When you shop for plus size shapewear, whether that’s online or in-store, it’s vital to first of all ask yourself these questions:
- What is my body type?
- How much control do I need?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you can start selecting your shapewear. Given that lingerie and shapewear can be expensive, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress and money by choosing right first time. You’ll also avoid body shaping mistakes and be able to ensure that you’re investing in the best pieces to showcase your figure.
Identify your body type
When it comes to shapewear, there are five main body types. While sizes might vary, your body type will be a good indication of the shapewear pieces that will work best for you. Here’s our guide for selecting the right shapewear for your body type:
Hourglass
Well, if this is your body type then you’re one lucky lady! Thanks to the influence of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, your figure is the current ‘ideal’ and you’ll be the envy of many. Indeed, in recent years we’ve seen the advent of the ‘modern’ hourglass figure. Also known as ‘slim thick‘, this curvy silhouette is characterised by a slimmer waist, with hips and shoulders of the same width and a small, perky bustline. If this is you, you’ll need your shapewear to emphasise your slim waist, while lifting the bust and smoothing the hips and thighs. The type of shapewear you should select is as follows:
- High waisted control briefs
- Body shaping camis
- Balconette or plunge bras, to lift without adding inches
Apple
If you’re an apple then you’ll tend to carry your weight around the middle. You’ll have narrow hips and shoulders, and be blessed with a larger bust. It’s vital to create a waistline with your shapewear, so the following will suit you:
- High waisted shaping shorts
- High waisted control briefs
- Shaping bodysuits
Rectangle
Those with a rectangle body type will have a straight up and down shape. If this is you, your shoulders and hips will be the same width, and you’ll have a small bust, undefined waist and slim legs. Just like with the apple shape, you’ll need to define your waist, but you’ll also need to boost your bustline and use shapewear to create shape on your hips and butt. The following will be a great investment to cinch and hone your shape:
- High waisted control briefs and panty girdles
- Corsets, bustiers and waist cinchers
- Push-up bras
- Butt-lifting shapewear
Pear
Pear body types will have slim shoulders, a smaller bust and defined waist, but carry weight around the hips and thighs. This body shape, just like the modern hourglass, fits the new trend for ‘slim thick’ figures. It’s vital to use the right shapewear to create balance here, to optimize your shape:
- Thigh slimming shorts
- High waisted shaping shorts
- Balconette or plunge bras to create lift
Strawberry
This is the opposite of the pear body type. Those with a strawberry body type will have broad shoulders and a large bust, with a slimmer waist, narrow hips and a flat butt. In order to define curves on this body type you’ll need to purchase:
- Corsets and bustiers
- Open-bust shaping bodysuits
- Open-bust camis
- Padded, butt-enhancing shorts
How much control do I need?
As well as identifying your body type, it’s important to decide the level of control you’ll need. Just as with body types, there are several levels of control available. These are as follows:
Light control
Ideal for smoothing out minor imperfections, light control shapewear is ideal for everyday use. This tends to come in the best range of colours, rather than just nude, white and black. The perfect complement to your wardrobe, we recommend investing the majority of your budget in the lightest control possible.
Firm control
If you’re looking for more definition then we recommend firm control shapewear. Carefully placed panels and bespoke supple, stretchy materials will hug you in, in all the right places. Ideal for special events, firm control shapewear will help add more dramatic contours to your shape. While not as comfortable as light control shapewear, you can still wear firm control pieces for long periods of time.
Extra firm control
These pieces are the most powerful shaping garments you can own. Extra firm control shapewear will create the most dramatic shaping on your body, but given how restrictive it can be, it’s best reserved for special occasions. If you’re planning on eating or dancing, or wearing the shapewear for longer periods of time, you may be better off in firm control shapewear. But if you want va va voom, then extra firm is definitely the level of control for you!
One final word of advice….
Make sure you get measured properly. You may have chosen the right shapewear for your body type, and the right level of control. But if you purchase the wrong size, you won’t be showcasing your figure to it’s best advantage. Many people think that shapewear in a smaller size will cinch them in even more, but all that will happen is you’ll displace the weight, creating unsightly bulges in other places. Likewise, shapewear that’s too big won’t do anything at all, and is a waste of money. Get measured at a lingerie department or measure yourself with tailors tape. If you don’t have tape, use a piece of string and check it against a tape measure. Consult size guides carefully. Unfortunately, sizes aren’t universal, and just like with clothing stores, a 38C bra isn’t a 38C everywhere!
We hope this article helps you choose the right shapewear for your body type. It’s not about completely changing your shape, it’s about making the most of your natural assets, and contouring any minor imperfections. Here at Elle Courbee, we celebrate every body and can help you smooth and hone your figure, with the perfect shapewear pieces. So check out our collection today and start working those bootylicious curves!
