Shapewear lingerie and the body‑positive movement: a revolution in fashion
The body positive movement and shapewear lingerie? That’s a big topic!
Our relationship with our female body has always been complex. In 2024, it’s clear that some fashion rules have changed. Structured garments (girdles and certain bras) are no longer on trend. We now prefer underwear with moderate firmness and no underwires, providing both comfort and support.
After decades of stereotypes, rolls and stretch marks are no longer airbrushed away as much! XS-size models are no longer the only ones on the runway. While some taboos still remain, diversity is now the norm.
We now see far more realistic women’s bodies than before (on TV, social media or big billboards). Sizes 10, 12, 14, 16, with curves, are represented. Details that used to be airbrushed away are now shown and make it easier to relate: freckles, body hair, cellulite, stretch marks, scars, and of course feminine curves. We’re no longer being sold a fantasy on glossy paper, but reality: real women’s bodies! It’s in this very specific context that shaping lingerie, or shapewear, has taken off. Sculpting underwear (in black, beige or brown) has the power to shape a woman’s figure in an instant.
A word about body positivity
The “waif” look, typically embodied by model Kate Moss in the 1990s and early 2000s, is no longer really in style today.
The body-positive movement, along with MeToo, has changed the game, shifting mindsets and society as a whole. The way we look at women’s bodies has evolved. And even though prejudice still exists, a new path has opened up.
Body positivity is a subtle balance between accepting your insecurities, living with them, highlighting them and still feeling feminine and sexy. Enough with diets and weight-loss regimes that shame us on magazine covers. The body-positive movement of recent years has undeniably helped us embrace our curves, our unique features and, above all, accept bodies in all their diversity.
Beauty is no longer standardised – it’s diverse!
Although it’s still not always easy to avoid prejudice around “plus sizes”, the body-positive movement has helped improve inclusion. The idea that it’s okay not to have a model body has become more accepted. There are as many women as there are body types and shapes. And while exercising and watching what we eat can influence our waistline, body positivity has taught us to put things into perspective, to accept ourselves more, to let go of our hang-ups and to stop dramatizing.
Body positivity has also had the very positive effect of lifting the veil on the tyranny of weight-loss diets promoted by magazines and by certain scientists or so-called star doctors or nutritionists.
In 2024: the codes of women’s lingerie turned upside down
As we mentioned in a previous article, an American brand, Spanx, changed everything. Suddenly, the very firm high-waisted panty that gives a flat stomach became trendy. We’re a long way from the string thongs of the 2000s. A high waist reshapes the hips and redefines the waistline. The slightly retro feel of these pretty lingerie pieces is very popular.
The body shaper has become a must-have: this lingerie is so beautiful we actually want to show it off! Our bust and our butt are sculpted and supported. Again, we’re far from balconette bras that don’t support anything or uncomfortable mega push-up bras!
Then celebrities like Kim Kardashian finished turning this idea into a trend: lingerie must first and foremost serve women’s bodies. It shouldn’t just be sexy. It must above all be comfortable. And most importantly, it should enhance our natural beauty. Shaping and sculpting lingerie, or shapewear, shapes the body, the skin and the curves. Like a second skin, this underwear smooths, sculpts and contours. Women feel good and confident. They feel beautiful and powerful thanks to their lingerie!
Thanks to social media, shapewear has exploded in just a few months, a few years, in the United States, Asia and then Europe as the trend of the moment. The #shapewear hashtag is taking off! We want to tame our curves and our roundness. To feel better and more comfortable in the tightest outfits.
Shapewear lingerie for everyone: for all women, for all sizes
Shapewear lingerie is a great example of how mindsets are evolving: today, many shapewear brands offer all the styles in their collections in a wide range of sizes. Gone are the days when the range stopped at size XL—or even L in many cases!
At last, the range is expanding so that all women, all body shapes and all bodies can get dressed.
Shapewear lingerie: everything you need to know
Choosing the right tummy-control panty or sculpting bodysuit isn’t that complicated! You just need to really know your body shape and which part of your body you want to sculpt!
Our best tips for wearing shapewear lingerie
Shaping panties, bodysuits or shorts (in black, beige or brown) have become essential support and control lingerie pieces. They come in a range of colors. Often made from nylon or microfibre, they sculpt your shape and help flatten the tummy. Perfect under a dress, shaping panties or thong bodysuits with a flat-tummy effect work wonders!
- Buy shapewear in your true size!
- Always prioritise soft, ultra-comfortable underwear.
- Ask yourself the right questions before buying: what do I want? What do I need?
- Never compromise between comfort and femininity.
To go further, check out our article, 5 tips for wearing shapewear.
The top 3 shaping lingerie pieces
- The shaping panty for a flat stomach.
- The shaping panty for sleek, toned thighs.
- The shaping bodysuit for a straighter, slimmer upper body.
Obviously, each shapewear garment has its own characteristics. You can find very high-waisted panties, slimming shorts, slimming leggings, or even long-sleeved bodysuits or thong bodysuits.
Discover Louloucup’s shapewear range
The Zoé shaping panties and the Emma shaping shorts are available on the shop Louloucup!
At Louloucup, we offer a high-waisted black tummy-control panty with very firm support, perfect for flattening the abdominal area and creating a slimmer waist. Fall for our Zoé style without delay! Want full-body support? The Emma invisible shaping shorty sculpts your bust, tummy, hips, buttocks and thighs.
Louloucup’s strengths? High-quality fabrics, well-cut underwear, free delivery, fair prices and a responsive customer service team. Ready for a slimmer silhouette and shape? Go check out all our shaping (and menstrual) products on our online store.
