Extreme Body Shaping
Get Your Body Into Extreme Shape

Shapewear For Women

How long has shapewear for women been around? We do not know exactly how long but we do know that for centuries, women have done almost everything they could think of to bring out their best features and hide their worst features so they can be attractive to men. During Elizabethan times, women attempted to make their chests as flat as possible in order to look boyish. They wore corsets made of iron to make their waist smaller. During the 17th century, corsets were made of whalebone. During the 18th century, women wore very tight corsets to make their waists very tiny and to give their figure the appearance of the letter "S" with a large bust, a tiny waist, and a bustled backside. This was referred to as a wasp waist look.

In the beginning of the 1900s, the bra came out and a material called Lastex, which consists of latex converted to fabric, was used instead of whale bones to make corsets and bras. The girdle was created at this time and helped women shrink their stomach and also held their stockings at their thighs. The girdle is an undergarment made of elastic that gives women a smooth shape. Girdles today usually consist of one material alone or a combination of Lycra, Spandex, and Powernet. The girdles made of one or more of these materials are very easy to wear and do not cause discomfort. They are also very durable and long lasting. These girdles are not excessively heavy or thick so they are very comfortable and they do a great job of shaping and smoothing women's bodies.

Girdles today come in a few different types, which are "light compression", "medium compression" and "strong compression". These all offer different levels of control and they are thicker or thinner depending on the level of control offered. The panels are also different. The "strong compression" girdle will have many panels in it and the fabric will be thicker so it will offer more contouring and shaping. You can usually put on the newer versions of the girdle easily just by pulling them up but you can find ones that snap or hook and having boning like old fashioned girdles. The reason that there are not a lot of changes in the types and styles of girdles is probably because the older versions worked and customers were happy with it.

Women everywhere are buying shapewear in record numbers especially with the development of Spandex in the late 1990s. Most shapewear is made of Powernet, Lycra, Spandex, or nylon and the brands you see most often include Flexees, Body Wrap, Yummie Tummie, and Slimpressions, as well as many more. The shapewear industry continues to expand as interest grows in their products. You can now find shapewear that makes your breasts look bigger, your thighs and legs look smaller, your butt look smaller, and that reduces bulging around your bra area. There is shapewear to make your arms look better as well. Women are going to to continue to be interested in shapewear so the industry is only going to continue to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    What is the best brand of shapewear for women?
    My wife wants to know.

    • ANSWER:
      Spanx is the most well known and trusted (ie. its kind of the go to thing for shapewear). Although, I'm sure if she went into any upscale department store she could have someone help her find something good easily.

  2. QUESTION:
    Question for women about wearing shapewear?
    How many of you women wear shapewear, such as Spanx or Assets, on a regular basis? Just curious!

    • ANSWER:
      I have had a weight problem since age 12 , I don't leave my house without some form of tummy or muffin top control. When calorie counting doesn't work the "spandex diet " does ! ;)

  3. QUESTION:
    Have You Tryed Spanxs Shapewear? (Women)?
    I have been thinking of buying. I am not fat or anything But After having my daughter i have become Quite Jiggly! and i hate that so i was looking for something to hold me in place i should say I have Quite of Big Behind! NOt that i mind but it jiggles. Lol..I just wanted to know if any one has tryed it. And like lets say i just wear a light Plain T. Can You Tell?

    • ANSWER:
      no

  4. QUESTION:
    What is the best SHAPEWEAR product for women?
    Spanx
    Slimwear??? Give me your opinion!

    • ANSWER:
      I like Kimori (sp?) body shaper. They have the infomercial on tv all the time. I bought one and it actually does work without making you feel uncomfortable

  5. QUESTION:
    Where can I get good shapewear for plus size women?
    I am a size 22 and I have a big buddha belly! I want something that can minimize that.

    • ANSWER:
      The plus size stores and catalogs : Lane Bryant , Catherines , Roamans , Lady Grace , Woman Within , Intimate Appeal , Arizona Mail Order . We caloricly challenged gals need a little help from the "Spandex Diet" to keep our shape in shape !

  6. QUESTION:
    What is a Good shapewear for plus size women?
    I am about s 3x and looking for a good shape wear system that I can wear everyday and breath. I am large busted 44 H and my mid section is the problem. I have a low pooch after 2 sections and a muffin top. What will work the best and not roll down?

    • ANSWER:
      Avenue, a plus-size clothing store, carries a good range of plus-size shapewear on-line. Also at some of the on-line bra & lingerie specialty websites that have huge inventories, you can look for the Ragowear brand for sizes all the way up to a 12X.

      I agree with the previous poster - you will want to look for either an all in one body shaper style, or a waist cincher (which are harder to find, and actually much less comfortable). Unfortunately, in my experience, most department store shapewear lines don't go much larger than a 2xl.

