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With its innovative designs and transformative capabilities, shapewear has become a trusted companion for women seeking to enhance their curves and boost their confidence. Whether you're looking to smooth out unsightly seams or tummy-control styles for a sculpted waistline, shapewear offers a secret weapon to effortlessly accentuate your natural silhouette. No matter the season, there's a chance that you'll be picking up underwear-defying outfits or special-occasion dresses for which you will need shaping styles. If you're reading this, you're likely also on the market for the best strapless bra (or even boob tape) should the garment require it.
Our Top Picks
The best shapewear piece for you may depend on your individual needs, body shape, and personal preferences. It's important to consider factors such as the level of compression, overall design, and target areas. These garments are made with compression fabrics for everyday shaping to powerful sculpting for targeted and comfortable control.
What to consider
Levels of Compression
While each brand has its own system, shapewear generally has three key functionalities.
- Low Compression/Smoothing: A light support layer that lightly smoothes out curves.
- Medium Compression/Shaping: Silhouette shaping that also conceals lumps and bumps.
- Firm Compression/Sculpting: Targeted lifting or tummy control, or sculpting through the waist, hips, and thighs.
Style
Whether you choose an open-bust style to wear your favorite bra or a more classic strappy style, bodysuits provide a one-and-done solution that smoothes from the waist down through the tummy and thighs. Shaping shorts are wardrobe essentials that contour from the waist down through hips and thighs while offering targeted tummy control. If shorts, bodysuits, or briefs aren't your style, you can always opt for a smoothing slip as a trusty foundation.
There are several reputable shapewear brands for women that offer a wide range of options to suit different body types and preferences. To find the best of the best, we tested and reviewed shapewear from leading brands like Spanx, Commando, Cacique, Honeylove, Yummie, and Yitty. From there, we added the top items based on overall comfort, compression effectiveness, and the quality of materials and design. Below, you'll find our recommendations for the best shapewear for women to have in your wardrobe.
Why We Love It
Extended range of sizes and hues to choose from
Highest level for maximum compression sculpting
Lining in the bust eliminates need for a bra – without any bulk
What to Consider
Pricier than other options
Honeylove's bodysuit really impressed us with targeted tummy compression, mid-thigh shaping, and subtle back smoothing. It features the brand's signature, super strong support for maximum tummy control, waist-defining, and booty lifting. We also appreciate that the cups are lightly lined to offer coverage without the bulk –and you won't have to worry about a bra. You really can't go wrong with Honeylove's high-quality materials and design, but we recommend this one-and-done bodysuit for all body types (including large busts!).
Compression Level: Firm Compression/Sculpting · Sizes: XS - 3X · Colors: All black, sheer black, mesh, toffee, and sand
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Best Sculpting Shapewear Shorts
Spanx High-Waist Mid-Thigh Short
Why We Love It
Hits at the natural waist for shorter torsos and low-back dresses
Premium fabrics and finishes
Highest compression level for powerful sculpting
What to Consider
Some may prefer more waist or thigh coverage
In need of serious shaping? Consider this your foolproof solution that covers your waist down through the hips and thighs. The bestselling OnCore features Spanx's most powerful compression for targeted sculpting and booty-lifting. It has built-in panels that go all the way up to your rib cage for the ultimate definition. Plus, the best-in-class fabric is breathable, comfortable, and seamless so it won't show through your clothes.
Compression Level: Firm Compression/Sculpting · Sizes: XS - 3X · Colors: Chestnut brown, soft nude, cafe au lait, and black
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Best Light Shapewear Shorts
Commando Women's Classic Control Shorts
Why We Love It
Luxurious Italian microfiber fabric is silky and comfortable
Invisible proprietary seamless finishes
What to Consider
Some may prefer higher compression
Commando's fabrics and finishings feel luxurious from the moment we put them on. These shorts are shaped and contoured in all the right places, while the brand's signature seamless hem leaves them untraceable from the outside. Featuring light to moderate compression, these bottoms are ideal for everyday wear. For days that we don't need serious shaping or sculpting, Commando's silky smooth shorts offer just the right amount of coverage.
