Shapewear is a fantastic invention. We love it! But we also know just how much of a minefield it can be, particularly when you’re faced with a page full of products, trying to decide which one is best for you. After all, how do you tell the difference between the different types, and does it make much of a difference anyway? And what about the height of your control briefs? What difference will that make, and should it affect your decisions when choosing a style of shapewear? Today, we wanted to look at the different waist heights available in shapewear, and the pros and cons of each.
Low Waisted
Low waisted control briefs are exactly what they say on the tin – low waisted. They cover everything essential and smooth out your hips, but stop just below the belly button. These can come in a variety of control ‘tightness’ depending on how much you want, but they tend to work better for general smoothing, rather than creating a full slimming effect.
Benefits
- Great for low-waisted jeans
- Smooth out the hips
- Controls ‘apron bellies’ and smooth the silhouette
Drawbacks
- Tend to have high legs, so no slimming of the thighs
- Least amount of control out of all control brief options
- Can cause bulges above the panty line on larger ladies
High Waisted
High waisted control briefs tend to be a similar design to the low waisted briefs, except the material extends up past the bellow button and to around the middle of your ribs.
Benefits
- Creates a slimmer, smoother silhouette around the waist and hips
- Great control for the tummy area
- Smooths out awkward lines lower-rise knickers can cause, particularly under skirts
- No VPL
Drawbacks
- Can feel tight around thick hips or love handles
- Some brands have a tendency to ‘roll’, particularly if they are the wrong size
- If you don’t choose the right size, this style of brief can feel too tight and almost ‘cutting’, so sizing is important
Under Bust
This is the ‘longest’ style of control brief, and has also been known as ‘shaping shorts’. This style tends to start right under your bust (sometimes even sitting snugly under your bra), and runs down to your thighs in the form of shorts. It’s a great option for maximum control, especially if you’re wearing skirts or dresses. And as we’ve mentioned before, this kind of shapewear is great for slimming the thighs.
Benefits
- Thigh shaping (and stops thigh chafing with dresses and skirts)
- No bulging halfway up your stomach – just smooth lines
- Create a complete, smooth silhouette from your bra to your legs
- Maximum control
- No VPL
Drawbacks
- Can be overly warm, as more skin is covered
- Thigh holes may have a tendency to ‘roll’ up if the sizing is incorrect
As with any shapewear, getting the size right is important. Most of the cons on this list can be avoided just by ensuring you buy the right size shapewear for you. If you’re not sure which size to choose, then we have a great article on how to measure yourself properly for shapewear.
At Elle Courbee, we believe every woman deserves to feel her best, all the time – and that includes feeling comfortable! If you have any questions about the kind of shapewear you should wear, or how to measure yourself for it, just get in touch with us today.
