The best techniques for building a clothing foundation

When you want to look and feel great, start at the foundation. A secure and smooth line means that clothes hang better and you feel more confident. Depending on occasion and the outfit you want to wear, there’s a shapewear arrangement that’s perfect for you. This is why a well stocked underwear drawer is such a life goal! So we look at occasions and body shape to work out the best underwear items for your clothing foundation.

By Occasion:

Different occasions don’t just differ in look and style, but also demand different expectations. We balance the practical with the aesthetic to plan which underwear works best!

Daily

Comfort is the last word for everyday foundations. As far as shapewear goes, this means compression. If you like the extra stability that a pair of control briefs gives you, then why not wear them daily? Keep the compression light to stay secure and comfortable all day long.

Formal

Tailored looks work best on a stable foundation. Open busted shapewear is anchored from the shoulders but gives you the freedom to choose the bra that works best for the outfit. This means that you can choose those low necklines without compromising stability. 

Active

For workout or active wear, your clothing foundation should support your body and minimise movement. Your sports bra should reflect the level of impact you’re engaging with. This helps to prevent breast, back and shoulder pain. Keep waists high for underpants or briefs to support your lower back.

Party

Glitzy clothes are all about the drama! So a classic corset style is always a good bet if your outfit embraces cleavage. Or for a foundation that follows the line of your party dress, try a shaping slip.

By Shape:

Whether you want to accentuate your body shape or tweak it, underwear foundation is where it’s at. Sure, fashions can complement a figure, but your base layer will affect both how the outfit hangs and how confident you feel.

Apple

Focus your compression on your waist to accentuate the curves elsewhere. High waisted control briefs or shorts are ideal here as they lift your bum while sculpting your middle. Team them with a full cup bra to lift and mould your curves.

Pear

Create a sense of balance from your foundation up by accentuating your bust and sculpting your bum. Uplift bras will do the trick on your top half, while panelled control briefs will give you the compression you need on the bottom half.

Triangle

Your underwear should highlight your waist to create balance. Panelled girdle styles are ideal here because they also offer some sculpting around the hips. This helps to create a foundation that best showcases your assets. 

Rectangle and Hourglass

These shapes may seem like opposites, but they both really benefit from a waist focussed foundation. A corset or body suit is great for sculpting continuous curves. This means that rectangle shapes can benefit from waist support and hourglass shapes can avoid any interruption to their silhouette. 

Keeping Fit

No, we’re not talking about a rigorous exercise regime – although sure, physical activity is right up there when it comes to a positive body and mind! What we’re actually talking about is the fit of your foundation layer. This is as important as style when it comes to your foundation, as it will impact how your outfit hangs on your body. 

Dress Size

Never (ever!) size down your shapewear for extra effect. It’ll give you lumps and bumps in places where they shouldn’t be and the shapewear garments are more likely to shift around as you move. 

Roll Down

This shouldn’t be much of a problem if you’ve sized correctly and bought good quality shapewear. However, if you want to be extra immune to roll down, try attaching high waistbands to your bra. 

Bra Size

We can’t emphasise enough the importance of monitoring your bra size! It’s recommended to measure every six months or so since everyone’s breast size fluctuates naturally. If your breasts are well supported, your outfits will hang in a more natural way. You’ll also benefit from support to your back and shoulders.

At Elle Courbee we understand the importance of a great foundation layer. So we offer a range of shapewear that helps our customers create the ultimate underwear drawer!