Our top pick is the Skims Sculpting Bodysuit with Snaps
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When we think of shapewear, we often think of restrictive and uncomfortable undergarments that sculpt the body but also pinch, poke, and, frankly, make us feel a little claustrophobic. With brands like Kim Kardashian’s Skims and, of course, the iconic Spanx creating more innovative designs, shapewear has come a long way and is actually really comfortable (you just have to know where to look) without sacrificing its purpose: to smooth, sculpt, and shape the body.
“Shapewear is a beneficial item to have in your wardrobe because it can make a huge difference in what your final outfit will look like,” says Cami Raymond, the senior design director at Ruby Ribbon. “It helps the fit and smoothes your curves to give you a more defined waistline and the confidence you deserve,” she adds. Despite its name, shapewear isn’t just for contouring the body, it’s also beneficial for dealing with tricky fabrics and ensuring they drape properly on the body. “There are times with a clingy or very delicate, thin fabric that shapewear can help smooth over the body and add a little extra coverage,” says Alison Bruhn, a personal stylist and co-founder of The Style That Binds Us.
With so many different shapewear styles available, we decided it was high time for us to find our tried and true pieces — so the PEOPLE Tested team put dozens of designs to the real-world test to find the best shapewear pieces across multiple categories including bodysuits, shorts, and waist cinchers. We evaluated each shapewear piece for level of control, target area, fit, comfort, color, and durability.
Keep reading for the best shapewear pieces that PEOPLE Tested.
The seamless design doesn’t show under clothing, even under items made with lighter materials like T-shirts.
The nylon and spandex material, coupled with the fit, make this shapewear piece very comfortable.
The straps don’t dig into the skin, which adds to the comfort and invisibility under garments.
It provides a good smoothing effect around the waist.
We wish it had more compression, but that's ultimately a personal preference.
After testing dozens of styles, our top pick for the best bodysuit is the Skims Sculpting Bodysuit with Snaps. We love this suit because it has a seamless fits-like-a-glove design that is virtually invisible under clothing, including thinner garments like T-shirts. The nylon and spandex material is also super comfortable and aid the overall fit, plus we found that the straps don’t dig into the skin (which was much appreciated).
While the undergarment isn’t as compressive as we would have liked, it does a fantastic job at smoothing the waist. Plus, some may love that it’s comfortable enough for all-day wear due to it being less restrictive than a high-compression bodysuit. Plus, as with other Skims products, Skims shapewear has one of the most inclusive size and skin-tone color ranges on the market, so there's an option for nearly everyone.
Size Range: 2XS-5XL | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Benefits: Smoothes the core, lifts the butt, supports the chest
It's made from a super soft and slightly stretchy material that holds its shape well.
It provides an impressive smoothing effect.
The material is a little thinner compared to similar styles, which made it a lot more comfortable and breathable.
This bodysuit is crotchless, so it’s easy to go to the bathroom.
It only comes in two colors, which won't suit everyone's skin tone or preference.
We wish the size range was more inclusive.
The Maidenform Women's Wear Your Own Bra Singlet Fajas Shapewear is our top pick for the best budget bodysuit because, despite having a reasonable price tag, it’s comparable to more luxe styles. This bodysuit is designed with super soft nylon and spandex material that stretches over the body well without losing its shape. We love that it has an open bust, which allows for a better fit and ensures you can wear your own bra for added support.
After testing out this bodysuit, we were most impressed by how well it smoothes the body, especially on the hips, belly, butt, and thighs. We also liked that the material is thin, which makes it more breathable when worn under thicker fabrics. One of the worst things about wearing a bodysuit is taking it off to use the bathroom. Since this bodysuit is crotchless, it made bathroom breaks so much easier, which was greatly appreciated. We only wish the color and size ranges were inclusive of more plus sizes and various skin tones.
Size Range: S-2XL | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Benefits: Shapes tummy, hips, and thighs
This shapewear product provides lightweight compression without being too tight, so it's comfortable enough for all-day wear.
These shorts don’t roll down at the waist and stay put on the thighs all day long.
They work best for slimming the tops of the thighs but can also smooth the hips, too.
The fabric and design of this shapewear make them feel like an elevated pair of bike shorts.
They offer more lightweight compression, which isn’t always preferred with shapewear.
When searching for the best shapewear shorts, we want something comfortable enough for all-day wear with some shaping and smoothing capabilities. After testing the Spanx Ahhh-llelujah Fit to You Everyday Shorts, we can confidently say that these shorts are some of the best we’ve ever worn. While it might not be preferred by everyone, we love that they have lightweight compression because they are tight but not suffocating, making them comfortable enough for all-day wear.
