First thing’s first: why buy shapewear? We are slowly making progress towards an age of body positivity– so why change our shape to conform to society’s ideals? Great question. I hope we, as humans, get to a place where we are totally, completely comfortable in our own skin, loving and accepting every bulge and blemish and irregularity.
Alas, beauty standards constantly change, and we always seek to adapt to them– we have throughout history. Now, we have shapewear to adjust, smooth, nip & tuck our bodies to “perfection”- however we see that.
Today there are thousands of different shapewear pieces and brands available, many of which are comfortable, or at least tolerable, for everyday wear. So if it makes you feel a bit more confident – go for it! Allied Market Research recently predicted the global compression and shapewear market would be worth $6.95 billion by 2030, Sounds like this trend is here to stay, at least for a while. Read on for today’s best options:
What Kind?
There are a variety of shapewear available, depending on your needs/desires. Perhaps you want a more exaggerated hourglass figure for that new bodycon dress on a night out; maybe the girls need a little lift for a special occasion; or perhaps you just want to feel a little more pulled in and confident for a work event. Below are styles available for every need:
Full body shapewear
All over coverage. Best for bodycon dresses or tight fitting looks.
Bodysuits
Boobs, tummy, and butt smoothing. Some versions have shorts, adding leg support.
Slips and Tanks
Coverage for the whole midsection; alternative to bodysuits for smoothing under dresses.
Waist Trainers
Best if you just want to nip and smooth your waist.
Shorts
Leg support; Skims even offers a one-legged short version that acts as a solution to high-waisted skirts.
Underwear
Control for butt and tummy; Cosabella sells a thong version, with tummy control over rear support.
Bras
Designed to lift and shape, with minimal seams.
Brands
Yitty
Brand new to the shapewear market is Yitty, the line launching April 12th by none other than her majesty Lizzo, in a collaboration with Fabletics. After Fenty and Skims, it may seem as if this is just another celebrity trying to make an extra buck.
But Lizzo has fresh ideas; she wants her shapewear to announce itself proudly– not be hidden. She says of the line: “I’m selling a mentality that ‘I can do what I want with my body, wear what I want and feel good while doing it.’ We’ll be feelin’ good as hell.
Spanx
The name is synonymous with shapewear; Sarah Blakely founded Spanx back in 2000 and has since become a self-made billionaire – that should tell you something about the wild popularity of her brand. Spanx began selling foundational garments, but has since expanded into activewear, swim, denim and other apparel. It’s a go-to for many celebrities– and everyone else.
