A beginner’s guide to styling your shapewear

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Shapewear is a significant piece of underwear, not only to help with what people wish to hide, but also to accentuate an outfit’s silhouette and create cohesion.

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However, with so much shapewear out there, it can be a bit tricky to know which pieces work best for which body shape, outfit, and look you are going for.

Here is your guide to styling shapewear.

High-waisted shaping briefs

These briefs are high-waisted and full-coverage, smoothing your waist from front to back. They essentially cover your lower waist, tummy, and back.

Choose a pair that sits right at your natural waist with a special silicone modification that prevents the briefs from rolling down when you sit.

These briefs work better under garments such as:

• Tailored trousers
• A pencil skirt
• A fitted knit dress

Shaping shorts

These are the common shorts recognised worldwide. They are tight-fitting shorts that smooth the stomach, hips, thighs, and sometimes the lower back. They work best in preventing chafing for thicker thighs.

These shorts work best under garments like:

• Body-skimming midi dress
• A slip dress
• A flowy skirt

High-waisted thigh slimmers

This is a combination of both high-waisted briefs and shaping shorts that usually extend from the waist to just above the knee. They offer full coverage, stomach smoothing, and thigh smoothing.

These work best for garments such as:

• Under fitted skirts
• Wide-leg trousers
• Satin dresses/skirts
• Close-fitting gowns

Picture: iStock

Bodysuit shapewear

This one-piece garment is aimed at smoothing the torso, waist, back, hips, and sometimes the bust. These bodysuits are wonderful for creating a cohesive silhouette. 

It’s best to wear these bodysuits under outfits like: 

• A fitted jumpsuit
• A wrap dress
• A tucked-in blouse
• High-waisted jeans

For beginners, start with bodysuits that have adjustable straps and a gusset with snaps.

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Camisole shapewear

This tank-top-style shapewear mainly smooths the stomach, waist, back, and sometimes the bust. This works when you want a smoother upper body and are not concerned about your hips.

It’s best to layer them under:

• A silk blouse
• A fitted T-shirt
• A knit dress
• A blazer

Shaping corset

This garment is made to provide compression around the waist and back. Depending on the design of your choice, it can also provide great back support. It may use hooks, zippers, panels, and flexible boning.

These are best for special occasions or for when you need help with posture correction.

The clothing choice for this one is a bit limited:

• A cocktail dress
• A fit-and-flare dress
• A high-waisted skirt with a tucked-in blouse

  

The right shapewear for your outfits

For jeans

Choose high-waisted briefs, shaping shorts, or a shaping camisole

For pencil skirts and fitted dresses

Try high-waisted shorts, thigh slimmers, or a bodysuit.

For satin or silk

Look for seamless, low-texture shorts, avoiding lace and bulky seams.

Feature image: iStock

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