The Best Shapewear, According to a Fashion and Film Industry Tailor

Shapewear has a long history. In the 1300s, it’s believed people wore leather belts to cinch in their waists. Corsets came later, made from stiff paste, metal, then linen and whale bones. The desire to smooth out lumps and bumps while adding contour to our silhouettes has existed for—almost as long as we’ve been getting dressed.

Shapewear today is less constrictive and painful than the shapewear of yore and is now available in breathable, soft fabrics that feel more like a hug than a vice grip. (It’s the more practical cousin of lingerie and the more productive cousin of underwear.) If you’re in the market for some shapewear for yourself, here are some things to consider.

Our top picks for the best shapewear for women

Best tummy control shapewear: Invisible High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Short

Spanx continues to be a leader in women’s shapewear offering a wide range of undergarments in varying weights. The brand’s Thinstincts collection is made from a lightweight, single-layer fabric that’s both breathable and supportive. The high-waisted shorts extend up to under the bust for a smooth, comfortable fit, with no panty lines anywhere, and tummy control.

Specifications:

• Sizes: XS–3X
• Colors: Café au lait, black, champagne beige, chestnut brown
• Material: Lycra

Pros:

• Ultra-thin fabric
• Minimal seams
• No visible panty lines

Cons:

• Difficult to remove for bathroom needs

The bottom line:

High waisted, lightweight, single layer shapewear shorts from Spanx.

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Best shapewear top: Maidenform Comfort Devotion Shapewear Cami

The Maidenform Cami features a two-ply panel at the stomach area as well as back control for a smooth, sleek shape. The fabric has wicking technology to keep moisture away from your skin. And, it's stylish enough to wear on its own. This is not just another white tank.

Specifications:

• Sizes: S–2XL
• Colors: Black, latte, white
• Material: Nylon and elastane

Pros:

• Enough support that you may not need a bra
• Good range of sizes

Cons:

• Not as many color choices as some others
• Limited color choices

The bottom line:

Shapewear camisole that can be worn on its own from Maidenform with great support and moisture wicking properties in a wide range of sizes.

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Best shaping tank top: Shapermint Scoop Neck Compression Cami

This compression camisole from Shapermint takes care of the dreaded muffin top while also providing compression in the tummy area and support in the bust. It’s made from an opaque, supportive fabric that doesn’t roll and it comes in a range of fun colors, and can be worn with or without a bra. While shapewear in general may not be as comfortable as your favorite pair of pajamas, reviewers have praised the lightweight fabric for all-day wear. Tip: Choose beige for an option that won’t show through under white t-shirts and other light-colored tops.

Specifications:

• Sizes: S–4XL
• Colors: Black, beige, white, chocolate, pink, green, red, lilac
• Material: Nylon, spandex

Pros:

• Holds up well to washings
• Stays in place
• Comfortable for all-day wear
• Good range of sizes

Cons:

• Flattens the chest a bit

The bottom line:

Shapewear tank in a range of colors made from opaque, supportive fabric with excellent compression abilities.

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Best plus-size shapewear: Lane Bryant Shape by Cacique Open Bust Thigh Shaper

This open bust shaper bodysuit from Lane Bryant contours your curves from midsection to thigh. It’s seamless in the thigh area with a split gusset design. It’s also lightweight and comfortable, though, if you have thinner thighs, the fit can be tricky.

Specifications:

• Sizes: 14/16–34/36
• Colors: Café, black
• Material: nylon, spandex

Pros:

• Supportive
• Good plus-size size range

Cons:

• Can be difficult to get on
• Limited colors

The bottom line:

Open bust body shaper with firm tummy and thigh support from Lane Bryant.

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Best shapewear for lower belly pooch: Maidenform Tame Your Tummy Shaping Briefs

Maidenform Tame Your Tummy briefs provide control for your stomach, waist, and rear with its smooth, “Cool Comfort” moisture-wicking fabric. The bottom of the panty is made from lace for extra ventilation—great for warm summer days. The waistband stays in place without rolling or digging in.

