For years, shapewear has been the invisible layer—something you wear under your clothes and hope nobody notices. But fashion evolves, and so has the role of shaping pieces. From the catwalk to street style, structured, compression-inspired garments are stepping out from underneath and into the spotlight. Here's how to wear shapewear as a statement, not just support.

The shapewear-as-fashion trend

Designers have embraced the structured, athletic aesthetic—think visible compression layers, body-conscious silhouettes, and pieces that blur the line between innerwear and outerwear. This trend celebrates the body rather than hiding it, and it gives shapewear a bold new purpose: self-expression.

How to style it as outerwear

The compression top as statement layer: Pair a sleek compression tank or muscle-enhancement top with a high-waist skirt or tailored trousers.…