The 16 Best Shapewear of 2024, Tested by Real Women
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Crowd favorites including Skims, Spanx, and Commando start at $15
People / Marcus Millan
Deal Alert!
Shapermint Essentials High-Waisted Shaper Shorts are 60% off at shapermint.com.
Maidenform Open Bust Body Shaper is 57% off at Amazon.
Skims Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit is up to 51% off select colors at skims.com.
Bali Lace 'N Smooth Shapewear is 48% off select sizes at Amazon.
TC Fine Intimates Extra Firm Convertible Bodysuit is 44% off select sizes at Amazon.
Yummie Bria Comfortably Curved Shaping Short is 25% off at Amazon.
Shapewear has a reputation for sculpting the body while also pinching, poking, and, frankly, making us feel a little claustrophobic.
With Kim Kardashian’s Skims and, of course, the iconic Spanx brand creating more innovative designs, today's shapewear can actually be comfortable without sacrificing any smoothing, sculpting, or shaping benefits.
To find our tried and true pieces, we tested dozens of styles including bodysuits, shorts, and waist-cinchers from popular brands like Spanx, Skims, Honeylove, and Commando. After testing for six weeks, we rated each piece for its level of control, fit, comfort, durability, and overall value.
Best Bodysuit: Skims Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit
Star Qualities
Seamless design doesn’t show under clothing (even lighter materials like T-shirts)
Super comfortable material
Straps don’t dig into the skin
Impressive smoothing effect around the waist
Red Flags
Not a super high-compression bodysuit
If you're looking for shapewear to style under spring clothing, we love the Skims Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit for its 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, Skims has one of the most inclusive size and skin-tone color ranges on the market.
Size Range: 2XS-5XL | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Benefits: Smoothes the core, lifts the butt, supports the chest
Pro Tip!
“Keep in mind the color of your outfit and skin tone so it matches and can prevent any see-through issues." —Cami Raymond
Best Bodysuit (Cheaper): Maidenform Women's Wear Your Own Bra Singlet Fajas Shapewear
Star Qualities
Holds its shape after wearing and washing
Impressive smoothing effect
Comfortable, breathable material that is super soft and slightly stretchy
Bodysuit is crotchless so it’s easy to go to the bathroom
Red Flags
Only comes in two colors
Size range isn't very inclusive
Despite having a reasonable price tag, this Maidenform bodysuit is comparable to more luxe styles. Designed with super soft nylon and spandex material, it stretches over the body without losing its shape. The open bust 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? Taking it off to use the bathroom. Since this bodysuit is crotchless, it make bathroom breaks so much easier. 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
Related: The Best Period Underwear of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best Shorts: Spanx Ahhh-llelujah Fit to You Everyday Shorts
Star Qualities
Comfortable, lightweight compression for all-day wear
Don’t roll down at the waist and stay put on the thighs
Slims the tops of the thighs but can also smooth hips
Design feels like an elevated pair of bike shorts
Red Flags
Lightweight compression doesn't shape as well as others we tested
After testing these Spanx shorts, we can confidently say that they're 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
Pro Tip!
“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." —Cami Raymond, senior design director at Ruby Ribbon
Best Shorts (Cheaper): Yummie Bria Comfortably Curved Smoothing Short
Star Qualities
Super easy to pull on and off
Soft and stretchy material doesn’t pinch the skin
Provide light smoothing to the waist, stomach, and butt
Red Flags
Very light compression compared to others we tested
We were impressed by these Yummie shorts which are 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
Best Thong Bodysuit: Pinsy Scoop Tank Hourglass Shapewear Thong Bodysuit
Star Qualities
Fit like a glove after being pulled on
Good coverage with no visible panty lines
Smoothing effect to the stomach and hips
Red Flags
Material is pretty thick
Hook and eye closures were a little loose, making it tricky to snap on and off
This Pinsy bodysuit 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. We felt like these hooks were a little loose, making it trickier to snap on and off; however, this didn’t take away from our overall experience.
Size Range: S-3XL (regular and long) | Materials: Recycled fabric | Benefits: Medium shaping in the waist and tummy area with a built-in wire-free bra
Best Open Bust: Spanx OnCore Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
Star Qualities
Stretchy material fits like a glove
Lightweight compression smooths and shapes the tummy, waist, and butt
Adjustable straps for a more customized fit
Red Flags
No snaps or crotchless design makes it harder to go to the bathroom
Limited size range
Spanx's OnCore Bodysuit is constructed from a stretchy nylon and elastane material that provides lightweight compression for smoothing and shaping the tummy, waist, and butt.
This bodysuit is super comfortable. 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. It also has adjustable straps for a better fit, though we wish it came in more 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
Best Mid-Thigh Bodysuit: Spanx Suit Your Fancy Strapless Cupped Mid Thigh Bodysuit
Star Qualities
Adjustable and removable straps
Thick enough to smooth and cinch the waist, hips, tummy, butt, and upper thighs
Can be worn with a variety of necklines, including strapless
Red Flags
Short bra band makes it hard to put it on yourself
Limited size range
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.
