What is Shapewear?

What is Shapewear?

Shapewear undergarments are worn underneath your clothes to help you create your ideal silhouette by smoothing any lumps and bumps. This shaping helps to accentuate your curves and natural figure, while also targeting areas you wish were firmer - like your midriff or thighs. Maybe your sparkly dress just doesn’t quite fit the same around the holidays, or perhaps you have a special occasion that you want to look extra snatched for; whatever the event, shapewear has you covered. Shapewear use may be more common than you realise, and it is a favorite of many celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, J-Lo, and Katy Perry (just to name a few). 

Shapewear History

Shapewear is nothing new, in fact women have been using undergarments to modify their body shape since 1600 bc (during the time of the Mycenaean Greeks). More recognisably, you will notice women wearing tight corsets in period dramas replicating the 1800s, like Bridgerton, when women used tight corsets underneath their dresses to pull in their waists and push out their boobs. However, as we all witnessed in Pirates of the Caribbean, these ridiculously tight corsets were not the best shapewear for women and often caused them to faint. Thankfully, we have now moved on from those days, and here at ThirdLove our shapewear is made from nylon and spandex for ultimate comfort.

Shapewear Benefits

Not only does shapewear come with the aesthetic benefit of looking amazing, wearing shapewear can support your back and improve your posture. Thus leaving you both looking, and feeling, confident. As well as improving your posture, shapewear can provide support to your core muscles, which will in turn make your exercise sessions and workouts even more effective. So, while wearing shapewear alone won’t cause any weight loss, it can be used to make your workouts easier! Shapewear is versatile and can be worn beneath a variety of different outfits including slinky formal dresses, cute mini skirts, sexy tight jeans, naughty strapless tops, and so many more! The world really is your oyster as shapewear gives you the freedom to wear whatever you want and still look fabulous. 

Types of Shapewear Offered at ThirdLove

At ThirdLove we have both form sculpting underwear and bras available. Our Form Seamless Sculpt Briefs sculpt your lower body without constricting your movement or blood flow, so you’ll have no risk of fainting. We have a range of sizes available, from XS - 3X, which makes them the perfect plus size shapewear. You can feel confident that you are looking silky-smooth thanks to their high rise fit and full coverage. Wearing a tight dress? No problem - there won’t be a panty line in sight. 

Pair these with our Smoothing Full Coverage Bra, the only bra made with ComfortSmooth armhole & back smoothing which targets any lumps and bumps under your arms and on your back. The best part? No one will even know as there are no bulky seams and stiff stitches to give your secrets away. These bras are made with a 4-way stretch fabric to give you the perfect body-hugging fit, this is coupled with ultra-thin foam cups which shape your breasts while providing coverage for your nipples. We know that different outfits require different bra styles/straps, so we have given you 2 in one - simply adjust your straps to convert it to an x-back style. Add some more variety to your underwear drawer with different colors - our Smoothing Full Coverage Bra comes in taupe, Dreamy Lilac, and black. 

ComfortStretch Smoothing Full Coverage Bra

$78

ComfortStretch Smoothing Full Coverage Bra

$78

How to Choose the Right Shapewear for You 

The best way to find the right shapewear for you is to think about what you need. The first step is to figure out what exactly it is you would like to achieve with your shapewear - do you want your stomach to appear flatter/more toned? Then you will be looking for the best tummy control shapewear. The most important thing to consider is size. Shapewear should fit nice and snug so that it can do its job, but it shouldn’t be too tight and constrictive; you need to be able to move, and breathe, so make sure you’re not suffocating yourself! If you’re not sure whether the size you have chosen is a little tight then opt for the size up so you can ensure your comfort if you are out all day or partying all night. 

Conclusion

You deserve to look and feel your best, and shapewear can help you do just that. Take the time to decide on the areas of your body you would most like to adjust beneath your outfits, then try out different styles and fits to find the best shapewear pieces for you. Remember, size is super important. If you are unsure of your size just head over to our fitting room quiz, answer a few questions, and we will help you find your perfect size and fit.