We all have everyday undergarment go-tos: comfy bralettes, soft cotton undies, performance sports bras. But for moments when you want extra support or smoothing, the best shapewear, expertly-designed, can make all the difference.
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Shapewear for women helps to elevate your wardrobe by providing quick solutions to any number of undergarment conundrums. Whether you’re seeking extra support under your party dress, or simply looking for everyday comfort, our curated selection offers the perfect solution. From sculpting bodysuits to seamless bras, these pieces provide the ideal foundation for any outfit.
High-rise thongs and shaping briefs bring confidence to body-skimming fabrics, helping you feel your best, while versatile bodysuits can be styled with trousers or skirts. No matter the outfit or occasion at hand, keep scrolling to discover the best shapewear for women; from bras to underwear, slips to skirts to corsets and more.
Bodysuits
If you haven’t already added a bodysuit to your arsenal, then let this be your sign to get stocked-up. Perfect as an extra layer or a comfortable alternative to a bra, a well-made bodysuit can do more than simply sculpt. While offerings from Spanx and M&S are ideal under-layers, styles from Wolford and Skims can be dressed up and worn as sleek outer-layers.
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Underwear
While a VPL isn’t the end of the world, it’s nice to know it can be avoided when desired. When worn under a pair of tailored trousers or a silky skirt, the pair of seamless underwear sits flat against the skin and allows your clothes to move freely against the fabric, making them ideal for everyday dressing. Compression underwear, however, comes into its own when more formal (or form-fitting) attire is on the agenda, creating a smooth line around the hips, stomach and waist so tighter clothing can sit more comfortably on the body.
Shorts
Not only do shorts cinch, shape and smooth, but they can also act as a security layer when you want to wear something that’s at risk of riding up. Choose between M&S’s ultra high-waist pair that come all the way up to the bust and secures the entire body, or opt for Skims’s mid-length shorts – a favourite among fashion insiders.
Tops
Offering coverage beneath sheer fabrics or lightly smoothing your figure without constricting, these tank tops are a more relaxed version of shapewear that can make all the difference to your enjoyment of getting dressed. Opt for Hanro for silky smooth textures, or choose Spanx if you’re looking to sculpt.
Slips
Top tip? Select your slip depending on the shape of your top-layer garment. Be it scoop-neck, strapless or something with a lower cut, watch your ensemble transform once you find the matching silhouette.
Bras
Of course, comfort is key when it comes to bras, which is why we’ve selected the below brands that all come up trumps for designs that don’t dig in and won’t leave you with red marks at the end of the day. Or, if you’re looking for something more specific, then take a look at our deep dive into the best bras for women.
Corsets
Corsets help exaggerate curves and accentuate the waist for a sleek, sculpted silhouette. What’s more, they are often made from smooth, silky fabrics which allow garments to slip smoothly over them to avoid any materials clinging to unwanted areas. Whether you opt for boudoir glamour with Fleur du Mal’s bustier, or choose Skims’s hook-and-eye fastened waist trainer, we assure you that these corsets are a far-cry from the restrictive constructions of the Victorian era.
Skirts
In the era of naked dresses and sheer skirts, sometimes an added layer will help you make the most of your more daring pieces. Form-fitting dresses and skirts can also benefit from the magical smoothing effect that our edit of skirts possesses.
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When should I wear shapewear?
It’s perhaps most common to reach for shapewear when dressing for a formal event. A sculpting corset or bodysuit can help dresses to sit smoothly or drape over the body in the desired way and, in some cases, can even work towards improving your posture. Now that party season is underway, it’s the perfect time to delve into the world of shapewear and experiment with different types of undergarments. While a cinching corset can help finesse an hourglass silhouette, a silky under-skirt can help fabrics to move smoothly over the body, rather than clinging to the skin. You can also opt for compression shorts or sculpting pants, depending on the style of your party dress.
For the everyday, a high-waisted, seamless pair of pants is ideal under trousers and skirts made from tight or lightweight materials. Likewise, a seamless bra is a wise choice for when you want to avoid obvious straps and textured materials being seen under fitted tops. Shapewear really comes into its own when layered under semi-sheer items and skirts and dresses with high hemlines. A shirt that you might have originally deemed inappropriate for the office becomes the ideal smart-casual piece when layered over a camisole. And as for that skirt you’ve been avoiding wearing for fear of it riding up? Simply pull on a pair of shaping shorts and you’ll feel able to tackle even the windiest of days without a worry.
How tight should shapewear fit?
If you’ve ever witnessed shapewear off the body, then you will be aware of how alarmingly small it can look. While different brands and products vary in this department, the fact of the matter is that most garments will look small and feel tight – especially on the first couple of wears. Fear not, as this is in order for the compression and lifting properties to work effectively. That said, after a few wears, good quality shapewear will retain its compression but loosen ever-so-slightly in any places that need a little more wiggle room – just like a good bra, it should mould to your body over time. If your shapewear feels at all painful or leaves red marks, then you will likely need to size up – we recommend reading product descriptions and trying on a range of pieces to find a level of compression that works for you and makes you feel your best.
Is it better to size up or down in shapewear?
The best brands should fit true to size. Keeping in mind that shapewear is supposed to fit tighter than everyday attire, we recommend reading product descriptions carefully so you can understand how the product is designed and which areas it should feel tighter or looser in. Also, remember to consider how and when you will be wearing your new shapewear – if you are buying a camisole to simply act as a modest layer under a sheer top, you might not need it to fit as tightly as shapewear worn under a form-fitting dress. If you can, it’s best to try a couple of sizes on with the outfit you are planning to wear, and make sure to refer to the brand’s sizing chart to ensure the best fit for your body type.