The Best Shapewear for Every Type of Dress

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The best-kept smoothing secrets

The wrong undergarments quickly turn a fashion do into a fashion don’t. Underwear lines, bras that cut into your back and thongs that peek out are just a few of the problems the right undergarments help you avoid. Just like shopping for the best underwear for women, it’s important to consider fabric breathability, long-wear comfort and price point when looking for the best shapewear for women.

Ready to look your absolute best? Follow these tips for pairing your outfit with the best shapewear to flatter your body and accentuate all the right places.

How we chose the best shapewear for women

We looked at high user reviews, comfort and the overall quality of materials to find the best shapewear for women. We also paid close attention to styles that suit every shapewear need and activity.

Criteria

• Comfort
• Quality of materials
• Breathability
• Size range
• Price

Overall best shapewear for women

Nearly Naked Shaping Mid Thigh Bodysuit

Designed to compliment the natural contours of a woman’s body, Lizzo’s brand, Yitty is reinventing shapewear. The brand offers multiple shapewear styles that don’t restrict, and our personal favorite is the Nearly Naked Shaping Mid Thigh Bodysuit. Available in six inclusive sizes and six colors, shoppers love that the bodysuit is breathable and offers a smooth, beautiful and most importantly, a comfortable fit. And because the Yitty brand was founded by Lizzo, comfort and confidence is guaranteed in every step.

Yitty reviewer, Ashley, shares, “This body suit is magic. Easy to get on and gives the perfect amount of support. I have a large chest and I’m amazed at how supported I feel in this!”

Pros

• Puts comfort and support first
• Unlined
• Sustainable materials
• Inclusive size range
• 90-day perfect fit guarantee

Cons

• Some colors aren’t available in certain sizes

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Best value shapewear for under dresses

Shapermint High Waisted Body Shaper Shorts

A top-selling Amazon fashion staple, these high waisted body shaper shorts are perfect for wearing under dresses and skirts—and they’re less than $30! The ultra-high waisted band offers comfort and support while the mid-length shorts create a seamless look. With over 15,000 five-star ratings, shoppers love that it “slims but doesn’t suffocate.”

Verified Amazon reviewer, Christina Johnson, writes, “I got this for a summer dress I was wearing all day outside in 90-degree weather. This fits me great, and I forgot that I even had it on at one point. Love it! Now I want to get a few more and maybe in different colors.”

Note: The brand recommends ordering one size up for an extra sculpting effect. Otherwise, it fits true to size.

Pros

• Affordable price point
• Tummy to mid-thigh coverage
• Available in five colors and inclusive sizing

Cons

• Some reviewers have found the waist band sometimes rolls down

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Best shapewear for under a tight dress

Honeylove Boldness Bodysuit

The boldness bodysuit from Honeylove is the most powerful shaping option, and for good reason. It comes with 360-degree boning for all-around support that’s still flexible, plus strong compression and waist contouring. It’s adjustable to ensure you get the perfect hourglass for your body (which reviewers rave about). You won’t need to wear a bra with this one, but if you want to, here’s how to find a bra that fits.

Pros

• Comfortably compresses for a smooth hourglass look
• Underwire-free
• 360-degree compression panels offer flexibility
• Inclusive size range
• Available in three colors

Cons

• Straps aren’t removable for strapless dresses

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Best shapewear for a jumpsuit

Skims Sculpting Seamless Mid-Thigh Bodysuit

Wearing shapewear under a jumpsuit used to be a no-no because of the limited undergarment options out there. Fast forward a few years and the perfect jumpsuit companion has arrived: The Skims Sculpting Seamless Mid-Thigh Bodysuit. It slims the thighs and waist, and relieves back bulge while tightening the tummy. It packs a punch, but the best part about this design is how comfortable it feels under your stylish getup.

Note: The brand recommends ordering one size up.

Pros

• Offers nearly full body compression
• Seamless
• Back coverage
• Available in six colors

Cons

• Not all colors are available in every size
• Straps aren’t removable for strapless dresses

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Best shapewear for a knit dress

Honeylove SuperPower Short

Knit dresses can be forgiving with tiny imperfections, but they simultaneously accentuate major ones. For these reasons, your best bet is pairing your favorite knit dress with curve-hugging shorts. The best shapewear for women, like the SuperPower Short from Honeylove, pulls in the tummy while lifting and smoothing the derriere. Even thighs get love from this firm control garment.

Note: The brand recommends ordering one size up for wearers with large hips.

Pros

• Sculpts tummy and hips without squeezing
• Available in three short styles
• Inclusive size range
• Five colors available

Cons

• Doesn’t smooth the bust

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Best shapewear for a pencil skirt

Skims Sculpting Seamless Mid Waist Briefs

Kim Kardashian West knows a thing or two about the best shapewear for women. She imparted all of her wisdom into Skims, her new line of undergarments that pull and cinch in all the right places. These mid-waist briefs are perfect under a pencil skirt, where they create the illusion of a smaller waist and tighter bum. Add them to your list of best gifts for her.

Pros

• Sculpts the natural contours of the tummy
• Can be worn with pants
• Available in eight colors

Cons

• Not all colors are available in every size
• Not best for hip or thigh coverage

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Best shapewear for post-pregnancy

Belly Bandit Mother Tucker Corset

For occasions that call for a little extra compression, new moms will rejoice at the comfortable fabric and adjustable fit of the Belly Bandit corset. Considered a long-time closet staple for the postpartum set, these types of undergarments are designed to slim bellies and pull everything in. This particular design also smooths the back and is comfortably sported under a casual tee or a more formal dress.

