sometimes show through your bottoms, as briefs sometimes do.
SPANX Everyday Shaping Tummy Control Panties Thong
Shapewear is designed to improve the overall look, fit, and comfort level of an outfit to help you achieve the most flattering (and comfortable) fit. It does this in many ways, depending on the type of shapewear, like offering tummy control, smoothing lumps and bumps, defining the waistline, enhancing curves, and preventing rubbing and chafing. By providing support and enhancing the figure, shapewear can boost confidence by allowing you to feel more secure and comfortable in any outfit you choose to wear.
Shapewear comes in several different styles, so it’s crucial to choose the right size and type of shapewear that best suits your body type and the outfit you plan to wear. In my opinion, shapewear should be a wardrobe staple for everyone! Once you find shapewear that fits properly and suits your style, it can be a simple, but very beneficial, tool to enhance your outfits and boost confidence.