Shapewear:Guide to selecting what works for you.

Identify Your Trouble Spots

 The first step to choosing shapewear is identifying your trouble spots. Do you need tummy control? Would you like more waist definition? How about shaping your torso, rear, or thighs? Maybe you’d like to smooth all of these trouble spots. Since today’s shapewear targets specific areas of the body, once you know what you want to improve, choosing the right shapewear for your silhouette is simple.

 

Styles Of Shapewear

 Here are the most common styles of shapewear to help introduce you to the possibilities.

1. Body Shapewear

 Also called all-in-ones, body briefers, and body-shapers, body shapewear smoothes your entire midsection, providing full body coverage and shaping from the bust down to the tummy and hips. Since body shapewear may featured built-in bra, they’re often sized according to bra size, which makes finding the right fit easy. For example, if you wear a size 38C bra, you wear size 38C body shapewear.

2. Bust Shapewear

 Instead of just pushing up your bust like the average push-up bra, bust shapewear enhances your shape by giving your bust a boost while providing maximum support that looks completely natural. Just as with body shapewear, you should purchase bust shapewear based on your bra size.

3.  Shaping Panties

 Flatten your tummy and hips while lifting and supporting your rear for sleek, natural shaping without pinching or binding. Choose shaping panty size based on your waist, hip, and panty size as shown in the chart below.

4. Thigh Shapewear

 Leg and mid thigh control briefs extend down the thighs. Thigh shapewear provides the same tummy, hip, and rear benefits of shaping panties while also helping to shape and support the thighs. The best thigh shapewear includes a special grip or band at the bottom of the leg that prevents rolling and shifting.

5. Tummy Control Shapewear

 Tummy control shapewear resembles shaping panties except that it typically only offers tummy control. With a support panel that extends over the front of the brief, hipster or thong, tummy control shapewear flattens your tummy to give you a smooth silhouette.

6. Waist Shapewear

 Sometimes you just need a little waist definition, and that’s where waist shapewear excels. There are many different styles of waist nipping shapewear with the most common being a shaping brief with an elongated waistband that shapes your torso and extends to just below your bra line. Waist shapewear will give your waist a smooth contour, and your waist, hip, and panty measurements determine the correct size for you.

Shapewear Support Levels

 In addition to coming in a variety of shapes and colors, today’s shapewear also offers a number of different support levels that allow you to choose the amount of control, smoothness and support best for your figure.

Light Control – Offers as much support as control top pantyhose and provides gentle, minimal control  shaping without panels or binding

Moderate Control – Offers additional smoothness with a moderate amount of control from light spandex and control panels

Firm Control – Offers excellent correction and support for problem areas with solid control from firm panels and spandex

Extra Firm Control – Offers the highest level of shapewear support available, and typically includes reinforced panels and sometimes even boning for maximum, extra firm control.

Shapewear Sizing Tips

 The key to getting the best fit with shapewear is wearing the right size. If you’ve never been professionally measured for a bra or other undergarments, it’s well worth the time and effort. Sizing is critically important to getting a flawless look from your bras, panties, and shapewear. You’ll also enjoy greater comfort by wearing the correct size.

 Never buy shapewear a size smaller than you actually need. It won’t provide extra support because it won’t fit correctly. If you’re considering a smaller size because you desire additional support, a better way to get that support is to just move to shapewear with a higher support level.

Shapewear Fitting Tips

 Putting on your shapewear correctly will ensure a perfect fit that is also comfortable. To avoid binding, gather the sides of your shapewear in your hands similar to putting on pantyhose. Then step into the legs, pull your shapewear up to position the crotch, and then gradually release the fabric until you work all the way up, making sure the panels and seams are straight and in place.

 After putting on your shapewear, sit down to check for binding and rolling. Before getting dressed, you should also cross your legs, bend over, kneel down, lift your arms, walk around, and perform any other movements you regularly do during the day to make sure your shapewear stays in place without binding or cutting into your body. Taking this simple step can mean a proper fit that stays comfortable all day instead of having to readjust constantly.