Pros

• Offers an extra layer of compression in the belly area
• Breathable
• Flexible boning
• Available in two colors

Cons

• Runs small

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Best shapewear for a smooth top

Honeylove Silhouette Bra

Bra bulges under your favorite tee are one of the signs you need to buy a new bra. This buttery soft bra removes all of that nonsense with a sleek design that practically hides any unwanted extra bulge. The soft fabric doesn’t cut into skin and is breathable for long wear. A soft-style bra is just one of the types of bras you need in your wardrobe.

Pros

• Comfortable, everyday shapewear
• Underwire-free
• Inclusive size range
• Available in nine colors

Cons

• Because it’s a bra, it’s only best for smoothing the bust

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Best shapewear under a strapless dress

Lively No-Wire Strapless

A strapless bra with no underwire? Yes please! That’s right, this strapless bra from Lively has absolutely no underwire yet all the support you need to confidently flaunt that strapless number. Just like all of Lively’s bras, this strapless pick blends athleisure and lingerie, so comfort is guaranteed. And it comes with removable straps so you can wear it any which way.

Note: The brand recommends ordering one size up if you’re between band sizes.

Pros

• No underwire
• Comes with removable straps
• Inclusive size range
• Available in three colors

Cons

• Wearers with small busts may prefer the extra lift of underwire, which isn’t featured in this bra

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Best shapewear for a halter neck

Va Bien Firm Control Plunge Bodysuit

As with strapless styles, some women avoid halters simply because they can’t find the right undergarments. We’re happy to report that those days are over! With the Va Bien Firm Control Plunge Bodysuit, you can show off the shoulders, arms and back in beautiful backless styles (and plunging necklines) with confidence. This ultra-versatile bodysuit features a deep plunge neckline, patented ultra-lift underwire cups, convertible straps (so you can rock both crisscross and halter styles) and built-in boning for tummy and lower back smoothness.

Pros

• Ideal for halter tops or dresses
• Ultra-lift underwire cups
• Adjustable straps that can criss-cross
• Two colors available

Cons

• Limited band sizes available
• Underwire cups can become uncomfortable

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Best shapewear for a bodycon dress

Commando Two-Faced Tech Control Slip

A high quality bodycon dress is a closet staple, but they’re not always comfortable. Enter the two-faced tech control slip from Commando. It’s lightweight, so you get all the benefits of shapewear without restricting your best assets. Plus, the bust-to-mid-thigh coverage is also perfect for wearing under an evening gown or a pencil skirt with a tucked in top.

Pros

• Smooths from the bust to mid thigh
• Lightweight control that doesn’t bind
• Available in black and nude

Cons

• Only four sizes available

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Best shapewear for a mini dress

When it comes to showing some leg, the last thing you want to do is accidentally show some shapewear. The Thinstincts mid-thigh short from Spanx hits a few inches above the knee, making it some of the best shapewear for women when paired with a mini dress or skirt. The high waisted band offers support to the natural curves of your waist while the shorts are chafe-resistant. It practically blurs panty lines, too. As the brand puts it, these high waisted shorts feel like “a firm hug.”

Pros

• High waisted and high legs prevent slippage
• Chafe-resistant shorts
• Breathable, lightweight fabric
• Prevents panty lines

Cons

• Some colors aren’t available in select sizes

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Best shapewear for an evening gown

For a black-tie affair when you’ll be donning a full-length gown, a bodysuit is a terrific option. Rather than having to find two shapewear pieces that work together, a onesie creates a streamlined shape from top to bottom. Plus, there are plenty of styles to choose from, depending on your figure and the specific silhouette you plan to wear. If you’re wearing a low-cut dress, opt for the Body Shaper, which focuses on the upper half of the body and cuts just below the bum. It pairs well with just about every classic dress.

Pros

• Hourglass figure shaping
• Affordable price point
• Compliments the wearer’s natural curves
• Plunge neckline
• Available in black and nude

Cons

• Some reviewers have found the bust area could use a little more room

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Best shapewear for a high-waisted skirt

Yummie High Waist Skirt Slip

While not a dress per se, a sophisticated two-piece ensemble often stands in for a dress. A high-waisted skirt slip, like the Yummie High Waist Skirt Slip, is a slimming essential. It smooths the upper hips, thighs, tush and belly while providing the flexibility to wear whatever style you like on top.

Pros

• High waisted
• Non-slip grip tape keeps waistband from rolling
• Compresses tummy and hips

Cons

• One color available
• Not machine washable

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Best shapewear for a comfy night in

Commando Control Top Leggings

The best shapewear for women comes in all styles, shapes and sizes, which certainly includes leggings. These control-top leggings are your best friend for comfortable nights in when you still want to look your best. The brand uses an internal control-top waistband to smooth the belly area. It also offers support in the derriere and quality fabric that won’t make for embarrassing moments when you bend over. And because no one can never have too many legging options, check out the best leggings on amazon while you’re at it.

Pros

• Super comfortable, more like pajamas
• High waisted
• High quality materials used
• Versatile styling options

Cons

• Only available in black
• These leggings are on the pricey side

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