Classic Shapewear Offers the Lowdown On Shopping For Shapewear

March 8, 2011 - PRLog -- No matter your shape or size, there is nothing a little shapewear can’t do to help boost your confidence and make you feel slim and sexy. Before you shop for shapewear, you must first decide if you want to enhance your figure or conceal a flaw. Second, it’s vital that you shop for undergarments that compliment your body shape. Do you want to give your rear a lift or slim your tummy?  Enhance your bust or smooth your thighs? The styling experts at Classic Shapewear offer the lowdown on shopping for shapewear based upon your body type.

Determining Your Body Shape
It’s important when shopping for shapewear that you decide what you want the garment to do for you. Do you have a small chest that could use some enhancing? A saggy bottom that could use some uplifting? A tummy that could use some flattening? With so many options available, it’s best to narrow down the selection based up what it is exactly you hope to achieve when buying shapewear.

Next, you need to determine your body shape. A study of more than 6,000 women conducted at North Carolina State University in 2005 revealed that women’s body types fell into the following four categories: 46% of women were banana or rectangular shaped; just over 20% were pear-shaped with hip measurements greater than bust measurements; just under 14% were apple-shaped with broader shoulders and bust, and narrower hips; and only 8% were hourglass with the hip and bust almost of equal size and a narrow waist.

Shop By Your Shape
Once you’ve determined your shape, follow these simple “shop by your shape” suggestions to find the best fitting undergarment to suite your needs.

Hourglass:  For women with the enviable hourglass figure, you should look to shapewear to enhance your already gorgeous figure. A comfortable full body shaper is a great way to smooth your curves and hold everything in place. Ann Chery Seduccion Powernet Bodysuit ($112.99) is a best seller because of its full body compression. This one piece lifts the bust as it compresses the tummy, back, arms, buttocks, hips and thighs.

Wardrobe Tip:  Soft, clingy dresses look great on this shape. Vedette’s Mid-Thigh Full Body Shaper ($79) is a must-have to ensure a smooth look. With adjustable straps, this shaper will lift your bust and bottom as it firms your tummy, back and thighs.

Pear: If you fall into the pear category, you may want a shaping solution that firms and tones your thighs. Incorporate a slimming pair of leggings that are firming, fashionable and comfortable. Solidea’s Silverwave Long Micromassage Anti-Cellulite Legging ($109) are designed with an exclusive patented wave knit technology that gently massages the skin to break up unwanted fat around the tummy, hips, thighs, buttocks and legs. This exclusive knit offers built-in, clinical grade compression which acts like a second set of muscles boosting microcirculation in the vessels of the skin's upper layers and ridding it of unhealthy fats, toxins and fluids. Also available in a bike short, so don’t shy away for that close fitting skirt you’ve tucked away in the back of your closet.

Wardrobe Tip: Many women with a pear shape struggle with wearing jeans. An easy solution: Try the Rhonda Shear “Smooth Operator” Seamless Shaper ($34). Made of 15% spandex for firm support, this seamless short will slim your tummy, thighs, and buttocks, ensuring a smooth fit in your favorite pair of jeans.

Apple:  As an apple-shape figure, you may be blessed with a larger bust and a great pair of legs.  Opt for a wireless bra with wide and ergonomic bra straps, such as the Leonisa Back Posture Support Bra ($37). This great fitting bra reduces the bra bulge with its smooth design and wide bra straps for extreme comfort and support. Another option is a shaper that whittles the middle. Flakisima’s new Power Cotton Waist Cincher ($54.99) will reduce your waistline by up to 4 inches instantly. Solidea Silverwave Tummy Band Waist Slimmer ($65) is a firm compression shaper that gently hugs and shapes hips and abdomen. The patented three-dimensional wave fabric actively micro-massages the skin, stimulates microcirculation and helps expel localized fat.

Wardrobe Tip: If you tend to shy away for a close fitting top, try the Sassybax Armed and Dangerous T-Shirt ($68).  This shaper offers firm compression on the back of the arms to give the appearance of smooth, firm upper arm tone where it is needed the most with medium torso compression to smooth the tummy from the bra line to hipbone for a sleek silhouette. This chic Sassybax is an excellent layering piece, which can stand alone as a sleek, sassy tee.

Banana: Women with a banana shape will want add some curve to their slender figure. The new generation of sexy rear enhancers are designed with extra firm compression fabric to slim, lift, and sculpt the derriere to perfection. Dr. Rey Shapewear Bottom Enhancer ($39.95) is a smoothing thigh shaper featuring removable pads that will add some curve when you want it, where you want it. If you want your favorite pair of low-rise, skinny jeans to fit perfectly, then  your new best friend is the Pure Style Girlfriends Bump-a-Booty ($30). This low-rise microfiber panty with foam pads is specially designed to give your rear some lift but sits low enough so no one will know your secret weapon!

Wardrobe Tip: Many women with this frame tend to gain weight in their middle and have smaller busts. Transform a one-dimensional look with Leonisa’s Classic Panty Control Body Shaper ($42.99). This braless shaper will define your waistline, flatten and tone the tummy, and enhance your cleavage. Now you can wear your LBD (little black dress) with complete confidence!

With today's contemporary fabrics and ingenious designs, undergarments can provide wonderful compliments to enhance your figure – leaving you feeling more confident and sexier throughout the day.  Be sure to visit: www.classicshapewear.com for all of your shaping needs.

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About Classic Shapewear:
Classic Shapewear is the industry’s leading online shapewear retailer offering the highest quality, latest trends, and best named brands to fit and shape women of every size. Specializing in shapewear, the buyer’s at Classic Shapewear are selective about which brands they carry. From the material, to design and the importance of a seamless garment, Classic Shapewear knows how shapewear should be made. For more information, please visit: www.ClassicShapewear.com