Specifications:

• Sizes: S–2XL
• Colors: 15 options
• Material: Polyester, spandex

Pros:

• Lots of colors
• Lace on bottom offers a nice detail and ventilation

Cons:

• Lace portion doesn’t really have any support
• Seams can be visible through thinner fabrics
• Some report that the briefs run small

The bottom line:

Tummy smoothing briefs made with lace and a smooth spandex panel across the top from Maidenform.

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Best butt-lifting shapewear: Nebility Butt Lifter Shapewear

This high-waisted, tummy-control shaper brief features full butt shape stitching which tightens and lifts, giving you an hourglass shape. The midsection is equipped with four spiral steel bones for optimal control, while preventing the brief from rolling down, for a corset-like fit.

Specifications:

• Sizes: S–3XL
• Colors: beige, black
• Material: polyester, spandex

Pros:

• Breathable fabric
• Maximum shaping
• Affordable price

Cons:

• Not exactly the most comfortable option on the list
• Can take longer to put on due to hook and eye closures
• Closures and seams may be visible under thin or clingy fabrics
• Have to take off the entire shaper to use the bathroom

The bottom line:

High waisted tummy control briefs with butt shape stitching for a lifting effect.

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Best shapewear leggings: Wolford Aurora Light Shape Leggings

The price may seem a bit high for these light-shaping leggings, but Wolford products do last much longer than other brands. Their tights, hose, and leggings for women are made from some of the strongest fibers available and rarely run, snag, or tear. I only wear Wolford when it comes to legwear and these leggings are a favorite that I go back to year after year. They have a wide panel at the waist that lightly shapes and contours and, like many Wolford products, they are circular knitted, which means minimal seams.

Specifications:

• Sizes: XS-L
• Colors: 8 options including red, black, and gray
• Material: Polyamide, elastane
• Price range: $159.00 - $265.00

Pros:

• Great color options
• Durable
• Minimal seams
• Can be worn as pants

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not the widest range of sizes

The bottom line:

Luxurious and extremely durable leggings with light shaping and wide waist panel from Wolford.

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Best strapless shapewear bodysuit: Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Shaping Bodysuit

For this shapewear bodysuit, Wacoal combined its Red Carpet bra and high-waist briefs to create a smoothing, supportive garment to wear under strapless, show-stopping garments. There’s a hook-and-eye closure between the legs for convenience and a power mesh front lining for added support.

Specifications:

• Sizes: 34B–40DDD
• Colors: black, white
• Material: nylon, spandex

Pros:

• Includes removable straps
• Excellent support in bust

Cons:

• Fit can be difficult in the torso area, make sure to double-check size chart
• On the expensive side

The bottom line:

Strapless shapewear bodysuit from Wacoal with for all your formal, red carpet dress looks.

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Best shapewear thong: Skims Seamless Sculpt Mid-Waist Thong

These thong panties sit at the natural waist and feature an inner silicone underband to prevent rolling. Seamless with strong compression, these mid-waist thongs help to smooth and sculpt. That they’re available in 10 shades to mimic any skin tone means everyone can find the best shade for them—even under white jeans

Specifications:

• Sizes: XXS–4XL
• Colors: 10 different colors for a wide range of skin tones
• Material: Nylon, spandex

Pros:

• Wide size range
• Many colors to choose from

Cons:

• Some reviewers report they roll down at the waist
• Skims products tend to sell out quickly

The bottom line:

Mid waist thong from Skims with strong, firm compression available in a range of sizes and colors.

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What to consider when buying shapewear

What do you plan to wear your shapewear under?

Shapewear comes in many styles and iterations. If you’re looking for something to go under a specific dress, take that dress with you to try on options. If you’re interested in more everyday type items that can be worn with a variety of garments, look for shapewear camisoles and briefs.

