Will Shapewear Make You Skinnier?
No, shapewear is not designed to make you skinnier. It is primarily a garment that helps smooth and shape your figure, without actually changing its size or shape. Shapewear can help give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette by creating an even look on the body, but it cannot physically alter your body’s natural shape or size. Shapewear offers support for areas of the body such as the stomach, hips and thighs to create a smoother overall look while still allowing flexibility and freedom of movement.
Contents:
History of Shapewear
Shapewear has been used for centuries by women to enhance the appearance of their bodies. From corsets in the Victorian era to bodices and crinolines in more recent times, shapewear has become increasingly popular as a tool for making one's figure look thinner and more shapely. The first modern shapewear garment was invented by an American woman named Mary Phelps Jacobs, who patented the brassiere in 1914. Her invention made its way into everyday fashion, with bras becoming standard items in every woman’s wardrobe. By the 1950s, girdles had become hugely popular as a form of body-shaping underwear that helped reduce waistlines and create curves where none existed before. As technology advanced throughout the years, so did shapewear designs; elastic fabric allowed garments to be much more comfortable while still achieving maximum body sculpting results. Today, women have access to a wide array of shapewear options designed specifically to create slimming effects with minimal discomfort or constriction.
Benefits of Wearing Shapewear
When it comes to dressing up, shapewear has become an essential component for many individuals. It offers a variety of features that can benefit anyone seeking to appear slimmer and sleeker in their clothing. Most notably, shapewear is designed with compression material that actively works to improve the look of one's silhouette when wearing clothes. The tight fit of shapewear hugs the body and encourages muscles to firm up, resulting in an instantly slenderized shape.
Shapewear also provides support around key areas like the midsection and lower back which can be uncomfortable or painful when exposed while standing or sitting for extended periods of time. This alleviates strain on muscles as well as provide relief from common issues such as back pain. Using the right kind of shapewear can help minimize chafing caused by clothing friction against skin – making it an ideal option for those who suffer from sensitive skin conditions like eczema.
Some types of shapewear are even built with fabric technologies that provide temperature control throughout wear; this not only contributes to comfort but can also be beneficial during outdoor activities such as running or biking where excessive heat could lead to fatigue and body stress. With these advantages in mind, it's no surprise why so many people have embraced this fashion accessory into their everyday wardrobe staples - helping them look good while feeling comfortable at the same time.
Adverse Effects of Shapewear Use
Shapewear, such as waist-cinchers and high compression garments, is becoming increasingly popular for those wanting to create more of an hourglass figure. The restrictive nature of shapewear often restricts breathing in certain areas which can lead to physical discomfort and fatigue. Moreover, wearing them for long periods of time can cause skin irritation due to friction or occlusion from the materials used in making these garments. While these potential adverse effects seem minor they may have a greater impact on people with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or anxiety.
Many people believe that wearing shapewear will permanently reduce their size while this is not true and it may even promote weight gain when used habitually due to its tight fit restricting mobility as well as contributing towards poor posture. There are various health risks associated with continuous wear including impaired circulation and digestive distress due to its constrictive material compressing internal organs which limits their function.
With overly tight clothing being uncomfortable at best, studies have found that if you constantly rely on external support or devices then your body does not activate your core muscles correctly leading to further issues such as lower back pain caused by an over reliance on the garment rather than correct form when performing everyday activities like lifting or bending forward. Therefore it is important to understand the potential consequences of regularly using shaping undergarments before doing so unnecessarily.
Caring for Your Shapewear Garment
Given their specialty construction, it is important to take extra care when laundering shapewear garments. It is a good idea to keep the garment within its own mesh bag while washing so as not to get caught in other items with buttons and zippers. Use cool water for all washes and use gentle detergents instead of harsh bleaches and abrasives that can break down the fibers and stitching of your shapewear. Make sure not to ever put it in the dryer; always hang up wet items on an appropriate drying rack or line-dry them away from direct sunlight. If you plan on storing your shapewear, be sure to remove any dirt build-up first - especially if it is latex material - by using a damp cloth before putting them back into their packaging for storage. Doing this will help ensure that your shape wear stays in good condition and looks like new for years.
Factors to Consider when Choosing Shapewear
Shapewear can help create a sleeker, slimmer silhouette for anyone looking to target and address specific problem areas. Choosing the right shapewear pieces requires consideration of several important factors, such as type, size, fit, fabric and shaping level.
Type refers to the kinds of products available and ranges from body-shaping slips and body suits to corsets and waist trainers. Picking the right type of shapewear should depend on which areas you’d like to target. For instance, if your goal is to focus on slimming down your waistline, then investing in a high-quality waist trainer might be more beneficial than other types of shapewear pieces.
Size is another important factor that plays an essential role in ensuring an optimal fit. Due to its stretching properties, it's best to err on the side of caution when selecting a product that works best for you by going one size up rather than one size down if you're torn between two sizes. This ensures that there won't be any unnecessary bulges or discomfort due to being too tight or too loose fitting – two scenarios with obvious drawbacks in terms of not providing the desired result nor delivering adequate comfortability levels.
The same goes for choosing a garment that offers ample stretch capabilities when picking out fabrics: compression materials are most popular among many wearers since they offer durability yet deliver enough flexibility without constricting movement; lycra blends are ideal for smooth silhouettes while jersey knit choices are great options for everyday wear given their lightweight qualities balanced with warmth provided throughout those chilly winter days. Deciding upon your desired shaping level is also paramount when considering taking advantage of what shapewear has to offer: light control garments are perfect for smoothing down small lumps while medium control options can help minimize tummy issues; however more stringent designs like strong control pieces will hold everything securely in place with no room left for jiggling or unsightly lines across clothing surfaces – this makes them suitable allies for special occasions where perfection becomes key ingredient for successful styling outcomes.
Determining What Size you Need
When it comes to purchasing shapewear, one of the most important factors is ensuring you get the right size. This is essential for achieving the look and feel you want. The first step in finding your optimal fit is measuring yourself. You will need a tape measure to determine your chest, waist, and hip measurements. Be sure to take accurate measurements by keeping the tape firmly against your body while taking them.
Another important factor when selecting a size of shapewear is considering what type of clothing you plan on wearing it with. For example, if you are looking for something to wear underneath a dress then an item that has greater coverage such as full-body shapers or high-waisted underwear might work best. Conversely if your goal is to just smooth out small areas like bulges around your belly or backside then a smaller item may be sufficient.
Another great way to ensure you purchase the correct size is reading customer reviews who have previously purchased items from this particular brand or seller as they can provide invaluable insights into sizing based on their personal experience and feedback. It's important that these reviews include multiple references to sizes so that their words can help give you more confidence in deciding which size would be most suitable for your body type and needs before hitting ‘add-to-cart’.
Discover more by reading about: Is it safe to wear shapewear while pregnant?