SHAPEWEAR has come a long way since the days of suffocating corsets cutting off the circulation.
These days, it’s evolved into comfortable pieces that can make you feel more confident than ever, in the form of bodysuits, shorts and briefs — and we’ve tested some of the best shapewear on the market
Good shapewear can work on every body shape, from smoothing out lumps and bumps to holding in the stomach and making legs appear slimmer.
Whether you’re looking to accentuate your waist, flatten your stomach or achieve a sculpted figure that would make Kim Kardashian proud, there’s shapewear out there to help you feel your best.
The right shapewear will be tight enough to hold everything in place but not restrictive, and some can also prevent chafing.
Weddings and special occasions are always a popular time for pulling out the shapewear, as plenty of styles pair perfectly with long dresses – while being completely invisible beneath clothing.
Scroll on to read our thoughts on the tried-and-tested shapewear for every occasion.
Best shapewear at a glance:
- Best overall shapewear: Spanx Strapless Cupped Mid-Thigh Bodysuit, £155
- Best budget shapewear: Marks and Spencer Magicwear Waist Cincher & Thigh Slimmer, £35
- Best tummy control shapewear: Spanx Shape Invisible Mid-Thigh Short, £60
- Best for bigger busts: Pour Moi Superfit Full Cup Tummy Control Bodyshaper, £40
How I tested
I wore the smoothing shapewear for between several hours and a whole day to determine the support, comfort, appearance and most of all, how well it shaped the figure.
I tested the pieces mainly beneath long dresses to see if it would improve the look of lumps and bumps, suck me in and enhance the silhouette.
Negative features such a invisible pant lines and uncomfortable compression were also on my radar while I was testing.
I also considered how difficult the items were to put on and take off, how easy they were to wear (could you go to the loo without having to totally undress), the stretch of the fabric and how breathable it was, any cooling technology and whether seams showed through clothes.
Best shapewear for women
Spanx Shape Invisible Mid-Thigh Short
Spanx Shape Invisible Mid-Thigh Short, £60
Pros: Sucks in the stomach and legs, seamless beneath clothes, comfortable, anti-chafing
Cons: Not the most attractive to wear
Rating: 5/5
I don’t think I’ve ever felt as snatched as I did wearing Spanx’s Invisible Mid-Thigh Shorts.
Firstly, the shorts are completely invisible beneath clothing, with a seamless finish to the leg and no sign of VPL.
I loved how it smoothed out any lumps and bumps, while my legs felt completely sucked in.
Shorts are far easier to get on and off than other types of shapewear, and I didn’t once feel like I was being suffocated throughout the day.
They’re made with Lycra and tummy control panels for added shape, along with a cotton gusset for comfort.
While I did feel slightly like Bridget Jones wearing them, they didn’t roll down at all due to the silicone waistband, and the breathable fabric is thin and moisture-wicking.
They’d also be a great choice for anyone who suffers with chafing, and I’ll be wearing mine for my next formal occasion.
Material: Body: 55% Nylon, 45% Lycra Elastane. Gusset: 100% Cotton Colour options: Four colours Support level: Medium compression Sizes: XS-3XL
Spanx Strapless Cupped Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
Spanx Strapless Cupped Mid-Thigh Bodysuit, £155
Pros: Removable straps, clear straps included, lightly padded bra ups, gusset, smooths out lumps and bumps, anti-chafing, no VPL
Cons: Quite difficult to get on, expensive
Rating: 5/5
Spanx’s Mid-Thigh Bodysuit is a great option for those wanting support in every area.
I love that it comes with lightly padded cups for shaping around the bust, with removable straps that can be worn in several ways, including cross-cross and racerback, to work with whatever you’re wearing.
The bodysuit comes down to the mid-thigh, again cinching the leg and preventing any chafing.
While I did find this one a challenge to put on (which could be down to be opting for a size too small), I loved how it felt once I’d managed to wriggle into it.
A longer cut means there’s no risk of VPL, and I could instantly notice how much it smoothed out my hips and stomach.
The soft gusset is designed to make going to the toilet easier, and while I probably would prefer a clasp closure, it means there’s no risk of the shapewear popping open while on the dancefloor.
Material: Body: 51% Elastane, 49% Nylon. Wing Lining: 72% Nylon, 28% Elastane. Gusset: 80% Nylon, 20% Elastane Colour options: Two colours Support level: Strong compression Sizes: XS-XL
Marks and Spencer Magicwear Waist Cincher & Thigh Slimmer
Marks and Spencer Magicwear Waist Cincher & Thigh Slimmer, £35
Pros: Waist cinching, thigh slimming, anti-chafing, affordable
Cons: Shorts roll down slightly
Rating: 5/5
M&S’s Magicwear Waist Cincher & Thigh Slimmer does exactly what it says on the tin; makes your thighs and waist look a little smoother and smaller.
