Body shapers are specialized undergarments that use elastic and paneled construction to squeeze your body into a slim, flattened shape. There are body shapers for men, but the majority of them are marketed to women for slimming the stomach, hips, thighs or bust areas. Sizing conventions for body shapers vary among manufacturers, so there is no universal sizing chart, but measurements one uses to find the right body-shaper size are universal. If you list your measurements in a notebook, you'll be ready to cross-reference the right size with the appropriate manufacturer's sizing chart.
Step 1
Stand up straight in front of a mirror, either nude or wearing thin undergarments. Wrap a flexible measuring tape around the fullest portion of your hips. Use the mirror to make sure the tape is horizontal all the way around, or ask a friend to help. The tape should be snug against your skin but shouldn't pinch or crease the skin. Read the measurement where the tape overlaps, and note it as your hip measurement.
Step 2
Wrap the tape around your waist, and read the measurement where the tape overlaps. If you're not sure where to measure at your waist, stand in front of the mirror, and bend to either side; where your skin folds as you lean to the side is where you should measure for your waist. Note your waist measurement.
Step 3
Wrap the tape around your bust, even with the nipple line. Make sure the tape is horizontal all the way around; you might need a friend's help with this, as it's best to have your arms at your sides while measuring. Note this as your breast or bust measurement.
Step 4
Wrap the tape around your torso directly beneath your breasts, where the elastic on a bra would sit. Pull the tape tight against the skin for this measurement, but not so tight that it pinches the skin. Not all brands of body shapers will use this measurement, but those that do usually require that the tape be wrapped snugly. Note this as your thorax measurement.
Things You'll Need
- Mirror
- Flexible measuring tape
- Notepad
- Pen or pencil
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