When it comes to narrowing down the best shapewear for women, there are a lot of factors to consider: your targeted areas, compression vs support, breathability, budget, comfort preferences, shapewear features, and more.
With so many different types of shapewear on the market these days, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. In this article, we'll take a look at the different types of shapewear available and their benefits, so you can make the best decision for your needs.
Best Rear Lifting Shapewear
The first type of shapewear we'll look at is butt lifting shapewear. This type of shapewear is designed to lift and shape your butt, giving you a more youthful and lifted appearance around those glutes. Butt-lifting shapewear typically comes in the form of shorts, leggings, or panties, and it typically can be made from a variety of materials including Spanx material, latex, or even neoprene.
At Democracy, we carry many styles of shapewear jeans. All of our rear lifting shapewear is made from our “Ab”solution fit denim technology. Whether you choose to wear something more subtle like butt lifting jeans or something more dramatic like padded booty lifters, the benefits of butt-lifting shapewear include:
- Lifting and shaping your butt
- Giving you a more youthful appearance
- Making your butt look bigger
- Helping to slim your thighs
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Best Shapewear for Lower Tummy
The next type of shapewear we'll look at is lower tummy control shapewear. This type of shapewear is designed to help smooth and flatten your stomach, giving you a more toned appearance. Tummy control shapewear typically comes in the form of briefs, panties, or even a bodysuit, and it can be made from a variety of materials including Spanx material, latex, or neoprene.
Benefits of wearing shapewear for lower tummy control include:
- Smoothing and flattening your lower abdomen
- Giving you a more toned appearance
- Helping to slim your waist
- Minimizing the appearance of cellulite
Best Shapewear for Tummy and Waist
When it comes to looking slimmer and trimmer, the waist is one of the most important areas to focus on. If you’re looking for the best shapewear to make your waist look smaller, then you’re in luck. There are a variety of different types of shapewear that can help you achieve a slimmer waistline.
One of the most popular types of shapewear is the corset. Corsets have been around for centuries and were originally used to help ladies achieve a smaller waist. Today, corsets are still very popular and are an excellent choice for those looking to get a slimmer waist. Corsets work by cinching in the waist and can provide a dramatic difference in your appearance.
If you’re not looking for something as extreme as a corset, then there are other options available. For example, you can opt for a simple waist trainer or waist cincher.
Best Shapewear for Back
Back fat is a common problem for women, especially as they get older. And while there are many different ways to deal with back fat, the quick solution is often shapewear. Shapewear can help to smooth out your contours and make you look slimmer and more toned. But not all shapewear is created equal. There are different types of shapewear, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Weighing your options carefully will help you find the right shapewear for your specific needs.
Best Shapewear for Full Body
The last type of shapewear we'll look at is full body shapewear. This type of shapewear is designed to shape and smooth your entire body, giving you a more toned and polished look. Full body shapewear typically comes in the form of a bodysuit, and it can be made from a variety of materials including Spanx material, latex, or even neoprene. Benefits of full body shapewear include:
-Shaping and smoothing your entire body
-Giving you a more toned and polished look
-Helping to slim your waist, thighs, and arms
-Minimiing the appearance of cellulite
Best shapewear for 2023 Breakdown: Pros and Cons
Now that we have talked about the best shapewear for targeted parts of the body, we are going to go through each shapewear option available. Here is a rundown of the different types of shapewear and their pros and cons.
Bodysuits: A shaping bodysuit is a type of shapewear piece that covers your entire body, from your chest to your butt. They usually have built-in bra support and can be worn with or without straps. A shapewear bodysuit is great for creating a smooth, streamlined look under your clothes. And they can be especially helpful if you’re wearing a fitted dress or top.
Pros:
- Best body shaper for overall coverage
- Can be worn with or without straps
- Provides full coverage
- Creates a smooth, streamlined look
- Flattering for every body type
Cons:
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- Going to the bathroom becomes quite complicated
- May be uncomfortable in hot weather
- Can be hard to find plus size bodysuits
Waist Cinchers: Waist cinchers are a type of shapewear that cinches in your waist and creates an hourglass shape. They’re usually made of firm, elastic material and have boning or steel stays to help hold them in place. Waist cinchers can be worn under your clothes or as part of an outfit.
Pros:
- Can be worn as outerwear or underwear
- Cinches in your waist for an hourglass shape
- Comes in a variety of materials, including latex and cotton
Cons:
- May be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- May cause back pain if worn too tight
Girdles: Girdles are a type of shapewear that covers your entire torso, from your chest to your waist. They usually have built-in bra support and may also have straps. Girdles can be worn with or without other types of shapewear.
