Women choose shapewear for a multitude of reasons. And if you’re new to shapewear its natural to have questions. First, you need to work out what kind of wearer you are. For some, it’s for a special occasion; that structured or floaty evening gown which looks great with waist definition. For others, it’s a matter of everyday confidence; briefs or shorts which simply keep everything in place during a day on the go. Or maybe there are specific pieces in your wardrobe which have drifted out of use. With body control shapewear, you can have the confidence in your shape to rediscover these styles.
Before you embark on your shapewear journey, we can help with some of the most frequent questions that people have.
1. Should I size down for maximum impact?
Absolutely not! Shapewear isn’t about squeezing your body unnecessarily. Wearing a waist cinching bodysuit in a smaller size does not make you that size. It will simply result in unwanted lumps and bumps in your silhouette which only serve to highlight your shapewear. A well fitting corselette or tummy control brief will form your natural shape to create a naturally defined line. So be honest, and your shapewear will keep you looking naturally contoured.
2. Should I wear underwear under my shapewear?
It’s really unnecessary to wear another layer of underwear under your shapewear. Indeed, by doing this you are likely to create lines of visibility through your clothes. Shapewear is designed and made to minimise seams and hems so that it can provide discreet support. If you add a layer of conventional underwear, the lines of that garment may alter the way that your shapewear sits, making it more visible. With soft, breathable fabrics, engineered with anti bacterial properties, your shapewear is designed to sit next to your skin.
3. Can I wear shapewear every day?
Absolutely. Simply choose a medium control, comfortable piece as your everyday shapewear, and make sure you buy enough items! When you wear a high quality and well fitted piece of shapewear, you can rely on it to give you every day confidence. Some women choose medium control briefs as a staple under their workwear. Others like shaping shorts which provide definition under trousers and skirts alike. Whatever you choose, your daily wear should be comfortable enough to see you through the day.
4. What colour shapewear should I choose?
This is often just down to personal preference. If you are buying a bodysuit to go under a light coloured dress, it makes sense to choose a nude colour. Similarly, if you want the ultimate in flexibility for your shapewear, nude is a favourite again. However some women simply prefer black, and we agree that black looks great! With a range of black, white and nude at Elle Courbee, you can make sure that you have a piece for every occasion!
5. Is my shapewear harmful?
No, your shapewear should not be harmful. Gone are the days of Victorian organ-jumbling corsets! Once again, fit is vitally important. If your shapewear is much too tight, then yes it could over compress your stomach or circulation. So we always advise you to choose a good quality, well fitting garment. So well sized control briefs, shorts or skirts should not cause harm. These pieces are designed using softly stretching fabrics which do not constrict your body. It’s about natural definition and confidence.
Of course, there may well be a multitude more thoughts bubbling in your brain about shapewear. Luckily, at Elle Courbee we tackle loads of shapewear related topics on our blog. So if you’re looking for tips on laundering your lingerie, or seeking out a guide to the different shapes out there, you’ll find the answer within our blog section.
Becky is an author and copywriter who has been writing about women’s issues and underwear for several years. She also writes blogs which cover a range of topics for local businesses.
Fashion edit – Control body focus
