There’s an ongoing argument on the safety of shapewear, specifically the mental and health concerns of items like girdles, corsets, Spanx and such. It’s all about how you use it. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with slipping into waist cincher or bodysuit to look your best for an upcoming formal event. It’s when you start wearing shapewear on a regular basis that becomes an issue.

The truth is that even the most confident of women will invest in some form of shapewear, putting them on when the occasion calls for something form-fitting. But with all the dangerous health implications on your body and mind, we at Pretty Me want to make sure you’re using shapewear the right way. To maintain a healthy relationship with your figure and shapewear, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1) DO find out the function of each shapewear item

Shapewear comes in all shapes and sizes, each piece having their own function. Some provide an overall slimming solution that includes a bra and ends above the knees. Others, such as our Seamless Waist Slimmer Girdle, mainly targets your waist, hips and butt. Knowing the differences with each item will help you determine what exactly you’re looking for to slip into that bodycon number. If you’re just concerned about your waist, waist trimmers provide the least amount of coverage and maximum comfort.

2) DON’T fall for celebrity waist-training fads

The Kardashians are notorious for promoting controversial health and beauty tips, claiming that waist-training helped them get the curvaceous bodies they’re known for.  The ladies from the reality TV family have always been voluptuous. They also hire personal trainers and chefs to keep their health and diet in check, which is how they maintain their figures. Once the waist training stops, your body will just eventually return to its original shape. Waist-training is not a weight loss solution, and the only reason why burlesque dancers have managed to carve out their curves is because, much like women of the Victoria era, they wore corset for years. So, don’t fall for the celebrity hype. Exercise, diet and hard work are what you need for long-term slimming results.

3) DO buy shapewear according to your body type and size

Just like anything else in your wardrobe, shop according to your body type. Knowing this, together with the functions of different shapewear, will narrow down which items are best for you. You should also take note of your measurements. Unfortunately, going one size smaller won’t make you slimmer. Also, going a size larger will be uncomfortable, and the undergarment is more likely to bunch, creating awful seams. Don’t put too much thought if you have to go for an XL instead of an L. The right fit will offer the best slimming results.

4) DON’T base your purchase on before and after photos

This is a common marketing strategy for shapewear brands. It’s quite rare for the models in such adverts to be actual representations of the everyday woman. Everyone will respond differently to different products. Thus, find out what’s best for you and don’t base your decisions on experiences from other ladies.

5) DO learn how to put shapewear on properly

The steps of putting on your shapewear are simple. It’s almost like putting on pantyhose. You bunch it up and slip into it, and start carefully stretching it upwards. The way you pull it up over your body is similar to how you would avoid runs while putting on your pantyhose. And if the product feels tight, it’s supposed to! Stretching it excessively will lose its shape and original purpose of redistributing fat.

6) DON’T wear shapewear every day

Yes, shapewear does offer a cleaner silhouette, but you really should be limit the use of it to special occasions where you’ll be wearing tight gowns and such. Everyday clothes, such as high waist jeans, are much more comfortable as it takes away the extra layer, as well as shapes your midsection. And if you find that your bottoms are giving you a muffin top, that’s a sign that your clothes are too small. To reiterate, shapewear is not a replacement for your fitness regimen. Plus, daily usage can lead to things like bloating, abdominal discomfort, among other side effects highlighted on The Health Site. Be good to your body and your mind.

(INSTAGRAM // bikini.byq)

Unless you’re a Victoria’s Secret Angel or have got a body like Beyoncé, bodycon dresses are probably the most intimidating fashion items you could ever experiment with. Hugging every curve, there’s nothing you can hide in these frocks. Most of us will probably be reaching for shapewear before slipping into one. And though there is no rule book on who can and cannot wear with a bodycon, we can’t help but feel like the world is judging us for not having the “right figure” for it.

Bodycon dresses will continue to strike the fear into our hearts, therefore making some avoid the trend all together. Although this second-skin garment may not suit your taste, there may be other bodycon items you might enjoy. Other than leggings and jeggings, how do you feel about bodysuits?

Shaped like your one-piece swimsuits and lingerie items such as teddies, bodysuits are more friendly in terms of fit. They also have a little more leeway since they can be layered with different items in your wardrobe. In other words, it works as a separate, unlike a bodycon dress which serves as the focal point of an outfit. And contrary to what you see on Instagram or fashion magazines, bodysuits look perfect on every body type.

Another bonus of bodysuits is the variety of styles. There’s not much one can do with body-hugging dress, since the silhouettes are quite limited, whereas a bodysuit can take on different forms. In fact, not every bodysuit sticks to your skin like you would normally expect. One example would be our Lace Dress Lingerie. Even though it was technically made for the boudoir, it would so sexy paired with blue jeans or black high-waist slacks.

You can never go wrong with a bodysuit and jeans pairing, but you have to branch out of that combination in order to make the most out of this item.

Let’s find out all the different ways that you could wear your bodysuit:

1) High Waist Skinny Jeans

Let’s get the most obvious item out of the way first. High waist skinny jeans look good with almost anything, hiding the awkward underwear-like lines and hiding the tummy. When treating your bodysuit like a tank, you also have the option to layer it with a cardigan, or wrap a flannel shirt around your waist.

2) A-line Midi Skirt

A full skirt like an a-line midi is the perfect match for a bodysuit. A tight piece with a loose item is a classic pairing, whether you’re working with long sleeves or a tankini.

3) Pencil Skirt

Another skirt that can be worn with the bodysuit is the pencil. It’s not completely form-fitting but it still shows off your butt and hips, in case you want to accentuate those curves. And whatever you wear with a pencil skirt, you can probably wear to the office. Thus, there’s no need to fret when you’re running out of outfits for the workplace.

4) Loose pants

As we previously discussed, tight and loose go hand-in-hand in fashion. Skinny jeans may be reliable, but don’t think for a second that your other styles of pants won’t look just as chic. Think flared jeans, culottes or wide-leg palazzo pants. Loose pants look especially good with low cut bodysuits, such as our Racerback Zipper Faux Leather Lingerie. The deep v-neckline serves as a nice contrast from conservative bottoms.

5) Overalls

Looking for a casual weekend look that pays tribute to your childhood? The adult way of wearing overalls is to switch your t-shirt with a tank, crop top or sports bra. In an earlier post that detailed all the things for The Beach Holiday Packing List, we also noted that it also works as a coverup for your bikini. Because a bodysuit is pretty much a monokini, there really is no reason you can’t wear these two onesies together!

6) Denim Cutoffs

And when you can’t stand the heat, wear your bodysuit with denim cutoffs. It has that Coachella vibe that you’ll see across the many outdoor events this summer, from beach parties to music festivals. Remember to go for ones with a higher waistline.

How will you wear your bodysuit this summer?