Pros:
- Can be worn with or without other types of shapewear
- Provides full coverage
- Comes in a variety of materials, including latex and cotton
Cons:
- May be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- May cause back pain if worn too tight
Thigh Shapers: Thigh shapers are a type of shapewear that covers your thighs and buttocks. They’re usually made of firm, elastic material and have boning or steel stays to help hold them in place. Thigh shapers can be worn under your clothes or as part of an outfit.
Pros:
- Can be worn as outerwear or underwear
- Comes in a variety of materials, including latex and cotton
- Helps to slim and shape your thighs and buttocks
Cons:
- May be uncomfortable and hot to wear for long periods of time
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- May cause chafing or skin irritation
- Have to be careful of a visible panty line
Control Briefs:Control briefs are a type of shapewear that covers your entire lower body, from your waist to your thighs. They’re usually made of firm, elastic material and have boning or steel stays to help hold them in place. Control briefs can be worn under your clothes or as part of an outfit.
Pros:
- Can be worn as outerwear or underwear
- Comes in a variety of materials, including latex and cotton
- Helps to slim and shape your lower body
Cons:
- May be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- May cause chafing or skin irritation
Shapewear Tops: Shapewear tops are a type of shapewear that covers your upper body, from your chest to your waist. They’re usually made of firm, elastic material and have boning or steel stays to help hold them in place. Shapewear tops can be worn under your clothes or as part of an outfit.
Pros:
- Can be worn as outerwear or underwear
- Comes in a variety of materials, including latex and cotton
- Helps to slim and shape your upper body
Cons:
- May be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- May cause back pain if worn too tight
Body Shapers: Body shapers are a type of shapewear that covers your entire body, from your chest to your thighs. They’re usually made of firm, elastic material and have boning or steel stays to help hold them in place. Body shapers can be worn under your clothes or as part of an outfit.
Pros:
- Can be worn as outerwear or underwear
- Comes in a variety of materials, including latex and cotton
- Helps to slim and shape your entire body
Cons:
- May be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- Has firm compression that may cause back pain if worn too tight
Shapewear Skirts: Shapewear skirts are a type of shapewear that covers your lower body, from your waist to your thighs. They’re usually made of firm, elastic material and have boning or steel stays to help hold them in place. Shapewear skirts can be worn at high waist level under your clothes or as part of an outfit.
Pros:
- Can be worn as outerwear or underwear
- Comes in a variety of materials, including latex and cotton
- Helps to slim and shape your lower body
Cons:
- May be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- May cause chafing or skin irritation around the lower body
Shapewear Dresses: Shapewear dresses are a type of shapewear that covers your entire body, from your chest to your thighs. They’re usually made of firm, elastic material and have boning or steel stays to help hold them in place. Shapewear dresses can be worn under your clothes or as part of an outfit. Be sure to look for a dress with adjustable straps.
Pros:
- Can be worn as outerwear or underwear
- Comes in a variety of materials, including latex and cotton
- Helps to slim and shape your entire body
Cons:
- May be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- May cause back pain if worn too tight
Shapewear Briefs: Shapewear briefs are a type of shapewear that covers your lower body, from your waist to your thighs. They’re usually made of firm, elastic material and have boning or steel stays to help hold them in place. Shapewear briefs can be worn under your clothes or as part of an outfit. A more popular term for these are spandex.
Pros:
- Can be worn as outerwear or underwear
- Comes in a variety of materials, including latex and cotton
- Helps to slim and shape your lower body
- Good for everyday wear and working out
Cons:
- Not the most comfortable shapewear
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- May cause chafing or skin irritation
Torsettes: Lastly, we have Torsettes. They are a type of shapewear that covers your torso, from your chest to your waist. They’re usually made of firm, elastic material and have boning or steel stays to help hold them in place. Torsettes can be worn under your clothes or as part of an outfit.
Pros:
- Can be worn as outerwear or underwear
- Comes in a variety of materials, including latex and cotton
- Helps to slim and shape your torso
Cons:
- May be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time
- Can be difficult to put on and take off
- May cause back pain if worn too tight
- Are not the best bra option for extra support or larger breasts
Choosing Your Shapewear
Now that you know everything there is to know about shapewear, you can purchase your next piece confidently. Remember no matter what shapewear brand you choose, embrace your natural body shape and remember that confidence is key!
