Shapewear Pieces That Offer Support and All-Day Comfort—We Know, We Tested Each One (2024)

• Our Picks

• What To Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust Byrdie

Material: 78% nylon, 22% spandex | Size Range: XXS–5X | Color Options: 10

If you’re looking for one piece of shapewear to sculpt your body, emphasize your natural curves, and provide butt and bust support, we recommend this bodysuit from Skims. The material is extremely stretchy, and, despite its thinness, it’s surprisingly durable, too. It features adjustable straps, a snap closure at the bottom, and pockets for the bust and butt, which help to define those areas.If you want shapewear that significantly contours and smooths your shape, sizing down could help you achieve that. But if you prefer lighter or medium support, ordering your regular size or one size up is your best bet.

One of the best things about this piece is how versatile it is. You can wear it as a smoothing bodysuit with jeans or a skirt, or it can be worn as a true shape-hugging garment under dresses, skirts, or tighter tops. We were so impressed by how seamless it looks underneath clothing, and the adjustable straps make customizing your fit really easy. The snap closure is incredibly convenient for when you need to use the restroom. All things considered, this bodysuit impressed us, and we think it’s a staple to have in your closet.

Material: 87% nylon, 13% spandex body; 80% nylon, 20% spandex waistband | Size Range: S–XL | Color Options: 3

Shapewear is often thought about from the perspective of altering or contouring the shape of your body, but that’s not always the case. These affordable smoothing shorts offer low compression to gently smooth the waist, butt, and thighs. We love that they’re comfortable enough to wear every day and easy to take on and off. They’ll layer well underneath a variety of skirts and dresses if you’re looking for something that provides more coverage than underwear, and they don’t ride up or roll down nearly as much as other shaping shorts do. If you find compressive shapewear to be uncomfortable but still want something to offer a bit of smoothing, these shorts would probably suit you.

Material: 69% cotton, 31% elastane | Size Range: 4–14 | Color Options: 2

This investment piece has our stamp of approval for many reasons, the main one being how pleasant it is to wear. While some compressive shapewear feels restrictive or has seams that dig into the skin, this one works to smooth and lightly contour the body while remaining so comfortable you might even forget you have it on. It features adjustable straps that help with versatility and bust support, as well as a snap closure at the crotch and a cotton gusset. It does a great job of smoothing bumps and supporting the body without feeling overly tight, and it’s easy to put on and take off. We’d also be remiss not to mention its versatility—it can be worn as a regular bodysuit or layered underneath other garments. It appears seamless and undetectable under clothes, and a bonus is that the bust section is double-lined, so you can forgo wearing a bra if you choose to. Plus, so long as you follow the washing instructions correctly, it will remain in good condition for a long time.

Material: Nylon, spandex | Size Range: 14–36 | Color Options: 2

This open-bust, thigh, and torso shaper smooths bumps, provides tummy control, and generally supports the thighs, butt, and midsection without feeling restrictive. It features adjustable straps with a neckline that falls underneath the bust, which allows you to wear your favorite push-up bra with no issues. It works wonders at preventing thigh chafing because it hits just below the mid-thigh, and it does well at smoothing the tummy area and accentuating hourglass curves. If you’re looking for something that works to blur the appearance of lumps and bumps, we found this option to be super effective.

It’s made with a silky soft material that layers beautifully underneath clothing without showing seams or ridges. Putting it on can take some getting used to before it’s securely in place, but once you get the hang of it and adjust it to your liking, it resists moving around and very rarely rides up at the legs. Considering how comfortable it is, how nicely it shapes and supports the body, and how high-quality it feels for a relatively affordable price, we can’t recommend it enough.

Material: 75% nylon, 25% elastane | Size Range: Band Size: 32–40; Cup Size: B–DD | Color Options: 2

Adaptable shapewear can serve so many purposes in your wardrobe, making it a valuable investment. This bodysuit is a versatile piece because it can be worn strapless or with straps that can be crisscrossed or placed just like traditional bra straps. The design features built-in bra cups that are foam-lined for comfort, as well as boning up the back to provide shaping and support. The leg bands are lined with silicone to help keep it in place. While it is a compression garment that works to shape, support, and slim the midsection, we’re impressed that it doesn't feel restrictive or overly tight.If you’re interested in buying it, we recommend trying it in-store, if possible, or reading reviews and the size guide to ensure you get the correct size for your body.

Material: 81% nylon, 19% spandex | Size Range: S–XXL | Color Options: 2

While shapewear that comes with a built-in bra can be super convenient if it fits correctly, nailing the fit can be really challenging. So, we love that this option has an open-bust design which allows you to comfortably wear whatever bra you’d like underneath. Plus, it has adjustable straps making it even more customizable. What impressed us most about this piece is how well it smooths the body. It provides medium compression that works to highlight curves, smooth bumps, and provide tummy control. It doesn’t have thick or rigid seams or boning, making it not only comfortable but also almost completely undetectable underneath clothing. A bonus is that the fabric is moisture-wicking and anti-static. If you’re in the market for a shaping piece that will support your thighs, waist, and tummy, we highly recommend this affordable option.

