The Dark Side of Shape-Wear

Shape-wear is a popular item among women, but it’s not something that should be worn all the time. It can solve some problems, but there are also problems it simply cannot correct.

Many women wear shape-wear to help with back pain issues such as a bulging disc or lower back pain due to pregnancy. In these instances, shape-wear can help support your body as you stand or walk around and relieve pressure on the back. In other instances, shape-wear can improve posture and make your belly appear flatter if you have had children or are currently pregnant.

If you’re wondering whether shape-wear is worth investing in for your specific issues, consider how often you will wear it and how much relief it will give you every time you put it on.

The good

• Shape-wear can help define your figure. If you’ve got a less defined shape, adding some support to your midriff can help your clothes fit properly and feel more comfortable—especially if you live in an area where the weather is super hot.
• It’s simple and easy to use. Just pull it on like a regular pair of pants, and be amazed by how smooth it makes your figure look!
• It holds things in place. If you have any wobbly bits that bother you, shapewear can keep them snugly in place all day long, even when the temperature climbs up into the sweltering range.

The bad

There are a few drawbacks to be aware of before investing in shape-wear for yourself. The high-waisted shaper you’re thinking about buying could make your legs look fat or heavy. The same goes for the mid-thigh shaper, which could also cause static or discomfort.

It can be uncomfortable.

You’ve seen those commercials where women are smiling and laughing in their shape-wear. Even though they should look uncomfortable, they somehow don’t. The thing is that they probably are uncomfortable, but the producers just cut out any grimacing faces or moments when they want to rip off their undergarment and throw it at someone.

Some of the things that can make shape-wear uncomfortable include: feeling too tight, rubbing against skin, digging into the skin in the wrong places, making it hard to breathe, and not being able to sit or walk comfortably for long periods of time, and being itchy.

It can make you sweat.

While shape-wear can be a great tool for smoothing out your curves, it’s important to remember that it may not be the most comfortable piece of clothing in your closet. Most shapewear is made from non-breathable materials like nylon and spandex, so they are likely to make you sweat more than you would without them.

This is not necessarily a bad thing! Sweating is a completely normal way for your body to cool down. But if you do work up a sweat in your shapewear, make sure you bathe soon after removing it to avoid any unpleasant odors or skin irritations.

It can leave red marks on your skin.

While shapewear can certainly help you look slimmer, there are some downsides to this apparel that you should be aware of.

First and foremost, shapewear can leave red marks on your skin. If the garment is too tight, it can restrict blood flow to the areas where it’s worn. Once you take off the garment, red marks will appear on your skin in these areas. You might also experience chafing or itching when wearing shapewear that’s too tight.

A second downside to wearing shapewear is that it may feel uncomfortable to wear. Shapewear essentially functions like a corset—it presses down around parts of your body and gives you a thinner appearance by compressing fat deposits. That being said, wearing shapewear feels similar to squeezing yourself into a too-tight corset; if it’s extremely tight, you might even experience difficulty breathing normally while wearing it. If this happens or if you feel dizzy while wearing shapewear, stop what you’re doing and remove the garment immediately.

It might not be worth it.

Shape-wear can be expensive, and you might already have enough of it. With the right layering techniques, it’s easy to find the support you need without needing to go out and buy new shapewear. It’s also important to keep in mind that trends come and go; what’s hot today is likely to be out of style tomorrow. If you’re going to spend money on shape-wear, it might be better off investing in something that will last for a long time. On top of all this, shapewear can even be uncomfortable!

It’s a temporary fix.

You might think that shape-wear is the answer to all your problems, but the truth is that it’s a temporary fix. If you want to actually solve your problem and feel more comfortable in your body, you’ll have to make other changes. If you’re trying to hide bulges that are caused by excess fat, try eating healthier and working out more. If you’re trying to minimize a muffin top or love handles, check if your jeans fit properly or if they’re just too tight. In some cases, all you need is a better bra!