Shapewear 411 for Spring: Look Slimmer Without Losing Weight

Since layering takes a back seat during the spring and summer months, you need to make sure your shapewear and undergarments aren't peeking through lightweight clothing. Shapewear can help to tuck in that muffin top, smooth out bulges of fat and give you that coveted hourglass figure -- regardless of your body weight and shape. However, you have to pick the right type of shapewear to accommodate for the season's form-fitting clothing and paper-thin fabrics. Whether you're wearing a little black dress for date night or heading to the office in a new skirt, make sure you're picking out shapewear that stays invisible!

Use some of these tips to look slimmer with shapewear this spring:

1. Stick with the nudes. Nude-colored shapewear is your safest bet because it will appear invisible under most types of clothing. Even if you're wearing white, nude will look most natural. White-colored shapewear can stand out in certain types of light when you're wearing white or other light colors. Nude will appear more natural and you won't have to worry about it showing through your ensemble of choice under any type of light.

2. Replace the girdle with a bodysuit. Traditional girdles are made with hooks and lace-up designs, and work to cinch your waist to create a shapely hourglass figure. Trade the girdle for a bodysuit made with very lightweight fabric and stretch materials. Traditional girdles will add bulk to your upper body, and will show through your spring dresses, blouses and T-shirts.

3 . Trade your bra for a camisole. Camisole shapewear designed with a built-in bra can provide plenty of support and also minimize bumps and bulges around your bra line. These comfy, form-fitting tank tops will help to create a smooth and elongated torso without adding bulk. They're a great match for wearing under form-fitting T-shirts, button-down shirts and cap sleeve dresses this spring and will give you more coverage and support than your regular bra.

4. Slim down your thighs and stomach with knee-length shapewear. If you're wearing a very fitted pencil skirt or a dress and don't want to wear a bodysuit, slim down your thighs and flatten the stomach with a pair of knee-length shapewear instead. This type of shapewear is designed to slim down your lower body and smooth out your figure. Just make sure you're wearing the right size, or you'll find that your skin will bulge where the garment ends.

5. Stick with the slip for flowy spring dresses. If you're wearing one of spring's long or short flowy dresses, wear a slip that holds everything in and helps create a pulled-together look. Even though the dress isn't hugging your curves, you'll feel more confident with this extra layer of support. Make sure the slip ends well above the end of your dress so you don't have to worry about it when you sit down or cross your legs.

6. Perk up your butt with long-legged panties or boyshorts. Both long-legged panties and boyshorts are available in a shapewear version, and can be just what you need to give your butt a lift when wearing a form-fitting dress or very tight pants this spring. Make sure these are made with a very thin fabric so that they don't show through the material of your outfit. Again, stick with nude colors instead of black or white so you don't have to deal with visibility issues.

Shapewear can do wonders for smoothing out your silhouette and can also make you feel more confident in your new outfit. From all-over body shapers to butt-lifting boyshorts, pick out the right type of shapewear so your spring ensembles will flatter your figure.