Yes, Comfortable Shapewear Does Exist. (Trust Us, We Tested 27 Different Styles.) (2025)

Sizes: XS–3X | Colors: 4 | Materials: 57% elastane, 43% nylon

Best for: No-frills shapewear that works

The brand name Spanx is synonymous with shapewear — and for good reason. This brand revolutionized modern-day shapewear in the early 2000s and continues to offer top-performing pieces.

✔️ Testers applauded the lightweight, breathable material. "This holds but doesn't feel as tight, restricting, or sweat-inducing as my other shapewear," noted one tester. Another tester added, "The shapewear was also very lightweight and comfortable for hot summer weather."

✔️ The silicone waistband helps keep the compressive shorts in place. "I liked that it held me in but didn't feel constricting and that the legs of the shorts didn't roll up on my thighs," noted one tester. It also features a cotton gusset if you want to wear these shorts without underwear, but it doesn't open like other shapewear.

✔️ It features a smooth design with minimal seams to stay hidden under snug clothing. The free-cut hems and flat seams help prevent any visible panty lines, great to wear under tight fitted clothes. "I liked the strong compression that smoothed the right areas," said one tester. "The shorts did not pinch and were very comfortable — some shapewear can dig or make you appear lumpy and this one did not."

Sizes: S–3X | Colors: 2 | Materials: 70% nylon, 30% elastane

Best for: Lower belly slimming with a comfortable fit

If you're looking for tummy control but don't need thigh coverage, this high-rise Maidenform brief is ideal.

✔️ It has firm control around the tummy and a silicone waistband to help keep it from rolling down. Online reviewers liked its stay-in-place fit: "I LOVE the slightly rubbery threads around the top," said one Amazon reviewer. "This does not roll over even if you slouch."

✔️ We appreciate that it features a cotton gusset (a piece of fabric sewn into the crotch of underwear) because cotton is a natural material that's soft and breathable.

✔️ The two-ply mesh lining offers snug compression while feeling cool and breathable to the touch. It's designed to smooth bulges and create hourglass curves with a high-waist design. The seams don't lay flat, so it may not be as comfortable as seamless styles.

Sizes: S–4X | Colors: 5 | Materials: 90% nylon, 10% spandex

Best for: An hourglass silhouette at an affordable price

Starting at less than $25 and with more than 37,000 reviews on Amazon, this affordable shapewear from Shapermint impressed our textiles pros and consumer testers.

✔️ Testers applauded its comfortable fit without sacrificing compression. One reported, "It was incredibly simple, comfortable and honestly I forgot I was wearing it, which has never been the case before." All testers agreed that this style is great for tummy control without panty lines and said it's easy to take on and off without feeling overly constrictive. On the downside, some testers reported damaged packages.

✔️ It has a basic yet versatile design. This style of shapewear was a game-changer for many of our testers. After wearing it during her everyday routine and to a wedding, one tester said, "It worked great under multiple articles of clothing."

✔️ The material is impressively soft while still being durable. "The fabric was buttery soft and seamless," reported one tester. In our Lab evaluations, the shapewear maintained its shape in our stretch recovery tests.

Sizes: XXS–4X | Colors: 10 | Body materials: 78% nylon, 22% spandex

Best for: Wearing on its own or under sheer tops.

Viral on TikTok, this best-selling bodysuit from Skims can be worn as shapewear under clothes or on its own as a top.

✔️ It highlights your curves to create a flattering shape. Testers appreciated the bodysuit's slimming capabilities with one saying she noticed a "smoother waistline and flatter tummy" while wearing this bodysuit. Liking this bodysuit's targeted compression, one tester said, "It didn't make me look flat like other shapewear bodysuits I've tried." Although it looks small out of the packaging, testers reported that it ran true to size with some opting to size up if they had a larger bust.

✔️ The thong design keeps it hidden under clothes. It also features adjustable straps for a proper fit. The built-in cotton gusset makes this bodysuit comfy to wear without underwear.

✔️ It's available in six nude shades to match your skin tone if you want to wear it under clothes. It has 10 total color options. Testers found that the lighter colors are a bit see-through if you plan to go bra-less.

RELATED: Skims Review: We Tried the Viral Brand to See What's Worth Buying

Sizes: S–3X | Colors: 2 | Body materials: 82% nylon, 18% elastane

Best for: Full body slimming effects, and you can wear your own bra

Combining firm compression with stay-in-place benefits, this Miraclesuit style has adjustable straps and full coverage throughout the torso, hips, butt and thighs.

