13 October 2023 , 14:46
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There's no doubt about the fact that shapewear is having a renaissance. After being cast aside for a period by a lot of people in the name of self-acceptance, this type of garment has a long history going all the way back to restrictive corsetry in the 16th century.
From Kim Kardashian’s brand Skims, which is donned by A-listers and many influencers swear by, to the more conventional M&S offerings, it's newest form is mainstream and it's everywhere: riding up under outfits at weddings and Christmas parties alike and, notably, on the screens of pretty much every smartphone, even those that belong to children. One woman found herself facing a heartbreaking situation when her young daughter - aged only 12 - requested some.
The woman wrote to an agony aunt column on the Australian news website, KidsSpot, about her dilemma, in which she explained that her daughter had previously seen a therapist for body image issues. "She has since stopped seeing said therapist. She came to me this week and asked about me buying her shapewear. I had bought some but then didn't wear it for a recent wedding and I know that's what gave her the idea."
The woman also explained that she doesn't usually restrict what her daughter wears, "She wears crop tops with high rise jeans which is common for her peers also. But I honestly don't know on this one." The woman also said that she explained to her daughter why she had chosen not to wear the shapewear she had purchased to the wedding, "they were awfully uncomfortable for me, and it's better to be comfortable than concerned with smoothing out the curves."
The agony aunt, Jordana, replied: "I feel for you - this is a really hard stage and age. Teenage girls can be so affected when it comes to body image. You are doing the right thing by being honest about your experience with shapewear". But noted that it was crucial "not to dismiss" her daughter's feelings about the topic and validate her.
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Jordana noted that shapewear is not safe for children of this age to wear, because it "isn't designed for young bodies. There are many specialists and doctors who have spoken out against teenagers wearing shapewear". The expert then went on to explain these dangers can include pinching nerves and pressurising internal organs. While, she noted, these are concerns for grown-ups too, a teenage body is still trying to grow and develop, so it isn't a good idea for anyone that age to wear it.
Equally, Jordana recommended her daughter returned to therapy to discuss the issue and the feelings that were brought up and that the mother tell her it wouldn't be appropriate for her to wear it until she is still growing, but that once she has fully grown, "if she still wants to wear shapewear, you will support her." Crucially the agony aunt also pointed out that the companies who make shapewear often explicitly mention that their products are not suitable for anyone is not fully past puberty.
Would you let your child wear shapewear? Let us know in the comments below.