Shapewear can be a controversial subject in this day and age. With a lot of social media #bodypositivity floating around, some see the use of shapewear as a way to try to force your body into being someone else's idea of "perfect." Others see shapewear as "cheating." "If you just lost weight, you wouldn't need shapewear," someone who knows nothing about shapewear might say. Here's the truth: wearing shapewear isn't all about looking "skinny." More importantly, wearing or not wearing shapewear is a personal choice.

Your best shapewear may be no shapewear.

Let's get this out of the way right off the bat: you do not have to wear shapewear. No matter what size or shape you are, no matter how your dress fits, no matter what anyone says to you, there is no requirement for you to wear shapewear. The most important thing is that you feel confident while you are singing, and if shapewear does not benefit that goal, please do not force it on yourself. There are plenty of reasons why singers choose not to wear any kind of shapewear. Some find it too constricting and distracting while performing. Some have an ideological issue with wearing it, and that's fine. Whatever you choose, do not feel any shame for not wearing shapewear. This is your body and you have final say over how you present yourself to the world.

Wearing shapewear doesn't mean you hate your body.

Shapewear does a lot of things beyond making you "look skinny." Under the umbrella of "foundation garments," shapewear acts as the foundation of your wardrobe. Just like makeup foundation, these garments smooth out your body so that your audition outfit has a clean base. They help to disguise any perceived bumps or irregularities on the body that fabric may cling to or bunch around. Shapewear can also improve your posture by providing light compression along your torso. Some even find this compression beneficial to their breath support. Most importantly, shapewear can give a boost to your confidence. In an audition, we have enough to worry about in terms of stress and feeling judged. Shapewear can be a simple layer that hides your insecurities, improves your posture, and gives you some light breath resistance. 

If your shapewear is uncomfortable, it isn’t right for you.

There are several makes and models of shapewear out in the world. Some have different levels of compression, different lengths, full body, attached bras, detached bras, straps, laces, hooks - you name it. It may take some trial and error to find what makes you look and feel your best. As a general rule of thumb, if your shapewear is too tight, it isn't the right option for you. You may be tempted to squeeze yourself into a smaller size, but that isn't to your benefit. Find a size that is comfortable and flattering. Being uncomfortable will not do your body or your self esteem any favors. Also keep in mind what you need from your body when you are singing. Even if you look fabulous, if you can't breath properly to get through your phrases, you need some different shapewear. It also needs to work well with your audition outfit. You will need to find the proper blend of shaping, breath, support, stealth, and comfort that works for you.

Control top everything

Now we can get into some different shapewear options. You've probably heard the phrase "control top," even if you don't know much about shapewear. Control top pantyhose are sheer tights with extra control around the waist and hips to bring in the waist. They have been around for ages, and if you want the polished look of hose on your legs with some light to medium shaping that comes up just above your bellybutton, control top pantyhose are an excellent option. Your control top options don't stop at the drugstore hosiery aisle. "Control top" options are available in hose, tights, underwear, and shorts. They may come up mid-torso, or all the way up to the bra. Pick the option that creates the cleanest silhouette with your audition or performance outfit.

From the bust to the thighs

A high-rise shapewear that comes to just below the bustline is often the best option to create an unbroken line on the midsection, without the top of the foundation garment cutting you off in an odd spot. High-waisted shorts (such as Spanx, or the less expensive offshoot Assets) are a popular option for many singers. They prevent the dreaded friction that comes from walking in a skirt. When hose or tights are not required, high-waisted shorts are also a cooler option for performance under hot stage lights. Again, these pieces come in various fabrics that provide light to firm control. Be sure to practice while wearing shapewear garments to see how your breathing is affected. Some find a slight bit of resistance helpful when singing, while others may find it difficult to breathe properly with any amount of constriction. It's all a matter of personal preference.

Full-body coverage

If you would like more compression, the body suit is a good option. These shapewear options start with straps on the shoulders and end at the thighs. The benefit of the body suit is that they create a uniform line across the torso with no breaks where bras begin or high-waisted shorts end. There are options with built-in bras, as well as suits with straps that allow the suit to come up and cover the back of the bra to create the same uniform smoothness in the shapewear. Again, compression varies. Some suits have very light compression and can be pulled on easily, while others are made of thicker, more supportive materials and need to be zippered or snapped to close. As always, be conscious of how the compression level impacts your breath. Also be aware of how the zippers or snaps in some of these suits may show through on certain styles of dresses, particularly those with thinner fabric. One solution is to layer shapewear on shapewear, which sounds like recipe for suffocation, but hear me out. Shaping slips with light compression can be a great solution to provide smoothing either on their own or to disguise the hardware on a bodysuit you love to wear but don't want to advertise.

Lift and Support

As mentioned above, some shapewear options do have bras built in. They can be a wonderful one-piece solution to your underwear situation if you find a suit that fits perfectly across your entire body. However, if you are dealing with anything larger than a D cup you may have limited options. No matter your cup size, it can be difficult to find a shapewear option that provides proper breast support, appropriate compression, and perfectly matches your torso length. The best solution is to find a good fitting bra first and a shapewear option that accommodates that perfect bra. If you're struggling to find a bra that works for you, the subreddit A Bra That Fits is a wonderful resource for determining your proper size and answering any questions you ever had about how bras should fit.

Corsets: Not just for the Victorians

Wearing a corset can basically be like stepping in to a new body for a little while. If you want to play with your silhouette, a corset can be a lot of fun! If you do some research into corseting, you will likely go down the deep internet rabbit hole of the "waist shaping" community, which may not be what you're looking for. Tight-lacing a corset is for people who don't have to expand their ribcages to sing melodic lines. However, a fun thing about corsets is that the laces allow you to tie the corset as tight or as loose as you'd like. They can give you a dramatically new shape and incredible posture. Unless you're in costume, the look of a corset may be too extreme and distracting for auditions or master classes, so the recommendation here is to find a middle ground in the fit of your corset. Find a corset that provides you the hourglass shape you're looking for while not restricting your breathing.

Be sure you are able to get a full breath in your corset. Again, practicing while wearing this garment is key. Also, find a corset that is easy to disguise under your clothing. The fabric of both your outfit and the corset should be considered. Mesh corsets are light weight and easier to wear stealthily under everyday clothes. If you're concerned about the lacing being visible under clothing, consider trading out the cords for ribbons, which have a lower profile. The shaping slip can also be useful in providing another light layer to further obscure the hooks and ties of a corset. Corsets are available in both over and under-bust styles. For the purpose of breathing, under-bust is a little easier to manage as you do not also need to worry about lacing it appropriately over the bust. The fit of a corset is also incredibly important, so take the time to find one that suits you best. Orchard Corset is one brand with a variety of corset styles and helpful customer service to guide you to the right fit for your needs. If you want to make a serious investment, get a custom corset crafted for your body. It will likely set you back over a thousand dollars, but you'll look fantastic. If you want shaping around your waist in a less extreme manner, opt for a latex waist cincher. A girdle by any other name, these garments provide shaping through strong latex and adjustable hook and eye latches without the metal rods and laces of a corset.

The only reason to wear shapewear is if it makes you feel better. Whether you're giving your dress a clean foundation or playing with your body's silhouette, find a shapewear option that benefits your confidence and your singing.