When I first tried the high-street shapewear on, I was concerned that they wouldn’t fit well.
It was easy to step into them, but getting them over my hips and stomach was challenging due to the intensity of the tummy control technology.
One of the best things about these shorts is that the waistband goes all the way up to just below your bra.
This means that there’s no big gap in your underwear and no random bulges where shapewear stops – leading to a smooth, seamless silhouette.
In other words, you won’t be able to tell you have shapewear on, especially because the fabric is mostly seamless.
The thigh control isn’t as intense as the stomach control, but that’s not actually a bad thing; if the compression was too strong around the thighs, it would cause fat to spill out from the bottom of the shorts.
My thighs did look slightly slimmer, but I found that the shorts mainly helped with keeping my tummy under control, beating thigh jiggles as I walked and preventing chafing.
Even though the material feels quite thick, I didn’t overheat due to the clever moisture-wicking Cool Comfort technology.
Material: 62% polyamide, 38% elastane, Colour options: Five colours, Shapewear type: Shorts, Support level: Firm compression, Sizes: 8-22
Yitty Nearly Naked Shaping High Waist Short
Yitty Nearly Naked Shaping High Waist Short, £49 (£14.70 for members)
Pros: Fashionable, waistline doesn’t roll down, stretchy, comfortable, seamless, recycled fabric, moisture-wicking, flattering, variety of colourways, variety of sizes
Cons: Sizes run small
Rating: 5/5
The Yitty Shaping Shorts look just like regular biker shorts and could be worn with a pair of cool ’90s dad trainers and an oversized tee without looking out of place.
Not only are they trendy, but they’re also great for beating chafing and, of course, sculpting your bum and thighs.
I found these shorts to be incredibly flattering on the stomach, bum and thighs, without any obvious contouring seams or panels.
They also lifted my bum, slimmed my thighs and supported my tummy without any restriction.
Plus, the clingy clear silicone band (with the Yitty logo repeated all the way across) on the inside of the waistband ensures that the shorts stay up and don’t roll down — without digging into your skin.
Material: 52% Recycled nylon, 34% nylon, 14% elastane, Colour options: Six, Shapewear type: Shorts, Support level: Medium compression, Sizes: XS/S – 5X
Spanx Seamless Sculpt Thong Bodysuit
Spanx Seamless Sculpt Thong Bodysuit, £60
Pros: No VPL due to thong cut, looks like a swimming costume
Cons: No shaping for smaller busts, works better under jeans than dresses
Rating: 4/5
Despite having strong compression. Spanx’s thong bodysuit feels like a subtle shapewear that could be worn day-to-day rather than just for special occasions.
The thong ensures there’s no need to worry about VPL, while the adjustable straps don’t dig into the skin.
I didn’t think it would fit initially because of how absolutely tiny it looks on the hanger, but it stretches right out for a comfortable fit that doesn’t feel suffocating – and it looks far more attractive on than some other alternatives.
I didn’t like that the bust area has no shaping, although this may be preferred for some.
As for the shaping itself, I didn’t love how it looked under a dress, but it will be my go-to for when I’m wearing jeans – and I could also see it being worn as a top.
Material: 90% Nylon, 10% Elastane Colour options: Four colours Support level: Strong compression Sizes: S-3XL
Everybody Shape Enhancing Seamless Mid-Thigh Short
Everybody Shape Enhancing Seamless Mid Thigh Short, £18
Pros: Sticky waistband, affordable, comfortable, very high waist, seamless
Cons: Hard to get on, only three sizes
Ratings: 4/5
If the main areas you’re looking to sculpt are your bum, tummy and thighs, all you need is a simple pair of shapewear shorts like these ones from Very’s Everybody range.
While they might be snug, they don’t cause any unflattering fat bulges or overhang.
The shorts finish just a couple of inches above the knee and the waistband is so high that it reaches just below your bra band.
Not only did I feel more supported and sucked in, but my curves were enhanced and I felt slimmer all over.
The thing I love the most about these shorts is the clear clingy band of silicone around the waistband.
This addition ensures that the waistband stays in place and doesn’t drop or bunch up under your clothes.
I think these would work best under a maxi dress (I’ve worn them under my favourite silk slip dress because they’re seamless), but they could work under a mini dress too as long as the colour is a close enough match.
