The Little Booklet of Shapewear

We all get lumps, bumps and wobbly bits as we become women of a certain age. The good news is that with the right shapewear we can get an instant fix.
Unlike Victorian style corsets, often painful and restrictive items, modern body shapers have evolved to be both functional and comfortable. Invisible under clothes and made with innovative fabrics, they work with your body rather than against it to create a more defined figure whatever your size, allowing you to wear that killer dress with confidence. You don’t have to wear something that will totally change your shape. You can choose what spots, to target just your thighs, butt, stomach, or multiple areas.

What my bodysuit is made of

Shapewear is typically made of nylon and spandex. The higher the nylon content, the more a garment will alter your shape. You can also get a sense of the level of shaping by feeling the fabric. If it’s lightweight and slips through your hands, it’s likely designed simply to smooth out targeted spots on your figure. Heavier pieces are usually armed with compression zones that will suck and tuck your body into shape.

While nylon and spandex blends are extremely effective for shaping the body, they are synthetic materials without much breathability. Fortunately, several brands sell summer shapewear, lighter versions of their original products designed with breathability in mind.

Choosing the right shapewear

Compression ranges from light to medium to heavy-duty. Just remember to buy your exact size as wearing a piece that’s too small can risk putting stress on organs and nerves. There are many types of women’s shapewear to choose from: bodysuits to knickers, leggings and even tights. Want to tuck your tummy and lift your bust? There are camisoles or body-shaping slips. If your primary goal is to give your waist a nipped-in look, a waist cincher is a perfect choice. It is similar to a wide belt, though it may extend past your navel and down over your hips to help give you an hourglass figure. The bodysuit is the most popular shapewear because it creates a head-to-toe streamlined shape, saving you the trouble of finding separate top and bottom pieces that work. In general, it’s better to start with the basics like a mid-thigh shaper or a slip dress. For the most flexibility, look for pieces in a shade that’s close to your skin tone.

The body shapers’ next generation

Spanks, Leonisa, Playtex, Flexees from Maidenform, Triumph, and Wacoal are the most popular brands but nowadays you can choose very good shapewear by browsing the high street labels or simply surfing online. Co’Coon, Heist, Yummie, Honeylove, are those next-generation brands shaping the market with a little hug rather than a tight squeeze, investing in technology and new breathable fabrics. Their body shapers are easy to roll down, anti-bacterial, comfortable, posture-supporting and stylish. And if you don’t know where to start with, Shapermint, the virtual store, will help you find styles you’ll love both easy and affordable. You can shop by body type, brands and even filter by what body part you want to control the most.

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