Shapewear 101: All You Need to Know About These Fashion Game Changers

Looking back at the history of women’s fashion, it’s not all glitz and glamour. There was immense pressure to adapt to conventional beauty standards, such as the hourglass figure. But not everyone was born with such a silhouette, so when shapewear started rolling in, women went crazy for it. Decades later, it has become a closet staple that empowers women and their natural bodies.

Keep reading below to find out more about this, plus some of our best picks for shapewear.

What Shapewear Does for You

Shapewear sculps and smooths target areas (like the stomach and hips) to create the illusion of seamless, perfect curves under your clothes. It has more compression and support than regular underwear. Nowadays, shapewear is also made of sophisticated microfibre structure, making it almost invisible, so no one will suspect that something is working on your curves! Some pieces also support your muscles and have breathable material, making them perfect for working out.

The Evolution of Shapewear

Did you know that traditional shapewear birthed the term “pain is beauty, and beauty is pain”?

During the 1600 BCE, women used tight leather belts to constrict their stomachs and emphasise their chest. Back then, this figure symbolised virginity and fertility. Eventually, it transformed into a corset – the most extreme of all, as they were made of iron and steel and often restricted the lungs.

Fortunately, shapewear trends started loosening up come the 1900s. Brands and designers modernised the girdle to create smoother curves around the hips and thighs. Corsets were also reinvented and made from safer materials, paving the way for nylon and other synthetic fabrics. These innovations fuelled a paradigm shift toward female empowerment, which allowed women to decide for themselves what their ideal figures should be.

Known for its comfortable line of underwear and clothing, M&S is your go-to brand for affordable shapewear that does not skimp on quality. They offer a wide range of designs that complement your daily outfits.

Their Rosie Blossom Embroidery Corset is a far cry from the dangerous corsets of the medieval era. This one has elegant rose embroidery and delicate lace trim for a feminine flair.

Maison Lejaby

The French brand reinvented shapewear to focus more on functionality and improving your natural body instead of restricting it. They have pieces specially designed for skirts, such as the Silhouette Shaping Skirt, that you can wear under your dress or office wear.