 If your shapewear gets too hot during the day, look for much lighter weight shapers. If sweating or itching is a problem, consider applying baby powder to your skin before putting on your shapewear to feel cool, clean, and dry.

  culled from http://superglamnews.com

 Hope u enjoyed reading this blog however in my personal opinion investing in shape wear is a big yes..I have a few but im sometimes so nonchalant that i forget to put them on but coming across articles on this has made me realize how important they are

A 45 YEAR OLD WOMAN, EARNS UP TO £360 A DAY CUDDLING MEN AS THE UK'S FIRST 'PROFESSIONAL SNUGGLER'

Everybody loves a good cuddle, and one woman is capitalizing on people's need for regular hugs as the UK's first professional snuggler. Kitty Mansfield, from Ramsgate, Kent, opens her arms to people who 'crave intimacy' and want to cuddle up on the sofa, or even in her bed, and is earning up to £360 a day doing it. The 45-year-old is happy to get cosy in front of a film or while listening to music depending on what her customers want.

They can even stay the weekend as part of her B&B weekend deal, and get into bed with two women for a 'stereo snuggle' with Kitty and her second snuggler, Natalya 'It's a therapeutic service for people who want to be snuggled,' Kitty said. 'People can just come and talk, or they can snuggle wherever they want for as long as they want, People want to feel a connection’. It's something we have lost out on, touching has become a taboo.'

So much love to give: Kitty Mansfield opens her arms to people who crave intimacy and want to cuddle up on the sofa, or even in her bed

Dressed in her pajamas and slippers, Kitty charges £45 an hour for her 'Be Snuggled' business just by wrapping her arms around her clients at her seaside home. She even invites her clients to bring along their favorite pillow, blanket or teddy bear. Kitty said: 'From the moment we're born we want to be held, it's just natural. ‘I think certain people are better at snuggling than others, but as I like to be close to people, I think I do have a skill.’ Don’t cross the line: Kitty draws a line at full intimacy and cuddlers have to wear underwear at all times

The service, which is the first of its kind in the UK and just one of two in the world, is completely non-sexual. Kitty’s rules clearly state that 'any inappropriate requests or behavior will result in your immediate exit' and areas normally covered by underwear are off-limits. She insists that underwear must be worn at all times, and shorts and tank tops are prohibited - clients should wear pajamas or a t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms. Kitty launched the business after working as a holistic therapist for ten years, using the power of touch to soothe and heal.

Entrepreneur: Kitty launched her business, Be Snuggled, after 10 years working as a holistic therapist

But while her holistic massage has helped her clients deal with their aches and pains, she always felt that a part of the jigsaw was still missing. After heavily researching the benefits of 'snuggling', she opened Be Snuggled. She said: 'People love to be cuddled because it feels good and offers simple contact. However, not everyone has a suitable cuddling partner, somewhere out there someone is in serious need of human contact, yet he or she has no-one to turn to. At Be Snuggled, you will discover a safe, warm and non-judgemental oasis where you can step out of your everyday life, rediscover the pleasure of non-sexual snuggling and enjoy the many psychological and physiological benefits of cuddling. Kitty has also written a 'Cuddle Sutra' for her clients, which is filled with detailed descriptions and illustrations, before deciding exactly how they'd like to be snuggled. Cuddle Sutra: Kitty even has a list of different types of cuddles that her clients can choose from. Here she poses with 'snugglee' Mike Parker

Kitty's research has taught her there is a lot more to being snuggled than merely getting close to someone. 'One proven health benefit of cuddling is the release of oxytocin,' she said. 'Known as the feel-good hormone, oxytocin creates a sense of well-being and happiness. 'In addition, physical contact with others can lower blood pressure and reduce stress. 'But Kitty, who is separated, is aware that many will fail to understand the basics behind her Be Snuggled service. She said: 'People think it's weird for people to just want to be cuddled if it's not sexual. 'People have become so standoffish and political correctness has taken over. 'I think I will get some criticism because it's not a standard type of service I'm offering. 'But the way I see it, hostility is just a symptom of fear.'