With so many pretty designs on the shapewear scene, there’s no reason to hide your favorite piece of shapewear. Show off a slimming bustier top like the Longline Smooth Strapless Bra by Dominique 8541 by pairing it with a high-waisted wide-leg pant for a long lean look. Make a statement with a striking piece of signature jewelry and add bold pumps. Your shapewear just became outerwear!
It’s no secret: We LOVE shapewear. As a company, as individuals, as women of all shapes and sizes, here at Hourglass Angel, from bustiers to booty enhancers, we adore it all! And we’re not alone, shapewear is an exploding trend in women’s apparel. But, naturally, with any rise in popularity, there must be a counterpoint. Some media outlets have called Octavia Spencer’s triple Spanx silhouette at the SAG Awards “extreme.” Others have questioned Molly Sims using special maternity shapewear. While critics may not share our enthusiasm for shaping and sculpting the bodies we live in, we thought we might provide a little perspective on the history of body modification and compare our passion for shapers to other enhancement techniques women have used.
Consider, for example, the bound 4-inch “lotus foot,” idealized as the ultimate indicator of femininity in ancient China. This practice, which often crippled women, continued well into the 20th century, long enough that thousands of photographs exist of it. The binding process not only injured women with bound feet, it also hindered them from participating fully in social, political and educational life, making them second class citizens. Then, in the 16th and 17th centuries, the poison, belladonna was commonly used to dilate the eyes of women, creating a doe-like appearance, while often eventually leading to blindness. And, if you can believe it, Elizabethan women often slathered on lead-based makeup, which had a range of dangerous physical effects. And today, even with a battery of precautions, even the most commonplace cosmetic surgeries carry dozens of risks. When you put it all in perspective, it sort of makes you love shapewear even more, doesn’t it?
Put simply, the desire to decorate, reshape and enhance the body is something that comes natural to humans. It’s a part of who we are. Just as we paint the walls of our homes and hang art on our walls, we celebrate, shape and sculpt the works of art that we live in. We love women and the huge numbers of shapes and sizes that they come in. We love the bodies that we have at this very moment. We believe that participating in beauty is a right for women of every size and age. We also believe that there are many kinds of beauty and we support women as they explore their own vision of it. There’s a difference between “fixing” a body and enhancing it. And of the thousands of ways that people have enhanced their appearances over the years, shapewear is not only one of the most flattering, it’s also one of the easiest and safest and that’s why we love it.
When Spanx were introduced in the year 2000, quickly becoming a sensation around the world, you would have thought that their creator, Sara Blakely invented the whole class of garments that we today call “shapewear.” One could convincingly argue that the brand Blakely founded has become inclusive in our collective consciousness of shapewear in general, but she hardly invented the first shaper. While Spanx have been championed by no less than Oprah Winfrey herself, the explosion of Blakely’s shapers onto the world of fashion certainly heralded a new era for shapewear, but not the first. Humans have been using garments to reshape their bodies for various reasons since the dawn of recorded history.
Many people believe that the first shapers were corsets, but the history of shapewear is far older than that. The first “shapers” were probably girdles, which at that time were woven garments similar to a wide belt. In fact, there is an older garment called also a girdle, which is barely a rope, but it bears no resemblance to the class of garments that we think of as shapers. Ancient girdles were purported to have magical properties. Writings from the Bible to Babylonian texts make references to all kinds of girdles. Ishtar, a goddess of Babylon wore a girdle for fertility. Aphrodite’s girdle was associated with poetry. And some mythological girdles were the key to conquering monsters! While it is wrong to equate these items precisely with what we think of as a more modern girdle, these predecessors are an important part of the long history of garments used to shape, reinforce and strengthen the body. This practice has continued in various ways to the present.
Jump forward to the corset. The innovation of this garment is often mistakenly credited to Catherine de’ Medici, wife of France’s King Henry II, who did however ban thick waists at court during her reign. In fact, the corset itself is much older, dating back to ancient Crete or possibly before. Needless to say, this style of shaper had gone through many revisions over thousands of years. The corset as we know it first begins to take shape in the 16th century, with stays and a busk fashioned from a number of different kinds of animal bones. The steel stays and busk came later, but back-lacing was an early feature of this garment, which was reserved primarily for wealthy wearers. By 18th century, some corsets even had sleeves. At the beginning of the 20th century, women began to demand political power and the restriction of the corset came for many to symbolize social restriction. Many women abandoned the corset as they entered public life more fully. Enter the new and improved girdle!
