Building a solid foundation for your outfits is crucial for boosting confidence, and the best plus-size shapewear does that; a base layer for enhancing your outfits and celebrating all your curves.
But just like the journey to selecting the cutest plus-size swimsuit or comfortable bra, tracking down the best shapewear set can be daunting. That’s why we rounded up 10 of our favorite plus-size shapewear options, from bodysuits to wireless control camis.
What Are The Types Of Shapewear?
Shapewear is an undergarment that helps accentuate curves, create a smooth silhouette and enhance your figure to give you a more streamlined and flattering appearance.
It is also known as ‘Spanx,’ after one of the most popular brands, or a ‘Girdle.’
There are several types of shapewear, each designed to target specific body areas. These are the most common forms:
- Bodysuits– cover the entire torso area, offering support and shaping the tummy area, waist, hips, and even the butt. They’re excellent for achieving an overall sleek appearance
- Bras & Bralettes – everyday wear that provide added attention to the bust area
- Butt-Lift Shapewear– help enhance the appearance of your butt, providing lift and sculpting for a more defined look
- Control Briefs/Shorts – similar to regular underwear but with added shaping designs. Briefs focus on the midsection (pouch area), while control shorts extend to the thighs
- Corsets – help maximize your curves while also training your waist. They’re the perfect body shapers pick for anyone looking to achieve a snatched appearance
- Supportive Slip Dresses – shapewear staples worn under a dress or skirt to offer a smooth and sleek silhouette. They target the entire body, from the bust down to the hips
- Toning Tops – less restrictive than a bodysuit, a body-shaping tank top or camisole is perfect for those sheer moments and provides a smooth and bump-free foundation for blouses and dresses
- Open Bust Shapers – these leave the bust area open, enabling you to WYOB (wear your own bra) while still getting shaping benefits for your midsection
- Maternity Shapewear – exclusively designed for pregnant women, these shapers offer support for the growing belly while also sculpting other areas.
Does Shapewear Work?
Yes, it does – depending on the fabric quality.
Get the right fit, and your love handles, cellulite, and awkward curves will appear smoother, sculpted, and even more enhanced.
Perfect body-shaping pieces also use innovative technology that combines compression, design, and figure-flattering materials that help add opacity to sheer outfits, create more accentuated curves, flatten lower belly pouches, and minimize the appearance of cellulite.
Can You Wear Shapewear While Pregnant?
Yes, it’s pretty safe to wear spanx when pregnant – that’s why Ashley Stewart, Kim K, Lizzo, and other shapewear designers have maternity options in their itinerary.
While many things can be risky for you during pregnancy (like drinking alcohol and wearing six-inch heels), wearing a snug and stretchy maternity shapewear fit is not. Your baby is well-cushioned by amniotic fluid and won’t get squished or impacted in any way by one.
What To Look For When Shopping For Shapewear
According to the shapewear brand Shapermint, picking the right body shaper isn’t rocket science. You just have to consider the following tips:
1. Know Your Measurements – knowing your sizing chart makes picking outfits, including shapewear, effortless. And if you’re not confident (because UK and US sizing charts are confusing), select one size larger. More often than not, you’ll find it’s the perfect fit.
2. Know Your Body Shape – what’s your natural figure? Is it pear? Hourglass like Beyoncé? Or perhaps apple? Knowing your body type lets you choose the best girdle option for your unique build.
3. Select Your Support Level – now that you know your size and the areas you want to accentuate, it’s time to figure out the amount of compression you need.
There’s light-compression (everyday body shapers that smooth target areas), middle-compression (that provides firm control and accentuates curves), and firm-compression (firmly tone and sculpt your body – perfect for structured clothing like prom gowns and wedding dresses).
The Best Plus-Size Shapewear Sets Of 2023
And now, the ECT award for the best plus-size shapewear for women in 2023 goes to:
Ashley Stewart WYOB Medium Control Seamless Cami, $20-$30
The WYOB seamless cami – like BYOB, but with a bra instead of booze – provides medium shaping control, flexibility, and full-sculpting coverage from the bust to your lower belly pouch.
