Most women eschew shapewear, thinking that it’s impossible to feel comfortable in such tight-fitting undergarments. The good news is that if you buy the right kind, you can enjoy all the benefits of shapewear without any of the discomfort. For instance, instead of going for pieces with the lowest prices on the market, you could opt for high-quality shapewear from No Nonsense to ensure a snug fit.
Aside from picking reliable brands, a bit of research can also go a long way toward finding the perfect pieces for your needs. If you want to give these undergarments another try, read on for some tips to help you choose the right ones.
Table of Contents
Measure Your Body Correctly
To locate your trouble spots, you’ll first need to measure your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips.
Shoulders
Hold the measuring tape against the tip of one shoulder. Then, wrap the tape measure around the opposite shoulder until it meets the starting point. Since this can be difficult to do alone, we suggest enlisting a friend to help you out.
Bust
Standing straight and tall, draw the measuring tape around your back and across the fullest part of your bust. Make sure that the tape is as taut as possible without squishing your breasts.
Waist
Wrap the tape measure around your torso, just above your belly button or so, where your natural waist is located. The tape should rest flat against your back without buckling.
Hips
Hold the tape measure below your hip bone and then across the largest part of your buttocks. Draw it across the front of your thighs until it meets the starting point.
Determine Your Body Type and Shape
Knowing your body type and shape can be immensely helpful in determining which parts of your figure to minimize or emphasize. That said, you can input your measurements into a free online body shape calculator to better visualize what you’re working with.
Inverted Triangle
You have an inverted triangle shape if your shoulder or bust measurements are five percent bigger than your hip measurements. Given these proportions, you’ll want shapewear that defines the waistline.
Rectangle
Also referred to as a straight figure, you have a rectangular body shape if your shoulders, bust, and hips are more or less the same size. As for what shapewear to get for this body type, you’ll want to get something that can add curves to your figure.
Triangle or Pear Shape
Your body is triangle- or pear-shaped if your hips are wider than your shoulders. In terms of what shapewear best suits you, you’ll want an undergarment that can keep those hips and thighs in check.
Know Your Size and Stick to It
One of the biggest mistakes that women make when shopping for shapewear is buying them one size too small. This is due to the common misconception that wearing smaller undergarments can help add extra firmness.
Unfortunately, going down a shapewear size will only result in chronic discomfort. Doing so can also cause unsightly bulging in all the wrong places, or even make you look bigger than you really are. Hence, for shapewear that’s both functional and comfortable, stick to buying ones in your actual size.
To find the best fit for you, try looking up online retailers’ sizing charts for reference. If you’re buying them at a physical store, don’t hesitate to try them on in the dressing room. You can test if a piece of shapewear is the right fit by twisting at the waist from side to side. Ideally, it should stay flat and smooth against your skin. It should also stay on top of the skin instead of digging in; if it does, swap it out and try on a larger size.
Choose the Right Fabric
Typically, the most common fabrics used to create shapewear are nylon and spandex, both of which aren’t very breathable. While they’re suitable for use in cooler climates, they aren’t as ideal for tropical regions. Instead, people who live in warmer areas will be better served by shapewear made with a cotton-synthetic blend. This kind of material effectively wicks away moisture to keep its wearer cool.
Speaking of materials, you should also take into consideration what type of fabric you’ll be wearing over your shapewear. For example, cotton clings to shapewear made with nylon or other hosiery-type fabrics, creating unattractive wrinkling and bunching. Meanwhile, silk and jersey fabrics tend to cling close to the body, making seamless shapers an ideal choice for these types of clothes.
Finding a great shaper is nothing short of life-changing, but it can take a lot of trial and error to find the perfect one. Indeed, the right shapewear should be able to emphasize your best features while being comfortable enough to wear all day. So keep these tips in mind the next time you go shopping for one. We’re sure it won’t be long until you find the best fit for you.