The shorts are more like elevated bike shorts that help protect against chafing under dresses, but also provide lightweight smoothing and shaping on the upper thighs, hips, and low belly, too. We also found that these Spanx shorts stay put, whether you’re at the office or running errands, so you don’t have to worry about them rolling down or twisting along the thighs.
Size Range: One size | Materials: Nylon, elastane | Benefits: Anti-chafe, no visible panty lines
These are super easy to pull on and off.
The nylon and spandex material is very soft and stretchy, so it doesn’t pinch the skin.
These shorts provide light smoothing to the waist, stomach, and butt.
They have very light compression compared to others we tested.
For a budget-friendly shapewear short, we were most impressed by the Yummie Bria Comfortably Curved Smoothing Short, which is constructed from a super stretchy nylon and spandex blend that provides light shaping and smoothing on the butt and waist without pinching the skin or causing discomfort.
Although the shorts have a super light compression — which might not be ideal for all preferences — we found that they did a fantastic job at smoothing the body and also felt supportive without being restrictive. The shorts are also easy to pull on and off, so you don’t have to worry about bathroom breaks, and they come in several shades, including a few fun colorful options. For a great price, we love these as light compressive bike shorts for wear under dresses and skirts.
Size Range: S-XL | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Benefits: Shapes butt and waist
This shapewear works well under dresses and jumpsuits.
It smooths out the stomach, hips, and legs.
These shorts aren't super restricting.
The leg seams will show under jeans and certain pants.
The Commando Classic Control Short is constructed from a nylon and spandex material and stretches perfectly over the body for a glove-like fit. We love these shorts because they have light to moderate compression so they are comfortable and don’t feel too restrictive for everyday wear.
Additionally, they work well under many different types of garments, including different dress silhouettes and jumpsuits (though, we don’t recommend wearing them under jeans because the leg seams will show). Despite having light compression, the shorts also work well to smooth out the body, especially in the hip, stomach, and leg areas.
Size Range: XS-3XL | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Benefits: Light to moderate compression on thighs, butt, and waist
The material is super stretchy and comfortable.
It has snap closures on the crotch, which makes it easier to remove when using the bathroom.
It provides a good smoothing effect on the body.
We wish the nude color range was inclusive of more skin tones.
Depending on what you wear over it, it could have some visible panty lines.
If you want something a little more lacey, we were impressed by our experience with the Bali Lace ‘n Smooth Firm-Control Body Shaper. This shapewear at Amazon is constructed from a nylon and spandex material that is super stretchy and comfortable, even with the lace finish. It also has snap closures on the crotch which make removing it to use the bathroom a lot easier compared to other bodysuit styles.
Although we found that it’s not very compressive and the lace material might create visible panty lines under more lightweight fabrics, we do love the smoothing effect it offers. We just wish the color range included more skin tones other than light beige.
Size Range: 34B-40DD | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Benefits: Smooths and shapes the tummy, waist, and butt
With built-in boning on the sides, these shorts help contour the body and provide impressive shaping.
Despite the boning and the seams, this shapewear is undetectable under clothing, including bodycon dresses.
It flattens the stomach and cinches at the waist.
The shorts are a little too long to wear under shorter dresses and skirts.
After trying the Honeylove SuperPower Short, we were blown away by its shaping abilities. The shapewear shorts are specifically designed with targeted compression on the waist, belly, hips, and thighs and feature lots of amazing design details that allow for a more sculpting fit. We love the built-in boning on the sides because they help cinch the body and provide a contouring effect, plus the boning is undetectable under clothing (including bodycon dresses) so you can achieve a shaping effect without seeing panty lines and seams.
The shorts are also specially designed with toning compression on the belly and hips, which helps flatten and cinch the areas. Our only complaint is that these are a little too long to wear with mini dresses and skirts — other than that, we’re obsessed.
Size Range: XS-3XL | Materials: Not listed | Benefits: Ultra-high waist, posture support, targeted compression, butt-lifting design
Despite being highly compressive, this shapewear is super comfortable.
The nylon and spandex material is very breathable, so you don’t feel too restricted in it.
Since it’s a full-bodysuit with shorts, there are no visible panty lines.
The fabric has sweat-wicking technology.
This bodysuit is comfortable for up to six hours (after that, it starts to feel too restrictive).
