First Generation: Used fixed molds to achieve the purpose of adjusting body shape.
Second Generation: Relied on boning for support, using soft molds with horse leather as the fabric.
Third Generation: Used hemp fabric as the main material, with flat metal strips for support.
Fourth Generation: Adopted nylon fabric and corsets supported by plastic strips. These were supported soft molds tightened with ropes. Wearers felt extremely constricted; they were not breathable, the cutting was unscientific, and effort was required to put them on.
Fifth Generation: “Body shaping” and functional underwear using Lycra, high-elastic fibers, and colored cotton as fabrics, supported by ordinary memory metal strips.
Sixth Generation: Comfortable shapewear designed according to human ergonomics and mechanics, incorporating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) wellness concepts and functional fabrics with core technology. It features a “weightless” feel when worn, regulates the body internally while sculpting externally, and possesses wellness benefits. Emerging brands like “Lijimei” represent this generation.
With the development of technology, the improvement of living standards, and changes in awareness, people’s requirements for shapewear will increasingly reflect detailed aspects such as pressure comfort, adjustment functions, elasticity, breathability, moisture absorption, and fit comfort. More scientific research needs to be invested in studying human body shape characteristics, utilizing technologies such as one-step molding and three-dimensional cutting to develop underwear with better fit and superior shaping effects. Additionally, there is a need to utilize various raw materials and newly developed materials to improve and enhance the functions of shapewear. Furthermore, targeted research and design on specific components of shapewear (such as the center gore, straps, and back) are necessary to increase wearing comfort. By combining human physiology, psychology, and the physical properties of textiles to study their relationship with the functionality of shapewear, we can meet the demands for healthier and more diverse shapewear options.