If you’ve been looking into different ways to accentuate your body shape, you may be wondering: why use shapewear for women? Simply put, shapewear is designed to change the way that clothes hang and drape on your body, which is always something desirable. While it’s a far cry from the stays and corsets of the past, it still rids your body of unsightly lumps and emphasizes your breasts and butt to give you a beautiful hourglass silhouette.
Indeed, shapewear has changed the way people dress by giving them a much-needed confidence boost to wear more feminine and tight-fitting clothing. If you’re just getting into shapewear, here are a few things to keep in mind so that you can wear them correctly:
- What to Do When Wearing Shapewear
- Do Try on the Shapewear First
- Do Dress Appropriately for the Shapewear That You Have
- Do Put Your Shapewear on Slowly
- Don’t Buy Shapewear That’s Too Small or Too Big for You
- Don’t Focus on Seams Too Much
- Don’t Look at Shapewear as a Fitness Solution
What to Do When Wearing Shapewear
Do Try on the Shapewear First
Unlike other forms of clothing, it’s a little harder to buy shapewear online because you can’t try it on like you can when purchasing them in a physical store. There’s nothing worse than realizing that it simply doesn’t fit after you’ve already paid for it and brought it home. Since the point of shapewear is to give you a nicer-looking body, you have to make sure it fits you correctly before spending your hard-earned money on it.
Do Dress Appropriately for the Shapewear That You Have
While you can get away with wearing certain types of shapewear with any kind of outfit, you can’t do that with all shapewear. That’s right—some types are meant to be worn with specific types of clothing. That’s why finding out how to dress appropriately for the shapewear that you have can go a long way.
As a rule of thumb, always make sure that your clothes effectively hide the shapewear that you’re wearing underneath. The whole point of shapewear is to be hidden, so a visible strap, sleeve, or seam might end up making you look sloppy rather than sexy.
Do Put Your Shapewear on Slowly
Since shapewear is made of sheer and stretchy materials, you need to be gentle while putting it on to prevent tears and holes. The process is similar to putting on stockings in the sense that you can’t rush it. You need to bunch it up, ease yourself into it, and slowly release the fabric as you gradually pull upward. Give yourself time to do this so you get a smooth and flawless finish.
When it comes to mastering shapewear, it’s good to be aware of what you shouldn’t be doing. After all, wearing your shapewear the wrong way can not only be comfortable, but it can also be embarrassing. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid:
Don’t Buy Shapewear That’s Too Small or Too Big for You
Unless you’re anticipating significant changes in your body shape, it’s always a good idea to buy shapewear that fits you just right. You won’t magically change dress sizes when you have shapewear on; it’s simply made to give you a smoother and more flattering figure. Besides, trying to fit into shapewear in the wrong size won’t make you look slimmer or thicker than you actually are. Instead, you’ll only end up making yourself uncomfortable. Remember: you’re beautiful at any size, so look for well-fitting shapewear that can accentuate your natural figure.
Don’t Focus on Seams Too Much
The seamless forms of shapewear are great, but they’re not the only options out there. Not all of your shapewear has to be seamless, especially if they’ll only be covered up by your clothing. That said, seamless bras, control briefs, and bodysuits are great when paired with tight tops and dresses. However, shapewear that can be covered up by your skirt or pants need not be seamless. It’s far more important to focus on the fit and shaping effect more than the seams of your shaping garments.
Don’t Look at Shapewear as a Fitness Solution
Shapewear is not an alternative to making healthy lifestyle changes. While it does make clothes look better on your body, eating right and exercising will give you longer-lasting results. At the end of the day, your body will still look the same after you take your shapewear off.
However, shapewear can become a great tool in your fitness journey because it can help you look slender and feel more confident as you pursue your ideal figure. Whether you’re in the process of weight loss or muscle gain in the quest to live and feel better, you can rely on shapewear to make you look good and remind you of your goals.
Learning how to properly wear shapewear may not be as easy as it seems, but it’s not completely impossible. With the right amount of effort and research, you’ll be slipping into your shapewear like it was a second skin. Keep these do’s and don’ts in mind so you can rock your favorite outfits with grace and confidence.
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FAQs
Not too tight
Make sure you are getting the right size when you purchase shapewear – or any type of clothing for that matter, Dr. Wakim-Fleming says. If the garment is tight around the hip area especially it can constrict the blood circulation to the lower legs.
