Once upon a time shapewear was reserved for special events, but now women are wearing them every day to show off their figures to their best advantage. If you are considering adding shapewear to your wardrobe, then let me help you know How to Find the Best Body Shaper for You.
Before we dive into the varieties of shapewear, let’s first chat a little about what it is.
WHAT IS A BODY SHAPER OR SHAPEWEAR?
The main goal of body shapers and shapewear is to create a smooth base to help your clothing look its best. A happy side-effect is that this helps boost your confidence. Shapers compress and smooth both your body and any undergarments you may be wearing like bras, panties, hosiery lines, etc… A good body shaper is one of the fastest ways to help you instantly feel sexier.
All of us have parts of our bodies which we would like to change and shapewear provides immediate solutions to these problem areas. Want to slim your tummy and waist, or perhaps give your thighs and hips a bit of a nip? There are body shapers to do all of this and more.
Best of all you can mold your silhouette and avoid adding bulk thanks to many designs which not only slim but also have built-in bra and panties. Never fear though, if you prefer to wear your favorite bra, for example, many foundation garments allow for that too.
Most shapewear is made of flexible fabrics like spandex and nylon. These are popular because can hold you in place by varying degrees of strength. Need extra levels of support and shaping? Look for styles that include boning and other stiff inserts to truly sculpt your body.
There are numerous configurations of target areas plus support levels to choose from. We make it easy for you to find just the right ones on HerRoom.com. But, first, let me guide you through the most popular body shaper styles.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CONTROL LEVELS OF BODY SHAPERS?
Shapewear comes in several levels of control, from light through extra-firm. Let’s explore these:
LIGHT CONTROL SHAPEWEAR:
The mildest level of shaping is the Light Control amount of shapewear. If you are looking for just a touch of smoothing this is the one for you. It provides just a bit of support and will help smooth any subtle lines your bras and panties might create.
This is a popular level, especially for everyday, all-day wear, because, as the name suggests, it gives a slight degree of support so it doesn’t squeeze you very much. Popular selections for this includes camisoles, bodysuits, thigh shapers, waist shapers, and even panties.
A subtle level of slimming like this can transform body-hugging blouses and dresses that look good on their own into a knockout outfit.
When all you need is a little bit of slimming and smoothing here and there, especially for outfits you are in for extended periods of time, check out light control shapewear options.
MODERATE CONTROL SHAPEWEAR:
The next level of shapewear is Moderate Control. If you are wrestling with muffin tops or similar bulges, or you just need a bit of extra hold, this is the level for you.
Most moderate control body shapers use a combination of spandex and control panels to reshape your figure. Compression, whether it is all-over or targeted, is a feature that most moderate control pieces use to really help you maximize the benefits of this level of support, making it easy to target any trouble spots.
To create the most invisible look under outfits, look for pieces that have few or no seams plus extra details including laser-cut openings, or that use terms like flat and non-rolling in their descriptions.
Most moderate shapewear can be worn all day, although try different styles to see what feels most comfortable to you.
FIRM CONTROL SHAPEWEAR:
If you have a special event coming up and want to make sure that your silhouette is at its most sleek, consider Firm Control shapewear. This ‘next-level’ shapewear is, as the name suggests, firm, providing a high level of support, which can also make it a bit too intense to wear all day. Therefore, you may want to reserve this for special occasions.
You will find a wide variety of styles ranging from complete bodysuits to targeted pieces including waist cinchers, shaping panties, torsettes and more.
EXTRA-FIRM CONTROL SHAPEWEAR:
The final category is the ultimate, most intense level: Extra Firm Control. It offers the highest degree of compression and sculpting. Like its firm cousin, this is considered a bit intense by many people for extended periods of time, so reserve this for special occasions only.
WHICH SHAPEWEAR IS RIGHT FOR ME?
As the popularity of shapewear has grown, so have the choices. To help you not feel overwhelmed I’m going to share the top picks for the most popular types of shapewear and explain how and why they work.
SHAPING CAMISOLES
Looking to smooth your tummy, bust, back, and waist? Consider a shapewear camisole.
This tank style top is available in every degree of control from light to firm and is an ideal way to smooth bulges especially at the waist.
Some styles have built-in bras and others can be worn over a bra. If you prefer to wear your own bra and don’t want to add bulk, look for torsette style bras. These cupless style tops give you the slimming benefits at your waist while allowing you the luxury of wearing your favorite bra.
In the past, shaping camisoles were rather plain, but now you can find styles with charming details and patterns which are stylish enough to wear on their own.
There is also a variety of neckline options to help further tailor the camisole to your specific outfit needs. Look for deep plunging styles, scoop neck, v-neck and more to help you look and feel great every day.
BODY SHAPERS
Perhaps you want a solution for your tummy, waist, back, and hips? If so, consider a body shaper.
With its signature leotard shape (like a one-piece swimsuit) this piece targets your body’s core. Most have built-in bras so they provide both modesty and control from your chest to your bottom.
Body shapers are available in a range of support levels giving you options for every day as well as special occasions.
These are popular options under tight-fitting blouses, dresses, and any other clingy or body-hugging styles.
If you need to add some control to your hips and thighs, look for a bodysuit that includes leg support to avoid having too many layers on and inadvertently adding bulk to your outfit.
THIGH SLIMMERS
If you want to solely focus on your hips and thighs, look to thigh slimmers for assistance.
With options ranging from shorts to entire leg coverage, you can find just the right design for every occasion. Plus, there are control levels for every style as well.
Be mindful about where the waist falls on the leg shapers you choose. High-waisted options help to avoid any awkward cuts or bulges at the waist.
If your waist is not a concern, look for laser-cut edges to keep the transition from shaper to your skin smooth and ripple-free.
One other area to pay careful attention to with leg shapers are the hems. Look for styles that have silicone grippers or other enhancements to avoid any rolling which could occur over time.
Similar to the camisoles we discussed above, there are many legging style leg shapers which come in fabrics and patterns which are appropriate to wear on their own. Giving you even more confidence and flexibility with your shaping wardrobe.
WAIST CINCHERS
If you only need a bit of tummy shaping and want to wear your own bra and panties try a waist cincher, or waist nipper as they are sometimes called.
Many waist cinchers offer firm support and have built-in boning in the lining, which runs vertically, to create the ultimate hourglass shape.
Most have hook and eye closures though some are available in a pull-on style.
If you plan to wear stockings consider a cincher with a garter option to keep your undergarments to a minimum.
SHAPING PANTIES
If your tummy and your rear are the areas you most desire to sculpt, consider the simplest body shaper of all: shaping panties.
This hard-working shaper is available in every degree of control from light to firm and comes in a staggering array of designs including thongs, briefs, boy shorts, and more.
There are also styles which come with rear-padding options to help sculpt and shape your figure even more.
Many styles include charming lace details helping the panties feel less utilitarian and infinitely more feminine.
Shapewear can have a profound effect on how you fit and feel in your clothes which can dramatically impact your level of confidence.
HOW TO LAYER SHAPEWEAR VIDEO
In this video, I share tips about how to wear and layer shapewear and also discuss many of the styles we reviewed in this post. Watch it below or click here to watch it on YouTube.
I hope this primer on How to Find the Best Body Shaper for You has revealed the many possibilities within shapewear, helped you better understand these transformational garments, and that you are ready to expand your wardrobe and your self-confidence!
Find a better fit,
Tomima