To create the most invisible look under outfits, look for pieces that have few or no seams plus extra details including laser-cut openings, or that use terms like flat and non-rolling in their descriptions. It’s easy to forget that these biker shorts are even on once you pull them on. They come with a minimal compression level — we couldn’t decide if they were more a level one or two —making them inviting for everyday use. The fabric itself feels lightweight and breathable. And while the brand describes the pair as “non-shaping”, we were pleasantly surprised to find it kindly molds our body shape and held in our thighs and midsection with gentle support. It worked its magic discreetly, though, disappearing underneath our clothes, and it never left a mark on our body after we took it off for the day. Don’t sleep in your shapewear. Spandex materials don’t let your skin breathe, so it’s a bad idea to try and sleep in your shapewear. There is also absolutely zero evidence that sleeping in your shapewear will result in long-term fat loss or body sculpting. Sleeping in shapewear will simply irritate your skin, give you a sore body, and potentially trap sweat under your skin, leading to body acne.

Because this style has a belt that fastens right at the waist to give you a thin silhouette, shapewear that helps you pull in your waist and hips will give you an even slimmer middle. If you're fuller-breasted, you'll want a bra to keep your breasts contained, slim your sides and reduce your bustline to avoid gaps between the buttons on the top. This is a popular level, especially for everyday, all-day wear, because, as the name suggests, it gives a slight degree of support so it doesn’t squeeze you very much. Popular selections for this includes camisoles, bodysuits, thigh shapers, waist shapers, and even panties. Not only was the cup size correct, but the extra strong compression made her figure look more toned. The tightness makes it a little difficult to slip in and out of at first, though, which initially turned us off a bit to the piece, but once we had it on, though, we found it to be surprisingly comfortable. It also stays in place all day, and we didn’t tug at it constantly. We also liked the elastic around the leg holes to keep the hemline in place, which helped the briefs fit to not ride up as we wore it. One of the most crucial steps in preventing shapewear from rolling down is selecting the right size. Avoid the temptation to size down, as this can lead to unnecessary compression and increased chances of rolling. Take accurate measurements of your waist, hips, and thighs and consult the sizing chart provided by the manufacturer to ensure a proper fit. Ensure that you are wearing the correct size of shapewear. If it is too small, it is more likely to roll down. Refer to the manufacturer’s size chart and measurements to select the appropriate size that fits your body comfortably. Opt for High-Waisted Designs This option comes with side and front panels for a more cinched-in look, but other than that, the compression level remains between a comfortable one and two. It provides some smoothing and a light hold but without any of the constricting feelings. We particularly love how thin the material is on the shorts as they never cause any chafing or the feeling of being sausaged. The only thing to note here is that it requires you to have a strapless bra, otherwise the straps on the bodysuit with bra straps and whatever shirt you are wearing become a little too much and can be seen from underneath your clothes.Shapewear with firm control smooths your silhouette wherever it needs to be non-jiggly. Sometimes this is achieved with high spandex content knit, sometimes it's engineered into a knit, and other times will be achieved with shaping linings or elastic bands in strategically-placed areas. Girdles with high waists have tall sewn-on inner elastic to help flatten the tummy, many with removable garters to attach thigh high hosiery. Keep your body looking streamlined and supported under any type of gown — whether strapless or off-the-shoulder, long or short — with the Spanx OnCore high-waisted mid-thigh Shaper shorts. They mold and compress the body from below the bust to mid-thigh. They’re powerful but lightweight, so they won’t heat you up while you’re dancing the night away. The perfect undergarments for a wedding dress, these sculpt the waist, tummy, hips, thighs and rear. The bonded tummy panel supports the abdominals. The side panels offer squeeze-free slimming and easy movement. Wear these when you want to feel snatched.

The bottom is held together through three hook-and-eye closures. They make trips to the bathroom much easier, but they do require a bit of time and fidgeting to manage each time. On occasion, we found that one hook would undo itself by the time we got to the second hook, which left us attempting to hook all three at once. This left us awkwardly wiggling around in the bathroom stall before we could finally exit. You will find a wide variety of styles ranging from complete bodysuits to targeted pieces including waist cinchers, shaping panties, torsettes and more. This list was put together with the help of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Executive Director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Lexie Sachs. With more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development for fashion. Sachs joined Good Housekeeping in 2013 and has extensively tested apparel of all kinds, including sports bras, workout leggings, pajamas and more, using specialized lab equipment and with hundreds of consumer testers. Postpartum shapewear can be a great tool for new moms recovering from pregnancy and birth. KeabBabies 3-in-1 Postpartum Belly Support Recovery Wrap includes three different adjustable wraps designed to slowly aid a woman’s shrinking stomach. First, wear the stomach belt to reduce swelling, then add the waist belt for lumbar support after a week. Finally, add the pelvis belt seven to 12 weeks postpartum to help return hips to their pre-pregnancy state. The entire recovery wrap is soft and breathable, geared toward maintaining healthy posture and speeding up recovery from childbirth. Doctor-endorsed, it’s a cost-effective support aid.The next level of shapewear is Moderate Control. If you are wrestling with muffin tops or similar bulges, or you just need a bit of extra hold, this is the level for you.

