Advertisement

Dame Fashion is certainly fickle! Clothes that are elegantly loose and flowing are all the rage one season only to be replaced by sleek and form fitting clothes during the next season. Trouble is, some styles can reveal unsightly bulges in the fittest of women, a fact that immediately puts them in a bind- Should they follow the fashion diktats even if it does not look good on them or should they stick to older, safer styles at the risk of being termed a fuddy-duddy? Fortunately the answer to this dilemma is simple: Shapewear for women.

Whether a wearer needs to slim or support her tummy, thighs, bottom or bust, shapewear is the answer. With a wide variety of styles and a range of support from light to extra firm, there’s a women’s shapewear garment to fit any need.

There are two things to consider when choosing shapewear: The body area that needs shaping and the level of control desired. Let’s take a look at both qualities.

Shapewear For Women Emphasizes Slimming Control

For all-over shaping and control, there’s the bodysuit, also called a body briefer or an all-in-one. This garment is sized like a bra, because it includes a built-in bra. Thus, a woman whose bra size is 36C wants to wear a bodysuit, she’d look for one in size 36D. There’s also a version of the bodysuit that’s call a body slip. Unlike bodysuits, which fit like bathing suits, a body slip is open at the bottom. Body slips also are often strapless and come with detachable straps, because they’re designed to fit under strapless dresses such as the high-fashion “bandage” dress so popular with female film and TV stars. Body slips also are sized according to bra sizes.

If there’s no need for all-over slimming or control, there are styles suitable for bust, waist, tummy, hips and thighs.

Corsets and bustiers, as well as long-line bras, are made to shape, uplift and support the bust area. Once again, these garments are sized like bras. They will compress and shape both the bust and the abdomen just below it.

When a slimmer waist is what’s needed, there are garments called waist nippers available. Usually these are briefs that have elongated waistbands reaching up to just below the bust. These garments are sized like panties, so it’s necessary to known the wearer’s waist and hip measurements.

Control and slimming for tummy and hips are among the most common needs in shapewear. These garments range from a simple shaping brief panty to a long-leg girdle that shapes tummy, waist and thighs. There’s also a version known as a pants liner, which can control “thunder thighs” beneath flimsy slacks.

After choosing a garment, the next thing to consider is the amount of control desired. When planning to wear a shaping garment all day, it’s best to choose light or moderate control for comfort. Firm control may tame the biggest bulge, but it’s also binding after a long day. And extra-firm control can sometimes feel like your great-grandmother’s corset, so save it for the briefest of special occasions.

Finally, be sure to get the right fit. It’s a big temptation when buying shapewear for women to choose something a size smaller than normal, however this is a major mistake. Too-small shapewear can be so constricting that it can be difficult to move or breathe. If the shapewear garment under consideration binds or rolls in any way, it’s too small; go up a size or even two. Sacrificing health for fashion is not an advisable trade-off!