The 15 Best Shapewear Pieces for Looking and Feeling Great

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Shapewear is an essential component of each and every wardrobe. These pieces build the foundation of any outfit, and are designed to make you look and feel great. It’s not always easy to find the most comfortable shapewear, but once you do, it pays off.

Whether it’s a slipdress or compression shorts, shapewear comes in all sorts of silhouettes. Caroline Maguire, fashion director at Shopbop, has some advice for picking out the best pieces for you. “Look for styles that offer the support you’re looking for without compromising comfort,” she says. “I always like to go for tagless styles for ultimate comfort. Finding shapewear pieces with quality, durable fabric is also very important.” Keeping all that in mind, we searched high and low for the most comfortable and durable styles. And from Spanx to Skims to Wolford to Commando, we found shaping and sculpting styles from all our favorite brands.

Below, shop our edit of the 15 best shapewear pieces to accentuate your figure while making you feel your very best.

High-Waist Thigh Shaper

A high-waisted pair of shorts is a shapewear staple. Maguire says, “This is my go-to shapewear short. I love that they can double as biker shorts. Throw an oversize tee over them and your favorite trainers, and you have an easy, casual look for summer activities.”

Sizes: S/M–1X/2X

Colors: Black, almond

Sleek Bodysuit

Lively’s black bodysuit is as versatile as it gets. Wear this with jeans or slacks, and throw a blazer over it for a complete outfit. The adjustable straps make for an even more custom fit.

Sizes: XS–L

Colors: Jet black

What reviewers are saying: “This is so comfortable and supportive. It has enough elasticity to light support but still be comfortable. The fabric is sleek and a little shiny.”

Control Briefs

Another favorite brand of Maguire’s, Commando makes smoothing briefs. “The no-pants trend is everywhere right now. These briefs from Commando and Yummie are great options if you’re looking to register the trend for yourself, ” she says. “Just style them with transparent black tights and you’re good to go.”

Sizes: XS–XL

Colors: Black, mocha, caramel, almond

Undie-tectable Smoothing Thong

It’s no surprise Spanx is making the cut. Our senior features editor Ariana Marsh notes: “I’ve only worn shapewear once, when I was a bridesmaid—I wore a very soft pink slipdress that clung to my body around my waist, so I decided to wear a Spanx smoothing thong. It helped me feel more comfortable in the dress and was very comfortable!”

Sizes: XS–3X

Colors: Soft nude, café au lait, very black, powder, and more

What reviewers are saying: “These are exactly what I needed as someone who doesn’t need full-coverage Spanx. They fit perfectly and were comfortable.”

Straight Laced Shaping Bodysuit

With intricate floral patterns and an underwire detail for added support, Wolford’s lacy bodysuit is so pretty, you’ll want to show it off.

Sizes: XSA–LD

Colors: Black, red glow

The Cooling

A common misconception about shapewear is that it will make you overheat. Thigh Society is dispelling that notion, delivering an extremely lightweight piece in moisture-wicking performance fabric.

Sizes: XS/S–XL/XXL

Colors: Blush, rosette, lilac, indigo, and more

What reviewers are saying: “I purchased these for an outdoor wedding in Phoenix. They were so comfortable and cool that when I got home I ordered two more.”

Seamless Sculpt Mid-Thigh Bodysuit

Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand has taken over the shapewear market, and for good reason. “I recently purchased this cinching nude bodysuit to wear under a transparent dress, and it was so much more comfy and practical than I ever imagined,” says senior news editor Rosa Sanchez. “It also has a very funny cutout so you can use the restroom without taking it off, which is iconic of Kim.”

Sizes: XXS–4XL

Colors: Onyx, cocoa, sienna, sand, and more

What reviewers are saying: “I got the size I typically wear and it was a bit of a struggle to get it on, but once on it’s like I had nothing on, I could breathe and it wasn’t digging into my skin either. I would 100% recommend to anyone!”

