

However, as mentioned above, shapewear has greatly improved in recent years, and many of the pieces featured on this list are described by the experts consulted as comfortable. 1 priority, perhaps think twice before buying a piece of shapewear. We have to be honest: Not all shapewear will be enjoyable to wear, especially if it is a full bodysuit that compresses your entire torso. You can use the table of contents to skip ahead to the type of shapewear you’re shopping for, or simply scroll down to learn about them all. So I rounded up a panel of experts - including boutique owners, plus-size bloggers, and Hollywood costume designers - and asked them about their go-to styles. This is in part thanks to more competition in the market - Kardashian-founded Skims, for example, has quickly become a formidable Spanx rival (though there’s a reason why the decades-old label is a fan favorite).
UPPER THIGH COMPRESSION SLEEVE SKIN
It also comes in a wide range of colors to match different skin tones, and sizes to fit different bodies and body types. Whether you want a bit of a boost, a hint of a lift, or just a little tuck, you’re much more likely to find shapewear in a variety of styles with different functions - from straightforward all-over smoothing to more complicated cuts made for dresses that have thigh-high slits. (Remember Renée Zellweger’s knickers scene in Bridget Jones’s Diary?) But it’s no longer just a secret fixture on red carpets or saved for special occasions - the divisive category has both expanded to offer a range of more comfortable products meant for everyday wear, and evolved with the times to be more inclusive.

Let’s get this out of the way first: There’s nothing wrong with not wearing shapewear, which admittedly has a reputation for being uncomfortable and even torturous - the term “sausage casing” came up more than once in interviews for this story.
