The go-getter’s guide to mastering all types of shapewear
The go-getter’s guide to mastering all types of shape-wear
Shapewear has taken the market by storm with everyone wearing it under their clothes. And why not? Shapewear can smoothen out visible bulges ensuring your outfit looks perfect. Even celebrities can’t attend a red carpet event without putting one on inside their gowns.
Although for beginners, it can be a bit confusing to understand what looks good on you, a little bit of research can help you master the art of wearing shapewear that best suit your body. So here we go!
Types of Shapewear
Before you start experimenting with shapewear, you should do comprehensive research on what’s available, as there are many different types.
1. Briefs
Briefs are just like regular underwear, but they have compression panels all around the lower stomach region to flatten out belly bulges. The compression levels can vary from medium to high. For the most part, they won’t give you coverage on your upper tummy, although some of them have butt lifting properties.
2. Control Camisoles
These inventions look just like regular camisoles, but they come with hidden pads and compression underneath for support, often with underwires and pads to lift up the bust. Meanwhile, they shape up your torso by minimizing the uneven surface of your stomach.
3. Shapewear Shorts
As the name suggests, this shapewear is basically shorts that smoothen out uneven layers of your thighs. If you have the same problem in your buttocks region, this shapewear will take care of things for you. Additionally, some of them have butt lifting features.
4. Seamless Shapewear
Seamless shapewear can come in the form of brief, long legs, bodysuit, high-waisted pants or as cinchers – all of which are seamless. They’re ideal if you don’t want them to be seen under your dress, especially under cocktail dresses and gowns.
5. Waist Cinchers
Waist cinchers focus on your waistline. If you want to smoothen out the bulges in your stomach, waist cinchers will help you look smooth all around your torso. They have hook front closures so that you can adjust them according to your needs.
6. Corsets
Corsets act like waist cinchers, but with more compression around the waist. They also lift up the busts for a curvier look. Wearing corsets for a long period of time can shrink your waistline, and accentuate the buttocks.
7. Bodysuits
Bodysuits will give total coverage of the torso and legs. They will smoothen out anything you don’t want on your sides, back, stomach, buttocks, and thighs. Some of them may give coverage to your busts, while some may not.
8. Arm Shapers
Arm shapers are designed to contour the arms. You can wear them under a full-sleeved blouse or even with short sleeves.
Compression Levels of Shapewear
Shapewear can have different levels of compression, depending on what occasion you are wearing the shapewear, and also based on your comfort level. When you pick them, make sure they match your goals.
1. Medium Compression
You will need medium compression if you just want to smoothen out undesirable bulges. Shapewears with medium compression are light and will give you comfort all day long.
2. Medium to High Compression
Medium to high compression shapewears contour your body to look amazing. They will help you minimize your bulging areas, and accentuate your curves for a fitted look. Pick this if you want firm control.
3. High Compression
Shapewears with high compressions are for those occasions when you want to look your absolute best and no less. Ideal for weaning with an evening gown, for weddings, proms, and special events. They will give you extra firm control without making you feel stuffed or uncomfortable.
Shapewear According to Body Type
Generally, people fall into five types of body – apple, pear or A-shaped, hourglass, strawberry or rectangular. In order to know what type of body you have, just have a good look at yourself in front of the mirror. If still confused, the guideline below will help you for sure.
1. Apple Body
People with apply bodies have a lot of weight in the stomach region. Your hips and shoulders are likely to be narrow. The best shapewear for you is the corset and waist cinchers. The waist cincher will squeeze your tummy in, and highlight your curvy parts.
2. Rectangular Body
You have a very slim built if you have a rectangular body shape. In order to accentuate your bums, you can wear shorts and brief shapewears. You can also try the controlled camis to accentuate your bust.
3. Hourglass Body
For those of you with hourglass bodies, you don’t have much to accentuate as you are already quite voluptuous. However, it’s impossible to maintain the same weight at all times. So for those days when you need a little help, try wearing a bodysuit under your dresses.
4. Pear-shaped Body
You ladies will look fit if you can lift up your bust with a corset, controlled camisoles or underbust bodysuits. Besides, if you are not comfortable with wide hips, shapewear briefs and shorts will help you.
5. Strawberry Body
Strawberry bodied females will greatly benefit from wearing butt-lifting shapewear briefs and shorts. Because you are likely to have ample bust and narrow hip. Also, you can wear full-coverage bodysuits to balance your curves.