What you should know about shapewear

I would describe shapewear as an instant gym. Wouldn’t you?

Think about it.

They ‘snatch’ your tummy and waist, and accentuate your hips and butt perfectly. For a while, the most I would see are the full body suits and the corsets but today, we have butt and hip pads readily available for anyone who’s into that.

It’s normal to want a boost every now and then but finding the right type for you can be confusing. The least we can do is give you some tips, warnings and basic guidelines when it comes to shapewear. 

There will be many trials and errors

Before you find a brand or a type of shapewear that you can settle on, you have to go through the trial and error phase. Everyone has that brand that they love for personal reasons, but that only after going through different options. It’s actually better to try different things since it’s the only way to know if there’s something better out there. If you land on the perfect shapewear for you quickly, good for you.

You should probably consult an expert

Try and get a second opinion from someone who knows all about them. You can even go for a fitting so that you’re sure that what you’re buying is the best option for you. For me, going to a physical shop is much better as compared to online shapewear shopping because with online stores, you can’t perfectly gauge what you’re getting. But If you’re settling on online shopping, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions before buying. 

You’ll also be in a much better position to buy what you need when you’ve done some research on your own.

The material matters

Some shapewear is made of synthetic fabrics like nylon that aren’t the best for sweat and odor control because they aren’t breathable. Others like cotton blend shapewear are better for a hot day because they give you room to stay cool. The synthetics can be worn on a cold day where you’ll retain more heat and won’t sweat as much but overall, cotton blends are the best for both seasons.

The proper sizing is key

Many people assume that you should choose a size smaller when it comes to shapewear. This is a terrible idea because it will end up being too tight and it might roll down even before you step out of the house. Stick to your correct size and always find out where they’ve been shipped from because sizing varies in different countries.

Your outfit size should also be accurate

You should always buy items that flatter your body size and shape so that everything else can look right. Something will look off when you try combining your shapewear with a dress that’s too tight, for example. Buy outfits that make you look good before settling on shapewear. This will actually give you a confidence boost too.

An extra tip would be to have some that match your skin tone. These work best with every outfit because they don’t peek through anything, including white outfits.