  7. QUESTION:
    What Spanx product is good for this?
    For those who don't know, Spanx is a brand that provides SHAPEWEAR for Women. Well my issue is I am tall, small waist but boyyy do I have some hips. I want a control top because not only do a have a little "muffin top" but I also have a high booty lol. Which Spanx product would work best for me?

    I'm 5'9" 162.. I was 158 eek!

    • ANSWER:
      high waisted spanx

      <_X

  8. QUESTION:
    to all u shapely women, where can i buy good all over shapewear from?
    i have gained some love handles from having a baby & its hard to get rid of it so im looking for good shapewear to smooth them out

    • ANSWER:
      victorias secret or macys

  9. QUESTION:
    Shapewear for tank-tops - what am I thinking of?
    I recently saw an ad in a magazine (some woman's magazine, I can't remember) that advertised a shapewear for smoothing out bra-lines and flabbiness for tank tops and tight t-shirts.

    I can't remember the name brand or the name of the product - any ideas what I'm thinking of? please help!

    • ANSWER:
      spanx makes one...you still have to wear a bra with it.

  10. QUESTION:
    Do you think this bridesmaid dress would be suitable for women with a stomach?
    Two of my bridesmaids are a bit larger xl or maybe xxl probably for this dress... Mostly because of their stomach. They`d be wearing shapewear underneath to smooth things...

    Do you think this dress would be ok considering the thick black strap or still not?

    http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/gojane_2013_571235926

    Thank you!!!
    They`ll be wearing matching bolero jackets so the upper part is fine.
    Or would this style be better.

    http://zhangying888.w31.4888a.com/0760a/832.jpg

    • ANSWER:
      What a beautiful dress! I think the black ought to help slim things down a bit, and with the shapewear I'm sure you'll have a stunning wedding party. Not, of course, as stunning as you'll probably be walking down the aisle, but that's as it should be.

  11. QUESTION:
    i need help finding full body shapewear?
    i need a full body suit that covers my thighs, my underarm fat and that is strapless.
    can someone help me with a site or something please because i've been looking and i cant find anything ! so please help. i need something that is made for a bigger woman like myself. thanks

    • ANSWER:

  12. QUESTION:
    What's the purpose, and for whom is this ladies "shapewear" spandex type undergarments?
    When I ask 'for whom' is it for, I'm asking who is it that the women who wear this are trying to 'impress?' ? I mean the women wearing it know what their body looks like (and it's not like that). What's the purpose of wearing things that make you look unlike yourself?

    If women want better shaped torsos and thighs why not just work out and get it naturally?
    http://www.stylelist.com/spring-fashion/spring-style/the-best-of-spring-shapewear?icid=main|hp-desktop|dl3|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stylelist.com%2Fspring-fashion%2Fspring-style%2Fthe-best-of-spring-shapewear

    • ANSWER:
      Because it enhances your appearance when wearing pencil skirts or dresses and firms everything. Mainly to do with confidence I'd say, or being looked at.

      Kinda silly if you're wearing it for your man though if he already knows what you're like underneath...

  13. QUESTION:
    How do you choose shapewear?
    I have been hearing about shapewear, for years now but i always refused to buy it, hoping i will lose the weight and end up not needing any. Today i decided to try some shapewear cammies at the store,aand what i saw in the mirror absolutely disgusted me. Every roll on my tummy and back was twice as big, my boobs got flattened and my muffin top gained at least 7 inches around. I looked twice as big as i am.
    I am size 12 in jeans (woman's sizing, not juniors), i am 5`6 tall. I was hoping to tuck in little bit of my middle area so i don't have as much of a muffin top showing as i do, but i got extremely disappointed.
    Have i tried wrong size? All three cammies were size XL and i could barely squeeze into any of them. :)

    • ANSWER:
      Totally agree.Similar experience.I think to be honest, shapewear is just not meant for those who carry too much weight ie muffin tops etc. I hate the idea of my boobs being flattened out too. Size 12 is not that large a size so maybe it has to do with the area in which you carry your weight. If it's in the belly, we are really screwed because most of the Shapewear I see just pushes it all up and flattens your chest.

  14. QUESTION:
    How does shapewear work and does it work?
    I'm a young woman who does her best to eat healthy and I go to the gym 3-4 times a week. I've been really pushing hard with this for the last 6 months. I've gained about 8 pounds, which is fine because I'm assuming it's muscle as I do both weight training and cardio. However, I have yet to lose any fat or gain any shape.
    I've decided that I would look for some assistance with my shape and came across Shapewear. What I'm wondering is:
    Does Shapewear actually help shape your body (and is it temporarily or permanent)?
    and How does shapewear work?