Material: Not stated, Colour options: Two colours Support level: Strong compression, Sizes: XXS-XS to 2XL/3XL
Pour Moi Superfit Full Cup Tummy Control Bodyshaper
Pour Moi Superfit Full Cup Tummy Control Bodyshaper, £40
Pros: Looks flattering on, lace detailing, tummy control front panel, underwired
Cons: Bra shaping not the best for smaller busts, shows VPL
Rating: 4/5
Pour Moi’s Bodysuit is one of the most attractive pieces, as it looks more like lingerie than shapewear.
It has lace detailing across the hems, with adjustable stripes and a hook and eye fastening underneath.
The bodysuit has underwiring and a full cup, but the lack of shaping and padding is not particularly flattering on smaller busts.
Featuring a firm tummy control font panel, it created a nice shape beneath my clothing, but my VPL was so obvious that I won’t be wearing it with tight dresses.
The shapewear looks lovely and is definitely best suited for those with a bigger bust, but it’s not one I’ll be reaching for to wear for special occasions.
Material: 91% Nylon 9% Elastane Colour options: Three colours Support level: Firm tummy control Sizes: 34B-42FF
Marks and Spencer Medium Control Secret Slimming Full Slip
Marks & Spencer Medium Control Secret Slimming Full Slip, £29.50
Pros: Doesn’t require a bra, really slimming and sculpting
Cons: Only available in two shades, thick straps limit the dresses you can wear it with
Rating: 4/5
As soon as I slipped into this little Marks & Spencer number, I felt instantly slimmed down and ready to hit the town. It’s super-flattering, sculpting and lifting, and you don’t need to wear a bra with it.
For me, this worked well under a few different mini-dresses; it’s seamless and has soft edges, so you can’t see it under your clothes.
Plus, the silky feel and shiny finish give it a luxurious feel, however, it wouldn’t work with a strapless dress (obviously) or a strappy slip dress because the straps are quite thick and would be visible.
Material: 63% polyamide, 37% elastane, Colour options: Rose quartz or black, Shapewear type: Slip, Support level: Medium control, Sizes: 8-24
Pour Moi Definitions Shapewear Tummy Control Strapless Body
Pour Moi Definitions Shapewear Tummy Control Strapless Body in Caramel, £13.80 (was £46)
Pros: Underwired, adjustable and removable straps, smoothing cups, hook fastening back, poppers, affordable, sizes based on cup and band size for perfect fit
Cons: Not based on dress size, so can be hard to find the right fit, slight VPL
Rating: 3/5
If you want a piece of shapewear that you can wear with almost any dress in your wardrobe — strapless or otherwise — you’ll be a fan of this one from Pour Moi.
Its main feature is the fact that you can adjust or totally remove the straps.
And, if you’re wearing a racerback, you could cross over the straps to ensure they’re covered.
This bodysuit made me feel more sucked in than usual and smoothed over bumpy areas.
However, while the seams do have a contouring effect, they will show through your clothes.
It’s a great choice for ladies with fuller busts though, since you’re able to tailor it to your exact cup and band size and the built-in bra is underwired for extra support.
And, it has an adjustable hook and eye back fastening so you can loosen the bodysuit over the day if it’s too tight. Clever, right?
Let’s not forget to mention the handy popper fastenings underneath, either.
Material: 88% polyamide, 12% elastane, Colour options: Black or caramel, Shapewear type: Bodysuit with bra sizing, Support level: Smoothing, Sizes: 32 to 38 band in cup sizes B to G
Best shapewear FAQs
What is shapewear?
Shapewear is literally what it says in the name; a garment worn underneath your clothes to shape and flatter your body.
Senior stylist at Threads, Millie Rich, describes shapewear as “an undergarment that helps smooth and sculpt your figure to accentuate your natural curves”.
Shapewear is usually made from stretchy and compressive fabric to enhance areas including the waist, thighs, legs, hips and bust.
It provides firm sculpting control that can become in the form of a bodysuit, shorts, camisoles and briefs.
In recent years, brands have put more of a focus on providing breathability, so that users can comfortably wear the pieces all day.
Where to buy shapewear
Shapewear might once have been available in fairly limited places, but these days there’s a huge amount of choice – making it admittedly quite hard to narrow down the best places to shop.
In our review of tried and tested pieces above, we found some high-quality shapewear available from several reliable retailers. We’ve listed them below so you’ve got them all in one place:
How much does shapewear cost?
As with any item of clothing, you’ll find shapewear at a range of price points, so it’s always good to start with a rough budget in mind.
