OK, you’ve seen the glossaries that define what each shapewear garment is. You know about control briefs and bodysuits, girdles and corsets. But what about all the real world stuff that goes on around shapewear? What fits best for different body shapes? How should it make you feel? And how do you carry it off like a pro?! This got us thinking, and we started to look at shaping from the other direction. We’ll look at all the words that help you to get it right, from shopping to fitting to feeling awesome!
A – Apple shape
A body shape with slim hips and shoulders and larger waist and bust. If your aim is to create a more defined waistline, shop for girdle based garments. High waisted control briefs are good, and can be tucked into your bra for extra security!
B – Boobs
Love your boobs. We often want to make them bigger, smaller, perkier, fuller, the list goes on! Really, the most important thing is to look after them. Measure yourself regularly, and check yourself regularly for any unusual lumps or mottling. Don’t leave it too long to buy new bras and prioritise comfort with wider straps and supportive panelling.
C – Cinching
Lots of waist-focussed shapewear is designed to cinch. No, not to buy a used car from Rylan (that joke will date!) but to suck in your waist. A laced corset or hook-and-eye girdle will allow waist cinching by degrees, giving you the most control over how much compression you apply.
D – Dressers tape
A total genius bit of kit, this is essentially double sided tape which stops your clothes from moving about. Useful for extra stability on shapewear waistbands, or formal gown necklines that are at risk of flashing!
E – Elle Courbee
We couldn’t resist! This is your super reliable source of shapewear and lingerie for mid-to-plus sizes. Our carefully curated selection of brands is here.
F – Foundation
Your base layer. Underwear, lingerie, shapewear, even thermals! In shapewear terms, your foundation is the selection of garments that forms your silhouette on which your outfit hangs (beautifully, we might add!)
G – Guide (size)
It’s ALWAYS worth consulting the size guide before purchasing. Different brands use different terms for their sizing, so it can feel like a puzzle sometimes. Use your waist measurement as a starting point and find the size that is most aligned there. Unless it’s a bra!
H – Hourglass
A body shape with a small waist and full bust and hips. You have licence to maximise these curves so why not go for a corset for nights out? Otherwise, prioritise support for day to day.
I – Individual
We’ve included generic body types here, but everyone’s an individual. Lots of us are a little bit this and a little bit that, so it’s important to shop around and find garments that are right for us. When you do, get it in every colour!
J – Jeans
Choosing shapewear for under jeans is something that comes up surprisingly often. If we had to choose one piece, it’d be the bodysuit. To the casual observer it looks like it’s a top tucked in and will give you a lovely smooth line around your jeans bum and waistband.
K – Kit
When we talk about kit, we mean a variety of different garments that you can call upon for any given occasion. A basic kit might include control briefs, a shaping cami, and a bodysuit. That’ll have most outfits covered. Some women like an extended set of matching lingerie; so matching briefs, shorts and thong to your bra that you can switch out depending on your mood. It’s all about being prepared!
L – Lines
Your body line runs from head to toe. It’s how an outfit sits on you, whether a formal dress or jacket and jeans. When you try on shapewear, look at how it balances and smooths your line, whether that’s around your bust or thighs.
M – Muffin top
When lines go wrong! None of us want this – it’s when your waistband digs in and you have a fleshy overspill. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your clothes are too small, just that your band is likely sitting too low for your shape. High waisted briefs or shorts will help.
… To be continued… part 2 of the alphabet coming soon!
Becky is a content manager who writes informed industry based articles for businesses and consumers. She’s written for Elle Courbee on women’s issues and fashion for a number of years.
These tips will turn your date night shapewear from frumpy to fruity!
