How to Wear a Waist Trainer



A waist trainer can instantly make you appear slimmer and enhance your curves as soon as you put it on. It also improves your posture and can help with related neck and back issues that come from hunching over all day. Waist trainers also encourage you not to overeat, so they can help you slim down over time as well. Below, we explain how to wear a waist trainer and then explain the main types of waist trainers that you can choose from.

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How to Wear a Waist Trainer

Putting on a waist trainer for the first time can be a little tricky. They should fit snugly, but shouldn't be so tight that you have to yank on the clasps to get it closed (otherwise, you might damage the waist trainer). It's usually easier to begin with the clasps at the bottom and then work your way up to the top. Begin by fastening the waist trainer on the loosest round of hooks. You'll eventually work your way up to the smallest row. You may find it easier to fasten the waist trainer at the narrowest part of your waist and then tug it down, repeating the motions until you have fastened the entire waist trainer. Move it around until you achieve a comfortable fit.

You should wear the waist trainer for only an hour or two at a time the first couple of times you put it on in order to break in the trainer and get used to wearing it. It usually takes about a week (and sometimes more) to work up to wearing a waist trainer for a full eight hours. During those first days or weeks, you may need to break it up into several shorter sessions before you can work your way up to wearing it for a full eight hours at a stretch.

Choosing a Waist Trainer Style

There are several different styles of waist trainers and tummy compression to choose from. The classic waist trainer looks a bit like a hook-and-eye corset that covers only the stomach, but leaves the breasts free. These garments are usually made of stiff fabric, latex and boning that holds your stomach in place and encourages good posture. This type of waist trainer provides the highest levels of compression and shaping. It is available in models both with and without straps.

If you're looking for moderate compression support, at Leonisa, we also offer a moderate shapewear corset with a built-in bra. That way, you don't have to worry about wearing a separate bra or dealing with strange lumps where your bra and the waist trainer might overlap. Be sure to measure both your bust and your waist before purchasing a shapewear corset with a built-in bra.



Shop Our Moderate Shaping Corset + Built-In Bra

If you want tummy compression without having to deal with hook-and-eye closures, then a shaper tank top might be a better fit for your needs. These compression tanks are made of a tight fabric that supports and shapes your tummy, waist and back at the same time. These shaper tanks may cover the breasts or leave them open (or even offer both options, if they are reversible). While these garments don't offer as much support and shaping as true waist trainers, they are more comfortable to wear and are less detectable under clothes due to the thinner fabric and lack of clasps and seams.

Purchase Our Undetectable Edge Shaper Tank Here

Another option is shaping panties with an attached tummy panel. These panties come in many different cuts, including thong and bikini. The tummy panel may hit at the natural waist or go all the way up to the bottom of the bra line for more tummy shaping. This style of body shaper may or may not come with straps to hold it in place securely. Like the shaper tanks, these shapers offer less compression than a waist trainer, but are more seamless and comfortable.



Keep in mind that some waist trainers use latex, so if you are allergic to latex, then you'll need to read the descriptions carefully and seek out a latex-free waist trainer, such as this one here.

Shop Our Latex-Free Sculpting Waist Cincher

If you need help choosing a waist trainer, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with our Personal Shoppers. They can help you with everything from selecting the perfect waist trainer for your needs to measuring yourself and choosing the right size. For more information about shapewear, including wearing a waist trainer while working out, then check out our blogs and other resources.

Waist Cincher vs. Waist Trainer: What's the Difference?


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