Seamless Power Sculpting Mid-Thigh Short

Spanx has another fan in associate beauty commerce editor Tiffany Dodson. “To keep everything looking as smooth as possible under a fitted dress or skirt, I almost always reach for these easy mid-thigh shorts from Spanx—I currently own two of the four colors they’re available in,” she says. “They provide light compression that feels like a hug, and are as comfortable to wear as my favorite pair of bike shorts.”

Sizes: S–3XL

Colors: Café au lait, chestnut brown, soft nude, very black

What reviewers are saying: “The fit and the material were everything to me. I love that it sucks in all the right places while also being breathable without feeling overly tight.”

Crafted Elegance Long-Sleeved Bodysuit

With a deep neckline, this long-sleeved Intimissimi bodysuit can be worn with or without a bra.

Sizes: S–L

Colors: Black, blueberry

Suit Your Fancy Plunge Bodysuit

It’s not always easy to find something to wear under those dresses with plunging necklines and low backs. Spanx’s mid-thigh body suit delivers full coverage while remaining invisible.

Sizes: XS–L

Colors: Champagne beige, very black, linen, café au lait

What reviewers are saying: “Got this to wear under my wedding dress since I needed an underwire bra. It’s the perfect shape since I needed something with a low cut in the front and back. Highly recommend!”

Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Cropped T-Shirt

This tee is made of ultra-soft and breathable material, so even though it holds your shape, it doesn’t feel constricting at all.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colors: Mojave tan, glaze pink, white, Sinatra blue, and more

What reviewers are saying: “This top was recommended to me by a friend who was raving about it. So far, I have only worn this one time, and I know it’s going to be a staple top for me. It fits wonderfully, and I absolutely love the material. I am definitely looking to buy this same top in another color.”

SuperPower Brief

Honey Love’s briefs are a fan favorite, with over 3,000 great reviews. These briefs are meant to compress and hug all in the right places without cutting into your skin.

Sizes: XS–3XL

Colors: Sand, runway, mocha, vamp, and more

What reviewers are saying: “I was hesitant to buy this as it was more expensive than other options in the market but I’m glad I trusted the reviews and purchased this. I’m three weeks post my second c-section and wanted the compression like my adjustable belly band but less bulky under my clothes. This shapewear does a great job of holding me in while keeping discreet.”

Scoop-Tank Shapewear Bodysuit

Here’s a classic tank bodysuit that has a built-in, wire-free, power mesh bra and additionally smooths and enhances your body. This bodysuit also has breathable fabric that allows for a comfortable fit.

Sizes: S–3XL

Colors: Black, bone

What reviewers are saying: “After over a year, I finally made my purchase and I am so happy with it! It’s not so tight where it’s uncomfortable, holds the girls in, so soft and makes my body have a nice shape. I can’t wait to buy more!”

Sculpting Bodysuit

For an affordable yet functional bodysuit, we turn to Quince. The plunging design works with multiple necklines, and the targeted compression shapes you where you want it to.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colors: Black, sienna, clay

What reviewers are saying: “This is an all in one! It works for support in all areas—no need for a bra. And the low back means you can wear it with dresses with open backs. I love the neutral colors.”

Scoop-Tank Hourglass Thong Bodysuit

A built-in bra and bottom closure for easy bathroom breaks are two of the features that make this bodysuit so great. The thoughtful construction ensures this is a piece that will last you a while.

Sizes: XS–L

Colors: Jet black

What reviewers are saying: “These bodysuits are the highest quality I’ve tried, and I’ve bought a range of several trending brands. The fabric is really nice and is reinforced inside with paneling. It is definitely snug like what you’d want from shapewear and could be worn without layering.”

What to look for when choosing shapewear?

When it comes to shapewear, you will want to consider how you plan to use it first and foremost. Are you shopping for a specific dress, which would require a lower neckline or fuller thigh coverage? Or are you looking for a piece you could wear every day, even on its own, like a long-sleeved bodysuit? How you intend to wear the piece will determine the cut you want. Then you want to look for a material that is soft and stretchy, like a modal or spandex blend. Finally, prioritize comfort. Shapewear might be designed to hold you in, but that doesn’t mean it has to do so uncomfortably. Read reviews, try different pieces, and find the style that’s best for you.

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