What is shapewear

Tight-fitting underwear or under garment intended to control and shape the figure. This type of garment was typically utilized by women but has become available for both genders. Another name for shapewear is a foundation garment. Shapewear is basically an undergarment designed to temporarily alter the wearer's body shape, to achieve a more fashionable figure. As long as select and wear the proper garment, shapewear should be relatively comfortable.

Although you can buy shapewear online, it is suggested that you go to a store to try on several brands and styles. If you're buying for a specific dress or outfit, bring it with you. Shapewear is an undergarment that helps create a smooth silhouette and sculpt your figure to highlight your natural curves, especially when wearing tight-fitting clothing.

Because of its compressive nature, shapewear has a reputation for being uncomfortable but, thankfully, things have improved in recent years thanks to advances in fabric technology. Two types of textiles tend to dominate the foundation garment industry. Some brands offer shapewear in a range of compression levels, from gentle shaping to firm contouring.

The design of a garment also plays a role—styles with strategically-placed seams and intricate panels offer more noticeable lifting and shaping. First, figure out what you will be wearing the piece with. Will it be pants or a dress? A top with sleeves or straps? Want to give a pair of curve-hugging trousers or a slim-fitting skirt a boost?

She suggests investing in a pair of control panties—they provide light tummy control and are comfortable and breathable enough for daily wear. Equally suitable under dresses, skirts and pants, this hardworking piece smoothes, shapes and lifts the entire body.

Shorts are also an ideal choice if chafing is an issue. A highly structured, form-fitted support garment that extends from the bust to the hip. Most corsets have lace up details, flexible boning throughout the body of the garment for additional shaping, and a closure in the back with a long row of hooks and eyes. The feet portion of the hose is cut out and a panty crotch is sewn in to replace wearing a panty for a seamless look.

This gives control and a smooth shape under pants, longer dresses and skirts. Most footless pantyhose end at mid-calf. Classic styled shapewear that is normally very firmed and provides coverage from the waist to the knee. Shapers that are worn in place of panties and provide a smooth look under pants, dresses and skirts be sure the leg opening isn't too tight!

These shapers provide comfort and control when you're sitting, walking and standing. A breast-support shaper that replaces the bra and provides slimming and smoothing for the waistline.

Similar to a bustier but can have straps and may extend further down the hips. Shaper that replaces the panty for control and shaping under pants, longer dresses and skirts. The leg ends at about mid-calf. Waist-slimming shaper designed to create an hourglass shape under snug or slim fitting garments. Use this if your tummy is larger in proportion to the bust and hips. Have you ever tried on a pair of pants and they fit except in the waist?

This is the shapewear piece for you. The proper term for a woman's chest, also referred to as "bust," which is the part of a garment that covers a woman's breast — a key measurement for ensuring the right sizing for bras and tops.

This term usually refers to bra straps that can convert to five different styles including halter top, racer back, criss-cross, regular and strapless.

Refers to any styled bra specifically available for larger breasted women. These are cup sizes DD or above and often offer maximum support and comfort. A bodice for women that ties behind the neck and across the back, leaving the arms, shoulders, and back bare. Lift and support the bust, creating a fuller look, sometimes comes with inserts such as removable cookies air, bean or cushion insert. Molded bras have machine-molded cups, designed in the natural shape of a woman.

They provide shape and comfort and are typically unlined. Post-natal bra that has latch hooks on the straps to open the cup to make breastfeeding easier. A bra with a deep cut that reveals the top part of the breasts and lifts the bust for a fuller look.

Straps are usually set wider apart. Ideal for low cut styles. Maximizes cleavage and pushes breasts up and together, making the bust size appear larger.

This look is achieved through removable inserts such as liquid and air bags or other cookies. A bra strap style in which straps lie or cross in between the shoulder blades. Many sports bras are racer back style; most convertible bras can also be worn as racer back.

Light, smooth and without any outward-facing seams or ridges. The seam-free cups make the bra discreet under a tight-fitting shirt. There may be seams in other parts of the bra and still be considered seamless. Seamless bras are a great choice for pairing with clingy knits, t-shirts and lightweight fabrics. Wireless supportive bra designed for sleeping in. Sleep bras are extremely comfortable after some bust surgical procedures, during pregnancy, and on larger breasted women.

Bras that do not have underwires for a more comfortable fit, but may be padded or lined for extra support and shape. Designed to providethe appropriate amount of support during moderate to intense physical activity.

Designed to appear invisible under even the thinnest fabrics, t-shirt bras are seamless, generally made of micro-fiber with contour cups. Metal wire built into bra cups. Gives shape to smaller busts and offers great support to larger busts, and lifts each breast and gives it definition. Revolutionary compression technology that uses tiny particles embedded in shapers. The crystals chemically react to body heat and generate small thermal waves when in contact with water and fat molecules.

Regular use improves the skin's texture and reduces the appearance of cellulite. A natural fiber that comes from the cotton plant.

Cotton allows the skin to breathe and it wears and washes well. A unit of weight per length, used to describe the fineness of rayon, nylon, and silk fibers.

The lower the denier number, the finer the material. Deniers are typically used to describe the fineness of pantyhose and tights. A trademark of the spandex fiber owned and produced by DuPont. It is lightweight and soft, but stronger and more durable than rubber. It is often blended with other fabrics to produce a lightweight freedom of movement in foundation garments.

Material made from extra-fine manufactured fibers. Microfiber garments have superior smooth texture, a gentle drape, and incredible softness. It is comfortable and forms well with the body's shape. Fabric that draws moisture away from the skin.

This is a great feature to look for in a sports bra and other workout apparel. Refers to material through which the body cannot be seen as opposed to sheer material. Leggings are typically opaque, while pantyhose are sheer. Both the name of a fabric and a fiber, second in popularity only to cotton in worldwide use. Its ability to stretch and resist wrinkling makes it a popular fabric for lingerie.

Polyester has high strength although somewhat lower than nylon , excellent resiliency, and high abrasion resistance.