The shapewear aisle is undergoing a radical transformation. For decades, the goal was to compress, cinch, and slim. But a new sub-genre is flipping the script, focusing on adding volume rather than subtracting it. This week, Marks & Spencer dropped a £28 bodysuit with exaggerated hip padding, designed to create an hourglass illusion—no surgery required.
Think of it as 'chicken fillets' for your hips. The suit features discreet pockets on each side where you can insert enhancer pads, allowing you to customize your curve level. It's a clever, low-commitment way to test-drive a new silhouette.
From Runway to Real Life
The trend isn't coming out of nowhere. High-fashion runways have been obsessed with reconstructed silhouettes. At Schiaparelli, creative director Daniel Roseberry used visible and invisible padding to inflate hips and whittle waists. Meanwhile, Dior and Alaïa resurrected the 18th-century pannier—those rigid side hoops—to create dresses so wide you'd have to turn sideways through a doorway.
Celebrities are on board too. At the Met Gala, Kim Kardashian rocked a fibreglass breastplate, while Kylie and Kendall Jenner opted for molded corsets with amplified hips. Singers Rosalía and Teyana Taylor have embraced tulip-like silhouettes, and the look is expected to dominate the Venice Film Festival red carpet.
Why Now? The Body Politics of 2026
The rise of enhancing shapewear coincides with a cultural moment where bodies are more malleable than ever. With the widespread use of GLP-1 drugs and a surge in cosmetic procedures, the ideal body has become a moving target. As Victoria Pitts-Taylor, professor at Wesleyan University, notes, 'Weight-loss medications have changed many bodies dramatically, but they don’t automatically deliver conventional, ideal beauty.'
This creates a paradox: to be thin in some areas and curvy in others often requires sculpting—whether in a dressing room with fabric or an operating room with scalpels. The result is a trompe l'oeil effect that's dominating both runways and red carpets.
The 'Hip Dip' Fixation
Online, many users claim such padding can minimize 'hip dips'—the natural inward curve between hipbone and thigh. While body positivity movements have tried to normalize this anatomy, the beauty industry sees it as a problem to solve. The M&S bodysuit is just the latest solution.
A Brief History of Padding
This isn't a new idea. Ali Bodley, curator of the 'Shaping The Body' exhibition at York Castle Museum, points out that everyone from Queen Elizabeth I to the Victorians played with proportions. Long before Skims, there were 'bum shops'—stores specializing in padding for the posterior.
M&S itself has dabbled before, with padded bum shorts and even stick-on nipples. The new hip boost is a natural evolution.
Comparison: Padding vs. Traditional Shapewear
| Feature | Enhancing Shapewear | Compressing Shapewear |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Add volume | Slim & smooth |
| Mechanism | Pockets with pads | Elastic compression |
| Effect on silhouette | Creates curves | Reduces curves |
| Example | M&S Hip Boost Bodysuit | High-waist shaper shorts |
The Critics Weigh In
Not everyone is thrilled. Psychotherapist Susie Orbach calls the trend 'grotesque,' arguing it puts women in a position where they are 'constantly having to create a body.' Pitts-Taylor adds that while celebrities used to be aspirational, today social media pressures everyday people to be image-minded.
'The beauty ideal seems to promise belonging, being valued and successful,' she says. Orbach reminds us that there's no such thing as an ideal body shape—the parameters are always shifting. 'As soon as you get there, it is wrong.'
FAQ
What is a hip boost bodysuit?
A bodysuit with padded inserts at the hips to create an hourglass figure, similar to padded bras.
How does hip padding work?
Pockets on each side hold foam or silicone pads that add volume, giving the illusion of wider hips.
Is this trend new?
No, padding has been used for centuries, from 18th-century panniers to Victorian bustles.
Does it help with hip dips?
Many users say yes, as the padding fills the natural curve, creating a smoother line.
Is it comfortable?
Depends on the brand, but modern designs focus on breathable fabrics and flexible padding for everyday wear.
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