CBI Product Fact Sheet Shapewear in Europe

‘Practical Market Insights for Your Product’

This product fact sheet provides information for developing country exporters planning to enter the European shapewear market. Technical innovations and socio-cultural factors will continue to drive growth in the shapewear sector. As economic recovery gains momentum, Western European countries battling high obesity rates present key market opportunities for shapewear. However, competition is strong; DC exporters are encouraged to offer innovative products in line with European style trends.

Product Definition Shapewear, or foundation garments, are undergarments designed to help mold or hold the body to a certain form and give it a smooth appearance. Products may have enhancement or corrective functions, and are typically worn with a specific outfit. Common shapewear products include: 

•  Bras 
•  Briefs and Panties 
•  Bodysuits 
•  Slips and Camisoles 
•  Leggings, Waist Shapers The Shapewear category crosses several product groups within the Intimates sub-sector of Bodywear.

Table 1: Intimates Product Group Definitions

Product specifications

Quality: 
The main contributor to the quality of a shapewear garment is functionality. This means that the garment performs as expected; it hides flaws and streamlines the silhouette to give the illusion of a slimmer shape, and/or enhances one’s assets as marketed. Factors contributing to shapewear performance include:

o Quality of fabric 

•  Strong, thick, and elastic; grips the body, and does not create lumps or bumps underneath outerwear 
•  Durable: the shaping function lasts throughout the day, and the garment has a reasonably long lifecycle 
•  Breathable, comfortable and cool; safe to wear all day long

o Fabric content 

•  Appropriate fabric content for the part of the body the garment is trying to correct or enhance. For example, for control bottoms, a Nylon/Lycra blend with Lycra content of 10% or more is appropriate; however, for a control camisole, a cotton/Lycra knit blend of 90-95% cotton & 5% Lycra may be more comfortable o Overall construction 
•  Seams are smooth or invisible 
•  Hems stay in place – no rolling up or riding up

Labelling: 

The following information will generally be found on the label in clothes: 

•  Care symbols 
•  Composition (Fibre content by percentage) 
•  Size 
•  Country of origin (Made in)
•  Further information, such as eco-labels, labels for sustainable cotton, if applicable Materials: The key factors to consider when choosing fabric for shapewear garments are functionality, and comfort. 
•  Nylon, Lycra and Cotton are commonly used. Lycra can provide the smoothing effect, but must be used in combination with a knit fabric, like cotton or nylon that stretches 

Considerations for action:

 DC exporters should keep up with the very latest sculpting fabrics and shaping technology in order to create innovative, functional, and comfortable garments. 

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