Shapewear Guide
uk uk 20. Nov 2016
Soft and comfortable, yet firm, stretch fabrics are now used by many lingerie manufacturers and can offer a smoothing appearance under today's lightweight and fitted clothes. Many pieces can be worn everyday, and women choose them for a variety of reasons such as smoothing out any lumps and bumps, tummy support, an extra layer for warmth through the winter months, or to eliminate thighs from chafing under dresses and skirts.
LACE carries a variety of shapewear suitable for everyday wear or for underneath your special occasion outfits.
High Waist Shapewear
Under fitted tops, dresses and skirts, High Waist Shapewear can give you a smooth line through the waist and hips. Styles that stop at the waist can sometimes leave unflattering lines or bulges.High Waist Shapewear comes in panty, short and thong styles in order to suit different figure types and outfits.
High Waist Panties will give you support across the tummy, and usually have fuller bum coverage to reduce panty lines.
Products: PrimaDonna Twist A la folie, PrimaDonna Perle
|
|
|
A High Waist Thong will give you coverage and smoothing over your tummy and through the back, and eliminate any panty lines or bulges at the bum.
Products: PrimaDonna Twist A la folie, PrimaDonna Perle
|
|
|
Like the High Waist Thong and Panty, High Waist Shorts will give you smoothing over your tummy and through the back, but also at the hips and thighs. Coming down to the knee, these bottoms will eliminate any panty lines and any thigh chafing when wearing skirts or dresses.
Products: PrimaDonna Couture, PrimaDonna Perle.
|
|
|
High Waist Shapewear is flexible, in that you can choose the size and style that's right for you and your outfit. It's also easier to pull down a High Waist style when using the toilet as there are no hooks or poppers to fuss with. One drawback is that there may be a gap between the shapewear and your bra, leaving a visible line on your clothing, or an extra bulge. Some women also find if the shapewear isn't high enough, that it can slip or roll down.
Styles that are long enough can tuck up underneath your bra with the firm band keeping them in place.
Be sure to sit down and move around to make sure the bottom gives you the coverage and support that you want in any of the High Waist styles, and that it stays comfortably in place.
Shape Panty
Offering a bit of tummy control, the Shape Panty is a great everyday choice for a bit of extra support. The Shape Panty will often sit higher at the waist, more like a Full Brief. It often has a rigid panel in the centre front with no stretch in order to give firm control. The leg openings are low for coverage, and the back will be full on the bum to avoid panty lines.Products: Triumph Shape Sensation, Ulla Lingerie Alice
|
|
|
Open Bust Shapewear
Open Bust Shapewear allows you a flexible fit by pairing the garment with your favourite bra. The styles are cut out at the bust, so they do not compress or flatten your shape, and you can purchase the size or style that you need for smoothing your waist, hips or bum. The shapewear sits higher in the back so that it can smooth any lines created by your bra. Open Bust Shapewear is available as a body, with a gusset opening, as well as a dress.Products: PrimaDonna A la folie
|
|
|
Shoulder straps are adjustable for fit, and a special hook feature on the PrimaDonna Open Bust shapewear allows for the body or dress strap to hook to your bra, keeping the shoulder straps aligned.
The benefits to Open Bust Shapewear are that you can pair any bra with traditional shoulder straps with the garment. There will be a smooth, clean line as it covers the bottom band of the bra, and there is no worry about rolling or slipping as the shoulder straps keep the shapewear in place. Some women have difficulties getting underwired Bodies to fit long enough through the torso. Should you wish for the shaping and features of the Body, but struggle with the length, try an Open Bust Body.
Shape Top
Shape Tops are great layering pieces and offer a smooth, seamless look underneath fitted tops, or can act as a camisole under a sheer blouse, and are worn over top of your everyday bra. They shape the tummy and waist and can help smooth out any bulges on the back.Products: Triumph
|
|
|
Another unique solution is the Ulla Shape Top with Underwire Bra. Available by bra size, this bra top lifts and shapes the bust and has no hook and eye closure for a smooth finish at the back. The body of the top comes down to the hip and has a silicone gripper elastic along the hem to keep it in place.
Products: Ulla Lingerie - Alice Bra top with shaping effect.
|
|
|
Body
Underwired bodies offer a smoothing shape through the waist and can reduce back bulges. They will have adjustable shoulder straps, and a hook or popper closure at the gusset. Some will have hook and eye closures at the back for adjustability, while others will simply pull on. One advantage to the Body versus the Open Bust Shapewear Body, is that you'll only have one set of shoulder straps as it already contains the bra.It can be slightly more difficult to get a body to fit as they are not overly adjustable in body length, and the fit through the bum and hip will correspond to the band size of the bra. Ensure that the underwires sit comfortably underneath your breasts, and that they are not sitting low on your torso, pulling your bust down. Some brands of bodies fit rather snug, so don't be surprised if you're more comfortable in a band size or two larger. Just remember if you size up in the band, you'll need to go down one cup size. For example, if a 75F is fitting to snug, try the 80E. These two sizes are ' sister sizes' as they have the same cup volume, but different band sizes.
Products: PrimaDonna Couture, PrimaDonna Twist Tresor, PrimaDonna Deauville
|
|
|
Some women choose to wear a body every day as there are many beautiful and functional styles available, while others choose them for special occasion outfits.