The girdle, now manufactured with elastic textiles, offered the reshaping that mid 20th women wanted and allowed them to work and travel with ease of motion and relative comfort. This style of garment remained popular through the 1960’s when another seismic shift in women’s societal roles saw a decrease in the girdle’s popularity. And indeed, perhaps the girdle was in hiding long enough that the new generation of Spanx wearers forgot who its predecessors were. But today a whole new generation of women have fallen in love with the way modern, comfortable shapers make them feel and look. With a giant range of shapewear including your favorites from Squeem and Vedette now commercially available and hugely popular, reshaping your body is more popular than ever before.
Cellulite Solutions that Stick
The Best and Brightest Brands That Actually Work
We’re going to let you in on a secret: we ALL have cellulite. Big and small. Short and tall. Like it or “lump” it, women are almost universally and genetically predisposed to develop the little dimples and dents in our skin that look like orange peel. Almost every woman will experience cellulite to lesser or greater degrees. If you’re one of the majority we describe, you know how difficult it is to reduce the appearance of this stuff. With its resistance to diet, exercise (and wishing), you may have tried one of the off the shelf solutions that are commercially available. And, there are many. But the real question is, among the fakes and phonies are there any cellulite treatments that work?
Being in the business of beautiful bodies (of all sizes and shapes) we’ve had the opportunity to test an unimaginable array of products, potions and lotions that promise to cure cellulite. From the outrageous to the outlandish, virtually every theory of cellulite control has come across our desks. Here’s the truth: while there is no “cure” for cellulite, finally there are some very effective ways of reducing its appearance. After years of searching, and trying just about everything, we’ve finally narrowed down the field of candidates that, when combined with diet, exercise and proper hydration, are great tools that can help you look your best and reduce the visible appearance of cellulite.
These are the products that we rely on to smooth us out and supplement an overall healthy living plan:
Lytess: When we started exploring anti-cellulite products to meet the requests of our customers, Lytess was one of the first brands that actually verified their claims with real clinical data. As this French brand added new items, each was supported with positive evidence for smoothing and reduction of inches by scientific study. The line, which uses ingredients like shea butter, mango and caffeine in the fabric of their garments, has grown in popularity as a result of word of mouth. Lytess customers are loyal and report great results from their microcapsule infused tights, leggings and shapers. This is a great place to start if you want to try an anti-cellulite garment.
Moisture Me by Mambino: Like all Mambino products, Moisture Me was originally formulated for moms, with special attention to their unique skin needs. We suspect this serum’s popularity grew from new mamas who continued using it long after giving birth. Moisture Me is now as popular with non-moms as it is with their original clientele, proving that your smoothest and most radiant skin starts with moisturization. We love this product in our office and can’t keep samples of it in stock, as they always seem to find their way home with our staff!
Delfin Spa: Here is a truly cutting edge anti-cellulite line. Harnessing the technological breakthrough of Bio-Ceramic fabrics, this revolutionary set of workout garments directs your body’s own heat and energy back into the layer of skin that contains cellulite. Earning an incredibly loyal fanbase, we heard about these items from you and had to see what all the buzz was about. We have not been disappointed in their performance and highly recommend all the Delfin items to anyone who is serious about reducing the orange peel effect while you workout or just go about your regular day.
iPant Anti-cellulite Hi-Waist Long Leg Shaper by Wacoal: At Hourglass Angel, we love Wacoal….generally. Amongst our staff, we adore Wacoal’s intimates for their comfort, style and performance. So, when we learned they had created an anti-cellulite shaper, we knew we had to have it. The iPant Anti-cellulite Hi-Waist Long Leg Shaper is every bit as good as we expected. If you’re Wacoal fans like we are, this is an absolute must-have.
Turning a New Leaf This New Year
At the beginning of the new year, our thoughts naturally turn to renewal, change and fresh beginnings. A poll of the staff at Hourglass Angel revealed a common thread in our resolutions. One of our new moms, Rosie, like so many of us, resolved to finally achieve her weight loss goals. Mary resolved to eat better. Marge decided to take a yoga class.
