Comfortable Shapewear Does Exist...Trust Us, We Tested 27 Different Styles. (2024)

This do-it-all style shapes your thighs, butt and hips with extra emphasis on the tummy. Tested by our Textiles Lab experts, the higher rise is designed to minimize any "muffin top," and its no-slip waistband helps it stay in place. The best part is you can wear it all day. The lightweight, seamless fabric offers a medium firmness, so it'll smooth without feeling like you can't breathe, according to our clothing pros. Fashion stylist Meaghan O'Connor also keeps this shapewear piece in her own repertoire.

Sizes: S-3X | Colors: 4 shades

If you're looking for tummy control but don't need thigh coverage, this high-rise brief has firm control around the tummy and a silicone waistband to help keep it in place. It's designed to smooth bulges and create hourglass curves. Online reviewers love its stay-in-place fit: "I LOVE the slightly rubbery threads around the top," says one Amazon reviewer. "This does not roll over even if you slouch. "

Sizes: S-XXL | Colors: 3 shades

Combining firm compression with stay-in-place benefits, this 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. Though the straps may be limiting for certain outfits, the design allows you to wear your own bra and is cut low enough to wear under a variety of tops and dresses.

Sizes: S-3X | Colors: Black or nude

A discreet top that easily layers under everyday clothing, this cami offers smoothing capabilities without feeling like you're wearing constricting shapewear. It's Amazon's bestselling shapewear top, and online reviewers consistently call it flattering, with one saying, "I hardly wear any shapewear but this is something I could see myself wearing every day for support." We also love that it's not too pricey and comes in plus sizes.

Sizes: S-4X | Colors: 4 shades

For a versatile piece that you can wear under any type of garment, this sculpting thong has a high-rise fit to smooth the tummy along with high leg rises to avoid panty lines. The SKIMS brand is a staple for both Messiah and O'Connor along with GH editors who love the color and size ranges. "I’m able to find undergarments and shapewear that are the perfect 'nude' for me, which a lot of companies don't offer," noted one staffer. We also found the pieces to be breathable, making them suitable for all-day wear.

Sizes: XXS-4X | Colors: 10 shades

This one-piece comfortably smoothes and stays in place better than sectional shapewear. We were impressed by the light lining around the cups, which means you won't need a separate bra. The lace pattern looks nice, but the brand also claims it makes the style more breathable. Plus, with the bottom closure, you can use the restroom without dressing down to your birthday suit.

Sizes: 34B-40DD | Colors: 4 shades

Whether it's for a special occasion or everyday wear, shapewear worn under dresses should be able to smooth without being visible. We found that these shorts in particular are the perfect balance of lightweight and sculpting, finding that they were slimming without feeling too constricting. They also provide great coverage without being too high at the torso or too long on the thighs. A GH editor who owns them noted that they're also great for layering under skirts and pants.

Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 5 shades

Some bras create unwanted lines and bulges, but this style has back-smoothing fabric that minimizes this effect. When we evaluated this bra in our Textiles Lab, consumer testers said it was comfortable, supportive and looked great under clothing. One D-cup tester even says it was the best-fitting bra she's ever owned!

Sizes: XS-1X, with cup sizes AA-E | Colors: Black or nude

These briefs are more subtle than most shapewear; in fact, they're like regular underwear with a higher rise to specifically target the butt, waist and tummy. Though the design is more minimal than other shapewear, it still offers firm compression for smoothing capabilities. It also uses moisture-wicking fabric, making it ideal for summer or anyone that's prone to sweating in shapewear.

Sizes: S-XXL | Colors: 13 shades

If you're looking to target your backside, these shorts are specifically designed to lift and accentuate your butt. There's a ruched seam in the back that helps define the shape, while firm compression at the thighs helps smooth. Online reviewers were blown away, saying they fit just like bike shorts yet actually live up to their claims.

Sizes: XXS-4X | Colors: 4 shades

With the shaping benefits of a bodysuit — and without annoying panty lines — this thong style is Amazon's bestselling shapewear bodysuit. The fabric is lightweight and stretchy yet has firm compression to smooth around the midsection. It also helps lift your bust and its thin straps are discreet enough to wear under most clothing. One online reviewer described it as "buttery soft," while another said, "This bodysuit doesn't ride up."

Sizes: XXS-5XL | Colors: 5 shades

Not only does this style smooth everything from your bust to your thighs, but it's also surprisingly versatile. For starters, it's easy to slip on and take off, unlike other shapewear that can be more of a struggle. It also has removable straps that are both adjustable and convertible so you can wear it under almost any outfit. One GH staffer added, "I love that you don't have to worry about clips or anything when you need to use the loo, thanks to the 'easy access gusset.'"

Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: Black or beige

We love that Thigh Society has proven its commitment to size inclusivity, offering styles in sizes up to 6X. These shorts in particular are comfy and soft, plus they come in three lengths with options for sheer and opaque coverage, and they can even be worn on their own. Besides smoothing under clothing, the brand notes that they can help prevent chafing.

Sizes: XS-6X | Colors: 4 shades

Designed specifically for plus sizes, this seamless style has firm control throughout the torso and thighs. Its open-bust design means it has straps for stay-in-place power while allowing you to wear your preferred bra. A favorite piece of O'Connor's, its contours provide an invisible layer of control under any outfit, and the adjustable straps make sure you have a comfy fit.

Sizes: 14-36 | Colors: Black or Café

Shapewear doesn't have to be just for your mid-section and bottom. This compression garment is smoothing under long-sleeve tops and dresses. It's thin enough that it'll fit under layers, and it's designed to help with sagging skin and reducing unwanted jiggling. The style is one piece and goes on just like a bolero, so you don't have to worry about the sleeves rolling down. "It is helping me with a shoulder injury," noted one Amazon reviewer. "The compression is soothing."

Sizes: S-Q2 (equivalent to dress sizes 4-20) | Colors: Black or nude

Featuring a bandeau-style top and a smooth microfiber material for the slip, this style is perfect for layering under strapless dresses without feeling constricted. Though the fabric itself is firm, it's not as compressive as other shapewear. Just keep in mind that it may not work as well under low-cut tops.

Sizes: S-L | Colors: Black or nude

The fiber scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab have been testing shapewear for the past 15 years. We test each style in our Lab and send it to consumer testers with a range of body shapes to get real-life wear feedback. 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.

✔️ 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 your wedding or an everyday staple, there's something out there for you that can even replace your favorite bra and/or underwear. Here's what we look for in good shapewear for women:

✔️ Comfort: Not all shapewear is created equal: 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 contour, look for shapewear with mid- to high-level compression, she says. Looking for some control but mostly to just smooth your silhouette and enhance your outfit? Opt for 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, find 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. Most of us don't wear the same clothes all the time, and that should go for shapewear as well, says O'Connor. Consider shapewear as you would your other intimate apparel pieces, and it will be clear that variation in style makes for easier dressing!

Lexie Sachs is the Executive Director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has been overseeing the testing of all apparel for over a decade. Lexie 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.

Jacqueline Saguin keeps her finger on the pulse of fashion, from testing viral social media products to anticipating buying trends. She began her career in the style and beauty reviews realm and writes about products through a personal lens. She regularly collaborates with the GH Textiles Lab to put together product reviews on the very best clothing and accessories out there, according to consumer and Lab testing.