Grail was hesitant to carry shapewear for a long time, and I honestly still have a twinge of conflicted feelings when it comes to stocking garments specifically designed to “thin” and “smooth” bodies. Amongst our team, and in conversation with our customers, the question under debate has been: Does shapewear send a negative message regarding body inclusion and affirmation? Does having it in-store reinforce toxic notions about “ideal” body standards?

Personally, I think of shapewear as neutral in and of itself; it’s essentially a fashion accessory. While what we choose to wear is intensely personal, most people do elect to dress in ways that are flattering to their appearance. Body autonomy means that we get to decide for ourselves what image we want to present to the world, whether that involves a particular hairstyle, wearing makeup, or anything else. I don’t think it’s necessarily a reflection of self-loathing if someone prefers clothing colors that complement their skin tone. If a short-waisted individual avoids high-cut pants and skirts, their self-esteem shouldn’t be in doubt. Ditto to shapewear; its mere existence doesn’t signal to me that there’s something unacceptable about your body.

However, I understand that it could be interpreted otherwise. What else are we to assume from an article of clothing whose sole purpose is to minimize the appearance of the lumps and bulges society has deemed unattractive, despite the fact that everyone has or will eventually have them? If it does reinforce the idea that a flawless body exists, or is attainable, does it matter that shapewear helps many wearers feel more beautiful and confident? Is the harm negated? What do you think?

When we did finally decide to take the plunge into this product category, after many requests from Grail clients, I decided that two things would help reconcile shapewear with our business values. (1) We would cover the widest possible size range, and (2) we would include signage to be clear about our messaging, whether direct or implicit. Y’all… shapewear might be the ultimate garment category for sizing inconsistency. 😬 Some product lines sounded super-inclusive until we scrutinized their sizing charts. Plugging in my own body measurements as a test could result in everything from a medium to a 3XL depending on the manufacturer. We ultimately ended up choosing a selection of products from the brand Naomi & Nicole. They had the most inclusive size range available based on actual measurements, they had solid feedback, and their pieces are budget-friendly. That seemed like a good place to start, and we’ve recently pulled in a few pieces from another company, Leonisa. I’ve also been a bit obsessed with the vintage-inspired pieces from the brand Rago, so maybe we’ll tinker with those down the road. I’ll never stop reminding folks that there’s nothing whatsoever wrong with having a human body instead of a mannequin body, though.

As for the signage, here you go: