Ever heard of the phrase “fake it til you make it”? It’s bandied around for anything from aspirational job interviews to overcoming anxiety. Well, what if sometimes faking it IS making it? For years we’ve been admiring the slim thick bodies of our favourites on TV and social media. If you want to boast a slim thick physique, you can work out in the long term and filter your Insta in the short term. But what goes on Insta stays on Insta. In the real world, everyone uses a little bit of shapewear.
The slim thick look
When you list it all out on paper (OK – or screen), what you need to be considered slim thick is really unusual. Here are the features that make a slim thick body:
- Cinched in waist
- Flat tummy
- Round prominent buttocks
- Wide hips
- Toned, smooth muscle line
It’s actually pretty tricky to get all this without structural help! There are countless workout and diet regimes out there designed to develop a slim thick physique. Really, though, you have to be blessed with the basic framework to achieve a profound version of this look. Think about the Kardashians, J-Lo, Beyonce. They may have toned themselves to perfection, but the basic slim thick was already there.
How shapewear works
Not only do those iconic slim thick celebrities benefit from a natural foundation of slim thick, but they’ve also admitted to using shapewear too! So when you want a slim thick look, don’t hesitate to reach for the control pants. But which shapewear pieces achieve the look best?
Control shorts
The thing to remember with shapewear is that it’s not all about trying to squish you in. It’s not squashwear. Control shorts are fantastic for this look as they cinch in your waist and flatten your tummy. Then they lift your buttocks to make your bum more rounded and perky. Ideal for under dresses and jeans alike.
Shaping leggings
Similar to shaping shorts, leggings give you full shaping support around your hips, bum and thighs. High waisted versions are best for waist cinching. What makes them even more fantastic is that you can just wear these as outerwear. Team with a cute cropped sweatshirt for a sexy sporty look.
High waist girdle
Super waist focussed, the classic girdle is both shaping and practical. Panelling around the bum makes sure that your buttocks are lifted and supported. Because the control ends here, these garments are a bit more practical for all day use when you need to factor in toilet trips!
What about up top?
Now, in the world of slim thick, boobs don’t actually matter. We know, shocking right?! In terms of body image, boobs are more about the classic hourglass than what we’re talking about today. However, in the interests of balance, having larger breasts helps. So what foundation should you look at here? The great thing about waist down shapewear is that it leaves you free to choose your bra based on what you find comfortable. That might be a soft cup, a non-wired, or even a sports bra. Corsets for hourglass, comfort for slim thick.
Real life slim thick
When we talk about this body image, people tend to think of Insta grid images of slim thick women in bikinis. The swimwear itself is probably designed with control fabrics that aid lift and shaping. Then there’s clever posing angles, airbrushing and filtering. Remember that these women aren’t going about their day in bikinis, and neither do you want to (depending on where you live – it’s way too cold where we are!) Your slim thick look happens with clothes on. And this means that you get to build a streamlined foundation with good shapewear.
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.
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