How to wear shapewear if you're new to control lingerie

It's a myth that sizing down from your regular dress size in shapewear will make you look slimmer or somehow give you better contouring. In fact, it can have the opposite effect as you'll find yourself squeezed in, creating a bumpy finish. Shapewear sizes aren't correlated to dress sizes, particularly as dress sizing can vary greatly from brand to brand. 

Instead, you should use your measurements—bust, waist, and hip—to select the correct size. This is also because no two dress sizes are really the same, two size 12's can have wildly different body shapes, so it's best to use your measurements and cross-reference them with individual brand size guidelines to ensure the best fit. 

Shapewear comes in a range of sizes for a reason – women are all shapes and sizes. Wearing a size that is too small for you will result in discomfort, bulging, and could potentially cause physical issues. You don’t want to compress your internal organs and nerves, this will cause tingling, numbness, and poor circulation. The idea is to even out certain areas, not cause compression and difficulty breathing.

Size charts are there for a reason. Use them! Use a measuring tape to find what size is best for you. Measure the widest part of your hips and bust. Measure the most narrow part of your waist. Where do these measurements fit? With products made of nylon and spandex you will notice there is a bit of a stretch so size charts will give about a 2-inch range for each size. It’s important that you order the correct size for your measurements. 

Furthermore, what areas would you like to highlight on your body figure? Knowing your natural shape and being familiar with your body will help in the selection process of picking out the most suitable shapewear for you.  In this post, we will provide tips and useful information that will essentially give you a better understanding of shapewear.

Color is often affected by what you plan to wear your shapewear with. Should your wardrobe be dominated by lighter shades, then shapewear in a nude or light shade would work best. 

If you’re shopping for evening or date-night shapewear, black or bright colors can be more exciting choices. 

If the latter is true, Triumph is our go-to for colorful, sexy shapewear with lace, embroidery or sheer detailing. 

The perfect color combination will depend on two things: your outfit and your complexion. If you have darker skin and are wearing a look that has light fabric, look for shapewear in black or cocoa. Lighter skin tones should wear a bare-hued bodysuit underneath thin garments.

The black option also works well on all complexions with darker outerwear. And if you want to spice things up, you can.

The design of the body shaper bodysuit has a lot to do with how your body will look when you put it on, its seams are placed in specific places to highlight certain parts of your body and help with others. 

The abdomen and hips are the first things we want you to do. they look perfect so to speak, that they look how we all want them, the flat abdomen and the hips with the curves where they go.

The purpose of shapewear is to create a smooth, streamlined and seam-free silhouette under your clothes. Wearing underwear underneath will cause the opposite effect.

Also, many types of shapewear—briefs, thongs, shorts, thigh or body shapers, and bodysuits—include a gusset in their design and support you fully without the need for an extra layer. For gusset-free shapewear like shaping slips and skirts, girdles, shapewear tank tops, or wear-your-own-bra torsettes, it is expected (though not necessary) that you will wear your own underwear or bra underneath. 

Makers of bodyshapers feel that wearing underwear underneath your shapewear is a tad superfluous and goes against the shaper's principle which is to crerate a seamless line beneath your outerwear. 

The additional layer of fabric traps heat and creates additional bulk, unflattering lines and lumps.

Most shapewears are specially designed to eliminate the need for under garments. Made with a cotton crotch or an accessible crotch or an easy access style fastening, shapers were meant to be warn in place of underwear.

The right shapewear gives you better appearance by improving your feminine silhouette by smoothing out the lumps, toning the muscles and giving the butt a lift. 

Plus, it makes inches disappear, albeit temporarily, without having to go to the gym.

Much like other lingerie, shapewear needs to be treated carefully as it is very delicate. Incorrect washing can result in shrinkage, snagging or a loss of elasticity, all of which will make your investment purchase redundant. 

