During the 60s, it was common to see the likes of Twiggy, Kim Noorda and Gemma Ward on the fashion runways and in photoshoots. Young girls aspired to be tall, leggy and skeletal, just like these models. This led to a wave of eating disorders along with body dysmorphia in trying to get the perfect skinny shape. Today the tides have turned as people have come to realise that all body shapes are beautiful no matter what the shape and size.
The women of today are proudly showing off their lumps, bumps and curves, but at the same time, there has also been a rise in shapewear, skims and body contouring. So, the question is whether shapewear and body contouring are creating body consciousness or whether they have their place in helping us feel better about ourselves.
The first introduction to shapewear was Spanx, and for a long time, this was the only brand available aimed at altering the shape. During the 90s, TV commercials and magazines flaunted flesh-coloured tight belly bands that women had trouble breathing in. They were uncomfortable and unsightly.
Today shapewear underwear has changed, and it is often a fashion statement. It has been estimated that by 2024 turnover of shapewear will reach 6.4 billion USD, where it has become the fastest-growing clothing category to date.
One of the shapeliest and most beautiful women of today is Kim Kardashian, and she launched a range of shaping underwear in 2019 by the name of Skims. Ms Kardashian defined her collection as “solution wear”.
The underwear is available as a tool for women to become the best version of themselves. Many women are happy with how they look, and so they should be. However, anyone who would feel more comfortable and who wants to increase self-confidence using shapewear can do so and look fashionable at the same time.
The shapewear brands of today are not saying that people have to be slim without a bump, lump or curve. Instead, they may be used in the same way that we use makeup to show off and enhance your features.
Meghan Trainor is one celebrity who loves to show off her curves and who doesn’t hide the fact that she will use shapewear sometimes. If shapewear is used as a confidence booster, it does have a place in the world of fashion today; however, if shapewear is thought of as a way to fix problems, then perhaps not so much.
Ms Kardashian explained that she wanted people to see how necessary shapewear is. She explained that if she didn’t wear shapewear when wearing specific clothing, people would see cellulite, and she wouldn’t feel confident. So in this instance, it is clearly a confidence booster.
Today shapewear and the stigma surrounding it have changed. Lizzo is one crusader of the body positivity movement who revealed a new line of shapewear by the name of Vitty. On social media after the launch, Lizzo said she was tired of people telling her how she should look and feel about her body. She went on to say she had launched Vitty as not just shapewear but also as a chance for women to reclaim their bodies.
Another trend for changing how we look is body contouring. So, does this create body consciousness and is it a good or bad thing?
Well, it depends on how you look at it. Body contouring should not be mistaken for weight loss. A diet and medical treatment are two different things. However, it is not unusual for someone to diet and then have a medical treatment to aid with the results due to stubborn fat.
No one should be made to feel they have to have body contouring to look good. On the other hand, if you are considering it because you want to boost your confidence, it does have a place in society. There are different ways to remove fat cells from the body. There is surgical abdominoplasty and a more minimally invasive form of treatment called Vaser liposuction.
VASER liposuction is designed to selectively remove fat and helps to reshape the body. It can be undertaken in a day clinic and takes around 45 minutes. You do not need a general anaesthetic, and recovery time is minimal, unlike with abdominal surgery.
VASER liposuction can help you to shape your body, but it shouldn’t be considered an alternative to dieting. It is used to remove fat deposits in various regions of the body, including:
Virtually any area of the body can be treated to remove pockets of fat that are stubborn. When VASER liposuction is used on the tummy, it can help to flatten the stomach. It is not aimed to give you a “six-pack”; instead, it offers a more natural and toned look. This can give those who are self-conscious more self-confidence.
The VASER liposuction treatment is extremely useful when combined with working out in a gym and a change of diet, and it can lead to dramatic changes in the body.
Before having any type of treatment to change the way you look, you must book a consultation with a professional to make sure the treatment is the right choice for you.
Body sculpting has a place, but it has to be undertaken for the right reasons, i.e., if you are self-conscious about a part of your body and you would like to change it to make you feel better. So, if you want to talk through your options, please get in touch with our team.
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