Shapewear is a term used to describe clothing that shapes the body. It can be underwear, an undergarment, or outerwear. Shapewear provides support for your breasts and tummy area while also smoothing out any unwanted bulges in other areas of the body. The garments are typically worn by women to make them look slimmer or shapelier when they are wearing clothes that may not do so well on their own. Some people think this type of clothing is only for older women who want to cover up bulging stomachs but it's popular among many different age groups because there are styles available for every size of woman.

Shapewear is usually made out of a blend of nylon and spandex, but other fabrics can be used like polyester or cotton depending on the style of shapewear you're looking for. There are also many different styles available in terms of how it's shaped to fit your body including tight, control, seamless, high waisted, low rise, and many more. There are waist cinchers that can help you achieve a smaller looking waist while also slimming your tummy area which is very popular among women with larger busts who want to make their breasts look perkier or for those with flat-chests who want the appearance of having larger chests. 

Outfits Where Shapewear Excel

Many outfits look better when you wear shapewear underneath. For example, if you're wearing a lace dress or top where the material is thin, it can be helpful to put on a pair of shaping shorts under your outfit so that there aren't any awkward lines showing through from your underwear and creating an unflattering silhouette. Shapewear is also helpful for wearing under tight-fitting clothing like leggings or pencil skirts that may cling too closely to your body and make it look lumpy in unflattering ways. Shapewear also helps with any clothing that has a unique shape such as circle skirts or fitted dresses. It can even help make clothes look better when you're going to be sitting for most of the day like for a long car ride or plane trip, etc.

There are many benefits to wearing shapewear, and it's one of the best ways for women to truly achieve a flawless look when they're in the market for clothing that will make them appear thinner or more shapely than their natural form might allow without any help. Shapewear is available in all different price ranges depending on what you need so there should be something out there no matter your budget which makes this type of undergarment super convenient.

The Best Brands of Shapewear

There are several reputable brands when it comes to shapewear including Maidenform, Spanx, and Yummie Tummie. Each brand offers a variety of different styles for every body type, so there's something out there to make you look your best no matter what kind of figure you have naturally. Shapewear can be a great addition to any wardrobe because it makes you feel better about the way you look and also helps create a more flattering silhouette for your body.

• Maidenform shapewear: Maidenform is one of the most reputable brands when it comes to shapewear and they're best known for their compression-like "Body Magic" bodysuit that helps slim your waistline and smooth out any bulges in other areas.
• Spanx: Spanx is another well-known brand, particularly from Sarah Blakely who started this company as a way to solve her own problem with clothing not fitting right so she could feel confident at work wearing sleek dresses without having lumpy underwear lines showing through. She created a great solution by making body-shaping undergarments including leggings, shorts, camisoles, bras, etc., which have been very popular ever since.
• Yummie Tummie Shapewear: Yummie Tummie is another great brand of shapewear and offers a more "natural" look than Spanx or Maidenform, so it's ideal for those who don't want to feel like they're wearing something that will be uncomfortable all day long. These shaping shorts come in different colors and styles such as boyshorts (kind of like shorter versions of booty shorts), thongs, lace-trimmed bikini-style slips, etc., which can help you achieve the perfect silhouette under your desired outfit.