Shapewear may not be a requirement for dressing well but If you want that extra, structured, polished appearance underneath it all, a good bodysuit, shaping brief or even a pair of control shorts can help boost your confidence and make you feel incredible while wearing your favourite outfit. Here’s a quick overview of some various shapewear styles that we think should make an appearance in your closet:
THE SHAPING BODYSUIT (BODIES)
Bodies help to smooth out your stomach, lift your bosom, make your bum look perky, and create a smooth silhouette – all in one! They are perfect for wearing under almost any outfit from trousers and tops, to shorts and tanks, to dresses and skirts. Many bodies have an integrated bra to offer support, but if you prefer to wear your own, there are cupless styles available that often have matching separates.
Below we share 2 of our favourite styles, the Rago Vintage All in One Girdle style 9070 (which allows you to wear your own bra) and the style 9071 (with an inbuilt bra). These two below are great for thigh shaping, and chafing prevention in addition to all the perks listed above.
Other variants of bodysuits are body briefers, these are ideal for jumpsuits and pants.
THE CONTROL DRESS
A good body control dress (also known as a shaping slip) hugs your curves, making them look smooth and toned. If you want shapely thighs, a defined waist, and a lifted bust, a control dress under your party dress is the way to go. A good shapewear dress will give you a sleek, smooth silhouette that you desire underneath it all. Many people make the mistake of buying shapewear in a size smaller, with the hope that it will take them further dress sizes down. If you are thinking of this, stop. Trying to squeeze into a shaping dress that is too small will only create the opposite effect – you would experience unnecessary bunching, in addition to rolling up; and of course, you will be downright uncomfortable.
A variation of the body slip is the half slip, shown below:
CORSELETTES
A corselette is in other words a woman’s foundation garment combining corset and bra. Corselettes help create a smooth silhouette when worn under dresses and skirts. Most corselettes come with stocking clips to help keep them in place, and many styles are pretty enough to wear on their own in the bedroom or as part of a super-sultry boudoir photoshoot.
SHAPING CAMISOLES
Camisoles help smooth your upper body and flatten your tummy. They’re more comfortable to wear than a full-body control dress and are a good choice if you’re wearing a dress that’s fitted at the top and flared at the bottom. They also work well for pairing with a show-stopping top and a pair of trousers, jeans, or a skirt.
WASPIE / WAIST CINCHER / CORSET
If you want to add a little extra definition to your waist, a waist cincher or “waspie” will be your new best friend. A waist cincher is a bit like a wide belt that’s worn around the waist to helps smooth out the tummy and support your back whilst helping create a more defined hourglass shape. They are available in a wide range of styles that include front fastening, hook-and-eye closures as well as pull-on styles, and they range from more plain, everyday wear to lacy pieces. The popular waist trainers made from Latex or Powernet (in all its varieties) falls within this sub-category.
SHAPING LONGLINE BRAS
Longline bras offer support for the chest and smooth your back so you don’t have a visible bra line. Longline bras are structured to extend a few inches lower than the band of normal underwire bras and can also do double duty as a shaping bustier. Longline bras not only help to shape your silhouette, but they can also be more comfortable to wear than bras with thinner bands because the wider band area offers more support across a larger space.
SHAPING SHORTS & MID THIGH SHAPERS
If you want a smooth line under a slim-strangling skirt or some skinny jeans, shaping shorts, and mid-thigh shapers are a good option. They help lift your bum and smooth out your thighs at the same time. You can even get shaping pants that help keep your skin cool, so you don’t get all hot and bothered on the dance floor. Because who doesn’t want to look confident and comfortable in their party clothes?
CONTROL BRIEFS / SHORTS
Control briefs and shorts are perfect for lifting and rounding your bum to create a shapely derriere. Control briefs offer everything from light to extra firm support and are perfect for everyday use. Control briefs are a good starting point if you are new to body shaping garments. Some come in the high waist while another mid-waist. It is recommended you buy according to your shaping needs. From my experience, mid-waist shaping briefs or shorts can replace your everyday panties. This style covers the lower belly and smoothes any bulge in the derriere, waist and lower belly.
ARM SHAPERS
If you’re wearing a tight top or a dress with long sleeves, you may want to try a back and arm shaper. These can even help with poor posture. Arm shapers that stretch across the back help to pull your shoulders into a more natural position can help uncurl your body.
Please keep in mind that body shapers and support garments come in different styles and shapes with different level of control ranging from light, medium, firm to extra firm; for this reason, we advice that you get the specific shapewear that meet your needs.
In conclusion, shapewear and support clothing are not reserved for some specific people, although some people might feel the need for them more than some others, generally, shapewear is for everybody. They can help you feel fabulous and more confident every single day, but you must choose your shapewear carefully. Shapewear that restricts your movement, makes you feel uncomfortable, pokes you in the wrong places, impairs your blood circulation is probably not the right fit. Fairytales, they say, are not real, but good shapewear from Brief Essentials will turn you into a Disney Princess.