Since it’s so compressive, putting it on can be a little difficult.
If you're looking for plus-sized shapewear, the Lane Bryant Shape By Cacique Open-Bust Thigh Shaper is a full-bodysuit with shorts and provides maximum coverage while still allowing you to wear a bra of your choice. We love this shapewear style because it is highly compressive yet still super comfortable (though we don’t recommend wearing it for longer than 6 hours — it can start to feel restrictive after long wear). Since it's so compressive, putting it on and off can be a bit challenging.
Plus, since it has a bodysuit shorts design, the shapewear doesn’t show any visible panty lines when worn underneath garments. With so much compression, we also appreciated the sweat-wicking material which felt a lot more breathable compared to other comparable options.
Size Range: 14/16-34/36 | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Benefits: Control from the torso through the mid-thigh
The straps are adjustable so you can achieve a more custom fit.
Since it’s a bodysuit, it blends really well under clothing.
Once on, it stays in place well so you don’t have to worry too much about adjustments.
The cups could use a bit more stretch, especially for larger busts.
We wish it cinched the waist a little more.
When shopping for shapewear for petite bodies, it’s important to not only go for a high-quality undergarment but also to choose an option designed with petite sizing for the right fit. Honeylove's Cami Bodysuit not only has a stellar petite size range, but it also offers excellent coverage and support. When testing this shapewear style out, we loved how well it fit the body and how it was virtually seamless, even under thin fabrics. The bodysuit also has built-in cups for support (though we wish this area was a little stretchier) and adjustable straps so you can achieve a more custom fit and don’t have to worry about them digging into the shoulders. Once it's on, it stays in place well so you won't have to worry about making adjustments.
Overall, the bodysuit smoothed the bust, stomach, waist, and hips well and provided some light shaping, too. While we wish it was a little more waist-cinching, we think this is a good choice for petite sizes looking for that everyday piece.
Size Range: XS-4XL (regular and petite) | Materials: 62% nylon, 38% spandex body | Benefits: Smooths the bust, tummy, and butt
It works well under most garments, including jeans.
It feels super supportive and secure once pulled on.
It provided an amazing smoothing effect on the tummy, thighs, and butt.
It comes in an inclusive size range up to 4X.
We wish the band was a little wider and stronger for cinching the waist.
The Shapermint High Waisted Body Shaper Shorts is one of the best shapewear pieces we’ve ever tried. After testing this shapewear out, we were most impressed by how easy they were to pull on, despite having more of a snug fit. Once pulled on, we loved how supportive and secure they felt and thought they worked phenomenally at smoothing the tummy, thighs, and butt. We tried these on with a variety of clothing options and, although we think they would work best on a high-waisted skirt, they paired well under most garments, including jeans. They also come in a wide range of sizes (up to 4X) and five neutral options to better match your skin tone.
Despite their comfort and smoothing effects, we’d love to see these shorts come with a wider and stronger band to cinch the waist better. Since the shorts have a smaller waistband, we feel like they miss out on a big shapewear opportunity. However, the ultra-high-waisted style makes up for this.
Size Range: XS-4XL | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Benefits: Smooths tummy, butt, and thighs
The bodysuit felt a little tight at first, but once pulled all the way on, it fit like a glove.
The material provides good coverage but remains seamless with no visible panty lines.
It provides a smoothing effect to the stomach and hips.
We wish it came in a lighter-weight material.
The hook and eye closures were a little loose, which made it tricky to snap on and off.
After testing dozens of bodysuits, we recommend the Pinsy Scoop Tank Shapewear Bodysuit which features a thick material that provides really good coverage while remaining virtually invisible with no noticeable panty lines under most garments. It felt a little tight as we pulled it on, but once it was in place it fit like a glove. While we wish it came in a lighter-weight material for wearing under thin fabrics, the bodysuit does a phenomenal job at smoothing the stomach and hips and providing some slight cinching at the waist, too.
To make bathroom breaks easier, the bodysuit is designed with a hook and eye closure at the crotch. In our experience, we felt like these hooks were a little loose and, therefore, made it trickier to snap on and off; however, this didn’t take away from the fit or the experience.
Size Range: S-3XL (regular and long) | Materials: Not listed | Benefits: Medium shaping in the waist and tummy area with a built-in wire-free bra
It's made from nylon and elastane material that fits like a glove.
It provides lightweight compression that smooths and shapes the tummy, waist, and butt.
It has adjustable straps so you can achieve a better fit.
