16 Pieces Of Shapewear You Won’t Want To Rip Off Your Body
Yes, pieces you can actually BREATHE in!
by The Candidly Team
Shapewear is just one of the many things we buy to make our lives easier, that often end up making our lives harder.
Instead of “smoothing” or miraculously making us look like we shed 10 pounds, most shape-wear squeezes us in all the wrong places. Or it creates lumps and bumps that we didn’t even have before. Or it suddenly bifurcates our bum with panty lines, rendering itself utterly useless. Or it feels so tight, we rip it off in a rage, realizing nothing is worth not being able to “take” a “breath.”
And then there’s the added factor of having to find shapewear to match our outfits—a piece for that strapless dress or high-slit skirt. The whole process leaves us with a drawer full of too-tight garments that we want to set on fire.
Well, we say no more! So we rounded up 16 pieces of shapewear you won’t hate, for every occasion and outfit imaginable.
1. Best For Bodycon
Why we love it: Amazing if you need a bit more compression in the mid-section and goes up to a size 3X. Plus, no girdle-induced muffin-topping in sight.
It also comes with a “bathroom-friendly” open gusset so there’s no need to strip down naked when you have to pee. Weird, but smart.
Price: $89
2. If You CAN’T With Shapewear That Pinches Your Thighs
Maidenform Firm Control Convertible Slip
Why we love it: Sometimes, those mid-thigh shorts just squeeze us at the widest part of our bodies, creating more lumps and thigh-muffin-tops where none previously existed. If you struggle with this too, try a slip.
Price: $68
3. When You Want ZERO Panty Line
Commando Classic Control Thong
Why we love it: Have you ever wriggled into a true body-con dress, only to have your thinnest, most line-less thong fold and ripple, creating MORE panty lines?! No, just us? This high-waisted thong doesn’t just smooth the waist, but its seamless construction keeps it in place and panty-line free.
Price: $38
4. Under Your Workiest Pencil Skirt
Commando Two-Faced Tech Half Slip
Why we love it: Sometimes, we have to wear pencil skirts for work. When that happens, this slip leaves us feeling, in their words, “smoothed, not stuffed.”
Price: $68
5. Best for extended Sizing
Torrid Black Microfiber 360° Smoothing High Waist Short
Why we love it: A great price. Goes up to a 6X. And amazing for chafing.
Price: $29.50
6. Under Something Sheer
Why we love it: Like the thong above, but goes up even higher, so you have more coverage under anything white or sheer.
Price: $79
7. For All Of Your Midi & Maxi Dresses
Skims Below The Knee Sculpting Leggings
Why we love it: If you have a thing about your legs (don’t though, because your legs are great), these will make you feel a bit more “covered” underneath all those midi and maxi dresses you’ve bought for every upcoming occasion.
Price: $62
8. When You’re Going Low-Cut AND Backless
Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
Why we love it: I mean, the design speaks for itself. Low cut WITH a removable closure if you’re also going backless. Oh, and the straps are convertible, too.
Price: $148
9. Best For Light Smoothing
Commando Classic Control Short
Why we love it: Whisper-thin and totally seamless if you just want the lightest bit of compression.
Price: $58
10. For That One Black-Tie Event On Your Calendar
Spanx Suit Your Fancy Open-Bust Catsuit
Why we love it: You know that one, black-tie gown you wear to every event and never know what to wear underneath it? Wear this.
Price: $95
11. For A High Slit
Why we love it: Look, say what you want about Kim K and Skims, but shapewear meant for an asymmetrical skirt or thigh-high slit is just smart.
Price: $42
12. Under a Strapless Dress
Spanx Suit Your Fancy Medium Control Strapless Bodysuit
Why we love it: This hard-working piece accomplishes a lot. Wearable underneath strapless dresses AND allows you to forgo a wretched strapless bra that you’ll have to constantly adjust AND smooths from your chest to your thighs.
Price: $148
13. When You Want To Feel a Little Sexy
Spanx Spotlight on Lace Panty Bodysuit
Why we love it: Let’s be real; we’re mostly wearing shapewear for formal occasions. And sometimes, a fabulous night can come to a sad end when you’re wriggling out of your grandma’s beige girdle. This bodysuit smooths and lifts and won’t make you feel like Robin Williams changing out of his Mrs. Doubtfire costume.
Price: $55
14. Underneath Your Everyday Attire
Spanx Thinstincts® Convertible Cami
Why we love it: Not everyone’s “problem” area (though we don’t really believe in “problem areas”) is their thighs or hips or butt. Some of us just want a little tummy control underneath a tight top and call it a day.
Price: $58
15. For Serious Waist-Cinching
Shapellx CoreSculpt™ Extra Pop Ultra Body Shaper
Why we love it: I mean, look at the photo. If you’re looking for an hourglass shape, look no further.
Price: $65
16. Best For High, High Hemlines
Spanx OnCore High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Short
Why we love it: Hits high on the mid-thigh for just a little smoothing underneath the occasional short hemline.
Price: $78
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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