It is a thought of the bygone era when shapewear or body shapers were considered a hindrance or a negative aspect for women kind.
When shapewear was first introduced to the world of fashion, there was a lot of dramatization and criticism that came along its way.
It was a bit unnecessary in hindsight because shapewear has turned out to be a big boon to women’s fashion. Yes, even so for the plus size community of women who have become an integral part of the world of fashion now.
Thanks to the body positivity movement and the inclusion of big-bodied models in mainstream fashion, curvy girls worldwide are finally learning to give themselves permission to feel beautiful.
Since there’s a wider variety of plus-sized clothing options, you can learn to dress in a way that expresses who you are -while flaunting what you have got- instead of “dressing to hide”.
And with the right shapewear underneath to accentuate your silhouette, you can rock any look with confidence.
Naturally, when there is a plethora of choices available for selection, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when choosing the right shapewear.
Points you need to remember when buying shapewear
Knowing your measurements is extremely important
Some women think that if they get shapewear a size down, it will provide more compression and make them look thinner.
Nope! In fact, shapewear that’s a size too small will only create bulges and rolls where you don’t want them, plus it will be extremely uncomfortable. Also, shapewear sizes don’t always correlate to underwear sizes.
Don’t assume, just because you normally buy a certain size of plus size undies, that you are the same size in shapewear.
There is different shapewear for different areas
You ought to always know what area you want to work on using shapewear. A lot of times, you will or might buy shapewear thinking it is a catch all to the areas we are looking to manage.
Not always. Wearing thigh shapers may not necessarily help with the belly and wearing a shaper slip may not give you the coverage level you want for what you are doing.
Knowing your body shape makes choosing shapewear easy
There are multiple plus size body types which means there are multiple types of shapewear that cater to these different body types as well. What’s your natural silhouette? What parts of your body do you think are your sweet spots?
Great shapewear takes what you already have and gives it a boost. No matter your size, knowing your body type will help you see the beauty you were born with (rather than trying to be someone else).
It will also help you choose the best body shaper options for your unique build. Body shapers will highlight different parts of your body while taking attention away from less flattering spots.
Buying the right shapewear for the right occasion
The amount of compression and support you need will depend on the occasion and the outfit and also, what makes you most comfortable. If you work in an office with a dress code, try medium-support pieces that will help give your business separates a clean, tailored look.
That way you stay comfortable and feel toned while looking sharp. Going to a wedding or other affair that calls for glamour? You’ll appreciate the extra firming power that comes from heavy-duty shapewear pieces.
To be honest, some occasions (like Netflix binges) don’t call for shapewear at all. But if you love hanging out in a certain pair of jeans but hate the muffin top that appears when you wear them, your best bet is light or medium support shapewear.
Why is shapewear so important in current times?
If you were to explain the importance of shapewear in a sentence, the easiest way to do so will be to tell everyone that it is not some sort of disguise but a foundation to looking your best.
If you’ve worn shapewear before, you know that it is designed to enhance your shape, as well as smooth out any bits that might make you feel insecure. And while high-compression shapewear can add extra contours to your silhouette, it’s not intended to make your body look like something it isn’t.
If you have fair skin, you wouldn’t use concealer created for dark skin, right? It would defeat the purpose of blending away dark circles or blemishes. The same goes for shapewear: as a plus-sized woman, you can’t (and shouldn’t) use shapewear meant for skinny girls.
There are high chances that the first time you were introduced to shapewear, you might have found it futile or body shaming. We are here, rather millions of women wearing shapewear are here to tell you that it is none of those things.
You may have given up shapewear along with the accompanying self-loathing. Going back to wearing shapewear doesn’t mean you don’t like your body. You wear a bra to fight gravity – shapewear is the same. And just like bras, when they fit properly, they’re actually quite comfortable.
It can’t change the shape of your body. If you’re pear shaped, putting on shapewear won’t reduce the size of your lower half so much that you’re magically an hourglass.
What it can do though, is bring the right amount of attention to your biggest assets and draw attention away from your not-so-great body parts.
No matter your size, move through the world with the highest amount of confidence. With smoothing, comfortable, seamless coverage from your plus size shapewear, you can rock any outfit, formal or informal.
There’s no limit to your wardrobe when it comes to style. So go on and show off the best version of yourself! Be confident, be proud! It is not necessary for you to buy shapewear just because ladies around you are buying it.
Remember that if you do engage in buying shapewear, you buy the right type that fits your body correct.