Every year we make resolutions to change our bodies. With that in mind we ask: What can we do this year to make the promises we make to ourselves become a reality this year?
At Hourglass Angel, we absolutely know that making progress towards a healthier lifestyle is possible. We’ve been supporting changing bodies since we opened our doors. We know that healthier, stronger bodies are possible for everyone. Like Rosie, many of our clients are new moms, working hard to return to their pre-pregnancy weight. If you have a resolution to bounce back from your post-baby body, you may want to consider supplementing your workout and eating plan with a belly band or maximum compression garment. Many of our our mamas have seen great results with products like the Belly Bandit, SlimBand or SlimVest. This technology, while cutting edge, stems from thousands of years of practice. Women have been wrapping their bellies before, during and after giving birth to assist in recovery and reshaping. Now it’s easier than ever for new moms to benefit from the support of a shaping garment.
If your resolutions include a new workout regimen like Marge, you may benefit from adding the technology that is built into some of the new athletic shaping apparel that we carry at Hourglass Angel. Products like the Workout Band, the Delfin Bio-Ceramic Shorts or Capris or the anti-cellulite garments made by Lytess can maximize the work you do in the gym, decrease the visible appearance of cellulite and reduce inches from the midsection.
Whatever your resolutions are this year, we hope they include the most positive vision of yourself that is possible. We wish all of luck. Don’t forget that we believe in you and are here to support you as we enter 2012.
Sponsoring Jessica Fang for Donald Trump’s Miss California 2012 Pageant
Jessica Fang for Miss California 2012
We recently received a request from an amazing young woman named Jessica Fang, asking that we sponsor her in Donald Trump’s Miss California 2012 Pageant, which runs January 6th through the 8th in Palm Springs. After reading Jessica’s intelligent, engaging request and spending just a few minutes reviewing her profile, we absolutely knew it was the right thing to do. Jessica is exceptionally bright, funny and committed to serving her community. In short, she is the kind of person we would want our daughters to grow up to be. We agreed to proudly and officially become her sponsor for the swimwear portion of the pageant, providing her with one of our favorite swim enhancers, a pair of Extras by Hollywood Fashion Tape. We are thrilled and honored to support Ms. Fang in her endeavors and urge our readers to support her too! To learn more about Jessica and follow her progress, visit her Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Fang-for-Miss-California/209635162402028
Has this winter wonderland got you wondering what the heck you’re going to wear? From seasonal soirees with friends and family to office functions, for curvy fashionistas the stakes are raised as the temperature drops. Many of us struggle to look long and lean under the layers that keep us toasty. With the hectic holidays in full swing, we’re going to save you a step and point out a few great ways to shape up and warm up at the same time!
Shaping Denim: Designer denim is a look that will carry you though many kinds of occasions. Now this style is smarter than ever. Whether you prefer the extra slimming of a line like Ann Michelle or the booty boosting design of the Verox line, there’s a shaping denim that’s perfect for you. Keeping you slim and trim, these items are perfect when dressed up with a tailored jacket or paired with something more relaxed like a t-shirt and festive printed scarf.
Fashion Tights: Tights, both sheer and opaque, are one of the blockbuster trends of the season. And with chilly winds closing in, the time couldn’t be better to add a sheer, shaping layer to the leg. Whether you wear a solid opaque color or make a statement in patterns or sheers, we love the resurgence of hosiery. Wear them under a dress or as a fun way to keep your shorts in season all year long. The best thing about this trend is that you wear it your way!
Leggings: The fashion options for leggings have exploded this season. No longer restricted to the basic black stretch model, ultra warm corduroys and knits in a range of colors are keeping our legs extra happy in winter’s winds. One of the best things about leggings is that you can wear them with any kind of shoe, or more importantly…boot. And last but not least, leggings also work underneath another layer like pants or a skirt, adding warmth when we need it most.
All Over Shapers: With all the extra layers you’ll be wearing, why not add one that takes a few inches off. The right all over body shaper can help defend you from the elements and keep you trim when it’s time to trim the tree! Check out the shapers in our Weight Loss category for inspiration. These high compression garments are ideal, as they work by increasing thermal actvity.