You have to take the bodysuit off completely to go to the bathroom, which can be inconvenient.
We wish it came in a more inclusive size range.
The Spanx OnCore Open-Bust Mid-Thigh Shaper Bodysuit is constructed from a stretchy nylon and elastane material that provides lightweight compression for smoothing and shaping the tummy, waist, and butt. We love how comfortable this bodysuit is and, after testing, thought it did a great job of smoothing and slimming the body while providing an open bust silhouette so you can wear an underwire or wireless bra that fits better and feels more supportive (which is definitely not always the case with bodysuits). It also has adjustable straps for a better fit, though we wish it came in a more inclusive range of sizes. The most annoying thing about this bodysuit, however, is that you have to fully remove it to use the bathroom, which can get challenging depending on where you are and what you’re wearing over the bodysuit.
Size Range: S-XL | Materials: Nylon, elastane | Benefits: Tummy, waist, and butt shaping with adjustable straps
It has adjustable and removable straps.
The material is thick enough to smooth and cinch the waist, hips, tummy, butt, and upper thighs.
It can be worn with a variety of necklines, including strapless styles.
The short bra band makes it really hard to put it on yourself.
It doesn't have as wide of a size range as others on this list.
Our top recommendation for a mid-thigh bodysuit is the Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit, which is constructed from a thick elastane and nylon material and provides excellent compression on the thighs as well as the waist, hips, and tummy. We also love that it has adjustable straps that are removable, so you can easily wear this with a variety of necklines, including strapless styles.
When testing this shapewear out, our biggest complaint was how tricky it was to get in and out of. Due to the thicker and compressive material and short bra strap band in the back, you may need some extra assistance getting in and out of it, which isn’t ideal for those who live alone. Plus, we wish the color and size ranges were a bit more inclusive.
Size Range: XS-XL | Materials: Elastane, nylon | Benefits: Shapes the tummy, waist, butt, and upper thighs with a built-in bra
It fits really well and comes in a more inclusive size range.
It stays in place and doesn’t twist around or slip down.
It takes a long time to get into because of all the hooks.
A waist cincher isn’t ideal under many materials; however, it’s an excellent option for gowns (especially wedding dresses and ball gowns) made from thicker material if you want to get that hourglass look. Our top pick for the best waist cincher is the Squeem Perfect Waist Contouring Cincher, which is made from a cotton and rubber material and is super comfortable. We loved this cincher because, in addition to its shaping abilities, the undergarment fits well and is available in an inclusive size range that includes plus sizes. While it was a bit of a hassle to get into (there are so many hooks!) and isn’t seamless unless worn under a thicker garment, the cincher does a great job of staying put without twisting or falling down, which is the most important thing you can ask for with one of these.
Size Range: 2XS-3X plus | Materials: Rubber, cotton | Benefits: Cinches the waist without sacrificing comfort
It cinches the waist well and provides a smoothing effect on the tummy and hip area.
It features a built-in, supportive underwire bra that comes in sizes 32B to 40DD.
The straps are adjustable and removable.
It has snaps at the crotch, so you don’t have to completely undress to use the bathroom.
We love that the bodysuit goes by band and cup size, but we wish the sizing also considered the rest of the body (such as the waist and hips).
Shapewear can provide a ton of amazing support to the tummy, waist, hips, and butt, however, that’s not always the case with the bust. If you want something that has more support, we recommend trying an underwire bodysuit. Our top pick is the TC Fine Intimates Black Magic Strapless Bodybriefer, which is constructed from a durable nylon and elastane material that stretches over the body well and fits like a glove to provide extra firm control. It does a great job at cinching the waist and smoothing the tummy and hips, plus it has snaps at the crotch so you don't have to undress to use the bathroom. The bodysuit also features a built-in and supportive underwire bra that comes in sizes 32C to 40DD, plus has adjustable and removable straps that allow you to customize the neckline to match your support and styling needs. While we like that you can get a more custom fit since you can purchase based on cup and band size, we wish it also considered other parts of the body, such as hip and waist size.
Size Range: 32B-40DD | Materials: Nylon, elastane | Benefits: Extra-firm control that shapes the tummy and waist and has a built-in, seamless underwire bra
Thanks to its seamless design, it’s the ideal shapewear for wearing under T-shirts and other lightweight garments.
It's constructed from a breathable, soft cotton and elastane material.
It is one of the most comfortable shapewear pieces we’ve ever tried.
We wish the bust offered a bit more support.
It doesn’t have a ton of compression compared to others on the list.