✔️ We were impressed by its all-over smoothing capabilities, thanks to panels at the midsection that give extra support for the tummy. Online reviewers appreciated the pee slot, but a few commented that it was tough to use because of the snug fit.

✔️You can wear your own bra to ensure a proper fit. Many testers with larger busts preferred open-bust shapewear as styles with built-in bras didn't fit properly. The straps may be limiting for certain outfits, but it's cut low enough to wear under a variety of tops and dresses.

✔️ It offers compression through the back to prevent bra lines. One online reviewer reported she had "no side boob bulge," when wearing this bodysuit. "I love the smoothing effect it has all the way up the back," said another reviewer. "No bra lines!"

Sizes: S–4X | Colors: 13 | Materials: 90% nylon, 10% spandex

Best for: Everyday slimming that you can wear on its own

This Shapermint cami is an Amazon's best-selling shapewear top with over 25,000 online reviews — and after testing this top in our Lab, we agree that it's a worthwhile buy.

✔️ It's a great everyday staple because it offers smoothing capabilities without feeling like you're wearing constricting shapewear. Some testers found it challenging to get on at first because of its snug fit. Calling it "extremely comfortable," one tester said that it "held my stomach area in well."

✔️All testers reported that they would continue wearing this cami since it was comfortable and stayed in place. "This [top] created a very flattering silhouette," reported one tester who said she wore this camisole regularly to the office. "Even though it was snug, it was pretty comfortable."

✔️ It can be worn on its own or under clothes. "I appreciate that the tank was the perfect length and was long enough to not roll up or shift," said one tester. It comes in 13 colors including nude shades and fun colors.

Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 2 | Body materials: 51% elastane, 49% nylon

Best for: Pairing with strapless dresses

Not only does this Spanx bodysuit smooth everything from your bust to your thighs, but it's also surprisingly versatile.

✔️ Because of the strapless design, it's ideal to wear to weddings and other formal events. It offers medium compression, so it's easy to slip on and take off, unlike other shapewear that can be more of a struggle. For more support up top, we also like the version with built-in straps.

✔️ Its built-in bra also has removable straps that are both adjustable and convertible so you can wear it under almost any outfit. The lightly lined cups offer lift and support while looking natural. It will fit up to a D-cup size, so it's not suitable for women with larger cup sizes.

✔️ There's an open gusset, so you don't have to take the whole bodysuit off to use the bathroom. One GH staffer added, "I love that you don't have to worry about clips or anything when you need to use the loo" because this bodysuit includes an open gusset for easy bathroom access.

Sizes: XS–3X | Colors: 5 | Body materials: 75% Nylon, 25% Spandex

Best for: Lower belly compression, plus testers specifically said this pick was a great for wedding wear too

✔️ Designed to highlight your figure, these shorts (the bra's not included) from Honeylove has targeted compression panels to smooth your waistline, while offering support for your legs. "I felt very shaped and supported in this shapewear," reported one tester. She even said it "made a notable difference in how my body appeared in some dresses." It offers high compression, so some testers preferred to size up for a more comfortable fit.

✔️ It features flexible boning on the sides to help keep the shorts in place. "The extra support from structures on the sides definitely gave it a bit more shape instead of just being one tight piece of fabric," noted one tester. This style is available as shorts, underwear or mini shorts (ideal for shorter dresses!) with five color options.

✔️ Testers gave a similar style from the brand a perfect score for support: They said that it held them in and felt comfortable without feeling sweaty. "The shapewear definitely did its job, I was SNATCHED," said one tester. "It was really comfortable to wear as well!" An open gusset means you don't have to take off the shorts to use the bathroom, but testers found the opening too small.

The fiber scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab have been testing shapewear for the past 15 years. Our latest test included over 80 different consumer testers with a range of body shapes trying out 27 different styles, including bodysuits, underwear and shorts. Here are the main considerations we took into account when testing shapewear:

• Stretch recovery: We stretch the shapewear a set amount and then see if it will return to its original shape. Because shapewear is made with stretchy materials, it must maintain its shape after you wear it over and over.
  

• Comfortable fit: To ensure you're not counting down the seconds until you can take it off, we prioritized our testers' feedback on comfort and fit to find the most comfortable styles. Our recent test included testers who wear women's sizes XS—3XL.
• Shaping, slimming and smoothing effects: Testers gave extensive feedback on noticeable effects when wearing the shapewear to determine which styles are best suited for different purposes.

