The Best Shapewear To Solve Every Style Conundrum (2024)

FAQs

What is the best shapewear that actually works? ›

Spanx Thinstincts Open Bust Mid Thigh Bodysuit.

It is FIRM in slimming control and will slim and smooth your hips, thighs, bottom, tummy, waist, midriff and back. The back section comes over the top of your bra straps and firms up all those back bulges you often see under dresses.

Spanx Fit to You Everyday Shorts

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.

While stars have been especially obsessed with Spanx's faux leather leggings as of late, the OG shapewear brand's shaping shorts and seamless undies are bestsellers as well.

Which shapewear brand is best? In our tests, we have found Spanx and Skims to be the most popular brands that performed well in our tests. For more affordable options, we were impressed by the offerings from Maidenform and Shapermint.

Touted as “the new, solution-focused approach to shape enhancing undergarments, created by Kim Kardashian,” Skims Solutionwear includes the usual stretchy shapewear items, designed to provide “solutions” for tummy, butt, waist, and thighs, in different support levels (medium, high, and “super high”).

Overall, these Shapermint pieces have exceeded my expectations and taken up permanent residence in my weekly wardrobe. Not only are they comfortable, versatile and affordable, but they also help me feel more confident in my clothes.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Shapewear may temporarily reduce the appearance ofbelly fat, but it will not lead to any long-term change. The only way to reduce belly fat is through diet and exercise. However, if you are looking for a way to give your stomach a little extra support, shapewear can be a good option.

Many believe that sizing down in shapewear is a must to optimize the compression, thus slimming the silhouette. This, however, is untrue and can yield the opposite effect. If you size down in shapewear, you risk causing unsightly bumps and pinching that disrupt rather than enhance the silhouette.

Every item we tested from Skims made a noticeable difference in smoothing out our shape and boosting our confidence. They also felt more natural and underwear-like against our skin, and were more aesthetically pleasing than the sheen of Spanx products.

Why do my Spanx roll down at the waist? ›

Your shapewear may roll up or down because it's too small and therefore too tight on your body. It can also create a lumpy look from overflow where the shapewear meets the skin. If you've chosen a piece that's too long, it may not grip as well, which also causes roll-down.

Since launching Skims in 2019 with a range of shapewear — or as she calls it, “solutionwear” — founder Kim Kardashian's grown her brand into a multi-billion-dollar behemoth that's managed to make her even more famous (not to mention wealthy).

Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand, Skims, is now worth $4 billion, according to The New York Times. 1 Skims raised $270 million in a funding round led by asset management company Wellington Management. That's up from 2022, when Skims was valued at $3.2 billion by investors.

Keep in mind that shapewear is meant to be tight and compressive, but it should never be uncomfortable or restrictive. If you're in between sizes, it's generally recommended to size up rather than down. This will ensure that the shapewear is comfortable and effective in smoothing out your silhouette.