Men’s Shapewear: From Tailored to Oversized

Brandon Francis
Oct 29
4 min read

If you believe shapewear is exclusively for women, you're mistaken. Men have been using shapewear for years, though it wasn't labeled as such. Historically, tailored suits and fitted shirts served the same purpose: they contoured the body, concealed certain areas, and provided a neat and structured appearance.

However, times have changed. Fashion is no longer solely about sharp lines and rigid fits. It now emphasizes comfort, confidence, and self-expression. Men's shapewear has adapted to this change, transitioning from crafting the ideal tailored silhouette to supporting a more relaxed, natural form. This marks the evolution of men's fashion.

When Tailoring Was the Only “Shapewear”

Illustration of two men in tailored suits from the 1950s, showing the structured and formal fashion style of that era. — 1950s men’s suits defined structure and control. The original form of shapewear before comfort and flexibility took over modern style. (Source: “Hiver 1955–56,” Vintage French Men’s Fashion Illustration, 1955)

Before shapewear was sold as a product, men used tailoring as their version of “body sculpting.” A well-fitted suit did everything: squared the shoulders, flattened the stomach, and built confidence.

Think about it: in the 1950s or 60s, if your clothes didn’t fit perfectly, it looked sloppy. The message was simple: being well-dressed meant you were in control. That’s why everything was slim, pressed, and structured.

Brands such as Ralph Lauren established their reputations on that style. It emphasized discipline over comfort. Men’s shapewear was present, but it built around tailoring and societal norms.

The Shift: Looser Fits, Real Confidence

Man wearing a casual streetwear outfit with an olive jacket, white shirt, baggy jeans, and Timberland boots, standing on a city sidewalk in front of a brick building. — *(Source: Allen, I. [@isaacallen]. (2025). Streetwear look featuring baggy denim and Timberlands [Photograph]. Instagram.* *https://www.instagram.com/isaacallen/*)

When streetwear came, everything changed. The old rules started to fade. Suddenly, baggy clothes and relaxed fits were in. You didn’t have to suck in your stomach or tighten your belt; you could just be yourself.

Oversized tees, hoodies, and jeans all became part of this new wave of men’s fashion. It wasn’t lazy; it was confident.

This shift opened the door for shapewear to evolve too. Instead of focusing on creating the illusion of a “perfect body,” modern men’s shapewear started to focus on comfort and support and helping men feel good under those looser layers.

Today, men wear shapewear that enhances posture, keeps things smooth, and boosts confidence — without anyone knowing it’s there.

What Men’s Shapewear Looks Like Now

Side-by-side image showing a man before and after wearing men’s shapewear; the “before” shows a relaxed midsection, while the “after” shows a smoother, more supported fit in a white compression shirt. — Men’s shapewear is designed for comfort and confidence — modern compression shirts smooth and support without the stiffness of traditional tailoring. (Source: Spanx for Men, promotional image, 2025. *https://www.spanx.com*)

The term men’s shape-wear might sound new, but brands have been making it for years under different names: compression gear, performance wear, or slimming undershirts.

Under Armour helped normalize it by making it athletic, not awkward. Their pieces smoothly outline undergarments, provide light core support, and improve posture while staying breathable and flexible.

Even SPANX for Men got in on it, designing tanks and tees that keep everything in place for different body types, preventing that “squeezed in” feeling.

The best part? It’s not about concealing anything. It’s about the way people feel when they wear it. A compression undershirt can ensure a t-shirt drapes perfectly or improve the fit of a button-up. With the impact of streetwear, the aim isn't perfection anymore; it’s about comfort. That’s a significant advancement.

Fashion Meets Function: The Tech Behind It

Close-up of blue athletic fabric with mesh paneling and visible stitching, showing the breathable and flexible texture used in modern shapewear and training shirts. — Modern shapewear fabrics use mesh paneling and stretch technology to support movement and breathability — a big upgrade from the stiff materials of older styles. (Source: Lululemon. Mesh Panelled Training Long Sleeve Shirt – Wild Indigo, 2025. *https://shop.lululemon.com*)

Modern shapewear is crafted from different materials than traditional shapewear. Nowadays, it incorporates smart fabrics, moisture control, and seamless construction.

Some brands even use cooling technology or compression zones that adjust to your movement. For example, Lululemon’s License to Train line uses technical fabric that supports without feeling tight. This is perfect for guys who want something that works at the gym and under streetwear.

It’s also way more inclusive now. Shapewear brands are designing for all body types and sizes, which is a big deal. The message has now shifted from “fix yourself” to “be who you are.”

What This Says About Men’s Style

Man dressed in a dark brown tailored suit, hat, and pink socks, sitting outdoors with a Louis Vuitton bag beside him — showing a mix of classic formality and personal flair. — Tailored suits once defined men’s power and precision in fashion — sharp lines, structure, and sophistication that represented the traditional “ideal” look. (Source: “Men’s tailored brown suit street style.” FlyPublic, 2025. https://www.flypublic.com)

Man wearing a white T-shirt, green bomber jacket, and wide-leg jeans while leaning against a tan vintage car with a plaid scarf on the trunk, showing a relaxed streetwear style. — *Modern men’s fashion embraces baggy jeans and relaxed fits, a look that values comfort and individuality over strict tailoring. (Source: “Baggy streetwear look.” Pinterest, 2025.* *https://www.pinterest.com*)

If you think about it, men’s shapewear perfectly sums up the evolution of men’s fashion. Before, confidence came from structure, from looking sharp and put-together. Now, it comes from comfort and authenticity.

Tailored clothes used to be a way to look powerful and hide insecurities. Today, the idea of confidence looks more real. It’s about being relaxed in your own skin, knowing you look good without feeling restricted.

That’s what shapewear helps with now: not changing how your body looks, but changing how you feel in your clothes.

Why It Matters

The evolution of men’s shapewear isn’t just about clothes. It’s about how men view themselves.

Fashion is finally catching up to the idea that guys can care about their appearance and comfort, and there's nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing “unmanly” about wanting your shirt to lay flat or your posture to be straighter.

So, whether you wear a compression tank under your dress shirt or just stick to your favorite oversized tee, it’s all part of the same story: one where men’s fashion has gone from tight and formal to open and expressive.

Confidence doesn’t come from structure anymore. It comes from comfort and choice.