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All of us want to look our best at the beach, whether we are taking a dip in the water or working on our tan. If you’ve ever struggled with your confidence like I have, then you also may have wondered if something like shapewear could help you feel more confident at your beach.
So, can you wear shapewear under a swimsuit?
You technically can wear shapewear underneath your swimsuit, but that doesn’t mean that you should. Shapewear can make you sweat, especially in the hot sun and when wearing a swimsuit over top of it. It’s also likely to slide around and not stay in place, plus it can be dangerous to swim while wearing shapewear.
Below, I’ll talk about whether you can wear shapewear under a swimsuit, the pros and cons, and why you shouldn’t ever wear shapewear while swimming.
Can You Wear Shapewear Under a Swimsuit?
While you can wear shapewear under a swimsuit, I don’t necessarily think that it’s something you should do. I can definitely see why you’d want to look your best, particularly if you’re a bigger person like me.
I avoided the beach for a lot of years of my life, waiting to feel good enough about my body and not realizing that waiting to feel confident wasn’t going to help me at all. What I needed was to just get out there and do the thing.
While adding shapewear to your swimsuit might seem like to be the way to feel confident at your beach, it isn’t really practical. The material is likely to be uncomfortable and you wouldn’t be able to safely swim in it.
That being said, there are tons of swimsuits that offer tummy control. These are completely safe to wear at the beach, plus they’re made of the right material so you don’t have to worry about them being uncomfortable.
What Are Some of the Advantages of Wearing Shapewear Under a Swimsuit?
It might seem like the obvious advantage of wearing shapewear under a swimsuit is that it can help smooth over problem areas and even change your figure a little bit. Shapewear does work really well for hiding belly fat in jeans, under a dress, or even under tight clothing.
That being said, if you really want to feel the most confident, then opt for something that highlights your favorite parts of your body while drawing attention away from the areas of your body that you don’t necessarily love. For example, if you’re sensitive about your tummy, these swimsuits can help you hide a FUPA at the beach.
Of course, if you’re just posing for photos or wearing the swimsuit short-term, and you really need that shapewear to feel confident, then I’m not going to tell you that you can’t do it. Just be aware of the risks.
Why Shouldn’t You Wear Shapewear Under a Swimsuit?
There are a lot of reasons that you shouldn’t wear shapewear under a swimsuit, regardless of how good it might look. For starters, it’s going to make you sweat. This is really a problem when you’re a bigger person who’s likely to sweat a little bit more, especially because you can’t focus on feeling your best if you’re worried about body odor.
In addition to sweating, there’s a risk of getting a rash or skin irritation. The risk of irritation from shapewear gets worse when you’re in hot weather, so shapewear and the beach really don’t mix.
Plus, swimsuits are made of stretchy, slippery material that moves well with your body and also dries really quickly. So, there’s a really good chance that the material of your swimsuit is going to slip and slide around over your shapewear and get out of place. This can be a problem if you don’t want anyone to know you’re wearing shapewear.
Can I Wear Shapewear While Swimming?
No, you should not wear shapewear while swimming. For starters, keep in mind that you are going to be in the water. There’s a good chance people are going to be more focused on enjoying themselves than worrying about how your body looks under the water.
Wearing shapewear while swimming increases your risk of skin irritation. In water from a lake, river, or ocean, or in unclean pools, there’s also a risk of bacteria exposure that can cause sickness or infection.
Plus, shapewear that is too tight can even be dangerous to wear in the water. Being able to swim properly has a lot to do with being able to move freely and breathing properly. Not only does tight shapewear restrict your movement, but in some cases, shapewear is so tight that it restricts breathing.
It is safe to wear shaping or tummy control swimsuits while swimming. These are made of stretchy material and are safely designed for swimming. They are also a much better alternative if you want some of the support of shapewear, but without any of the disadvantages or risks that we’ve talked about.
What Is a Better Way to Feel Confident at the Beach?
We’ve already covered this topic, both for fat people who want to have fun at the beach and for the curvier ladies who specifically need help with being confident in a bikini. So, I’m going to keep this brief but feel free to check out these links if confidence at the beach is something you struggle with!
Being confident at the beach starts with feeling good in your swimsuit, whatever that may be. You could even wear a swim shirt, a cover-up, or something else to keep on until you feel comfortable. Other people might find wearing a bikini and appreciating how good they look in it more empowering.
MissJemina’s channel is always full of positive vibes, and you might want to check out this swimsuit try-on video to find the one bikini that will give you that boost of confidence!
Also, remember that you’re there to enjoy yourself and not to worry about what other people think. Stand tall and confident, don’t be afraid of taking up space, and remember that odds are, most of the people there aren’t really looking at you anyway.
Final Word
So, can you wear shapewear under a swimsuit? While you can, it’s best if you don’t. Shapewear is going slide around under your swimsuit anyway, plus it’s likely to make you sweat and cause skin irritation.
When it comes to swimming, wearing shapewear could even be dangerous. Plus, there are better alternatives, like tummy control swimsuits that are designed for the beach.