Shapewear: trending shaping and sculpting lingerie

For the past few years, the shapewear movement has been making headlines! Who would have thought that the girdle would make such a comeback? Probably very few. Yet, since 2019, many women have been convinced by shapewear and sculpting underwear with simple lines and definite comfort.

To learn more: Shaping underwear: your secret weapon for a sculpted figure

Today, we’re taking a closer look at shapewear lingerie, slimming, shaping, and sculpting underwear that’s gaining more and more fans!

Did someone say shapewear?

This English word can be understood as follows: for shape, think figure or silhouette. Fitness and sports fans will recognize this word, as athletes and fitness pros often use it to talk about their body, their profile, their figure. As for wear, it means clothing.

Shapewear could thus be translated as clothing for your figure. Shapewear refers to a specific type of lingerie: shaping underwear. It’s a real trend—shapewear is transforming the world of lingerie and fashion.

Thanks to these shaping undergarments—comfortable, invisible, and like a second skin—a woman’s body is reshaped in moments. They’re also called tummy control lingerie, slimming clothes, or shapewear.

Shapewear: panties and bodysuits to shape and sculpt your body

So why turn to shapewear? If you’re looking for slimming, shaping, and figure-enhancing underwear, shapewear is for you. We’re talking about panties, bodysuits, leggings, bras, or even shorts. Whether for everyday wear or special occasions (like weddings), sculpting lingerie smooths your lower belly, shapes your butt, and enhances your figure. Invisible under clothes, fitted dresses, or suits, this special slimming lingerie helps many women feel good in their outfits. A far cry from old-fashioned girdles or painful corsets, the 2024 version of the tummy-flattening shapewear panty features understated colors, soft fabrics, and lines that respect your curves. This lingerie is practical and comfortable, and comes in a wide range of colors to match most skin tones.

To learn more: How to choose a tummy-control panty?

Shapewear: lingerie that’s totally on trend right now

From the old-fashioned, dusty girdle to the not-so-sexy high-waisted shaping panty, how did shapewear manage to become a cool, trendy, and fashionable movement?

After the thong and the Wonderbra, shapewear seems to be the latest revolution in women’s lingerie. One big difference: comfort. Unlike thongs or push-up bras that dig in, leave marks, and are uncomfortable, in 2024, women want comfortable underwear.

Before shapewear, there was shapewear !

Little by little, the image of the control panty or slimming panty has changed. It’s gone from the old-fashioned granny girdle to ultra-feminine, elegant, and sexy underwear. Shaping flat tummy lingerie is no longer seen as a torture device, but as comfortable underwear that makes women feel good and confident. But how?

It started as a small shift in mindset: after the 90s and 2000s, when top models were all long and lean, plus-size models finally got some of the runway spotlight. Women began to embrace and feel more comfortable with their shapes and curves. That was the body-positive movement: putting an end to the search for the perfect body, to dieting, and learning to accept ourselves as we are.

On the other hand, Oprah Winfrey, the queen of American TV, admitted in 2010 that she’s a big fan of shapewear. American consumers have since become more and more interested in shaping underwear, high-waisted tummy control panties, and other body shapers. Starting from nothing, Sara Blakey built her Spanx brand into a multimillion-dollar company in the early 2010s.

The revolution has definitely gone beyond US borders since Kim Kardashian launched her own shapewear brand! She showcases her collection everywhere and sets the trend for curvy, sculpted shapes worldwide. On TikTok, the #shapewear hashtag is exploding. While the slimming wear market has been established for ten years in the US and Asia, it has only recently arrived in Europe and France.

In ten years, shapewear has become sexy and cool! An absolute must-have in your panty drawer!

 The Zoé shaping panties and the Emma shaping shorts gently sculpt your figure and shape.

Shapewear: a diverse range of sculpting lingerie

The shapewear movement is a collection of sculpting underwear and a wide variety of undergarments. Their use is now completely normalized. You can occasionally wear several very different pieces:

• the high-waisted shaping underwear, an absolute must-have;
• The shaping bodysuit with straps and the long-sleeve bodysuit shapewear with a beautiful neckline and a firmer bust are must-haves when you’re wearing high-waisted jeans;
• the shaping shorty,
• the shaping bodysuit,
• the bralette,
• Or the shaping panty, which smooths bulges, slims the hips and waist, lifts the bust, and rounds the buttocks.

Key features of quality shapewear

How do you choose the right slimming clothes and the best tummy control lingerie? What criteria should you focus on? We’ll help you sort through the information.

🧶 Good materials

Shapewear—slimming, sculpting, or tummy control—but always gentle on your skin and respectful of your comfort. Never compromise on what it’s made of: always choose healthy shapewear with clear, transparent ingredients. Whenever possible, go for natural materials.

📏 The right size

When buying shapewear, it’s not always easy to choose the right size. Pay attention to the brand’s recommendations, read the size guide, and check out user reviews. It’s very important to pick the right size for the best experience. Take the time to measure your waist, hips, and pelvis—this can really help.

👻 Invisible underwear

Good tummy-control underwear or shapewear panties should, above all, be seamless shaping panties. Opt for seamless shapewear, flat seams, or second-skin effect styles.

🔐 Choosing the right level of firmness and compression

Sometimes brands offer different levels of firmness. You should choose based on what you’re really looking for: flattening your stomach, firming your figure, shaping your curves? Some underwear will be shaping and slimming, offering a flat stomach, while others will sculpt and enhance your shape.