Yahoo News Best shapewear for women to support the tummy, hips and thighs
With life now almost back to the pre-pandemic state of normal, regular dressing has also made a triumphant return.
Weddings, dining out, dates and pub visits are back on the agenda, and naturally, we want to look our best. Along with new clobber (hello Christmas party dresses!), that also includes shapewear.
Because as with makeup, it’s vital to get the foundations in place before adding the bells and whistles to ensure you look your best.
Banish thoughts of organ-squeezing contraptions; new gen shapewear is smoothing yet surprisingly comfortable to wear. These elastic pieces of engineering wizardry will work to ensure everything stays exactly where it’s supposed to.
Shop some of the best shapewear collections here, or scroll on to see our pick of the bunch.
Best shapewear collections at a glance
From smoothing knickers that cancel out VPL to curve-boosting body suits, we’ve rounded up the best to buy now.
See our favourites below
SKIMS Solution Short #1
The Kardashian’s business empire spans far and wide, from Kylie’s lip kits to Khloe’s pioneering Good American denim. When it comes to sculpting that silhouette, we’re taken with SKIMS, a fairly new import to the UK but one that we are no longer willing to dress without.
The label comes from the woman with one of the talked-about figures on Earth - Kim Kardashian. It doesn’t rest on her celebrity alone though, offering (along with loungewear) truly great-quality body suits, slips and high-waist briefs that have no right being so darn light and comfortable. There’s also a line of body tape and pasties for those who dream of emulating Kim K’s Internet-breaking looks.
The only shapewear piece where you may feel a bit of a pinch is the Waist Trainer, and that’s not just down to the cost (£74). It uses neoprene and hook-and-eye fastenings to whittle the waist - hourglass shapes come at a price.
The Solution Short (pictured above left) is a great piece that feels unique to the brand, with one leg cut up into a brief while the other keeps a shorts length. Along with a high waist to flatten the tummy, it’s a great secret weapon to crack out when you want to flash a little leg.
The best bit about SKIMS is that it’s an inclusive brand with plenty of nude tones to suit a range of skin colours and sizes up to 5XL.
Wear with: sleek slips with a thigh-high split.
Spanx Suit Your Fancy Low Back Thong Bodysuit
Adored by an entire galaxy of A-list stars, Spanx has long been the go-to brand for shapewear. The brand is so successful it was recently valued at $1.2bn (and founder Sara Blakely celebrated by giving all her staff first class plane tickets and a $10k bonus).
If your Christmas or New Year outfit involves a super low neckline, the Suit Your Fancy Low Back Thong Bodysuit is just what you need to keep your silhouette smooth and streamlined.
The one-piece incorporates a thong back and a super low plunge as well as a deeply scooped back, all with adjustable straps. Available black or beige.
Wear with: a daring red carpet-worthy gown.
Heist Studios The Highlight Short
Trailblazing hosiery and underwear brand Heist has a triple action solution to smoothing lumps and bumps with its shapewear collection. The Outer Body will slim your mid-section while the High Waist sorts out love handles and tummy rolls, but the Highlight Shorts uses HeroPanels to smooth the stomach and thighs while giving your derrière a perky sculpted uplift.
Available in black and beige in sizes XS to XL.
Wear with: an artsy jumpsuit to bring structure underneath.
Slenderbody Women’s Plus Flexible Fit High Waist Thigh Slimmer
Shapewear isn’t about squashing curves, it’s about enhancing them. This thigh slimmer is made from cleverly placed panels with a smooth outer layer so it won’t show up through clothes, whatever you’re wearing on top.
Finishing mid-thigh, the pants will mould to your body and move freely with you, all the while working to make your mid-riff, thighs waist and hips appear smoother.
Wear with: form-skimming officewear.
Commando Classic Control Microfibre Thong
Nothing ruins a good dress like VPL. See off those unslightly lines while smoothing your lower stomach area with the help of shapewear brand Commando. As the name promises, it will feel like you’ve got nothing on. The hipster design is available in black and nude, in sizes S, M, L.
Wear with: a bandeau cocktail dress.
Franato Women's Maternity Knickers Seamless High Waist Over Bump Shorts Pants
If you’re expecting, a growing bump can have you bent all out of shape. This shapewear not only slims, but it offers support to aching lower backs and the abdomen too. The polyamide and elastane mix is designed to stretch and move with your body as it grows, so you can wear it beneath your maternity clothes for extra support until the baby is born.
Available in S, M, L and 2XL.
Wear with: floaty dresses and skirts.
Maidenform Wear Your Own Bra Take Inches Off Black Singlet
If you’re someone with a larger chest that won’t fit into the cups attached to many shaping bodysuits, Maidenform’s singlet is the perfect compromise. It’s a WYOB affair (that’s Wear Your Own Bra), so you can pair existing pieces in your underwear drawer with the shapewear for a customised solution tailored to you.
It’s made with a stretchy combination of polyamide and elastane, which means you should see controlled shaping from every angle. Sits stealth-like under knee-length dresses. Available in sizes M, L, XL and 2XL.
Wear with: a glamorous wrap dress for the office as well as drinks after.
Spanx - Black 'Undie-Tectable' Seamless Medium Control Thong
If you’re looking for light to medium control, these Spanx undies are just the ticket. The Spanx thong-style pants are perfect for those who are looking for gentle smoothing concentrated mainly on the lower stomach area - helpful after a particularly indulgent lunch.
Wear with:a chic pair of palazzo pants.
SURE YOU LIKE Women High Waist Tummy Control Shapewear
We all have parts of our bodies that we’re not wild about, and if your tummy is one, a pair of waist control pants can help soothe your concerns.
This pair offer carefully positioned mesh and polyester/ spandex blend panels that will give you a smoother look without feeling like your vital organs are being pinched.
They won't roll down either, so there’s no need to hoist them back up every 10 minutes. Available in nude and black colours, sizes 6 – 18.
Wear with: a velvet mini.
Maidenform Firm Foundations Waist Nipper Brief - Nude
A corset - but not as you know it. Maidenform’s briefs give you the waspie waist of your dreams, using mesh panels and boning to give you midsection definition. It’s a high waist pant with extra reinforcements but won’t leave you feeling uncomfortable.
Not only is it easy to slip into, but it will banish crackly static too. It’s helpful for streamlining midsections as well as love handles, a fine option for those who aren’t sold on the idea of an all-in-one bodysuit. Also available in nude for lighter outfits.
Wear with: a peplum bodycon.
M&S Collection Firm Control Sheer Striped Wear Your Own Bra Body
Ah, good old Marks ‘n’ Sparks. The trusty high street bellwether is still the best place to find a pair of exceptionally good pants. And even then, the choice is huge.
For shapewear, choose from high-waisted pants, light control thigh skinners and slips that use the latest in fabric tech to smooth and skim you to perfection.
If you're picturing yourself holding court in a sharp pencil skirt, this cupless slip with straps will give you that extra jolt of confidence. Sizes to UK 24 available.
Wear with: a belted satin dress.
