Shapewear is a popular clothing item these days. It seems like everyone is wearing it! But what do you really know about this popular clothing item? In this blog post, we will discuss 9 things that you may not have known about shapewear.
The evolution of shapewear from the Ancient Roman women wearing chest binders to minimize the appearance of their breasts to its use in today’s world for increasing the chances of conception, we will discuss some valuable information!
We will also provide tips on how to choose the right style and size of shapewear for your body type. It can be hard not knowing what benefits might suit your lifestyle better than others. So, whether you are a first-time shopper or a seasoned pro, read on to learn the surprising facts about shapewear!
Shapewear's History of Thousands of Years
Shapewear has been around for centuries and was originally used to help women achieve a more curvaceous figure. In the early days, shapewear was made from heavy fabrics like wool and cotton, which were not very comfortable to wear. Imagine carrying heavy clothing while trying to breathe just for the sake of satisfying the “Beauty Myth”!
Shapewear can be traced back to ancient Egypt and Greece. In fact, the queen of the Egyptian King Menkaure, recognized as Khamerernebty II, wears a close-fitting garment as seen below that surrounds her body down to her ankles and attaches to her body without folds or creases. The garment resembles some of the characteristics of modern-day shapewear by revealing, and defining the forms of the queen's body.
The Girdle of the Ancient Greek
The effect of more excessive cling or an example of the "wet-drapery" style is discovered later in Ancient Greece. Ancient Greek women adorned themselves with undergarments that highlighted their chests and made their waists look much thinner!
If you're like me, you might enjoy belts or girdles around your waist as a way to feel protected in your belly while feeling the curves of your body in an aesthetic way. Greek literature is giving us hints about the power of the girdles as well. Hercules was believed to have desired the magical girdle belonging to the queen of the Amazons, and myths spoke of Aphrodite's girdle and its possible romantic powers.
The effect of more excessive cling or an example of the "wet-drapery" style is discovered later in Ancient Greece. Ancient Greek women adorned themselves with undergarments that highlighted their chests and made their waists look much thinner!
Homer even portrayed this subject in the Iliad:
"She spake, and loosed from her bosom the broidered zone, curiously-wrought, wherein are fashioned all manner of allurements; therein is love, therein desire, therein dalliance—beguilement that steals the wits even of the wise."
Homer, Iliad 14.159–221
Ancient Roman women wore chest binders to minimize the look of their breasts. Roman women tied a piece of cotton or linen cloth around their bosoms. Known as a strophium, the band maintained and condensed the breasts.
Well, we may say that the strophium is one of the first shapewear created by humans. See the image of the mosaic below from Sicily's Piazza Armerina that shows women wearing tight bands in this era.
Why Did Roman Women Compress Their Chests?
Ancient Romans considered large chests unattractive and favored a woman with a small bust and large pelvis. Roman shapewear allowed women to hide "undesirable" curves of the upper body while highlighting their hips.
First Shapewear Advertisements
As we come closer to our modern age, one of the first print advertisements for a corset appears with a slogan: “Perfect Freedom”. Check out this cyclist-style corset below. You might be thinking: "Where is the perfect freedom when a corset is squeezing the stomach and diaphragm brutally?".
Beauty is not the only element to consider when it comes to wearing shapewear. Creating a useful set demands a lot of engineering and biomechanics design. Promising shapewear combines various materials and an awareness of where the body fat could be safely (and craftily) compressed to develop a product that’s comfortable, empowering, and health-enhancing.
Keep reading to learn about the potential benefits that modern shapewear can provide for your health and how to choose one for your unique needs.
Shapewear Isn’t Just for Beauty
Today, there are many different types and styles of shapewear available on the market. From full-body suits to shaping panties, there is something for everyone. And with the advancements in technology, shapewear is now more comfortable than ever before.
The good news is that you don’t need to constrict your chest as the Ancient Roman and Greek women did, which may cause difficulty in breathing.
Sweat Stimulating Fabric
So, what are the benefits of wearing shapewear other than improving your posture, losing weight, and helping to reduce the look of cellulitis? As you might know, compressing certain areas of the body can help to smooth out the skin and reduce the appearance of dimples. But this is not the only thing shapewear can influence!
Modern shapewear holds many quirky secrets. One of them is the incredible material neoprene, which stimulates sweating. This synthetic fabric is more long-lasting compared to rubber, it is stretchy and lightweight. Neoprene helps the body to sweat and release excessive volumes away by raising the temperature of the skin.