Material: 94% polyamide, 6% elastane | Size Range: XS–XL | Color Options: 2

Thong bodysuits are a wardrobe staple, and this one is fantastic because it can be worn on its own as a top or layered underneath clothing for its shaping benefits. The thong design ensures that panty lines are a non-issue when you pair it with tight dresses and skirts, and it also has breast pockets that can support your chest on their own or be layered with a bra. One caveat is that it’s pretty high-cut in the front, so if you’re looking for support in your upper thighs and the front of your hips, this won’t be ideal for you. Material-wise, the zero-waste formula feels good against the skin and excels at providing medium compression, tummy control, and accentuating an hourglass figure. It hugs the midsection in all the right places, and it almost looks seamless under clothing. We recommend it if you’ve been looking for a thong bodysuit that’s supportive and shape-enhancing.

Material: 65% polyamide, 35% elastin | Size Range: S–3X | Color Options: 5

Sculpting bodysuits are fantastic for highlighting your shape and slimming the stomach area—and we love this one. It provides medium compression to support your body without feeling restrictive, and what’s unique about this particular design is that it has 360-degree sculpting panels that run the length of the garment. These panels aren’t super hard or stiff—they move with your body while helping to smooth the appearance of your torso. And while it looks nice underneath clothing as traditional shapewear, it also makes for a versatile top all on its own. This bodysuit also has a built-in, wire-free bra, so you don’t need to layer one underneath. The brand’s size guide is pretty accurate, but if you’re in between sizes, we recommend sizing up.

A structured bodysuit with sculpting panels might not sound comfortable, but this one is. The fabric is thick but not rigid, and all of the edges of the garment have a bonded flat design to ensure no harsh seams dig into the skin. We also appreciate that the gusset has a hook and eye closure with three clasps allowing you to adjust to your comfort. All in all, this sculpting bodysuit is an excellent piece of shapewear for tummy control and is worthy of a place in your closet.

Material: 68% nylon, 32% spandex | Size Range: XS–3X | Color Options: 4

A pair of classic smoothing shorts comes in handy underneath skirts and dresses for body sculpting or modesty purposes, and these are a great option. The raw-cut design makes for an almost completely seamless appearance underneath clothing, and it prevents the shorts from digging into the skin. They’re easy to put on and take off, and we appreciate that they feature a cotton gusset. Unlike many similar options on the market, the length of these shorts is are functional—not so long that they can’t be paired with shorter garments and not so short that they bunch up at the groin.They provide light to medium compression and work beautifully to smooth the stomach, butt, and hips without being too restrictive. If you’re looking for a basic smoothing short that can be easily layered, this is the way to go.

Material: Nylon/spandex body and lining; cotton gusset | Size Range: XS–3X | Color Options: 5

If you’re looking for shapewear that provides some pretty serious compression and support, especially for your thighs and midsection, we think these shorts are an excellent choice. They feature a really high waist which works to smooth and hold in the stomach, and perhaps the best part is that this section never rolls down as you move. They also have boning on the side seams and the back to accentuate your curves and provide support. Instead of snaps or a hook and eye closure, there’s a pull-apart fabric to make going to the restroom more efficient, and while this can take a bit of getting used to, it’s more comfortable than other options.We love how beautifully they snatch the waist, smooth bumps, and provide significant support without being bulky underneath garments or super stiff.

Material: 90% nylon, 10% spandex | Size Range: XS–4XL | Color Options: 5

Though they’re called shaper shorts, we think these are best for smoothing. We didn’t find them to be particularly shaping as they offer just low compression and have a simple, high-waisted short design, but they work wonderfully for smoothing the butt, thighs, and stomach. They help to soften the appearance of lumps and bumps without feeling tight or rigid, and while they don’t provide tummy control per se, they do help you feel secure and supported.

It also features a silicone strip around the edge of the waist to ensure it doesn’t slip and slide around. The fabric of these shorts is soft and comfortable, but it is a bit thicker than other similar options, so the edges of the legs and waistband will show through thin clothing. But if you’re looking for a basic pair of high-waisted, smoothing shorts, these get the job done.

Material: 77% nylon, 23% elastane | Size Range: One size fits 0–12 | Color Options: 4

While these do provide some subtle smoothing to the tummy and thighs, we think they’re best as anti-chafing short perfect for wearing underneath dresses and skirts for modesty purposes. They can also be helpful if you want to wear underwear with a garment, but you’re seeing panty lines—these are a great alternative because they’re almost completely seamless and undetectable under clothing.They’re seriously lightweight and breathable—so much so that some of our testers even forgot they had them on. They’re also easy to pull on and take off, and they don’t roll down as you move. If you’re looking for simple, lightweight shorts for layering and preventing chafing, especially during the summer, we highly recommend these.

FAQ

• What type of shapewear gives the best tummy control without rolling?

  It’s not uncommon for shapewear to roll down, especially at the waist or legs, but this isn’t just annoying, it can also take away from the functionality and look of the piece. “Shapewear with straps at the top will keep it from riding down and from having to adjust it,” says Calder. “If you’re wearing shapewear shorts, finding ones with a silicone hem, so the legs do not ride up as you walk is key.” The Shapermint Essentials All Day Every Day High-Waisted Shaper Shorts have a silicone band at the waist to help them remain in place.

  But the issue doesn’t always lie in the design of the garment; Calder explains that oftentimes the problem is as simple as not wearing the correct size. She recommends trying on shapewear in person if possible and being sure to carefully follow the size guidelines provided by the brand.

• Should you buy shapewear in your size or smaller?

  You must find the correct size for you—neither too big nor too small. If you size up, you’ll lose compression and shaping functionality. If you size down, you’ll likely be quite uncomfortable, and the tight garment could cause skin bulging, which is the opposite of what you want. Again, be sure to utilize the size guide provided by the brand.