    • ANSWER:
      Shapewear works in the sense that it redistributes your fat over a wider area, so it makes you look slimmer, or fuller depending on what you choose.
      But that's all it does, so it's very temporary : the moment you take it off, your original shapes will reappear.
      The best shapewear a young woman can have is her own body.
      If you live healthy and go the the gym regularly like you do, you have a natural 'corset', that no shapewear can beat.
      Still, if you need it to wear a special dress or for a special occasion, here are two links :

      http://www.hipsandcurves.com/plus-size-lingerie/plus-size-shapewear-c-48.aspx

      http://www.spanx.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2992553&clickid=topnav_shapers_txt

      It gives you an idea what to wear to hide or accentuate your natural shape.

      Good luck !

  15. QUESTION:
    Can anyone help me choose a size for a body shaper?
    I'm a plus size woman, I wear a size 14 or 16. I have a party tonight and I'm going out. I have a lot of belly fat and I'm trying to get a ASSETS body shapewear at target. I know they don't let us try on the body shapers. What size do I need to get?

    • ANSWER:
      there should be a chart on the package but it might say so many inches around the waist or something so you should take a couple measurements first

  16. QUESTION:
    What brands make good, everday shapewear/girdles?
    I am a plus sized woman and have just recently had a baby. My mother has been hounding me to wear a gridle saying that I "won't regret it". After dropping most of the baby weight, I am stuck with some extra flab and a couple of ponuds and thought I'd try my mom's advice. I was wondering if anyone knew some good quality shapewear that I could wear everyday. DON'T REFER ME TO SPANX! I have some of there pieces and the tights work wonders, but they are not comfortable for casual everyday wear (I am a SAHM) and there everyday pieces don't offer enough support.

    • ANSWER:
      I heard good things about Donna Karen shapewear, maybe check those out. You can google to see what stores near you carry them. Hope this helped!

  17. QUESTION:
    What's the best shapewear(e.g. spanx)?
    My wife wants me to get her some, but she's too embarrassed to shop for them herself.(She's not "fat", but she used to be a waist 25, but after the baby, she's wearing 28 waist jeans, which she says equates to a 4-6. I know she's insane, but what can I do, I love the woman.) Where online can I order them? She told me spanx was a brand, but I'm not doling out the for baby weight underwear.

    • ANSWER:
      Underarmour

  18. QUESTION:
    Longline bra vs. Miraclesuit shapewear.?
    What's the difference, and which one would be better for a mermaid dress on a hourglass, curvy woman in august?

    • ANSWER:
      Longline bra !!

  19. QUESTION:
    Shapewear Spanx or ASSETS by Sara Blakely Sensational Shaper?
    Hi,
    I'm a plus size woman(I'm 220 pound 5'1 waist 2x-3x)
    and now i would like to buy a shape wear.
    I also came to know about the product Spanx(http://www.squidoo.com/SpanxShapewear) and i confused with too many options on the Internet and I'm not able to choose which one is right for to cover my thighs, stomach, hips. (http://www.avenue.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay)
    (http://www.barenecessities.com/SPANX_product_SPANX032_,size,.htm)
    Which one you can recommend? Pls help me!!!

    http://www.avenue.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay

    http://www.spanx.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3065921&cp=2992553.3015049&parentPage=family

    http://www.spanx.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3010055&cp=2992553

    Are they one other the same?

    • ANSWER:
      Hi,

      I am going to recommend something even better than Spanx for you.
      This is a fabulous item and it has a true plus size fit.

      http://www.barenecessities.com/Miraclesuit_product_MIRACLESUIT2637_,size,.htm

      This brief is also great for everyday wear.
      http://www.barenecessities.com/Miraclesuit_product_MIRACLESUIT2634_,size,.htm

      Hope this helps!

  20. QUESTION:
    I am getting married in about two weeks. My mother wants to buy a new mother of the bride dress...?
    Where can we find one this late in the game? Anyone know of a brand that can quick ship a dress already in stock? My mother in law wanted to wait until my mom had ordered her dress, so that she wouldn't be in a dress the same color or a clashing color with my mom's dress. Because my mom waited so long, my MIL had to pay for rush order and rush alterations. After all that, my mom wants to change her dress. My MIL said she would be livid if my mom had bought another dress (rightfully so I feel.)

    I really don't care one way or another, I just want people to stop fighting, and my mom to stop being upset because she feels like she looks fat (she really doesn't- she just looks typical of a woman in her later 50's who has been pregnant a few times). I suggested spanx and shapewear, but she says I just don't get it because I am a size 6 with a flat stomach.

    Soo... where can I find a new dress for my mom in two weeks?

    Ironically, the only reason we didn't elope was to avoid family conflict. So much for that!

    • ANSWER:
      Well this late in the game, I would suggest checking local bridal shops, david's bridal to see what they have *in-stock* so she can get any needed alterations.

      Of those aren't an option a department store like Macy's.

      I think its okay if she does shop for another dress (if she truly decides that she doesn't like the one she has now) and she has to just make sure she picks a different color then your FMIL has so they won't clash.

