Every woman dreams of finding her perfect fit in an outfit that flatters every inch of her body unlike anything else. Finding your dream outfit can indeed be a magical experience. It can allow you – and others – to see you in your best light, at your most confident. However, finding a perfect outfit can be super difficult, especially if you’re a plus-sized woman. It has nothing to do with your body type and more to do with how the fashion industry caters to anyone who isn’t a size zero. Most outfits cater better to smaller bodies, and plus-sized women can often feel left out. However, having a set of plus-sized shapewear on hand can make it easier for you to fit into your favorite outfits. When shopping for shapewear, there are multiple factors you need to consider. When done right, shapewear can help you highlight your body in virtually anything. So, keep reading below for the ultimate guide to buying shapewear for plus-sized women.
- Choose the Right Type
When picking shapewear, you’ll be bombarded by a range of options. Shapewear has progressed well past the oppressive corsets of the past, and you can find a wide range for every occasion. However, if you’re new to shapewear, you might have difficulty figuring out what you need most. The kind of shapewear you pick depends not just on your body type but also on the kind of dresses you want to wear it with.
You can opt for waist trainers, thigh lifters, or overall bodysuits that offer compression in all your problem areas. If you’re wearing a dress with a low back, you can opt for backless shapewear pieces. Wearing shapewear can help you look like your best self in any dress. Plus-size dresses are designed to cinch your body where you need to and emphasize your curves perfectly. Paired with the right shapewear, cute plus size dresses can look all the more appealing no matter what your size is.
- Compression Type
Another vital area to consider when shopping for shapewear is compression type. Picking the right compression level will give you the results you want. If your compression level is too low, you won’t get the smoothened-out effect you’re looking for. If you pick something too high, you can feel suffocated and cramped. A lot of women think picking the highest compression level is the safest choice. However, this can also squeeze your body in too tightly, emphasizing your problem areas instead of hiding them.
If you’re looking for just a little extra support in some problem areas, you can do well with light compression. Light compression can give you ample support, such as pulling in any paunches and smoothening out love handles without ever being suffocating. Medium compression is perfect if you want to accentuate your curves and get more obvious results. However, it can be hard to wear this for more than 6-8 hours at a stretch. The final level is high compression, which is perfect for special occasions when you want to look your best. However, it’s better to wear this only for a short time.
- Know Your Measurements
You also need to consider your measurements, apart from picking the right compression levels and choosing the right kind of shapewear. Shapewear is by no means a one-size-fits-all garment, and unless you pick the right size, you’re likely to be super uncomfortable. All shapewear brands have a sizing chart, and you need to study it properly before you pick any size.
Furthermore, you need to ensure you have all the perfect measurements before you make a choice. If you’re having difficulty measuring yourself, you can ask a professional to help you out. These measurements can help you later if you’re getting any bespoke pieces made or shopping for other shapewear pieces. Additionally, it’s always essential to pick your perfect size. Many women assume going for a size smaller can help them get some extra compression. However, all this will do is make you incredibly uncomfortable. Too small shapewear can easily slip off, become cramped, and can also fall apart.
- Choose the Right Fabric
Although it may seem immaterial, picking the right fabric makes a huge difference in influencing your experience with shapewear. In the summers, wearing stiff, thick layers can make you sweaty, humid and can make you feel super cramped. It can also give rise to a lot of chafing, which can be pretty painful to deal with.
So, you might want to pick a light, airy fabric that won’t easily heat up and cause you any health issues for the summer months. These will be easier to wear under layers, without any issue. However, as the cooler months come around, you can even opt for thicker, heavier fabrics. These can give you extra compression and support and can even help you stay warm against the blistering cold. Making the right choices in small matters like these can help you wear shapewear easily and comfortably. Furthermore, picking high-quality fabric as opposed to something cheaper can give you much more value for your money.
- Choose the Right Color
Again, picking the right color may seem like a small step but can make your experience with shapewear much smoother. Although shapewear is becoming increasingly popular as outerwear, it’s something they want to be discreet about for most women. Picking the right color can ensure that your shapewear seems discreet through every outfit.
Traditionally, colors like white or nude pair better with all outfits and can blend in nicely. If you’re wearing a dress or skirt with cutouts, you might feel tempted to wear shapewear in your skin color. However, that can draw unnecessary attention. Instead, wearing shapewear in the same shade as your clothes can give you a seamless look.
Conclusion
If you struggle with finding the perfect fit, getting shapewear can help you look like your best self in virtually anything. It can help you cinch your body in all the right spots and emphasize your curves perfectly. With a reliable set of shapewear, shopping as a plus-sized woman doesn’t have to be as hard as it may seem.