I love using High-Waisted Compression Leggings when I work out just to get extra help in supporting my tummy and core during strength training. When our body is tight and strong, regardless of the weight or fat, it can also assist us to feel more encouraged in life.
Another benefit of wearing shapewear is that it can help you to release toxins from your body triggered by the process of sweating. Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while wearing shapewear.
Shapewear Can Help Increase Your Chances of Conception
Shapewear can help increase your chances of conception by supporting your abdominal muscles and improving your posture. This is especially true for post-pregnancy shapewear, which can help you get back to your pre-baby body faster.
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid wearing shapewear that is too tight. This could cause discomfort or even lead to premature labor. Always consult with your doctor before wearing shapewear during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
How To Relieve Pain with Shapewear
Shapewear can also help to relieve pain in the lower back and stomach region. I find that wearing a waist cincher or compression shorts helps to take the pressure off of my back and stomach, which reduces the amount of pain I experience. If you are suffering from chronic pain, I would definitely recommend giving Neoprene Waist and Thigh Trainer a try. You might be surprised at how much it can help!
Another surprising health benefit of shapewear is that it can help to improve your circulation. If you are someone who suffers from poor circulation, then wearing shapewear can help to increase blood flow to the areas of your body that need it the most.
This can help to reduce swelling and pain in the extremities, as well as improve overall circulation throughout the body. If the blood is not carrying the nutrients properly to the muscles, this can create inflammation which may cause physical pain.
It’s good to move the body through physical exercise in addition to wearing the shapewear that brings the desired outcome. Movement is a great way to improve your health and well-being.
It can increase blood circulation by increasing the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, which helps deliver nutritious molecules to muscles and tissues while removing waste products such as carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and ammonia. Check out Resistance Bands by Femme Shapewear now to create a morning workout routine for your body to live in ease and vibrancy!
So, there you have it! These are just a few of the many things that you didn't know about shapewear. Keep reading to find out more.
Shapewear as The Confidence Elixir
Shapewear can also help to boost your confidence. If you're like me you want to feel good in your clothes and believe me this comfort and confidence will show in your attitude and the way you carry yourself in the world!
The evidence of how power posing (expansive posture) can influence one to feel more powerful emerged from a study that Amy Cuddy completed while at Harvard University, where participants formed either a high-power pose or a low-power pose (leaning inward, legs crossed) for two minutes. Cuddy discovered that those who sat in the high-power pose felt more robust and performed better in mock interviews compared to those who had not.
Whether you are looking to improve your posture, minimize the appearance of cellulite, or simply boost your confidence, shapewear can be a great option. So why not give it a try? You just might be surprised at the results.
With so many different styles and types available on the market today, there is sure to be a choice that is perfect for you. Check out this Sweat Belt Waist Trainer by Femme Shapewear. This is how I trained my spine to have an extended posture instead of collapsing which changed my life!
The Best Time of Day To Wear Shapewear
There is no one "right" time of day to wear shapewear - it depends on what you're using it for and what works best for you. However, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- If you're wearing shapewear for everyday comfort, try to wear it during the day when you're active. This will help prevent it from getting too tight or uncomfortable.
- If you're wearing shapewear to slim down your figure, try to wear it at night while you sleep. This will give your body enough time to relax, get adjusted to the new form, and redistribute the fat evenly.
- If you're wearing shapewear for a special occasion, try to wear it a few hours before the event so you can get used to the feeling. This will help prevent any discomfort or irritation.
Things To Consider Before Buying a Shapewear
There are many benefits of shapewear, but there are also a few things you should keep in mind before you buy your first piece. Here are a few things to consider that you might not know:
- Some types of shapewear can cause skin irritation if they rub against the skin too much. Look for options that have a soft fabric or lining to prevent this.
- Be careful not to overdo it with shapewear. Wearing it all the time can actually lead to weight gain instead of becoming thinner. Choose the right pieces for the right occasions and listen to your body's needs.
Let’s Remember
There’s more to shapewear than meets the eye. In this blog post, we have discussed ten things you probably didn't know about shapewear. From its unique history in Ancient Greek and Egypt times to its potential to increase your chances of conception, shapewear has a lot of surprising facts.
Don’t forget that shapewear can also help you feel stronger and perform from this place of confidence in life.
We hope we have provided some insights into how this garment could potentially fit into your life in ways that make you feel secure, surprised, and supported! I love talking with people who are looking for new ideas and inspiration in their lives - especially if they involve fashion!
Did you know all of these things about shapewear? Were you surprised by any of the information in this blog post? Let us know!