Corsets are probably one of the most popular while at the same time most harshly criticized pieces of women’s garments.

Victorian era saw great rise in popularity of corsets as well as their demise. How so? For the Victorian ladies it was common to waist up and get the perfect hourglass shape that was, at the time, cherished and, well, expected. However, the type of corsets worn then was uncomfortable and was known to cause serious damage to women’s bowels, their spine and ev....

Further, in feminist circles, corsets were associated with social constrains forced on women as well as their limitation to express individuality; dissatisfaction with the then set norms as well as the body-image imposed resulted in several movements powered by independent women who refused to fall into the women cliché of the time. That’s how we got Coco Chanel’s designs and all that stylish tomboy vibe.

And it’s not just the Victorian era that appreciated corsets – their rich history goes way back to Ancient Crete! “In the 16th century, they were made with fabrics like silk and cloth, and the boning in them was actually bone”.

Nowadays, however, corsets are gaining a huge popularity – but they aren’t criticized nor disregarded in any way. What’s changed? Everything! A woman of today is independent from the get go and what she wears doesn’t define who she is but rather expresses her individuality through pieces she’s opting for. In addition, corsets made in today’s fashion/lingerie wear are comfortable, of natural materials and lace and are allowing a woman to feel her most sensual and seductive while at the same time giving her the shape she is going for.

Corsets, or in sports circles popularly called “waist trainers” are even introduced into the fitness gear, promising to give women the tiny waist and rounder hips through sweating during workouts. And why is everyone going for hourglass figure all over again? We should probably send Queen B and Kim Kardashian West a text asking for an explanation; after all, it was them who had introduced (and popularized!) the shape again. In all honesty, these two have turned pop culture upside down when they flaunted their voluptuous bodies and expressed their comfort for having those curves!

Given its abrupt popularity, shape wear is trending amongst numerous celebrities. Admittedly, we can’t help but envy those gorgeous bodies but the fact shape wear is available to us too is definitely consoling! After consulting some of the best shapewear designers in the business (like Leonisa, who's been taking care of women's shape, creating undergarments that tighten the body's contours and smooth it out), we’ve gathered some useful information on ways shapewear is actually worn and how to make the best use of it.

Who should wear undergarments/shapewear?

Virtually anyone! Girls (and men) of all sizes may opt for the shapewear they feel will help their posture and shape. The key is to target the part of the body you are the most self-conscious about and re-shape it.  For instance, if you feel your tummy is a bit plumper than it should be – wear upper body shapewear that will tighten it up!

However, girls in puberty should avoid shapewear as their bodies are still developing.

Should brides wear shapers?

Absolutely! On her big day, the bride should feel her most seductive and comfortable, and shapers will help do just that! She just should consider the design of her dress and choose a shaper accordingly. And for the honeymoon? A swimsuit with interior support is everything!

Are shapers to be worn with dresses/skirts only or?

Shapers can be worn with anything – from pencil skirts (to flatten the tummy and give extra support to your bottom and gluteus) to skinny jeans. Their purpose is to flaunt your already wonderful body and help it look even better!

The best tip

Don’t fall into the trap of buying a smaller size hoping to get more control. All garments already have a lot of power, so going super tight means the shaper will only roll and be uncomfortable.