Shapewear: From The Corset to Spanx

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Shapewear: Where did it all begin?

Shapewear goes back a very long time. It is believed that corsets have been around since 1700 BC. Both women and men have worn shapewear through history to shape the body and create the effect of tiny waists. For example, in 16th century France, under the influence of Italian-born Catherine de Medici, ladies in waiting were required to bring their waists down to thirteen inches. In the 1900 times began to change and the rigid corsets were slowly replaced by elastic girdles and bras. In the 1960's control top pantyhose came into to replace the girdle. In recent years corsets have returned to the fashion scene, not so much as shapewear but as a fashion style that is used in both under and outerwear. Meanwhile the control top pantyhose has evolved to items like Spanx footless shapewear and other shapewear that are designed the shape either the lower half of the body or the entire body. More comfortable than shapewear of the past, today's shapewear uses new materials which are designed to flatter the body and offer comfort and flexibility in way previously unknown. The evolution of shapewear is discussed in this review article about Shapewear Lingerie.

 

Shapewear




Spanx: A Quiet Revolution in Shapewear

Spanx 

Spanx shapewear is such a phenomena, we have created a site just for Spanx. Below you will see an overview of several styles of shapwear including the most popular Spanx Items. But see to see a much large collection, see our site dedicated to Spanx.

Spanx Panties 

Spanx Hide & Sleek panty

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SPANX Hide & Sleek Lace Trim Shaping Panty

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Spanx Power panties with tummy control

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SPANX Higher Power High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Shaper 032

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SPANX Hide & Sleek Hi-Rise Panty with Thong Back

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Spanx Footless Pantyhose 

Spanx Original Footless super control

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Spanx Original Footless medium control

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SPANX Footless Runway Patterned Tight-End Tights Hosiery

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Spanx High Falutin' high waist footless pantyhose

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Spanx Tight-End pantyhose footless pantyhose/leggings with extra tummy control

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Flexees Shapewear: Spanx' Biggest Competitor and Less Expensive Too

Flexees by Maidenform 

Flexees, Lilyette and Maidenform are brands owned by the Maidenform company. Flexees are designed to slim and shape the body while remaining comfortable. The Flexees brand comes in everyday control wear to full figure shapewear. A few of the most popular styles are shown below.

Flexees "One Fabulous Body" Shapers 

Notice the 4-5 star ratings below. Flexees seems to get very high rankings from Amazon consumers. Could they really be this good? Or is it that they have not been over advertised, as the Spanx brand has, giving consumers lower expectations?

Have a look at the Flexees below, or see our site dedicated exclusively to Flexees Shapewear.

Flexees Women's One Fabulous Body II Lace Cami #77340

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Flexees Women's One Fabulous Body Everyday Control Pant Liner #77321

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Flexees Women's One Fabulous Body Cami #77390

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Flexees Women's One Fabulous Body Thigh Slimmer #5255

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Flexees? "One Fabulous Body" Everyday Control Body Briefer

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Flexees Waistnipper 

The 'Waistnipper' has smooth shaping with comfortable stretch nylon and flexible boning. The waistnipper takes inches off the midsection.

Flexees Women's Instant Slimmer Firm Control Waistnipper #6868

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Flexees Women's Instant Slimmer Firm Control Waistnipper with Brief #6818

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Flexees Sexy Waistnipper Thong 6224 Firm Nude 2XL

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Cass and Co. luxury shapewear. More expensive than Spanx; is it worth it?

Cass and Co. 

More expensive than better known competitors such as Spanx and Flexees, CASS and Co. calls themselves a luxury shapewear brand. The CASS collections are engineered with exclusive fabrics and strategic stitching "INVISUPPORT" that work together to slim, smooth and lift. Cass is based in Wilmintong Deleware and claims that their products are made exclusively in the USA.

Cass Luxury Shapewear Invisibellas Camisole

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Cass Wear Cass Cross V Violet Ice Tank, Medium/Large

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Cass Luxury Shapewear Invisibellas Camisole Bodysuit

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Cass Wear Cass Twisted Strapless Top

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Cass Luxury Shapewear Invisibellas V-Neck Tank

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Sassybax 

Sassybax is a leading shapewear manufacturer with a great name in the industry. Amanda Kennedy, founder of Sassybax shapewear received a US patent for the unique knit structure she developed to incorporate into her company's leggings and bottom shapers. Her leggings and long leg pantines are knitted with shaping cups to lift, round and separate the buttocks.

Sassybax Sassybax torso trim bra camisole

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Sassybax Control panty

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Sassybax Control Slip Shapewear

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Sassybax Peekaboo Torso Trim Camisole Shapewear

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Dr. Rey's Shapewear: How will it compare?

Dr Rey's Shapewear 

Dr Rey from the HIT TV show Dr. 90210 Now Has Shapewear!

Dr Rey is not only plastic surgeon, he makes shapewear too!

Dr. Rey's Shapewear Hi-Waist Shapewear Thong Panty

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Dr. Rey's Shapewear Hi-Waist Shapewear Brief Panty

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Dr. Rey's Shapewear Strapless Shapewear Bodysuit

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The New Kid On The Block: Dr Rey's Shapewear 

Dr Roberto Rey the well known plastic surgeon from the E! Channel's Dr 91210 now has his own line of shapewear. Launched in October 2007, it is still to new to know how they are doing. But you can find some items below.

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Girdles and Corsets: Vintage Shapewear

Girdles and Corsets 

A discussion of shapewear would not be complete without at least some mention of the girdle and the corset. From the vintage corset to the modern types of shapeware we have seen a natural evolution, in which comfort has prevailed. However, recent trends have emphasized remoulding the female body in order to define shape.

The stiff and sometimes painful corset lost popularity between 1920-1930 with the introduction of the more flexible girdle and the girdle lost popularity between the 1950's and the 1990's with the introduction of control top pantyhose and freedom which came from the women's movement. However, a retro trend has brought both girdles and corsets back to some extent. Although some women do rely on girdles as shapewear, corsets are often used more to create a look than to shape the body. The most popular brand of girdles as shapewear is Rago. For demonstration purposes we list a few Rago girdles below and a few styles of corsets. However, you can find more details about both on sites created specifically for corsets and girdles.

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