Shapewear. Some people love it, some people hate it. But at Elle Courbee, we think it’s gotten a bad rap over the years. Modern shapewear isn’t the same as the torture devices of old, and if you choose the right size and style, you can easily avoid the rolls and squeezes that many people go through in the name of beauty. But that leads us on another question – how on earth do you choose the right shapewear style for your body shape? Well fret not, because in this post we’ll help you find the answer to that age-old question.
What Outcome Do You Want?
Before you go rushing to buy shapewear, first ask yourself, what outcome do you want from wearing it? It sounds like a simple question, but the answer will significantly influence the type and style you go for in the end. For example, what level of control do you want? This is the main deciding factor in the outcome, so choose carefully:
Light Control (Medium): The lightest level of control is perfect if you just have a few bulges you want to smooth out, so that your clothes can fit more comfortably. These pieces are lighter weight, great for everyday wear and just smoothing trouble spots when you need a little boost in confidence.
Firm Control (Medium-High): The middle level of support, something that will pull you in more, accentuating your natural curves and defining your shape. Firm control shapewear is made using supple, stretch fabrics, which means they can move with your body while still giving you a smoother, curvier silhouette.
Extra-Firm Control (High): For those times when you need to feel unstoppable. The go-to for special occasions where you want to look absolutely breathtaking, extra-firm shapewear will pull you in, for extreme contouring and smoothing. This level of control is ideal for formal, structured clothes like evening gowns, cocktail dresses or even wedding dresses. Just be aware that this shapewear is only comfortable for a few hours at a time.
What Area Do You Want To Enhance?
Next, you should ask yourself what areas you want to really accentuate and draw attention to? Everyone has their favourite area of the body, and their least favourite too. So what’s your bugbear?
Full Body: If you struggle to pick just one spot, maybe you want something a bit more all-encompassing! An allover sleek physique is quite desirable to many, and if this is you then you should try something like a bodysuit or full slip. Just make sure it’s easy to undo for bathroom breaks, or you’ll end up cursing it, no matter how good it makes you look!
Torso: Bras can bulge at the sides (even if they fit well), and muffin tops can make us dread wearing our favourite jeans. But no more. If you struggle with your belly, back or waist, then shaping cami’s, high-waisted control briefs or corsets might be more your style.
Booty: If you’re looking to slim down or tone up your booty, you’re not alone. Any of the butt-lifting shapewear options will help you here – from the control briefs and skirts to bike short-styles (which help with the thighs as an added bonus!)
What’s Your Body Shape?
So, now that you know what you want from your shapewear, we can look at what will work best to help you achieve it. There are generally 5 body shapes when it comes to shapewear, and that will also affect which type of shapewear you choose. Here’s what we recommend:
Rectangle
You tend to have: A small bust, straight torso, slim hips and long legs. Struggle to define a waist shape.
Shapewear that will work well for you includes: Butt-lifting or shaping shorts and tummy control shaping briefs.
Hourglass
You tend to have: Hips and shoulders the same width, with a waist that is slightly smaller and naturally contoured. The most popular and coveted body shape of our era.
Shapewear that will work well for you includes: High waisted briefs, shaping cami’s and body shaping briefs.
Strawberry (Triangle)
You tend to have: Wide shoulders, a larger bust, narrow hips and a smaller, flatter butt.
Shapewear that will work well for you includes: Open bust shaping slips, control skirts and body shaping bike shorts.
Pear (Inverted Triangle)
You tend to have: A smaller bust and slim shoulders, a well-defined waist, full hips and a rounded butt.
Shapewear that will work well for you includes: Thigh slimming briefs, high-control bike shorts, pantie girdles or briefs.
Apple
You tend to have: An ample bust, fill midsection and narrow shoulders and hips You carry extra weight in your belly.
Shapewear that will work well for you includes: High waisted control briefs, high waisted shaping leggings, shaping bodysuits, shaping full body slips.
Ultimately, shapewear is about making you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin, because beautiful bodies come in all shapes and sizes! Shapewear isn’t for changing the shape of your body into something radically different, or as an alternative to surgery or weight loss. Instead, at Elle Courbee we see it as a celebration of the full potential of your body, exactly as it is. That’s why we supply a wide range of shapewear in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles, so you can find exactly the right thing to bring out your confident inner goddess. If you’d like to know more, just browse our collections or get in touch with us today.