The seamless edge panels mean your spanx fit will go unnoticed when rocked under a t-shirt, blouse, or dress. A genius piece of plus-size shapewear if you ask us.
Honeylove SuperPower Short, $100
If the idea of body shapers makes you run for the hills, these superpower shorts might make you rethink your stand.
The anti-chafing Honeylove thigh-smoothing butt-lifting shapewear features light support, so they’re not as restrictive and intense as other options, and their ribbed cuffs prevent them from riding up and bunching on your thighs.
They’re the most comfortable plus-size shapewear, and you can rock them all day long without fear.
Torrid Black Seamless 360° Smoothing Slip Dress, $45
Okay, now this is the kind of women’s shapewear we want to rock as on a bridal shower, on our wedding day, or even for a simple night out.
This smoothing slip dress is silky-soft and perfectly stretches with your body for moderate curve-enhancing and sculpting to your everyday looks.
You can easily convert the adjustable straps into a racerback style for additional comfort.
Shapermint Essentials Tie Belt One-Piece Swimwear, $50
This Shapermint swimsuit shapewear piece quickly became a fan-favorite thanks to its breathability features and hourglass-shaping capabilities.
It has a sturdy power mesh shaping panel for 360-shaping, adjustable straps for lift, and a waist tie plus ruching detail for accentuating your waist, all of which make it perfect for a day of fun in the sun.
Ashely Stewart Seamless Unlined Wireless Shapewear Bralette, $10
This seamless shapewear bralette is designed to smooth your back and sides with featherweight support, making it extra comfy and flattering at the same time.
Plus, it has reinforced shoulder straps that offer more lifting support and an elasticized band at the hemline for effortless contouring.
Yitty Headliner Shaping Open Bust Thong Bodysuit, $24
Body shapers don’t always have to be neutrals, eh? Thank you, Lizzo and Fabletics, for giving us these gorgeous, bold-colored Yitty shapewear bodysuits in smooth high-shine limelight.
Plus, the open-bust design allows you to wear your own bra but still get that full-bodysuit look. We think it wouldn’t look out of place at work, a festival, or a bridal party!
Skims Seamless Sculpting High-Waisted Thong, $32
Say all you want about Kim Kardashian, but one thing about the reality TV star is that she knows her body shapers – and bodysuits, fabric – basically everything fashion. And this shapewear underwear is proof.
The perfectly stretchy, seamless thong features a high-waist fit that hits right below your bust, an interior silicone underband that prevents roll-down (don’t you hate when that happens), and a wide crotch area for breathability and added coverage.
It’s basically a cloud and warm hug wrapped in ten stunningly sexy thong shapewear.
Ashley Stewart Extra Firm Waist Shaper Cami, $30
We trust Ashley Stewart with our lingerie, loungewear, and now body shapers. She just gets it. And this extra firm waist shaper not only looks fancy – Bridgerton-like – but also holds and lifts your bust area while seamlessly smoothing the tummy to give you a snatched look.
Plus, it has easy adjustable front hooks that make it a cinch to wear and provides ample back support to anyone who hates slouching.
Plus-Size Secret Fit Motherhood Maternity Shapewear, $20
Whatever your size, maternity shapewear can help smooth bumps and lumps in the thigh and tush area.
The innovative plus-size body shaper flaunts your best assets, and thanks to the stretchy belly panel, you can effortlessly wear this Target shapewear all 40+ weeks.
Knix LuxeLift V-Neck Medium Support Tank, $59
You might have seen this medium-support shapewear tank making rounds on Black Girl TikTok.
That’s because it’s considered the best shapewear for tummy control. It features wireless, built-in support, and a luxurious feel that allows you to go braless (yaaayy!) while giving you a stunning, figure-flattering fit.
Anyone who hates restrictive under-wiring and padding needs to get this baby ASAP!
Pinsy Shapewear Lace Bodysuit, $94
Pinsy is known for designing pretty, body-sculpting, and curve-defining shapewear for women, and this bb is one of its top-selling picks.
The bodysuit features a patent-pending sculpting lining and additional premium stretch lace detail, creating an hourglass-enhancing piece that’s stunning and functional.