      Mom is just worried of FMIL upstaging her or people thinking she looks better, its a competition thing and while its a little immature its sort of normal.

      When my brother got married my mom was determined she was going to look better than MOB and went out and bought a 0 dress, new shoes, etc from a bridal shop, all because she didn't really like her. And, MOB tried to do the same thing.

      I'm not sure changing her mind on a dress is a reason to be "livid" though (well unless the dress your mom chose was close to or is the dress MIL originally wanted)

  21. QUESTION:
    For Men: Would go willingly to this fashion show?
    Pole Dancers Model Lingerie At NY Fashion Week

    NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lingerie creator Heather Thomson got a jump-start on the New York Fashion Week, turning to some of the city's best pole dancers to display her new line of Yummie Tummie underwear on Thursday.

    Clothes designers will present their spring collections at the annual fashion show that opens on Friday along catwalks under tents in New York's Bryant Park.

    Thomson chose a novel way to promote her lingerie. She held a competition of dancers who perform gymnastics-like routines on brass poles at some of Manhattan's poshest strip clubs and picked eight to model her Yummie Tummie Shapewear.

    The lower level of the West End Cafe near Times Square was transformed into a gentlemen's club where the dancers -- four at a time -- climbed the poles and turned upside down, this way and that, wearing long-line tank tops and camisoles.

    The models represented a cross-section of skin colours and body sizes -- from "AA" bra cups to "C" and up.

    "Every woman of every size deserves sexy lingerie that can be worn underneath her clothes or that's meant to be seen," Thomson told Reuters during her fashion show.

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080905/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_fashion_lingerie;_ylt=AlI92Vmr0zphznbbscSdbRftiBIF

    • ANSWER:
      I'd be happy to go to that! :-)

  22. QUESTION:
    Have You Tryed Spanxs Shapewear? (Women)?
    I have been thinking of buying. I am not fat or anything But After having my daughter i have become Quite Jiggly! and i hate that so i was looking for something to hold me in place i should say I have Quite of Big Behind! NOt that i mind but it jiggles. Lol..I just wanted to know if any one has tryed it. And like lets say i just wear a light Plain T. Can You Tell?
    LOLIPOP: I actually Do Go to the Gym! 5 Days A week. and it's been a year and a half already and nothing!. Some women are just blessed to have kids and stay perfectly fine if not Better! I just Stayed the Same! Just With More Jiggle In my Walk! Under Jeans is perfectly fine! But when I wear a light Dress I don't like it! Thanks Dough!
    HOLLYJ: Yeahhhh I try that too and it works for me also but i cut mines to about my Knee and they end up rolling up and it's a disaster! so I just want to avoid it and buy something that i can acually pull out and not have to fuzz with if am in a hurry. Thanks Girl!..Panty Hos are my EMERGENCY Spanxs dough!

    • ANSWER:
      I have and love it. Perfect if you are wearing light colored linen pants. Conceals cellulite and stops the jiggle.

      But before spanx came out I used regular pantyhose and it worked just as well and is cheaper. Some store carry footless pantyhose too.

  23. QUESTION:
    How do you choose shapewear?
    I have been hearing about shapewear, for years now but i always refused to buy it, hoping i will lose the weight and end up not needing any. Today i decided to try some shapewear cammies at the store,aand what i saw in the mirror absolutely disgusted me. Every roll on my tummy and back was twice as big, my boobs got flattened and my muffin top gained at least 7 inches around. I looked twice as big as i am.
    I am size 12 in jeans (woman's sizing, not juniors), i am 5`6 tall. I was hoping to tuck in little bit of my middle area so i don't have as much of a muffin top showing as i do, but i got extremely disappointed.
    Have i tried wrong size? All three cammies were size XL and i could barely squeeze into any of them. :)

    • ANSWER:
      When I want to look a little thinner in some old jeans that make it noticeable I put on weight I usually just wear my spandex shorts that would be used for sports and pull it up over my gut. You can find long ones like that at wall mart and it does good to make your lower belly not so prominent with out suffocation or looking odd.

  24. QUESTION:
    What brands make good, everday shapewear/girdles?
    I am a plus sized woman and have just recently had a baby. My mother has been hounding me to wear a gridle saying that I "won't regret it". After dropping most of the baby weight, I am stuck with some extra flab and a couple of ponuds and thought I'd try my mom's advice. I was wondering if anyone knew some good quality shapewear that I could wear everyday. DON'T REFER ME TO SPANX! I have some of there pieces and the tights work wonders, but they are not comfortable for casual everyday wear (I am a SAHM) and there everyday pieces don't offer enough support.

    • ANSWER:
      Why don't you try Playtex or avon. My mother used those brand for her everyday girdle. Try also to have a sit ups everyday it will work also.


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