You don’t have to give up fashion in the season of giving. With the slimming solutions above, you’re sure to beat the chill and outshine the brightest lights of the holidays.
We’re thrilled to announce that we have been selected for the 2011 Best of Riverside Award in the Lingerie category by the US Commerce Association (USCA). The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. As these are values that Hourglass Angel considers essential, we are thrilled to have been selected by the USCA. We are grateful to everyone that has supported us as we’ve grown over the last few years. We look forward to serving our community and clients in years to come.
Great Gifts That Are Awesome, Affordable and Available Now!
The holidays are, in so many ways, one of the happiest times of the year. Many of us are finally able to spend some much overdue time with friends and family in celebration, creating memories that will stay with us for years to come. But, while the giving that accompanies this special season is a joy, it does not come without challenges. From time management and budget concerns to the pressure of selecting the right gift for someone special, holiday shopping manages to bring many of our biggest sources of stress together!
With the ability to search easily and bargain hunt from the comfort of home, it’s no wonder that so many savvy shoppers are buying online. Holiday internet sales are expected to surpass all previous years’ records in 2011. So, with that in mind, we thought we’d share some easy, thrifty gifting options to make your shopping list a little simpler. All of these options are affordable, awesome and available at HourglassAngel.com!
Burt’s Bees Gift Sets: Burt’s gift sets come in a great variety of sizes, shapes and product packages. Whether you’d like something a little more decorative, such as the Tint and Treats set, or prefer a great sampler such as their Essential or Head to Toe kits, there’s a Burt’s gift for everyone. Plus, Burt’s Bees lip balms and lip shimmers make perfect stocking stuffers!
Frankie and Johnny Pajamas: With cool weather upon us and more of it to come, the time is right to cozy up with someone you love. And there’s no better way to enjoy “visions of sugarplums” as you sleep this holiday season than in a pair of the bSoft Lounger pajamas from Frankie and Johnny. With whimsical patterns and just about the softest fabric we’ve ever come across, once you see and touch this set, we think you’ll have a hard time giving it away.
Lingerie Gifts: From babydolls to camisoles and even bustiers, lingerie is one of our favorite affordable luxuries. One of our most special and intimate gifts, these garments are a great way to celebrate the season and your love. We have many fine options for intimates in our Gift section now, so why not give something a little naughty to someone that’s been nice this year?
Wacoal Bras: One of the most trusted names in women’s intimates, a bra from Wacoal is a treat that will last for years and make her feel beautiful every day. Wacoal has a wide range of styling, from straight-forward to sexy. You can count on this brand no matter what her individual style is!
Thanksgiving has evolved from a celebration of thanks made by early American settlers, to a broader celebration of abundance, made in many countries around the world on many different days. Regardless of its origins, we now cherish this holiday as a time to feel grateful for the many gifts we have received in our lives.
But one of our most overlooked gifts we receive as women is the gift we live in: our bodies. A recent study showed that women have an average of 13 negative thoughts about their bodies per day. That’s about one devastating self-criticism per waking hour. Would you like to spend time with someone that spoke to you the way we women often speak to ourselves? Probably not. And so, as we enter a season that is centered around gratitude, it seems that, when it comes to this body that carries us throughout our lives—gives us children, dances, sings, provides for our loved ones—women are often the opposite of grateful.
At Hourglass Angel, we wear, love and work with shapewear and intimates because we like how they make us feel. We often talk about the way that the right undergarments, whether that’s a shaper or a sexy bra, have a confidence boosting effect. That’s one way to express what those items do for us. But, with respect to the lack of respect and thanks we give our bodies, perhaps we are overlooking an even more important service that fine foundational garments do for us. When we choose undergarments and apparel that make us feel good, we are affirming and giving thanks for the body itself. And it seems that thanks is needed now more than ever.
Every moment that we can transform a critical thought about our bodies into a thought that is filled with gratitude is in itself something to be grateful for. An act as small as dressing in something that celebrates and expresses gratitude for these amazing curves—of every shape and size—that we were born into, is a move in the right direction.
So, as Thanksgiving approaches, bringing with it the additional pressures of the holiday season, we at Hourglass Angel are committing to use this time to give thanks, not just for the blessings of home, work and family, but especially for the body that allows us to enjoy all the other blessings…just as it is.
