How to Choose Shapwear for Your Body Type

How to Choose Shapewear for Your Body Type

Shapewear is a type of undergarment that many women find indispensable. Shapewear can be traced back to as early as the 1800’s when women wore corsets under their dresses and gowns to give them a slimmer appearance. In fact, fashionable ladies during that time endured hours of discomfort just to have shapelier and more slender figures. 

Fortunately, today’s shapewear isn’t as uncomfortable to wear. You can now wear the ideal shapewear while still enjoying comfort and the freedom to move as you please. If you’re not sure how to choose the right shapewear for your body type, follow these guidelines.

Know What Your Body Type Needs

Today’s shapewear undergarments are designed for almost every body type so no matter what your figure is, you will undoubtedly find a shapewear that can address your problem area.

Apple-shaped women will do best by minimizing the size of their waists while emphasizing their generous bust lines. You can do this by wearing a tummy brief – a very popular shapewear that resembles a high-waisted brief panty. The front panel of this garment will help conceal your tummy. If you want to do more than flatten your stomach, you can also buy shapewear that can define and shape your waist very much like a corset.

Tummy Control  

If you belong to the pear-shaped group, then you need to play down the size of your hips and thighs. You can do so by wearing control briefs with long legs. These undergarments resemble cycling shorts, except that they have more support and control.

 Tummy Control   

A banana-shaped figure is not too bad, but when you want to feel more feminine for a special occasion, you probably want to look the part. If you don’t have much going on in the bust area, then you might want to choose shapewear that can enhance your cleavage.

 Silicone Bra Pads

Bottom Enhancer 

If you are one of the lucky women who has an hourglass figure, then you really do not have to do much to enhance or modify your figure. You can simply choose shapewear that helps you show off your natural shape.

Article from http://www.3fatchicks.com

Find Out What Is Your Shape

Article by Amber Yake, eHow Contributor

The areas of your body where you carry the most fat determine your body shape so, for some women, it is possible to determine their body shape simply by looking at them. However, there is also a more exact way to determine your body shape. All you need is a measuring tape. By measuring your waist circumference and your hip circumference and then calculating your waist to hip ratio you can determine if you are an apple, hourglass, pear or ruler.

1. Determine Your Shape

   • In order to determine your shape, measure your bust at the fullest part of the breast line, your waist at the narrowest part of the waistline and your hips at the fullest part of your bottom. Make sure you keep the measuring tape straight across. Write these numbers down and then do some math to determine your body shape.
     Divide hip by waist number for your hip/waist ratio
     Divide bust by waist number for your bust/waist ratio
     Divide waist by hip number for your waist/hip ratio
     Divide waist by bust number for your waist/bust ratio

   Apple Shape

   • The apple shape is also known as the middle figured shape. Apple-shaped women tend to have average bust size, a larger belly and then small or flat hips and bottom. If your waist/hip and waist/bust ratio are each greater than .75, you are an apple.

   Pear Shape

   • Pear-shaped women tend to carry fat in the hips/butt/thigh area and have small breasts and a small/flat stomach. If your hip/waist ratio is greater than 1.25 and your waist/bust is greater than .75, you are a pear.

   Hourglass Shape

   • If your hips/butt and your bust measure within 2 inches of each other or your waist/bust ratio is less than .75, then you are an hourglass. Women with an hourglass shape have large breasts, a small stomach and large hips, butt and thighs. The hourglass shape is widely regarded as the ideal shape.

   Ruler Shape

   • Women who have ruler-shaped bodies tend to be lean and have very few curves. Other terms for ruler-shaped women are linear, straight or column shaped. If your shoulder width is equal to your hip width or your bust, waist and hip measurement is the same or very close to the same you are a ruler shape.

Read more: Body Shape Types for Women | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7484773_body-shape-types-women.html#ixzz1yuF9MU5o