Shapewear is a fashion topic of great debate. Some see it as a tool for celebrating the body while others find it constrictive. Whatever your reason for buying it, shapewear doesn’t have to make you feel worse about your body. Chosen carefully and correctly, it can do the exact opposite. And a wardrobe of pieces you can keep in your closet that makes you feel your best no matter what is worth the hunt.

A friend recently asked me to dive deeper into shapewear, confused by all of the choices out there these days. Here are the steps I recommend following to help you pick the right pieces for your body:

1. Look at your clothing.

Let’s get one thing straight: Shapewear is not required to wear something. No one’s body needs “fixing.” But the decision to purchase shapewear is usually related to a specific garment or type of clothing you want to feel more comfortable in. And those reasons are personal. You may have purchased a slinky, silky gown for an event or you want to reduce thigh irritation under shorter dresses on a regular basis. Whatever the reason, have a good look at the items in question to determine the cut of shapewear you need (shorts, thong, slip, etc.) as well as the fabric thickness.

2. Take all of your measurements.

When buying shapewear, it’s best to know your bust, waist, hip and thigh measurements to help you find the correct size. You should also measure the length of your torso because many items are made with a high rise on them to smooth out the entire stomach. If you’re short or have a short torso, this can mean they go completely over your ribs and under your breasts, which you may not find comfortable.

3. Try on multiple sizes and fabrics.

Like any piece of clothing, it can take multiple attempts to find the right shapewear for your body, no matter what the manufacturer’s size chart says. You have to consider what you want the shapewear to do for you. Make no mistake, shapewear should be snug—that’s the entire point—but it shouldn’t dig in uncomfortably, creating bulges and making it difficult to breathe. It should lay smoothly and firmly against the skin. Order as many sizes as you can or go to the store and spend some time in the fitting room. You should also try different fabric weights, depending on the garment you’ll wear it with and the climate you’ll be in.

4. Move around.

Now that you have the shapewear on, you need to move around like you would when you’re wearing it for real. This will help you check for shifting seams. No one likes to sit down and have their shapewear roll down their waist or find the legs rolling up while they’re walking around. Bend over like you’re picking something up, stretch your arms overhead like you’re reaching for something in a high cabinet and march in place like you’re climbing a set of stairs.

5. Test it out.

And finally, before cutting the tags off, put the shapewear on beneath the main garment you’ll be using it with. You want the piece to be invisible beneath your clothing and, most importantly, to make you feel good. For this reason, always try shapewear on with underwear so you can return the pieces that don’t work for you.

Want more tips? Learn how to shop for retinol here.

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