Our biggest complaint during testing was how tricky it was getting it on and off. Due to the thicker and compressive material and short bra strap band in the back, you may need some extra assistance, which isn’t ideal for those who live alone. We also 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
Best Underwire Bodysuit: TC Fine Intimates Extra Firm Control Convertible Bodysuit
Star Qualities
Cinches the waist well
Built-in, supportive underwire bra
Adjustable and removable straps
It has snaps at the crotch, so you don’t have to completely undress to use the bathroom.
Red Flags
Sizing doesn't consider waist and hips, just cup and band size
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 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 (and has snaps at the crotch).
Design perks include a built-in, supportive underwire bra and adjustable, removable straps that allow you to customize the neckline. 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
Best Everyday: Commando Classic Control Short
Star Qualities
Works especially well under dresses and jumpsuits
Smooths out the stomach, hips, and legs
Not super restricting
Red Flags
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
Related: The 29 Best Bras for Large Busts of 2024 That Offer Ultimate Comfort and Support
Best Targeted Compression: Honeylove SuperPower Short
Star Qualities
Built-in boning helps contour and provide impressive shaping
Undetectable under clothing, including bodycon dresses
Flattens the stomach and cinches at the waist
Red Flags
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. Designed with targeted compression on the waist, belly, hips, and thighs, these shorts feature lots of amazing design details that allow for a more sculpting fit.
The built-in boning on the sides helps 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.
Size Range: XS-3XL | Materials: Not listed | Benefits: Ultra-high waist, posture support, targeted compression, butt-lifting design
Related: The 10 Best Black Tights of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Plus Size Women: Lane Bryant Shape By Cacique Open-Bust Thigh Shaper
Star Qualities
Highly compressive yet super comfortable
Very breathable material that doesn't feel restrictive
No visible panty lines
Sweat-wicking fabric
Red Flags
Too restrictive and compressive for all-day wear
Harder to put on because off its high compression
If you're looking for plus-sized shapewear, the Lane Bryant 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 six hours — it can start to feel restrictive after longer wear. Because it's so compressive, putting it on and off can be a bit challenging.
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 others we tested.
Size Range: 14/16-34/36 | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Benefits: Control from the torso through the mid-thigh
Related: The Best Plus Size Swimwear of 2024, According to Editors and Reviews
Best for Petite Women: Honeylove Cami Bodysuit
Star Qualities
Adjustable straps for a more custom fit
Blends really well under clothing
Stays in place without adjustments
Red Flags
Cups could use more stretch, especially for larger busts
Doesn't cinch the waist as much as we would have liked
When shopping for petite shapewear, 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.
During testing, we appreciated 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.
Size Range: XS-4XL (regular and petite) | Materials: 62% nylon, 38% spandex body | Benefits: Smooths the bust, tummy, and butt
Best Ultra-High Waist: Shapermint Essentials All Day Every Day High-Waisted Shaper Shorts
Star Qualities
Works well under most garments, including jeans
Feels super supportive and secure once on
Provides an amazing smoothing effect on the tummy, thighs, and butt
Size range up to 4XL
Red Flags
Waistband could have a better cinching effect
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 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.
Size Range: XS-4XL | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Benefits: Smooths tummy, butt, and thighs
Best Waist-Cincher: Squeem Women's Firm Control Strapless Waist Cincher
Star Qualities
Great fit with a wider size range than most others
Stays in place without twisting around or slipping down
Red Flags
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.
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
Best Lace: Bali Women's Lace 'N Smooth Shapewear
Star Qualities
Super stretchy and comfortable material
Snap closures on the crotch makes it easy to use the bathroom
Good smoothing effect on the body
Red Flags
Not a lot of skin tone options
Could show some visible panty lines
If you want something a little more design-forward, we were impressed 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 makes using the bathroom a lot easier compared to bodysuits without snaps.
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
Best Investment: Wolford 3W Forming Bodysuit
Star Qualities
Seamless design works under T-shirts and other lightweight garments
Constructed from a breathable, soft cotton and elastane material
One of the most comfortable shapewear pieces we’ve tried
Red Flags
Bust doesn't offer much support
Lighter 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. 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
What to Know About Shapewear
Control Level
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.
Target Area
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 Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit, 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.
Comfort
“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.
Behind the Scenes
To determine the best shapewear on the market, we evaluated dozens of options — from bodysuits to waist-cinchers — on their fit, comfort, look, durability, and value. We wore each piece for at least two hours at a time multiple times over the course of six weeks.
Once we finished testing, we compiled our notes and rigorously reviewed the data to rate each shapewear on a scale of 1 to 5 for each testing attribute. Ultimately, the pieces with the highest average scores earned a spot on this PEOPLE Tested list.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
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.
For this piece, Jessie carefully sifted through valuable insights from the PEOPLE Tested team and 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.
Our Expert Panel
Cami Raymond is the senior design director at Ruby Ribbon.
Alison Bruhn is a personal stylist and co-founder of The Style That Binds Us.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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