Women have been taking advantage of shapewear for millennia to get the body shape that they prefer. While beauty standards change over time, shapewear has consistently stayed popular. Shapewear has changed to meet the needs of the people that use it. Before corsets were popular at the turn of the century, Ancient Minoans bound their waists with fabric. In the 50s, women used girdles and bullet bras to achieve an hourglass figure. Today, women use Spanx and Elle Courbee shapewear to achieve the same silhouette.
What lies ahead for shapewear? These are a few of the trends that are on the horizon.
It’s likely that we’ll see shapewear in a wider range of materials. Currently, shapewear is usually made from synthetic materials, such as Lycra or nylon. These fibres don’t breathe, and because of this, shapewear can be uncomfortable to wear when temperatures rise. Because of this, shapewear that utilises lighter, breathable materials is seeing a surge in popularity. It’s becoming increasingly common to see shapewear that utilises microfibre and cotton. Both of these fabrics can reduce odours and absorb moisture. It’s likely that there will be more innovations in textiles going forward. Sweating while you wear shapewear will eventually become a distant memory.
Trends Will Be Set By Influencers
There are a number of things that influence beauty standards, including fashion and art. Recently, however, social media has pushed influencers to the forefront. Thanks to something known as the “Mere Exposure Effect,” we’re attracted to things we see frequently. If you spend a lot of time looking at influencers on Instagram and other social media platforms, you’ll be more interested in emulating that shape. Thanks to stars like the Kardashians, many women want to show off their curves. In fact, Kim Kardashian has released her own shapewear line, Skims, that’s designed to promote her body shape.
If you’re trying to predict beauty trends, pay attention to what you’re seeing from influencers. Currently, bigger butts and tiny waists are in fashion, but it’s likely the ideal will shift over time.
This is an excellent example of how shapewear has adapted over the years. With shapewear, you can highlight your curves while cinching in other areas. Currently, shapewear is designed to help you show off your curves, not hide them.
More Men Will Wear Shapewear
It’s also becoming more common to see men wearing shapewear. Just like women, men have physical ideals that they want to live up to.
Body Shaping Fabric is Seeing a Surge in Interest
While body shaping fabric isn’t going to replace shapewear, it’s currently more popular than ever. This fabric basically functions as tape. You can cut it and place it in the areas where you need extra support. You could place the fabric below your bust so that you can get an extra bit of lift or use it to contour your thighs or butt. It’s easy to use, and it’s likely that it will continue to grow in popularity going forward.
An Impressive Future
There are big things ahead for the shapewear market. According to market research, it’s likely that the shapewear industry will see an annual growth rate of 7.7% between 2019 and 2025. Estimated revenue is currently at $2.26 billion US, and it’s predicted to hit $3.81 billion US by 2025. The pandemic shouldn’t keep the market from reaching these targets. Shapewear has a long history, and it’s likely that will see a number of exciting new innovations in the future.