Compression Level: Low Compression/Smoothing · Sizes: XS - 3X · Colors: Ivory, caramel, mocha, and black
Why We Love It
Offers tummy control with booty boost
Affordable price point
What to Consider
Finishes aren't as nice as more premium styles
Yummie is known for its affordable and effective shapewear for women, like these high-waisted seamless shorts. Each pair features the brand's firmest compression for maximum shaping and support. You'll have coverage through the hips and thighs, while backside ruching helps boost the booty. A versatile shaping shortie is a wardrobe essential for layering any time of the year And at this price point? Yes, please!
Compression Level: Firm Compression/Sculpting · Sizes: S/M - L/XL · Colors: Black and almond
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Why We Love It
Designed specifically for curvy and plus-size ladies
Affordable price point
Four sizes and three skin tone shades available
What to Consider
Some may prefer less waist or thigh coverage
Cacique's bestselling shapewear shorts are designed with curvy types top of mind. These everyday shaping shorts use medium compression to offer targeted tummy control and a built-in booty lift for your most flattering fit. One reviewer writes, "I bought this a week or so ago in all four colors. This garment gets the job done. It holds me in in all the right places and I don't feel restricted. The fit is smooth. These four colors will definitely earn their keep by making my clothing fit and look better on."
Compression Level: Medium Compression/Shaping · Sizes: 14 - 28 · Colors: Deep taupe, chocolate plum, cafe, and black
Why We Love It
Noticable tummy-control and midsection sculpting
High-quality fabric and finishes
What to Consider
Pricier than other options
If you want shaping and support without the full short silhouette, Honeylove's briefs have you covered through the midsection to your hips (without any visible lines or bumps!). We were particularly impressed by Honeylove's briefs that have a sheer mesh layer in the front and sides to avoid visible panty lines. The SuperPower shaping bottoms offer targeted high compression that sculpts the midsection and flexible boning to shape while preventing roll-down.
Compression Level: Firm Compression/Sculpting · Sizes: XS - 3X · Colors: All black, sheer black, mesh, toffee, and sand
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Why We Love It
Pair with your favorite bra for the perfect bust fit
Anti-slip and anti-roll finishes
Powerful sculpting design
What to Consider
Some may prefer chest coverage or strapless options
For those looking for a solid shaping bodysuit with an open bust, Spanx's high-quality fabrics and finishes conceal any visible lines and bumps. Trust us: this premium sculpting bodysuit is the real deal. It features an open-bust design so you're able to wear your favorite bra, while a scoop low back and mid-thigh silhouette smooth and shape everywhere else. We love that it comes in an extended range of sizes from petite to 3X.
Compression Level: Firm Compression/Sculpting · Sizes: XS - 3X · Colors: Black and Soft Nude
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Best Smoothing Slip
Commando Two-Faced Tech Control Full Slip
Why We Love It
Made from luxurious Italian microfiber that's soft and comfortable
Light to medium compression for a smoothing effect
What to Consider
Pricier than other styles
Are you team slip-over shorts? This is a delightfully lightweight option that doesn't add bulk with padding in the bust area. Commando's innovative two-faced tech fabric has light-to-medium compression for a silky smoothing effect that's also comfortable. We love the scoop neck front, low back, and mid-thigh design that acts as the perfect support layer under your gowns and dresses.
Compression Level: Low Compression/Smoothing · Sizes: XS - XL · Colors: Black and beige
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Why We Love It
Extended range of sizes up to 5X
Medium sculpting with booty lift
What to Consider
Some may prefer less coverage
This super-smooth bodysuit is so comfortable, you'll forget that you're wearing it. Thanks to a moisture-wicking, breathable fabric, Yitty's shaping bodysuit is a fabulous first layer that will instill confidence all year round. This beauty offers a deep plunge and low back for different silhouettes and runs up to 5X to flatter a range of body types. Oh, and it is worth noting: out of all of the bodysuits we tried, this Yitty style gave us the best-looking derriere.
Compression Level: Medium Compression/Shaping · Sizes: XS/S - 5X · Colors: Black, brown, taupe, and beige
How We Chose the Best Shapewear
To determine our top picks, our editors researched and tested shapewear for women of all different shapes, sizes, and styles. Specific criteria like comfort, compression level, and overall quality of material and design were kept top of mind throughout our selection process.
Sara Klausing
Sara Klausing covers all things fashion and style for Oprah Daily. Follow her on Instagram.