What areas of your body do you want to target?

Many shapewear options are designed to target a specific area of your body, such as your tummy or butt. There are options with mid-thigh length shorts that also contour the upper legs, as well as brief styles that focus on the midsection.

How much compression are you comfortable with?

Most brands sell items with varying levels of compression from light to very firm. To figure out what’s best for you, you’ll need to try on your shapewear. Make sure to move around, sit down, and bend to ensure a proper fit.

How to choose the best shapewear for you

Remember that different outfits can require different shaping garments and it’s important to try on your shapewear with the clothing that you intend to wear with it. You also want to consider how much compression you want. The stretchier the fabric, the more give it will have. If you’re going for a sculpted, smooth look, choose something without a great deal of stretch. Lycra and nylon blends work well, as the Lycra provides the compression and the nylon gives the fabric a soft feel.

How we selected the best shapewear

Professional Experience

In addition to my work as a writer, my other career is working as a tailor and pattern maker for film, television, bridal, and fashion for the past 33 years. I have helped countless actresses, brides, and celebrities look and feel their best. In my decades on film sets and in dressing rooms, I’ve had actresses try on pretty much every shapewear garment there is and have received enough feedback on fit, comfort, and style to write a textbook—or two.

Expert Advice

I consulted other professional stylists for their valuable opinions and advice on choosing shapewear for their clients.

Online Customer Reviews

I read through countless online customer reviews from a range of sites to make sure my selections proved helpful to a wide range of people.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do I find the best shapewear fit?

To find the best shapewear fit, you’re going to have to try on a range of options. You don’t want your shapewear to be so tight it causes stomach issues or pain—there’s a reason corsets fell out of fashion. Also, be aware of any places where rubbing or chafing may occur when trying things on.

“Identify your body measurements and problem areas you want to smooth out,” says Mikara Reid, CEO at personal stylist at MIIEN (pronounced mean) Consultancy where she “helps professionals be and wear a better version of themselves.”

Reid says that having your fashion system in place and knowing the goal of what you want to solve with your problem area will lead you to choose shapewear that will benefit you for the long term.

How do I know the right size for shapewear?

You should buy your size when purchasing shapewear. Consult the sizing charts for different brands as, like most everything else in fashion, they can differ wildly from label to label.

“Oftentimes people purchase a size too small because they think it should be extremely tight which is not the case,” explains Hailey Rizzo, founder of the style blog and YouTube channel, Feeling Good as Hail, “Shapewear shouldn't be super uncomfortable. If it’s too tight it can roll down so try on multiple sizes if needed.”

Scarlett De Bease, personal stylist at Scarlett Image Consulting often suggests an alternative to super compressive shapewear to her clients. She encourages them to size up in their clothing.

“Then the clinging and billowing are gone,” she says. “It also means being more comfortable and having the ability to eat while not worrying about the dreaded roll-down, buttons popping and zippers unzipping.”

She recommends wearing clothes that skim your widest part which helps you look thinner than when squeezing into shapewear.

“Which,” she says, “Makes us (she’s including herself in this) more fun to be around.”

How do you keep shapewear from rolling down?

To prevent shapewear from rolling down, make sure to purchase the correct size. Also, ensure it has a silicone non-slip underband at the openings. This will grip your skin and help the shapewear stay in place.

When clients inform Reid of this problem, she finds that, often the culprit is high waisted shapewear that is not fitted correctly around the rib cage.

“It might be stretched too tight because the size is too small. Or it might not be gripping well because it is a little bit too big,” she explains. Both problems cause the same outcome.

A tip she learned while taking some FIT NYC fashion classes and interning is to use hairspray on the inside of the band to help keep it from sliding or rolling down. This only really works if you know you are not going to sweat or get caught in any rain. Another trick she’s used while on photoshoots is to put a safety pin at the top of the support and attach it to the middle part of the bra.

Boning and thicker fabrics will also sometimes help to keep shapewear in place.