Many women have been struggling for a long time to find the right shapewear that looks and feels good. Throughout history, there was little choice for women, most of us were directed to either gymnastic spandexes or constricting corsets, but luckily that time is long gone. The future is now, and finding shapewear is easier than ever.
Shapewear has become an increasingly popular undergarment that feels comfortable and gives you a fantastic figure regardless of body type or size. Many use it as a self-esteem amplifier since it shapes the body in the right places, thus maintaining your natural body shape with slight figure enhancements.
But the rise of shapewear has its downfalls when we don’t fully understand what to use and when. The most important part of wearing shapewear is choosing the right shapewear for different bodies and outfits. Here’s a list of the different types of shapewear available on the market that every woman should know about.
What types of shapewear are there?
Since the whole idea about shapewear is that it fits the body and is invisible underneath the clothes, some might think that there’s not much to it. But since modern clothing varies so much, just as styles do, picking the right shapewear can sometimes be tricky.
Maybe you have a long-sleeved short dress that requires shaping your arms, but not thighs or you have a sleeveless shirt with a thigh skirt that needs some hip and waist slimming. Whichever the case, have no fear. There is a specific type of shapewear for every occasion and outfit.
Tummy tuckers, corsets, thigh shapers, butt shapers, tanks, bodysuits, compressing body suits, full body shapewear, and many other styles are available. When buying one, there are several things you should consider. The more you know about shapewear, the more you empower yourself to look and feel great. So, let’s get to it!
Bodyshapers
The term body shaper can refer to any type of garment that shapes your body. Still, when talking specifically about shapewear, bodyshaper is an undergarment that covers your breasts, stomach, waist, and hips but is short and does not cover your thighs and legs. It is used for slimming the abdomen and hips but offers excellent support for your breasts and does not require wearing a bra. It usually has straps, but they are available staples too.
Singlets
If you prefer wearing your bra under your shapewear, then singlets are an excellent choice since they cover the stomach, waist, hips, and thighs but do not cover your breasts. That is why they allow you to wear any type of breast support you like. They fit closely to the body and shape it the same way as body shapers. You can wear them under a dress or a bodysuit.
Dress slips
Dress slips are perfectly designed to fit under a dress. They can be shorter or longer, but usually not too long under the knee. They can have straps or be strapless, cover your breasts or reveal them so that you can wear a bra of your choice.
They slim the entire body, including the waist, hips, butt, and outer thighs, and also prevent irritation that some outfit materials can cause on the skin. They are perfect for long formal dresses but can be used under any type of dress you like.
Camisoles
Camisoles are one of the most used types of shapewear you can think of. Even if you do not want shapewear, their stretchy, light, breathable material offers excellent support for breasts, so many women choose them simply for that reason.
They also slim your stomach and protect the skin from unpleasant materials that irritate, such as wool or any type of synthetic material. They usually have adjustable straps, so you can control the tightness. They slim the waist, and longer ones can shape the hips, but many women wear them for their sheer comfortability.
Arm shapers
Arm shapers are not one of the most popular types of shapewear but are included in the list because more and more people are turning to them. They represent an undergarment that shapes the arms and leaves the rest of the body as is.
Sometimes, an arm shaper can include breast support but usually doesn’t. It can reach your hands or cover the upper parts of your arms, sliding down to just below the elbows. It is excellent for long-sleeved tight dresses.
Corsets
Corsets are one of the most famous (and traditional) types of shapewear. This is the shapewear that reaches way back in time, to eras where fashion norms obligated women to wear them. Since then, a lot has changed, and women are no longer forced to shape their waists in uncomfortable ways. But many choose to use modern corsets still because the old ideal of the female hourglass body remains deeply rooted in society, or they simply like how it makes their body look. Whatever the reason, corsets remain one of the most worn undergarments.
Even though they can provide solid support for the spine, which might benefit some people with back issues, corsets are generally one of the most dangerous shapewear.
They are not always made of light and breathable material, so they can irritate the skin. They can also be too tight, which might cause discomfort and sometimes even breathing issues.
Today, there are many different corset types, and choosing one depends mainly on the occasion, the outfit, body type, and body size. Since Underoutfit does not offer any corsets in our collections, there are some replacements that do the job but feel much more breathable, movable, and lighter on the body.
Half slips
Half slips shape the waist, hips, thighs, and butt. They have a lot of similarities with other shapewear, such as shorts, but since they are not designed explicitly for pants, they can take a form of a skirt. Their material is, like all shapewear, light and breathable, so it is easy to wear them in summer, under dresses or shorts.
Controlling hips and waist
Controlling hips and waist can be done in several ways, but it mostly takes the form of high-waisted underwear or shorts that helps your butt, waist, and hips look dazzling, no matter the outfit you wear. They are suitable for sportswear, casual or formal dressing, and are also made of light material, ideal for summer.
They are invisible under clothes and great for wearing under tight pants or jeans because they do not require you to wear underwear, so there won’t be any underwear lines that could ruin the outfit.
Controlling pants
Controlling pants shape your lower body, including hips, thighs, butt, and calves. They can vary in shapes and sizes, from very tight ones that shape your entire legs to flare ones that primarily shape your bottom, hips, and thighs.
Your choice depends on the outfit you are aiming at and the occasion. Breathable material makes them suitable even for training, so many people wear them to the gym, running, walking, or doing other physical exercises.
Controlling shorts
Controlling shorts are used for shaping the waist, hips, and bottom. They can vary in length but mostly reach the middle of the thigh, which is why they are not often used for shaping thighs. They are great for shorter summer dresses, when you want to be able to move freely, but can be worn under pants or tighter skirts and dresses. Because of the light material and almost skinlike feel, many use them as a form of sportswear.
Shapewear Is For Everyone
In conclusion, different types of shapewear will affect your body differently, so when choosing the right style, consider all circumstances of your outfit and overall look. Also, make sure you feel comfortable and breathable enough to spend some time wearing the shapewear. Try to choose light materials that will not make you sweat and will not irritate your skin, especially if you suffer from various skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, etc.).
There are quite a few similarities between different types of shapewear, so sometimes, it might be hard to distinguish them. But at the end of the day, the name of the type is far less important than the role it plays in the lives of many women and men.
If any particular type helps you shape your body the way you want, it is no shame to use it, regardless of gender, age, or size. Shapewear is made for everyone, and its adaptability is the best proof.
Put how you feel in front of how you look. Remember that the most remarkable beauty comes from feeling good, and keep that in mind when choosing shapewear. If you choose one that is too tight, loose, short, or long, you will no longer feel comfortable, reflecting on your outfit and overall look. So, let your body breathe and keep it as natural as possible, only slightly enhancing your natural beauty with a little help of quality shapewear.