What happens if you wear a body shaper everyday? ›
It is very common for women who wear fashion designer dresses to wear shapewear. But it is not healthy as it puts pressure on the spine and basically moves around your organs to give you the desired shape. Also it restricts the circulation of blood. Wearing it occasionally is fine but daily is not recommended.
Do you wear a bra under shapewear? ›
If you're wearing a camisole with cleavage support, then you probably don't need to. Wearing a bra with shapewear can sometimes feel constricting so the best answer depends on how comfortable you feel and the level of support you usually need from a bra.
Why does my stomach look bigger in shapewear? ›
"Women sometimes try to size down to add extra firmness," Joy says. "But that makes you look bigger because it can cause bulges, and it can be uncomfortable." Too-tight shapewear may lead to health problems, says neurologist Orly Avitzur, MD, medical advisor for Consumer Reports.
How many hours a day should you wear shapewear? ›
In order to maximize its effects, shapewear should be worn for at least 8 hours a day – but no more than 12 hours – with breaks every two hours or so. You should also make sure to wash your shapewear regularly in cold water using gentle detergents that are specifically made for delicate fabrics.
Do you wear undies under Spanx? ›
Spanx doubles as underwear, so no need to wear both. Some styles allow you to use your favorite bra instead, or you can try the brand's own panties and bras. Nude colors work well for lighter shades, and black is best for dark colors.
Does shapewear flatten stomach? ›
Shapewear can also help to hide bloating. By wearing a waist cincher or body shaper, you can help to flatten your stomach and give yourself a slimmer appearance. Waist trainers are especially effective at reducing bloating, as they help to hold your stomach in place and prevent it from expanding.
Is there any side effects of wearing shapewear? ›
May cause skin problems
Shapewear sits right above your skin. Plus wearing it can cause you to sweat more, so there's a risk of skin problems. At the same time, wearing it for a long time can cause skin irritation for long. It could also lead to skin infections or itching problems.
What are the disadvantages of tummy shapewear? ›
Aside from discomfort, waist trainers pose some pretty serious health risks.
- Difficulty breathing. Wearing a waist trainer makes it harder to breathe. ...
- Weakened core. ...
- Weakened pelvic floor. ...
- Meralgia paresthetica. ...
- Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. ...
- Rashes and infections. ...
- Organ damage.
Wondering how a body shaper functions? Well the science behind a body shaper is that when worn correctly. Body shapers simply move the fat into spaces where muscle is compressed. On the other hand, the fat is levelled into more desired areas for fat instead of simply sitting on your midsection.
If possible, choose bathroom-friendly undergarments with an opening in the crotch for easy use. If your bodyshapers go above the waist of your dress, it is much simpler to simply open the crotch and squat on the toilet than it is to take the dress off in order to remove your spandex . . .
Should shapewear be tight or loose? ›
Tips For Wearing Shapewear Comfortably
Shapewear should be snug but not tight enough to cause discomfort.
What does it mean if shapewear rolls down? ›
Your shapewear may roll up or down because it's too small and therefore too tight on your body. It can also create a lumpy look from overflow where the shapewear meets the skin. If you've chosen a piece that's too long, it may not grip as well, which also causes roll-down.
How tight should shapewear feel? ›
Shapewear or Faja compression garments should be tight but not too tight that you feel discomfort or restriction in your breathing. Shapewear should feel snug and secure against your skin without causing any rolling or bulges.
Should you size up or down in shapewear? ›
Keep in mind that shapewear is meant to be tight and compressive, but it should never be uncomfortable or restrictive. If you're in between sizes, it's generally recommended to size up rather than down. This will ensure that the shapewear is comfortable and effective in smoothing out your silhouette.
How are you supposed to go to the bathroom in shapewear? ›
If possible, choose bathroom-friendly undergarments with an opening in the crotch for easy use. If your bodyshapers go above the waist of your dress, it is much simpler to simply open the crotch and squat on the toilet than it is to take the dress off in order to remove your spandex . . .
Is it safe to wear shapewear everyday? ›
Experts still suggest using moderation when it comes to wearing these tight undergarments. Some suggest only wearing it for special occasions and not every day. There are some health risks from clothing that constricts your body. If you notice any discomfort from your shapewear, you should stop wearing it.
How long can you safely wear shapewear? ›
Weinstein says you can still wear your shapewear as long as you limit it to short periods of time. That means about eight hours max, which should get you through a night out. Take time off in between wears—that is, don't wear it every day—and, please, don't sleep in your shapewear either.
How long is it safe to wear shapewear? ›
Use shapewear for “special” occasions, not every day. Don't wear shapewear for more than eight hours at a stretch.