If you want to invest in a piece of shapewear, we recommend the Wolford 3W Stretch-Cotton Bodysuit, which is excellent for everyday wear. While it doesn’t have a lot of compression and we wish the bust offered a little more support, we love how soft and comfortable this bodysuit is. Since it’s made from a cotton and elastane material, it’s super stretchy, lightweight, and breathable, which adds to the comfort factor. And, because it has more of a seamless design, it works well under lightweight garments, including T-shirts. Additionally, the straps are super comfy and don’t dig in or pinch the shoulders, so you barely even notice them.
Size Range: 34-44 | Materials: Cotton, elastane | Benefits: Shapes the stomach, waist, hips, and butt with a molded bust and adjustable straps
When shopping for shapewear, Raymond says to think about the type of shapewear and the level of control that you need. “Some types of shapewear will provide a light shaping or smoothing for every day and some shapewear will provide a tighter compression and sculpting for that special occasion dress or outfit,” she explains. For the most part, shapewear brands will note the level of control and sometimes even offer different levels of control for the same silhouette.
Raymond also recommends buying for the targeted area, not just for the way a piece of shapewear looks (although, these two things can go hand-in-hand). “Not all shapewear is created equal, so look for styles that focus on the areas you are looking to shape,” she notes. Shapewear will commonly target the tummy, waist, butt, and hips. However, there are also shapewear pieces that target the thighs, bust, and even the back.
The good news is that you don’t need to worry about getting too specific and having a piece of shapewear for every target area since many pieces target multiple areas. For example, our top pick for the best bodysuit, the Skims Sculpting Bodysuit With Snaps, is designed to target the tummy, butt, and chest. The Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit targets the thighs, bust, waist, and tummy with a supportive built-in bra, too.
“Just because you are wearing shapewear doesn’t mean it should not be comfortable,” says Raymond. The key to comfortable shapewear is sizing and fit since it’s something you’ll wear for long periods of time and you don’t want to feel too restricted. In addition to sizing, the fabric can also make or break comfort. “Make sure the fabric has breathability as well as wicking properties to make you feel cool and dry if you’ll be wearing shapewear all day,” Raymond adds.
Since shapewear is technically an undergarment, Raymond says it’s important to consider the color of the shapewear as well as the garment you wear on top. “Keep in mind the color of your outfit and skin tone so it matches and can prevent any see-through issues,” she explains.
When it comes to shapewear, there are lots of brands to choose from. However, after testing dozens of styles, we were most impressed by Skims’ shapewear options, specifically the Skims Sculpting Bodysuit with Snaps, which is our top pick for the best shapewear bodysuit. Spanx is another coveted shapewear brand that impressed us on our testing journey, with several styles making the cut, including the Spanx Ahhh-llelujah 'Fit to You' Everyday Short (our top pick for the best shapewear shorts), plus the Spanx OnCore Open-Bust Mid-Thigh Shaper Bodysuit and the Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit.
“If you’re looking for shapewear to smooth out your lower belly area, look for high-waisted bottoms or choose a longer slip-like shapewear or a shaping cami that has a longer length that works on shaping your entire body,” says Raymond. Bruhn also notes that you can purchase tummy-control underwear which can help smooth out the lower belly but, if you have concerns about panty lines and want something a little more seamless, she says to “choose a shapewear option that goes from mid-thigh to waist or even up to the rib cage.”
The Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit is a good example of this type of shapewear, as it targets the mid-thigh area as well as the lower body, waist, hips, and even the bust. But if you prefer something that doesn’t cover the chest, you can also try our top pick for the best-targeted compression shapewear, the Honeylove SuperPower Short, which has specific design details to smooth and shape the tummy area.
For shapewear to be effective, it has to be skintight, or at least close-fitting. However, particularly with higher compression shapewear, you don’t want it to be so tight that it’s uncomfortable. If you’re buying online, check the measurements (if provided by the retailer) to choose the correct size. Otherwise, purchase shapewear in your regular size (not a size down).
Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. She also has a bachelor’s degree in fashion journalism from Academy of Art University. When writing this PEOPLE Tested story on the best shapewear pieces, Jessie thoroughly researched each product under our review and carefully sifted through lots of valuable insights from the PEOPLE Tested team to get a better idea of what the real-world testing of shapewear was like. She also tapped top shapewear and fashion experts Cami Raymond and Alison Bruhn to learn more about what makes which shapewear the best, including what to look for when shopping for a high-quality, versatile undergarment.
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