Shapewear 

Slimming shapewear accentuates your curves and helps you look you best in any outfit

Until the advent of modern stretch fabrics, shapewear used to consist of coarse fabrics that didn't breathe, sticky rubber and latex panels, and uncomfortable metal stays. No wonder Victorian women needed fainting couches; anyone would swoon under ten pounds of undergarments that bound her too tightly to breathe. The days of boned girdles and waist-cinchers that didn't permit their wearers freedom of motion are gone. Instead, the next generation of shapewear not only allows free movement, it celebrates it. Spandex and breathable micro-fiber synthetics feel more like a gentle hug than like a metal cage. Look to Sears for the best in upper- and lower-body shapers, waist cinches, and all-in-one garments

Choosing an appropriate degree of coverage and control helps keep a body shaper from becoming uncomfortable. While a slinky evening gown or bias-cut sheath dress may look its best with an all-over body shaper, a cashmere sweater paired with a narrow knit skirt might work better with a lower body brief or a pair of gently smoothing long-line briefs with a control panel. A good guideline is to select the least amount of control that feels comfortable with an outfit.

Body shapers of the past looked almost like orthopedic devices with the number of buckles, straps, and laces they employed. Their modern counterparts are quite the opposite; rather than adding mass and lumpy fastenings, today's body shapers smooth every contour. Because they give such a sleek look for so little cost in comfort, even slim young women are turning to shapewear to perfect their style. Sears can oblige with body shapers in sizes XS to 3X. From shapers that provide the lightest support to the ultimate in control, there is a body shaper for every figure type.

While some old-fashioned designs never need to come back in style outside of costume dramas, other history-inspired looks still have their charm. Leather and suede corsets look too stylish to hide under clothing; these shapers aren't meant to hide away from view. Because these retro-chic corsets leave the shoulders bare, they work well with many types of strapless or supportive bras. Heavily boned and laced, corsets have plenty of admirers--and so will their wearers. Even these dramatic designs benefit from modern textiles; stainless steel stays never rust, while cool cotton blends and breathable micro-fiber fabrics line stiffer materials. Style and comfort merge in these flights of vintage fancy.

Check sizing instructions on shapewear carefully. Body shapers that are too large cannot do their work properly, while too-small shapers may be impossible to wear comfortably for any length of time. Check out Sears' buying guide for shapewear to find the right shapewear for any outfit and occasion. With so many choices available, it's easy to find the right size and style of shaper that's both comfortable and effective. Of course, well-fitting shapewear can still be uncomfortable if you are wearing the wrong kind of bra. Eliminate the discomfort of chafing and binding caused by improper bra fit with Sears' buying guide for bras today.