Modern shapewear in India ditches the outdated ‘medical’ aesthetic for breathable, inclusive options that feel stylish and comfortable. Women slip into figure-hugging gowns or floor-length lehengas with ease, thanks to high-tech layers that smooth without discomfort. At recent lavish weddings, many guests sport these seamless enhancers under traditional attire and sleek dresses, marking a shift from secretive undergarments to essential fashion staples.
From Body Correction to Outfit Enhancement
Shapewear once carried a stigma as bulky, restrictive pieces hidden away. Legacy options prioritized compression over comfort, often feeling like a body flaw reminder. Maadhav Saxena, Founder of Invogue, notes, “Before innovations, shapewear in India was bulky, restrictive, and honestly, hideous. It focused on fixing the body rather than the outfit.”
Yash Goyal, Co-Founder and CEO of Krvvy, highlights the gap for functional innerwear. “India needed comfortable, functional pieces for long wear without constant adjustments,” Goyal states. New brands reframe shapewear as a styling tool, akin to body makeup that helps fabrics drape perfectly, not a body fix.
Global Trends Adapted for Indian Needs
Inspired by SKIMS and K-Fashion’s sleek lines, Indian brands tailor designs for local climates and body types. Thick Western cinchers fail in humid 40-degree heat, so developers create breathable, high-compression fabrics. A standout innovation, the saree shaper, swaps bulky petticoats for seamless compression, delivering red-carpet drapes for modern wearers.
“Designs that work in the West don’t necessarily suit Indian women,” Saxena explains. Goyal adds, “The goal is natural refinement—polished comfort, smoothing over squeeze, support over restriction.”
Navigating Body Positivity
Shapewear thrives amid body neutrality by emphasizing choice. Saxena argues, “Body positivity and shapewear aren’t opposites. The conflict arises when compression feels mandatory; we position it as a styling choice.”
Goyal points to the ‘K-Effect’ shifting focus to “Confidence Wear.” “We don’t sell shapewear to fix the body—the garment is the interface. Comfort builds confidence,” he says. Sales data supports this: top sizes range from XS to M, showing purchases driven by outfit needs across body types.
Future of Intelligent Shapewear
The industry advances to ‘Intelligent Compression’ with pressure mapping for targeted support—firm at the tummy and back, gentle at the ribs. Goyal envisions heat-adaptive fabrics and genuine size inclusivity. “Transformative garments will move with the body, not against it,” he predicts.
As India leads in manufacturing, local innovations in tropical-friendly compression and realistic proportions position the nation for global exports. “Designing for Indian bodies solves real complexity,” Goyal concludes.
