Designing Intimate Apparel: The Impact of Different Body Shapes & Sizes

Good fit intimate apparel is certainly a major challenge for brands and retailers across the garment industry for its importance on customer satisfaction and thus the success of brands. Apparently, the industry insiders always consider various aspects focusing on different groups of customers during the design development of fit garments and all the way through bulk production. You may wonder what things to consider in designing, developing and producing intimate apparel.

Comfort, this is what every customer wants when they wear a garment and only the good fit garment made of quality fabrics can ensure this. Technically, a good fit garment matches the shape, size and proportions of the body wearing it. The body shape is based upon the overall balance of the body and how physical attributes like fat and muscles are distributed. So, a good idea on body shape is a must while designing any garments especially intimate apparel to give customers the best comforts that they desire.

Broadly there are five body shapes most women fall under. Any other body shape is either a synonym or mix of two body shapes. Read on to know what they are and understand the impact of them on the design of intimate apparel.

1. Ruler Shape: The body type that has the same measurements on waist, upper and lower body is known as ruler shape. Since this body shape does not have a very well-defined waistline, it is often called a straight or rectangular body shape and focus should be on waist while designing. Corsets, garter belts, push-up bras with bustier lingerie are idle for ruler shape. E.g. 36”-33”-37”, 34”-30”-35”, 40”-36”-42”.

2. Hourglass Shape: Hips and shoulders are similar with significantly smaller waist. This body shape is curvy but balanced. Intimate apparel that accentuate curves and bum are right fit for an hourglass shape body. Go for plunge bra, balconette bra or high-hip style and anything in between that offers good support and shows off your curves. E.g. 36”-30”-38”, 33”-27”-35”, 32”-26”-33”.

3. Apple Shape: Apple shape refers to the body type having a similar upper and lower body with a larger waist. These bodies tend to have slimmer arms and legs, a smaller hip, round shoulder and an undefined waist. A baby doll, chemise or lace lingerie suiting a rounded waistline is always a winner. E.g. 36”-32”-30”, 40”-36”-33”, 34”-30”-29”.

4. Pear Shape: Women with pear body shape are wider in the hips and legs but relatively slender on top. Designer needs to aim at visually reducing the size of hips and bottom while increasing the breast size. A fuller or padded bra, panties with high or medium cut and anything similar is a great option for this body type. E.g. 36”-30”-44”, 34”-30”-38”, 32”-28”-39”.

5. Inverted Triangle Shape: Narrow hips, fuller bust and wide set shoulders body shape is known as inverted triangle shape body. They are the opposite of a pear-shaped body. Teddies, chemises, halter necks, matching cami sets are good options for this body type. E.g. 44”-30”-36”, 34”-28”-32”, 39”-28”-32”.

To sum it up every customer deserves good fit intimate apparel that makes her comfortable and as an entrepreneur you will see success with your brand when you provide them what they deserve. 

Beside women body shapes, there are lot other factors that must need to consider such as choosing right fabrics and hardwire, fitting different components e.g., cradle, gore, cup, wire, neckline, underarm, strap, fastener etc., sampling multiple time and in-process quality checking. 

Being an entrepreneur or a start-up, you may have limited or good ideas in these regards. But one thing for sure we cannot expect a good return without considering those factors and careful handling of them from design inspiration phase to tech pack development to sampling to bulk manufacturing. If you wish to know more, don’t hesitate to visit following:

• Technical Viewpoints on Intimate Apparel & How to Source Good Ones for Customers
• Developing a Lingerie Line: A Step By Step Guide
• How to Choose Colours, Pantones, and Lab Dips for Lingerie Design
• What Exactly is a Quality Control Inspection? (And Can I Do That?)
• How to Find Inspiration for Your Lingerie Line?

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