23 Shapewear Staples That Come With 5-Star Reviews as Standard (2024)

Wolford

Tulle Control Shorts

Wolford doesn’t solelydo tights, you know.
Standout review:"Amazing! Smooth, slimming, easy to wear. Sucks you in."

Spanx

Oncore Stretch Bodysuit

Spanx is probably the best-known shapewear brand out there, but does it live up to the hype?
Standout review: "This body shaper is excellent at smoothing out any little unwanted tummy or back rolls. I am a mum of C-section babies and I have been looking for a shaper that's comfortable and which really works. Also, it does not flatten your bottom."

KLAYD

Klay Collection Square Body

KLAYD designs luxury basics that make people feel empowered in themselves and their clothes with its supportive and chic array of basics.
Standout review:"I'm not interested in restrictive shapewear—I want to feel comfortable in my clothes.Featuring a double layer of the brand's sculpting fabric, this bodysuit hugs and holds my curves and gives me the perfect base for layering anything over top. Saying that, I love how it looks on its own worn with jeans and tailored trousers."

Spanx

OnCore High-Waist Mid Thigh Shaper Shorts

Sometimes ineffective shapewear can bunch and roll, but notthese super shorts.
Standout review:"The legs stayed down and the top stayed up over my stomach all night. Very comfortable. Well worth the money."

Miraclesuit

Back Magic Waist Cincher in Black

Less waist-training and more waist-defining.
Standout review:"Really pleased with this. It fits well (I'm a 16-18 and ordered the 2XL), feels comfortable, stays in place with no rolling up or down, and does a good job of holding in and smoothing my stomach and waist area."

Commando

Two-Faced Tech Control Full Slip

Our editors really rate Commando shapewear.
Standout review:"If you just need a little something to control and give you a smooth appearance under your dresses, this is for you! Very comfortable and does not ride up. Love! Not necessary to wear a bra with this if you have a medium-to-small bust."

Commando

Classic Control Thong

Sizing down is common in shapewear, so always read the reviews for an additional and more accurate size guide.
Standout review:"This is my favourite shapewear piece. I am a size 12, 5'10" and sized down to a small for extra 'tummy control.' Highly recommend."

Marks & Spencer

Magic Shaping High Waisted Leggings

I always wear shaping leggings to the gym and to run errands—a sentiment I share with many owners of this M&S pair.
Standout review:"These magic high waisted leggings are fabulous. Good quality thick fabric with plenty of stretch. Very comfortable to wear all day. A good staple piece for the wardrobe."

John Lewis & Partners

Seamfree High Waist Briefs

You can see the extra support in the waistband of these briefs.
Standout review:"A great smoothing effect and gives support."

Spanx

Oncore Control Shorts

Our editors rate this pair of Spanx, but do you?
Standout review:"These are absolutely wonderful! They go up nice and high so they cover all of my stomach and sides, which is what I was looking for. They give me that extra confidence boost to wear form-fitting dresses!"

Wacoal

Red Carpet Shaping Bodysuit

This bodysuit has been worn so many times on th red carpet. It’s an A-list stylist’s go-to for under gowns.
Standout review:"Exactly what I was looking for: comfy, lightweight and something I can wear instead of a shaping brief and a bra. I always feel like I'm yanking my bra down and my briefsup! I have a few dresses that don't need a slip but need something 'solid' underneath. Very soft and the bra part fits perfectly."

Spanx

High-Rise Mid-Thigh Shorts in Black

The shaper I personally rate comes with so many impressive reviews.
Standout review:"Easy to get on (unlike some shapewear) and fits nicely, smoothing all of the key areas! The leg length is perfect, and they didn't creep up! I think you too would be satisfied with these shaping shorts!"

Skims

Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit

Skims shapewear is heralded as some of the best on the market.
Standout review:"It's important to remember this is marketed as 'everyday' shapewear for sculpting. If you're looking for the heavy-duty body contouring shapewear this isn't it. I love that this smooths my curves without trying to eliminate them. [It's] also thick enough to wear as a top under jackets or blazers."

Commando

Ultimate Opaque Control Top Tights

The tightsyou’ll wear on repeat in the colder months.
Standout review:"This past autumn, I ordered a variety of brands, including Spanx, Wolford, Smartwool, and Commando. This pair was the winner."

Miraclesuit

High Waist Thigh Slimming Shorts

John Lewis & Partners customers can’t speak highly enough about these smoothing shorts.
Standout review:"It worked like a charm! I wanted a slimmer waistline and I got one. It was very comfortable too, which also surprised me."

Wacoal

Beyond Naked Shaping Shorts

A handy piece for layering under everything from dresses to jeans.
Standout review:"These have a comfortable smoothing effect, and no pinching or rolling up of the waist band."

John Lewis & Partners

Rae Firm Control Slip in Black

A support slip is ideal for adding to dresses that cling.
Standout review:"Wore mine yesterday for 8 hours and it didn’t feel tight or uncomfortable but smoothed out the bumps and gave me more confidence. Agree with other comments that stepping into it and pulling it up is much easier. Definitely recommend!"

Miraclesuit

High Waisted Slip

If shorts aren’t your thing, try this tube-style skirt instead.
Standout review:"I bought this last minute hoping for a comfortable fit and a smooth silhouette. Having purchased various shapewear items in the past I had low expectations despite the high cost. I was therefore really pleasantly surprised to find I could get this on very easily and it felt comfortable and more importantly no bulges. I still had reservations but wore this for 10 hours and it stayed perfectly in place no rolls and remained comfortable the whole time. Well worth the money and I couldn't happier with my purchase."

Heist

The Outer Body

A brand our editors back in a big way.
Standout review: "I love this bodysuit. It creates an amazing silhouette underneath a dress and in the summer I wear it as outerwear matched with mid-length skirts. It's very comfortable (for shapewear) and I feel cinched in it."

Yummie

Liliana Thong in Black

For a truly seam-free finish, try a shapewear thong.
Standout review:"Smoothed out my stomach but ran a little small. Good purchase overall."

Yummie

3 in 1 Shaping Cami

A shapewear vest top proves incredibly versatile in any wardrobe—in ways you mightn’t initially expect.
Standout review:"I bought this for post-surgical support, but it's so comfortable—and effective—that I will be wearing it more frequently at work. Time to get another one in nude!"

Belly Bandit

Mother Tucker Shortie High Waist Compression Shorts

Another shorts style that comes in handy for special events.
Standout review:"Starting wearing these a week after my C-section. Very comfortable and highly recommend."

Miraclesuit

Tummy Tuck Wear Your Own Bra Bike Short Bodysuit

Another option that sculpts beyond the tummy area, this proved to be a winning solution for layering under occasion dresses with its reviewers.
Standout review:"Very impressed with the fit and control which made the dress I wore look fabulous. This brand is now my go to when purchasing shapewear."