M&S is a good option for budget-friendly shapewear: we really rate the Body Define Firm Control No VPL Full Briefs which are priced at just £15.
Premium shapewear brands like Spanx and Skims are more expensive: you’re looking at paying £132 for the Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Stretch-Jersey Body but its all-over body sculpting and plunge neckline really sets it apart.
Good shapewear doesn’t need to break the bank, but it’s important to figure out the areas that you wish to target before taking the plunge to get the most for your money.
How to choose the best shapewear
The type of shapewear you choose depends on the look you’re trying to achieve – and the occasion you need it for.
Be sure to pick the right size (the size you normally wear),
Shorts and leggings work to give the appearance of slimmer legs, high-waist knickers can do wonders for making tummies look flat, and a shapewear bodysuit will smooth the whole torso (that’s why it’s a favourite under bodycon dresses).
The best shapewear for you depends on the area you want to target and what you’re planning to wear underneath.
For example, an all-in-one unitard wouldn’t work with a strapless mini-dress because you’d see the straps.
Equally, if you’re fair-skinned and wearing a nude or partially see-through dress, you should choose shapewear in a colour close to your skin tone rather than a black or brown garment.
You may need to own several pairs of shapewear for different purposes.
What is the best body shapewear?
The best type of shapewear is all down to personal preference, and the areas of the body that you wish to target and enhance.
When it comes to brands, Spanx and Skims are the most popular choices, but neither come cheap (you can read our full piece on where to buy Skims).
Looking for shapewear with practical features like tummy control and compression is an easy way to determine whether a garment will actually do what it promises.
It’s also not just about whether a piece of shapewear will make you look your best, it also needs to make you feel good.
That means considering whether it’s actually comfortable, and whether it can be practically worn all day and beneath clothing.
What is the best shapewear for tummy control?
Anything that says ‘firm control’ is your friend if you’re looking for sculpting in the tummy area.
Briefs, shorts and bodysuits are likely the best bet when it comes to streamlining the silhouette, and shapewear with tummy control works to compress and suck in the stomach area.
Shapewear will also smooth lumps and bumps, so even without specific tummy control features, the undergarment is likely to make the stomach appear flatter.
Designs with a high waist also work well for tummy control, as they compress the stomach to give a cinched appearance.
What is the best shapewear for under a dress?
It all depends on what sort of coverage you’re after, but for occasion dresses, lots of women opt for a full body shaper or slip for the most seamless of bases.
If you feel like you just want some extra support in the form of a light control pant or tights, then these are really comfy and wearable options.
Shapewear that features tummy control are likely to work well under a dress, but it all depends on which areas of the body you want to focus on.
When wearing shapewear beneath a dress, it’s worth considering whether the design will be invisible when wearing clothes.
For example, you’ll need to opt for strapless shapewear for a strapless dress, and you won’t want to have a visible pant line that can be seen through your clothing.
Which is better, Skims or Spanx?
Spanx and Skims are two best-known shapewear brands, and while they’re both extremely popular, they do have some key differences.
Spanx is the OG of shapewear and has been around since 2000, offering classic styles with often firm compression to cinch and enhance the figure.
Kim Kardashians brand Skims launched in 2019, and the viral brand has a strong focus on inclusive sizing, offering classic shapewear with a modern touch.
Both brands are considered highly-rated meaning there is no clear winner, so it’s worth looking into individual products before making the decision on which to buy from.
Can you wear shapewear every day?
“There are no hard rules when it comes to wearing shapewear every day, but there are some things you should be aware of,” says Rich.
“There are different types of control levels when it comes to shapewear, but light control is recommended if you want to wear shapewear every day, as it is much more stretchy and flexible.
Firm-control, on the other hand, is often more rigid and is best kept for special occasions, as it offers a lot of sculpting, but not much comfort.
For the best breast support, it is best to wear underwire bikini tops and bikinis with a push-up quality, which can help make exercise such as swimming, more comfortable.”
Does shapewear really work?
Yes, shapewear is a compression garment, so it can smooth out lumps and bumps, accentuate curves and make whole areas appear thinner and flatter.
Shapewear is designed to enhance the silhouette when worn beneath clothes such as dresses and tight trousers, but it won’t create permanent changes.
Its compressive fabric works to target areas of the body including the waist, stomach, legs and hips.
Some garments offer light compression for subtle shaping during everyday use, while others provide firm compression for more of a defined shape for special occasions.
Some people insist that wearing waist trainers can shrink your waist over time, but there’s no evidence to prove that.
There is, however, scientific evidence to show wearing too-tight garments for too long can create digestive problems.
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