I feel as though I should preface this article by stressing the following: You shouldn’t want to find the best shapewear because you feel like you need to change your body in any way, or so that you can squeeze into smaller clothing either. Solutionwear should never be about altering anything, but rather enhancing what we have and helping us feel more confident.
Like your perfect foundation or pair of running trainers, shapewear is subjective to its wearer, but what I’ve found helpful as a consumer myself is seeing it modelled on real bodies and reading honest reviews. So that’s what I’ve compiled here.
Best shapewear FAQs, answered:
Let’s be real, though: It remains a contentious issue because of societal pressures to look a certain way. Add that to the fact that actually finding something that fits you and performs in the way you want it to is as hard as buying the best jeans for women, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for disaster.
That said, while I’m the first to acknowledge shapewear as being problematic, there are special occasions and times throughout the year when the need for it is warranted – like when you want to create a smooth foundation beneath form-fitting ensembles. And if you feel the same, then you’re in the right place.
How did I test the best shapewear?
Wedding season isn’t so much of a season anymore (it’s all-year-round), and when I have one coming up I tend to lean on my favourite shapewear: SKIMS’ Seamless Sculpt High-Waisted Above The Knee Shorts.
Not only do these iron everything out beneath ‘fit – from the best wedding guest dresses to the best party dresses (Christmas is practically here, after all) – they also lift and shape exactly where you want them to.
Seamless Sculpt High-Waisted Above The Knee Shorts
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open gusset.
Cons
- The silicone band at the waist does start to wear down after time.
I’ve worn them under a stretchy bodycon dress and silk slip dress recently and they were completely invisible. They didn’t roll down, cause any chafing or bulges, or dig in and bunch up whatsoever. My favourite feature, albeit an odd one, was what the brand calls an ‘open gusset’ – because after a few drinks, let’s face it, no one has the energy to act like a contortionist each time they go to the toilet.
Why you can trust me:
What I consider to be the best shapewear for me might not necessarily be the same for another woman. For context, I’m 6ft tall and a clothes size UK 12 (usually), so I made it a priority to spotlight a few other bestselling shapewear styles on my fellow Glamour colleagues who are of different heights, shapes and sizes. Because it’s important to me as a fashion writer to champion all women.
Collectively we have made a conscious effort to try out as many of the shapewear styles you’ll see featured in this guide as possible. Combining our own personal reviews with that of other customers – plus pros and cons and other specifications like cost, materials and sustainability – we’ve managed to narrow our selection down and provide you with 15 items we genuinely rate.
See our full reviews here, or read more about how we test things here.
Meet the expert: Silvia Azzali, Chief Commercial Officer at Wolford.
“Shaping products should make you feel good from within,” says Silvia. “We believe that its just as important as your outerwear,” which is why the brand has such an esteemed line-up of different styles.
Yep, far from frumpy or old-fashioned, shapewear encompasses everything from cami tops and thongs to full blown playsuit styles and skirts these days, and they’re all designed to flatter every curve, make you feel confident, and follow your natural figure. As for when you should wear it? Silvia says; “In short, shapewear should be used when you want additional support. It’s always best to look for shapewear after you’ve decided on your outfit, rather than the other way round, as the type of underwear you’ll need will depend on the style you plan on wearing. For example, figure hugging dresses will be elevated by shapewear, while a low-cut neckline may require a specific style of the best bra or shaping body.”
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