Discover the ultimate guide to shapewear and bodysuits. Learn about different styles, from waist cinchers to full-body shapewear, and find the perfect piece to enhance your natural shape and complement your outfit.

• Explore the most popular types of shapewear and bodysuits, including classic bodysuits, waist cinchers, and full-body shapewear.
• Learn which shapewear styles suit specific outfit types, ensuring a smooth, seamless look.
• Understand the benefits of each shapewear type, from tummy control shorts to thigh shapers, for a comfortable, flattering fit.
• Discover fun shapewear facts, from ancient girdles to modern athleisure trends, and how shapewear has evolved over time.
  
  

Shapewear and bodysuits have become essentials in modern wardrobes, offering a quick and effective way to smooth, sculpt, and enhance natural curves. With various styles available, each designed for specific purposes, finding the right type can make all the difference in how an outfit fits and feels.

Fun Facts About Shapewear

Ancient Beginnings: The concept of body shapewear dates back to ancient Greece, where women wore girdle-like garments for support and shaping.

Corsets as Medicine: In the 1800s, corsets were believed to have medical benefits, like improving posture and aiding digestion – even though they often had the opposite effect!

Record Holder: The world’s smallest waist on record (13 inches!) was achieved with the help of dedicated corset training, showcasing the extreme lengths people have gone to for body shaping.

The Rise of Spandex: The invention of spandex (Lycra) in the late 1950s revolutionized shapewear by offering a comfortable stretch fabric that could hold shape without restrictive boning.

Athleisure Meets Shapewear: Today’s shapewear has crossed into the world of athleisure, with leggings, bodysuits, and tops that combine compression with style, making them popular for both casual and workout wear.

Here’s a guide to the most popular shapewear options and bodysuits and how they work best.

1. Classic Bodysuits

Bodysuits are versatile one-piece garments that smooth the torso and waist, often extending down to the hips or upper thighs. Designed to eliminate lines and bulges, they work well under dresses, jumpsuits, or form-fitting tops and skirts. Many bodysuits offer options with built-in bras, which add seamless support under low-cut or close-fitting clothes.

Best for: Creating a sleek look for the waist, tummy, and back while offering bust support, especially under fitted outfits.

2. Waist Cinchers and Corsets

Waist cinchers and corsets are dedicated to highlighting the waistline, giving a more defined hourglass effect. With closures like hook-and-eye or zippers, they come in various compression levels and are designed to smooth the midsection and enhance curves around the waist. Cinchers are a popular choice for those looking to contour the waist without full-body shapewear.

Best for: Accentuating the waist in dresses, tops, or skirts that emphasize the midsection.

3. Tummy Control Shorts

These shorts focus on smoothing the tummy, hips, and thighs and are popular under skirts, dresses, and pants. Some tummy control shorts feature high waistbands, adding compression around the midsection to create a more defined waistline. They are comfortable and lightweight, ideal for everyday wear or special occasions when you want a streamlined look from the waist down.

Best for: Smoothing the tummy, hips, and thighs under skirts, dresses, or pants.

4. Open-Bust Shapewear

Open-bust shapewear bodysuits allow you to wear your own bra while still offering smoothing and shaping for the midsection, back, and sometimes the thighs. These designs are ideal for enhancing the waist and tummy without additional bust support, making them versatile for a range of outfit necklines and bust sizes.

Best for: Providing shaping around the waist, back, and thighs without affecting bust shape, great for any neckline.

5. Thigh Shapers

Thigh shapers are similar to tummy control shorts but extend further down the leg to target the upper thighs, as well as the hips and tummy. They create a smooth line under close-fitting pants, jumpsuits, or skirts, ensuring no visible lines or bulges.

Best for: Slimming the thigh area for a smooth finish under fitted pants, skirts, and jumpsuits.

6. Full-Body Shapewear

Full-body shapewear provides all-over shaping, covering the torso, waist, hips, and thighs. These pieces are ideal for body-hugging dresses or outfits that call for a completely streamlined silhouette. With varying levels of compression, full-body shapewear can enhance the natural figure and provide a smooth look from top to bottom.

Best for: Head-to-toe smoothing under tight, body-hugging dresses or jumpsuits.

7. High-Waisted Briefs

High-waisted briefs are ideal for controlling the tummy and lower waist area. They offer moderate to high compression and are excellent for a defined midsection without covering the thighs or upper body. High-waisted briefs work well under skirts, pants, or dresses with a defined waist, giving a natural but enhanced shape to the midsection.

Best for: Smoothing the tummy and waist without affecting the hips or thighs, ideal for skirts, pants, and dresses.

Choosing the Right Shapewear and Bodysuits for Your Needs

When selecting shapewear, consider the outfit you’ll pair it with, the areas you want to target, and the level of compression you find comfortable. By choosing pieces tailored to your needs, you can achieve a smooth, confident look that enhances your natural silhouette without compromising on comfort.