If keeping your back straight feels challenging, I'd recommend a good shapewear, especially one that offers strong back control.
Speaking of the buttocks
The effect of "lifting the buttocks" in shapewear should be particularly emphasized.
Firstly, shapewear can make "lifting the buttocks" a postural habit. Over time, even without the help of shapewear, you can carry yourself with this kind of stride, maintaining an elegant and sensual sway of the hips.
Next, I place a high value on exercising the muscles in the buttocks. My instructor informed me that walking itself is a natural exercise for the buttocks muscles. Maintaining the correct walking posture can make the buttocks tighter and continuously lifting them achieves this effect. Therefore, walking with a posture that lifts the buttocks is beneficial for exercising these muscles, sculpting the perfect contours of the buttocks.
- Weight loss, making slimness a habit.
Wearing shapewear isn't just beneficial for shaping but can also be an excellent aid on the path to weight loss.
Firstly, shapewear has a compressive effect on the stomach, significantly reducing appetite. Over time, this helps condition and train your stomach. Based on my own experience and that of my friends, with consistent wearing of good shapewear for two months, shedding off around four kilograms is an achievable goal.
Secondly, shapewear represents a high regard for body shape and a high level of self-discipline. 'You are what you wear'—your clothing choices can subconsciously influence you. Those who wear shapewear regularly tend to incorporate 'constant self-discipline' into their lifestyle.
2. Sculpting Underwear Creates Fashion Icons
Many sexy female stars abroad are faithful supporters of sculpting underwear. It's been said that Victoria Beckham has a daily habit of wearing sculpting underwear, which helps maintain her perfect figure and sexy posture over the long term."
The Queen of this topic, the perpetually composed socialite, the envy-inducing wife, the mother whose figure never seems to change, and the designer with her own fashion brand... Every time she appears before us, it's in a sleek, sophisticated, figure-hugging ensemble. What's truly amazing is that even when she's out strolling with her children, Mrs. Beckham dons an upscale, form-fitting, and irresistibly chic dress—never sloppy, never lax.
That's the philosophy behind sculpting underwear—24 hours of refinement and beauty, 24 hours of discipline.
3. Shapewear and Health
The ongoing debate in the market about the impact of shapewear on health is constant. Therefore, before wearing it, I specifically consulted a doctor, and the answer was straightforward—if the shapewear doesn't compress to the extent that it restricts breathing or interferes with daily activities, it won't have any impact on health.
I am a passionate enthusiast of shapewear and have worn it consistently for years (sometimes even layering two pieces when aiming to fit into a size 0 dress). I've experienced no discomfort or health issues whatsoever.
However, for caution's sake, a few things to note:
1) Shapewear should ideally be customized based on individual measurements rather than opting for one-size-fits-all. Finding shapewear that best fits your body shape ensures the most effective and health-conscious use.
2) Pay attention to the breathability of the fabric; non-breathable materials can lead to skin issues (which will be detailed later).
3) Choose shapewear with an open-crotch design (also explained later); otherwise, it might lead to gynecological problems.
4. How to Determine the Quality of Shapewear?
The wonder of shapewear lies in this—visually, 80% of shapewear appears quite similar in pictures, yet their prices vary significantly.
Due to the 'similar appearances' of shapewear, determining its quality isn't easy by merely 'looking at pictures.' Instead, it requires a careful touch and observation after acquiring the actual product. However, the most effective judgment undoubtedly comes from observing the effects when worn.
To write this article, our team purchased 40 different types of shapewear, ranging from 100 to 2000 yuan, extensively comparing and trying them on. Below are the insights gained from selecting shapewear.
(While we earnestly summarized and compared, seeking advice from numerous professionals, there might still be inaccuracies. Industry experts are welcome to add and critique. ^_^)
1) Fabric
Examining the fabric composition is crucial when selecting shapewear. As a general principle:
a) Most shapewear in the market typically contains a certain percentage of 'spandex' in its fabric, ranging anywhere from 5% to 49%. Generally, higher spandex content means a tighter or more elastic feel. Consequently, the shapewear's support, control, and functionality improve.
We've summarized:
Spandex content 0-20%: One-star shaping effect Spandex content 21%-30%: Two-star shaping effect Spandex content 31%-40%: Three-star shaping effect Spandex content 41%-50%: Four-star shaping effect
b) Keeping other factors constant, a higher proportion of 'cotton' enhances breathability and moisture absorption.
Moreover, observing the surface of shapewear helps assess breathability. Shapewear with good breathability typically exhibits faint pores on the fabric surface.
However, some shapewear appears excessively smooth on the surface. While this fabric might seem luxurious, it could hinder breathability, potentially leading to skin issues with prolonged wear.
2) Design
a. Overall, when considering design: full-body shapewear always offers better shaping effects compared to separates.
The term 'full-body shapewear' refers to garments with straps that cover from the abdomen to the legs.
However, 'separate shapewear' targets specific body areas or may only cover the upper torso.
When it comes to shaping, the all-in-one is definitely better than the separated pieces because it's seamless and makes it easier to create a cohesive look when worn under clothing. Plus, it allows for better control of fat both upwards and downwards.
Moreover, the separated shapewear has two inconveniences. Firstly, it's prone to rolling up at the edges. Secondly, due to the rigid design of the front button or zip, it's prone to shifting significantly after movement, making it hard to adjust and incredibly awkward.
b. Regarding chest design, it's better to opt for shapewear without built-in cups.
Some shapewear comes with integrated cups. However, we don't recommend selecting this type because most of these undergarments on the market have non-divisible cups, offering a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn't cater to various breast shapes and cup sizes, which is not conducive to enhancing or shaping the bust.
Therefore, we recommend choosing shapewear without built-in cups. While wearing it, it's necessary to also wear a separate bra that best suits your needs.
At this point, the shapewear plays a role in uplifting the bra, enhancing the bust shape and preventing sagging.
c. Back Design: Check the richness of the structural lines.
The "structural lines" design can be considered the "skeleton" of shapewear, directly determining its sculpting effects and the complexity of its craftsmanship. Learning to observe these structural lines is crucial in selecting the right shapewear for oneself.
The structural lines refer to the distinct seams visible when you spread out a piece of shapewear. Some shape design is referred to as "diamond-shaped stitches," contributing significantly to controlling the back.