Most moderate control body shapers use a combination of spandex and control panels to reshape your figure. Compression, whether it is all-over or targeted, is a feature that most moderate control pieces use to really help you maximize the benefits of this level of support, making it easy to target any trouble spots. When we want something with a little more contouring power, we turn to the SuperPower Short from Honeylove. With targeted, level three compression around the waist , these tummy control shorts provide some intense shaping on the body. While wearing these shorts, we noticed suctioning just about everywhere, but the tummy-controlling properties were particularly brought to life through the criss-cross bandaging around our midsection. Combined with the side boning, it really created an hourglass figure and cinched in the waist. The mesh is also very strong on the legs, despite looking deceivingly sheer, and helped smooth out our hip dips impressively. Our entire torso, hips, and butt area were expertly sculpted. Made to give you a smooth line from the waist down while concealing imperfections, shaping hosiery and leggings target the tummy, waist and hips. Smooths out any rolls if you’re plus-sized. If you’re overweight and the fear of having visible “rolls” is preventing you from wearing the clothes you want and love, shapewear can help smooth out your body and create a roll-free, fluid silhouette. While not for everybody, this bodysuit works exceptionally well for women with larger chests. Our editor, who finds it near-impossible to find shapewear that accommodates her DD+ breasts, loved this piece the most out of all the ones she tested. The cup and band measurements make it easier to find your exact fit, too.This piece is designed for bigger busts, but not for bigger butts. If you have a particularly large chest, then the supportive cups feel like a dream, making them look perky while they feel completely supported. We noticed how from the waist up, this bodysuit created a smooth silhouette that allowed for your jeans to be fastened easier. Unfortunately, those with wider hips and a bigger butt will struggle to fit into this bodysuit. These are popular options under tight-fitting blouses, dresses, and any other clingy or body-hugging styles. Clothes like high-waisted jeans or flowy dresses with a band around the middle would function the best with this option. This option is far from seamless (consider the clasps and riffs) and would easily show when combined with form-fitting garments. On our short torso, we felt like the garment was half an inch too long, cutting into our butt and hips uncomfortably. At a compression level of three, it’s also quite tight and is not ideal for all-day wear. But if you want to show off your curves in all the best ways, this option helps you achieve that the best. The number one rule in choosing the right shapewear for you, as Palep explains it, is to “not go tighter than your size in hope of ‘extra shaping.’” Shapewear will already come with sculpting effects, and sizing down will only cause discomfort. Instead, consider the occasion you hope to wear this to and choose whether you are in need of shorts, a bodysuit, or a bodysuit with shorts attached. Denise advises to consider the compression level, as you want to “be sure it’s holding you in at the right spots and letting you breathe everywhere else.” Not everyone wants the same level of compression, she continues, so decide whether you want to be cinched in or simply smoothed over, and shop accordingly.

Shapewear is more snug than wearing a slip undergarment, because it serves a different purpose. Sapna Palep, CEO of lingerie brand Journelle, explains that shapewear should “hold you in, add coverage and support or smooth you out. It is not really designed to make you several sizes smaller, but it can make you appear smoother.” For this reason, shapewear should never feel too tight, cut off your circulation, or feel highly uncomfortable. We wrote out the compression level on each of the options, but even with a high compression level of three, like the Spanx Ahhh-llelujah 'Fit to You' Everyday Short, you should still be able to move around and sit down easily. The aim of shapewear is to “make you feel more confident in whatever you wear,” says Palep, not restrict you in any way. I hope this primer on How to Find the Best Body Shaper for You has revealed the many possibilities within shapewear, helped you better understand these transformational garments, and that you are ready to expand your wardrobe and your self-confidence! Spandex, modal and nylon are key materials to look for in shapewear, Thorson says, with lots of garments including silicone for grip, too. What We Love: The fabric feels extremely comfortable and can easily be kept on an entire day without discomfort. Once on, we were delighted to see what a remarkable job it did of smoothing our legs and waist. We tried on many shapewear, but this one provided one of the most noticeable visual changes to our bodies. We found no lumps or bumps while in this, and it really improved the way our clothing looked over it. As an added bonus, the opening under the chest worked hand-in-hand with our favorite bra to gently push the ladies up. The only thing we would change here is to add an opening around the bottom to make trips to the bathroom a little easier. While the garment doesn’t take a lot of work to slide off and on, it’s simply a hassle to first have to remove our top to get the straps down and perform our business.Be mindful about where the waist falls on the leg shapers you choose. High-waisted options help to avoid any awkward cuts or bulges at the waist. Thigh and hip control shapewear– Thigh and hip shapewear aims to smooth out any “love handles” or hip dips, creating a fluid, hourglass silhouette. Most shapewear is made of flexible fabrics like spandex and nylon. These are popular because can hold you in place by varying degrees of strength. Need extra levels of support and shaping? Look for styles that include boning and other stiff inserts to truly sculpt your body.