  We also consulted additional style and clothing experts, including personal stylist Lauren Messiah, fashion stylist Meaghan O'Connor and Kleinfeld Bridal Director of Alterations Tina Zimmerman.

These days, shapewear comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and cuts, so whether you're shopping for a special occasion or an everyday staple, there's something out there for you, and some can even replace your favorite bra and/or underwear. Here's what we look for in the best quality shapewear for women:

✔️ Comfort: Some shapewear has higher compression levels, so be sure to select the material and thickness based on your wants, says stylist and podcast host O'Connor. Her advice: "Keep a lookout for pieces that are designed to stay in place." Ideally, shapewear shouldn't roll down or limit your circulation — you should be able to breathe, sit and eat comfortably.

✔️ Type: If you want extreme tummy control and contouring, opt for shapewear with mid- to high-level compression, she says. If you're looking for some control but mostly want to smooth your silhouette and enhance your outfit, select pieces that focus less on compression and more on smoothing, so that you maintain comfort and keep your shape. Or if you're looking for shapewear as a modesty piece like a skirt slip, opt for lightweight fabrics with minimal compression and features that work for your personal style.

✔️ Sizing: Never size down. Buying too small can squish your skin and cause unwanted bulges, advises Zimmerman.

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.

Is it better to size up or down in shapewear?

You should go with your regular apparel size when buying shapewear. If you usually wear a size Medium in underwear and a Large in bodysuits, you should choose the same sizes for underwear and bodysuit shapewear pieces. Like any piece of apparel, sizing varies from brand to brand, so make sure to look at the size chart closely. Many shapewear styles are designed to be very compressive, so some testers preferred to size up for a more comfortable fit that was a bit less slimming.

How do you keep shapewear from rolling down?

If your shapewear tends to roll down, you may be wearing the wrong size. Shapewear that's too tight or too big will roll down more than styles that fit properly. You can also look for styles with silicone grips that can help it stay in place. Bodysuits are another great option for shapewear that won't roll down.

Which shapewear is best for slimming, especially the lower belly?

For lower belly pooch slimming, look for shapewear that has targeted compression around the tummy. Shapewear shorts and underwear tend to be the best at smoothing the waistline and tummy area. While you won't want to wear it for too long, high-compression styles will create a more noticeable difference in appearance. Maidenform Flexees Shapewear Hi-Waist Brief excelled in our tests for offering snug lower belly compression.

SPANX Higher Power Short: While these shorts were a top-performer when we tested them, there are currently many online reviews saying new pairs rip easily.

Honeylove Low-Back Bodysuit: Testers found it to offer too much coverage, but applauded it's compressive fit. We feature the shorts version from the same line. It's a great low-back bodysuit option.

Knix Shortie Thigh Saver: It received high comfort scores for its lightweight material. It didn't offer much compression, according to testers, but it's great to wear under skirts and dresses for more coverage.

Bali Lace Body Shaper: Testers were mixed on the lace material: Some found it comfy and breathable, while others found it odd for shapewear. It's a great buy, but the unique material makes it less versatile.

Wacoal Elevated Allure Bodysuit: If you want a full-coverage bodysuit, this is a nice pick, though most testers preferred a less "frumpy" look.

YITTY Nearly Naked High Waist Short: We like the inclusive size range, up to a size 5X, and colorful options. Testers were mixed on the fit, with some saying it was too tight and others noting that it was not compressive enough.

Yummie Ultralight Shaping Short: Testers liked the breathable feel, but reported that it rolled up on their thighs and didn't stay put during all day wear.

Evelyn and Bobbie Defy Bra Tank: Testers loved the supportive cups, ideal for anyone with larger cup sizes. However, they didn't like that the wide straps were visible under most clothes, making it tough to style.

Commando Zone Smoothing Brief: Multiple testers had fit issues and found them to bunch throughout the day. A few testers liked the simple design that smoothed lumps.

Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has been overseeing the testing of apparel for over a decade. Sachs has extensively tested dozens of shapewear styles both in the Lab and in real-life settings and regularly evaluates similar categories including the best bras, best slimming swimsuits and more.

Emma Seymour is the associate Textiles Lab director at Good Housekeeping where she has led testing for all types of intimates products, including shapewear, bras and underwear. Since 2018, she has been a leading fit expert, writing articles about how to measure yourself at home and finding your best bra size. She most recently updated this story.

Aidan Collins and Rachael Chen conducted our most recent shapewear test in the Textiles Lab to update this story.

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