The Complete Guide to Selecting and Using Shapewear

The Complete Guide to Selecting and Using Shapewear

The right shapewear can enhance your curves and make you slimmer whether you are wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, a cocktail dress or your work uniform.

If you have tried wearing shapewear before and were not impressed, once you choose the proper type of your body, you may be in for a pleasant surprise.

Sophia Banks-Coloma, a celebrity stylist based in Los Angeles agrees. “In the past, the shapewear that was on the market just pushed the fat from one location to another unflattering location. I was once on a date and I thought I had a case of food poisoning because of the terrible shapewear I was wearing. I had to go to the restroom and take it off.”

A Denver image consultant, Milena Joy, says, ” If you wear shapewear correctly, you should feel pretty comfortable in shapewear. There are many different types of shapewear. It is available in ultra slimming and light slimming. You do not have to choose shapewear that will alter your body shape. Instead, you can select shapewear that targets certain areas of the body like your thighs, stomach, butt or several areas.”

This is all excellent advice, but first you must know how to select and use the shapewear. It is also important to understand why it should never be extremely tight on your body.

Choose the Proper Fit

Even though shapewear can be purchased online, it is always best to go to a brick and mortar store and try on different types by several brands. If you want to buy the shapewear to wear under a particular outfit, take the outfit with you. By taking quick measurements in the hip and waist areas you will ensure you choose the correct size, Banks-Coloma says.

It is important to be realistic in your expectations. Shapewear like Elle Courbee is designed to give you a slimmer silhouette by smoothing out and reducing the appearance of lumps.

However, choosing a smaller size in shapewear will not help you get into a smaller pair of pants or dress. “Many women attempt to go down a size whilst also trying to add firmness. This will only make you look bigger than you are because it will cause the body fat to bulge, and it can cause discomfort.” Joy says.

Dr. Orly Avitzur, a neurologist and a medical advisor for Consumer Reports, also mentions that wearing shapewear that is too tight can lead to health issues. Whenever someone puts on garments that are too tight, the constriction can compress nerves and organs.

Dr. Avitzur says that in her medical practice, some of her patients have complained of having numbness and tingling from the front of the hip to the knee, and from the front of the thigh to the outer thigh. She has traced some of these complaints to shapewear, skinny jeans and other types of constrictive clothing.

Not Just for Special Events

Shapewear can be worn daily, even on your job as long as you are comfortable. Joy says, “The advantage is that when worn properly, shapewear can improve a person’s self-esteem and give them confidence.

If you decide to wear shapewear daily, always take into consideration how the shapewear feels. Dr. Avitzur says, “If you avoid using the restroom during the day because the shapewear is too difficult to remove, you may increase your risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Create a Shapewear Wardrobe

Joy says, “Start with a basic slip dress, a mid-thigh shaper and then underwear. It is possible to build a wardrobe for shapewear as you do for your outer clothing.”

For added flexibility, choose a shade of shapewear that is similar to your skin tone.

If you are concerned that shapewear will make your rear end flatter, opt for one that flatters the butt. There are some that have cut-outs and others that have padding and panels that round and lift the butt.