Women with engaging, fulfilling careers generally accrue the majority of their self-confidence through daily successes and accomplishments.  So you may wonder, “What does the concept of shapewear have to do with a woman’s self-assurance?” The answer is that “body confidence” – that elusive, but fearless, “I-know-it-when-I-feel-it” aura as you enter a room – can be an overlooked priority until the last minute, when it’s time for a critical meeting, an important interview, or, for some, a major event such as an encounter with the media. When you can instead project a great feeling about your appearance, it contributes to your overall presence in a room.

So, to clarify:  shapewear is an undergarment designed to enhance your silhouette — and therefore often your entire appearance.  Wearing it often seems like a necessity to be endured, as shopping for it can be a confusing, time-consuming, and even painful task. By the time you get to your special event, the novelty, and thrill, of having an enhanced figure may have completely worn off. This is unfortunate, since the point of wearing shapewear is to celebrate your curves!  So this article will attempt to simplify the process in order for you to understand the different types of shapewear, and then choose the right kind.

Every woman’s body is a unique shape, and knowing which one you have is key to finding the right shape-enhancing garment for you. We’ve identified four body shapes: Hourglass, Rectangle, Triangle, and Inverted Triangle. Find your shape by the descriptions listed below to see which shapewear works best for you before your next trip to the lingerie department.

Hourglass
The Hourglass shape features a defined waist, and an approximate symmetry between the width of hips and shoulders. The goal here is to maintain those curves, while still accentuating the defined waist. Our favorite style is “full body” shapewear like these pieces by Donna Karan and Spanx, which slim and smoothe bulges along the torso and hipline, instantly doing away with any bumps along the curves. The full body option also prevents the shapewear from slipping up and bunching around that defined waist. (See Hourglass (Diamond) video.)

Inverted Triangle
This figure features a broader shoulder and bust line, tapering down into a defined waist and hip. The main features to look for in the Inverted Triangle shapewear are smoothing and support for the upper body.  Choose shapewear with a support bra featuring molded cups, along with high coverage in the underarm area.  Excellent examples would be the Unbelievabra or Soma. (See Inverted Triangle (Ruby) video.)

Rectangle
The Rectangle body shape is the most common. This figure is proportionate from the shoulder to hipline, but might also include a slightly thicker waist.  Shapewear for this figure is all about slimming the waist, and smoothing the skin all around the waist and back. Shapewear that covers the entire torso is therefore best for this figure — i.e. for smoothing out bulges such as those around your bra straps, or at the “muffin-top” between your waist and hip. Many pieces extend to the hip, with special treatment on the hem to keep it from riding up during your day, as in this shapewear garment by Kymaro, or this version of the Unbelievabra, which also allows you to wear your own bra. (See Rectangle (Emerald) Video.)

Pear
Women with the Pear/Sapphire body shape possess a slender shoulder line, tapering into a defined waist, before curving through the torso into the hips. Shapewear for this curvy figure is focused on the lower half of the body, from tummy to hip and thigh.  A great option is the shapewear shorts that run directly from under the bust to just above the knee, targeting the upper thigh and hip area, while also smoothing lines through the waist.  See for example these by Wacoal and Donna Karan. (See Pear (Sapphire) Video.)

Our last two pieces of advice are purely practical, but will save you time and trouble in the dressing room. The first is to find your size. You can do this by taking your measurements and consulting charts on the garment tags, or researching online before you shop. Many shapewear retailers also have stylists who are trained in helping you find the right fit, and are available through phone, email or social media for you to consult.  And lastly, when trying on potential garments, step into them, rather than pulling over your head.  You’ll find this makes for a much simpler process.

The point of shapewear is to enjoy your curves with confidence, so use the information above to gain more know-how about this great way to enhance your appearance!