Firstly, always check the label first and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Most shapewear brands suggest that you hand-wash your shapewear in cold water with a mild detergent or baby shampoo. Hand-washing will ensure your shapewear lasts for longer but, sometimes, you can get away with a machine wash— keep it only on a gentle cycle though (like those usually used for cashmere or silk).

If you are popping your shapewear in the machine, we suggest you put it in a protective delicates bag first. And keep them separate from bras, as their hooks and clasps can get caught on the delicate fabric and cause tears. If your shapewear has any hooks, make sure to do up fastenings before putting in the lingerie bag to ensure it doesn't catch on itself in the process.

Also, whatever you do, don’t put your shapewear into the dryer; air dry it to preserve the fabric’s elasticity.

Most body shapers are made to be worn as underwear, so you'll need to wash them after each use. Instead of throwing your shapewear in the washer and dryer, which can be harsh on the delicate fabric, gently use your hands to clean them. Don't forget to lay them flat to dry, and make sure you're not twisting or wringing them out during the process as this will cause them to lose their shape.

Shapewear can easily become your best friend when worn properly. Wearing shapewear is a personal preference, but if you want to give it a try these tips will help you rock them like a pro.

There are no hard and fast rules as to when and how to wear shapewear. Some women opt to wear shapewear every day as it helps their confidence in their chosen clothing, others keep it for special occasions. When deciding, you should also consider the type of shapewear and its compression or control level, as not all shapewear is the same. 

Lightweight-control—this level of shapewear is more about smoothing, rather than control. It often has a lot more give and stretch in it and its main job is to just smooth out any lumps and bumps under clothes offering a streamlined finish. Lightweight control is therefore good if you want to invest in shapewear for day-to-day use. 

Medium-control—this offers a little more support and it can still be worn every or most days. It is firmer than light control and will emphasize and sculpt your curves a little bit more.

Firm-control—this offers the most contouring and is the sturdiest of all shapewear items. The fabric here is often much more rigid and this really offers a lot of contouring but is nowhere near as comfortable as lightweight control. Most will reserve this for special occasion use, under evening wear, wedding gowns and cocktail dresses. It does offer some serious sculpting but doesn't have everyday comfort. 

When it comes to shapewear always make sure that the fabric is breathable and ideally has sweat-wicking properties, especially for firm control as you'll want your skin to be able to breathe. Lightweight control shapewear can be great for everyday use, as it offers the lightest level of shaping but can also help your clothes to sit in a more streamlined way.

Regardless, choose the option and the occasion where you'll feel the best, shapewear is simply there to make you feel more comfortable in your chosen outfit.

Yes, you can wear shapewear while pregnant, but this comes with a few important caveats. It depends on the type of shapewear worn, when you wear it and for how long. As with anything, moderation is key. 

Shapewear that is too tight or worn for too long is a no-go as it will put too much pressure on the body, not to mention feel horribly uncomfortable. 

Shop for your correct size and avoid shapewear that squeezes and compresses your internal organs, ribs, or abdominal muscles—such as waist trainers or cinchers. If you're in any doubt, double-check with your doctor or midwife.

The majority of shapewear garments are going to be absolutely fine from a medical perspective for you and your baby, as long as you are comfortable. You should, however, avoid wearing waist trainers and corsets. Remember that this kind of shapewear is trying to encourage your waist to shrink in size, something it can’t physically do as your body changes and the baby grows.

Another thing to keep in mind as you choose your pregnancy shapewear is to choose seamless shapewear, ideally with no hooks or zippers.

This will ensure you’re as comfortable as possible and don’t have anything that may irritate you, or try to suck in your stomach.

However, a  Seamless, Light Weight and Low Compression Shaper is perfect because it has no seams, tight closures, and also has an open gusset which not only makes your life easier, but is the most suitable choice for pregnant women. Everything is much more sensitive during your pregnancy, and so you want to do all you can to avoid yeast infections and similar issues. An open gusset ensures nothing gets too hot.