The 8 Best Shapewear for Every Type of Dress
Updated: May 29, 2023Finding shapewear for dresses doesn't have to be hard. We call these undergarments "wonder-garments" because of the near-magical way they make any day or evening dress look flawless.
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The wrong undergarments quickly turn a fashion do into a fashion don’t. Underwear lines, bras that cut into the 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 the absolute best? Pair a dress with the best shapewear to flatter your body and accentuate all the right places.
The Best Shapewear for Dresses
- Best overall: Yitty Nearly Naked Shaping Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
- Best value: Shapermint High Waisted Body Shaper Shorts
- Best for tight dresses: Honeylove Boldness Bodysuit
- Best for jumpsuits: Skims Sculpting Seamless Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
- Best for knit dresses: Honeylove SuperPower Short
- Best for pencil skirts: Skims Sculpting Seamless Mid Waist Briefs
- Best for high-waisted skirts: Yummie High Waist Skirt Slip
Overall best shapewear for women
Yitty Nearly Naked Shaping Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
Designed to compliment the natural contours of a woman’s body, Lizzo’s brand Yitty has reinvented shapewear for dresses and other clothing. 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 seven colors, shoppers love that the bodysuit is breathable and offers a smooth, beautiful and most importantly, comfortable fit.
And because Lizzo created and runs the Yitty brand, shop with the assurance that they guarantee comfort and confidence at every step, especially when worn with important garments like a mother-of-the-bride dress at your daughter’s wedding. 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 this provides me with fantastic support.”
Pros
- Puts comfort and support first
- Unlined
- Sustainable materials
- Sizes range from XS/S to 5X
- 90-day perfect fit guarantee
Cons
- Some colors aren’t available in certain sizes
Best value shapewear
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 18,000 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 well, and I forgot that I even had it on at one point. 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
- Sizes run from small to 4XL
- 33,000 Amazon ratings and a 4-star average
Cons
- Some reviewers have found the waistband sometimes rolls down
Best shapewear for tight dresses
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. You won’t even need to wear a bra. It’s adjustable to ensure the perfect hourglass for your body (which reviewers rave about).
Pros
- Comfortably compresses for a smooth hourglass look
- Underwire-free
- 360-degree compression panels offer flexibility
- Available in three colors
- Sizes range from XS to 3X
Cons
- Straps aren’t removable for strapless dresses
Best shapewear for jumpsuits
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 a stylish getup.
Note: The brand recommends ordering one size up.
Pros
- Offers nearly full-body compression
- Seamless
- Back coverage
- Available in six colors
- Plus size shapewear options
- Sizes range from XXS/XS to 4X/5X
Cons
- Open gusset design is not for everyone
- Straps aren’t removable for strapless dresses
Best shapewear for knit dresses
Honeylove SuperPower Short
Knit dresses can be forgiving with tiny imperfections, but they simultaneously accentuate major ones. For these reasons, pair your favorite knit dress with curve-hugging shorts. The best shapewear for dresses, 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. However, you’ll need a new bra to wear under the dress while wearing this shapewear.
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
- Six colors available
- Sizes range from XS to 3X
Cons
- Doesn’t smooth the bust
Best shapewear for pencil skirts
Skims Sculpting Seamless Mid Waist Briefs
Kim Kardashian knows a thing or two about the best shapewear for dresses. She imparted all of her wisdom into Skims, her line of undergarments that pull and cinch in all the right places. These mid-waist briefs are perfect under a business casual pencil skirt, where they create the illusion of a smaller waist and tighter bum.
Pros
- Sculpts the natural contours of the tummy
- Easily worn with pants
- Available in 11 colors
- Sizes range from XXS/XS to 4X/5X
Cons
- Not best for hip or thigh coverage
Best shapewear for mini dresses
Spanx Thinstincts Mid-Thigh Short
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 dresses or skirts of shorter lengths.
The high-waisted band offers support to the natural curves of the 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 underwear lines
- Available in four colors
- Sizes range from XS to 3X
Cons
- Some colors aren’t available in select sizes
Best shapewear for high-waisted skirts
Yummie High Waist Skirt Slip
While not a classic 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 on top.
Pros
- High waisted
- Non-slip grip tape keeps the waistband from rolling
- Compresses tummy and hips
- Sizes range from XS to XL
Cons
- One color available
- Not machine washable
What to look for when buying the best shapewear for dresses
When buying the best shapewear for dresses, there are several factors one should consider, such as:
- Comfort: Look for shapewear that feels comfortable when worn for extended periods of time. The material should be soft and breathable while still providing support and compression.
- Fit: Choose shapewear that fits well, without being too tight or too loose. It should be the right size for your body type. Look at the brand’s sizing guide to ensure you receive shapewear that fits.
- Coverage: Consider the type of dress you’ll be wearing and choose shapewear that not only provides coverage where wanted the most but also won’t peek through.
- Style: Various styles of shapewear are available, including bodysuits, high-waisted shorts and shaping camisoles. Choose a style that complements the dress and provides the support and coverage needed.
- Price: Brands offer shapewear that pairs well with any budget. Calculate how much you’re willing to spend on high-quality shapewear before shopping.
How we found the best shapewear for dresses
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
How do you keep shapewear from rolling up?
Wearing shapewear that fits your body will not only make it more comfortable to wear but will prevent it from rolling up or down. You run the risk of an ill-fitting undergarment that won’t stay in place if it’s too tight. Don’t forget to check the brand’s size guide and read reviews regarding any notes on sizing up or down to ensure a properly fitted shapewear.
How do you go to the bathroom with shapewear on?
Most shapewear has a gusset design that allows for easy opening at the bottom of the undergarment. Some are snaps, hooks and even velcro. Additionally, some brands, like Skims, offer an “open gusset” design, which makes it a breeze to use the bathroom with the shapewear on. If a gusset isn’t available, consider using the restroom before you put on the shapewear. Otherwise, take it off the same way it was put on.
With additional reporting by Madi Koetting.
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