The Best Shapewear For Curvy Girls In 2023
I have tucked this stomach into plenty of shapewear throughout my teenage and adult years. A high waist brief girdle was my go-to, and they had me and my pockets in a CHOKEHOLD! However, do you know what the craziest thing is? My best girdle came from JCPenney for less than $30 (I can no longer find that particular girdle), not a fancy $80-something garment from known plus-size retailers. I know what works for my body, but what about other shapes?
As we all know, all shapewear is not created equally, which is a shame. One brand can make an excellent product for hourglass shapes and something subpar for girlies who carry their weight in the middle (me, I am the apple-shaped girlie). And let’s not even get me started on brands not catering enough to plus-size women; they believe all bellies are the same – tuck the same way, move the same way, and are shaped the same way. Therefore, finding shapewear can be a difficult task.
The first step is determining your body shape to choose the right shapewear. If you’re unsure of your body shape, then you can check out this chart via Healthline to give you an idea.
- Apple-shaped bodies have broad, rounded shoulders and full breasts and carry most of their weight on the tummy. Your arms and legs are usually slim and slender, and your hips and booty are average size.
- Pear-shaped bodies have petite breast sizes, narrow shoulders, and tiny waists. Most of this person’s weight is in their hips, booty, and legs, and sometimes on the lower abdomen.
- Hourglass-shaped bodies have a naturally slim waist, proportioned hip and bust area, and an overall balanced figure.
- Rectangle-shaped bodies usually have little to no waist definition, small breasts, and hips, and the weight is distributed evenly on the arms, legs, and torso.
- Inverted triangle-shaped bodies tend to gain more weight in the upper part of their body and have broad shoulders and large breasts combined with narrow hips. This body type is also often called “athletic.”
- Diamond-shaped bodies have a lot in common with apple shapes. This person holds most of their weight in the midsection, bust, hips, and thighs. Their calves and arms are also slimmer.
So, what is the best shapewear for plus-size women to invest in? It honestly depends on your desired look. Do you want a more cinched waist, a smoother finish, etc.? The shapewear industry is booming, primarily because of the beloved Faja. Talk about being snatched to the GAWDS in one of those things, but a snatched with a lifted booty may not be your desired look. Below, I have listed the best shapewear that we curvy girls cannot get enough of this year.
Level 3 Contouring Open-Bust Thigh Shaper
Lane Bryant
The Level 3 Contouring Open-Bust Thigh Shaper will not disappoint! The firm control smooths and shapes your body. I love this one because it gives full coverage, and you can pair it with your favorite bra. Perfect for a pear-shaped body and because of the level of tummy control, it is also great for apple-shaped and diamond-shaped bodies. This bodysuit is a little more noticeable in terms of comfort, but it definitely does its job.
SKIMS Sculpting Bodysuit with Snaps
SKIMS
I first came across this bodysuit thanks to a friend. She allowed me to see the full power of this baby and admitted it was comfortable to wear all day. So, of course, I bought myself one. I was thoroughly concerned when I initially saw it from the packaging because “WHAT IN THE ENTIRE…?” If you have never seen a review on the SKIMS Sculpting Bodysuit and just trusted word of mouth like me, then you will know it doesn’t even feel like enough fabric to cover an inch of anything.
This bodysuit has a stronghold in the core, while it shapes and it lifts our butts. It also provides support for your chest. I love this shaper because it also has one in a thong version and many colors. A popular Amazon dupe is going around TikTok, but the material ripped from my long nails, unlike the SKIMS one. Also, it doesn’t suck my stomach in like this one. The Sculpting Bodysuit is perfect for rectangle-shaped, apple-shaped, and diamond-shaped bodies.
AirSlim 2-In-1 High-Waisted Booty Lift Shaper Shorts
Shapellx
How many of us love a snatched waist? If you said “me,” the AirSlim 2-in-1 High-Waisted Booty Lift Shaper Shorts is the right shapewear for you. Stomach and back control while bringing you in two sizes. And for us “little booty gang” people, this piece gives you an instant butt lift. Thanks to the soft-flex boning, you will not have to worry about it rolling down. I think the reason why I love this one is that it is suitable for multiple body shapes. Shapellx also has a new shaper dress I cannot wait to try!
Shapermint Essentials All Day Every Day High-Waisted Shaper Panty
Shapermint
Remember how I stated my favorite piece came from JCPenney? It was a high waist brief with the best tummy control a girl could ask for in shapewear and as an apple shape. Unfortunately, I can no longer find the item. Not too long ago, plus-size clothing, including shapewear, would be tucked in a dark corner or hidden in the area with the regular-sized items on their way out. Therefore, it was a true gem when I dug through the limited options! Things have since changed, and the options are much more plentiful.
I quickly had to find a replacement for my beloved girdle and was introduced to the Shapermint Essentials All Day Every Day High-Waisted Shaper Panty. It is a chef’s kiss in terms of comfortability. Not as much compression compared to the JCPenney piece, but the best way I handled that was by sizing down; it gives better control in the midsection area.
Seamless 360° Smoothing Slip Dress
Torrid
Torrid’s Seamless 360 Smoothing Slip Dress is the perfect smoothing shapewear. If you have an hourglass-shaped body, it is perfect for you. Hourglass shapes should use the light to medium compression option in their shapewear. I’ve worn this slip over other girdles to have a smooth effect and the tummy control I needed. It conforms to my body under my dresses and doesn’t ride up, which is a plus.
Finding the right shapewear to go under your garments is trial and error, but hopefully, this list makes finding one much more effortless. In addition, our options are no longer limited in style, color/tone, and compression. Happy shopping!
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Feature image by LanaStock/ Getty Images
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
Courtesy
Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
Courtesy
Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy