15 Best Shapewear Pieces To Buy 2026

When should you wear shapewear?

Again, we stress, there is no time when shapewear should be used. Your body is beautiful as it is, and without it. But shapewear can “be used when you want additional support,” Silvia told me. That is, most commonly, when attending a formal event – but another trend which is experiencing something of a renaissance is the sheer trend. When recreating that look, as cosigned by Tyla, Doja Cat and Dua Lipa, shapewear can be used as a base underneath satin shirts, lace skirts, sheer dresses and see-through tailored trousers.

In whatever way you’re using shapewear, “it’s always best to look for shapewear after you’ve decided on your outfit, rather than the other way round, as the type of underwear you’ll need will depend on the style you plan on wearing,” Sylvia continued. “For example, figure hugging dresses will be elevated by shapewear, while a low-cut neckline may require a specific style of the best bra or shaping body.

“Shaping products should make you feel good from within.” They’re just as important as your outerwear if you want to create a smooth silhouette.

How tight should shapewear fit?

To be honest, this comes down to personal preference. While shapewear, thanks to its nature, often does feel very tight – we’d never recommend shapewear being so tight that it’s uncomfortable, painful or that it leaves red marks. Different brands fit with different “tightness” levels – and shapewear will always feel tight over the first couple of wears. Try a few pieces from different brands and see what feels most comfortable to you. And don’t be alarmed by how small shapewear looks on the hanger. Each piece stretches to fit you.

Should you buy shapewear a size bigger?

“When it comes to a general size down/size up rule, it sounds cliché, but everyone is different,” says Silvia. “All of our product has incredible stretch and so many people can naturally feel they need to size down to harness on the toning properties of our shapewear. However, those with the smallest waist size but a long torso may find they need to size up for maximum comfort, and vice versa. A lot of our styles also incorporate bra cups to create the perfect décolleté, so this is important to try too.”

Shapewear is not meant to restrict your movements or breathing either, by the way, so make sure you can function in it normally before committing to the purchase. According to Silvia, it “should delicately sit and sculpt the curves of the silhouette whilst contouring, but above all, it should fit comfortably. Any item of shapewear should never cut into you, and fitted shapewear should be discreet under slim-fitting clothing and feel secure, not compromising on freedom of movement.”

Do you wear normal knickers under shapewear?

Yes, you can wear your normal underwear beneath your shapewear. Some designs actually permit you to go commando, should you want to, but to prolong the life of it (and not need to wash it as often), you should wear your cotton underwear or a comfy thong.

The Glamour verdict: how to choose the best shapewear

To recap, the best shapewear for you – and the best shapewear that actually works – is not only comfortable but supportive, confidence-boosting, smoothing and supportive. Your shapewear should wash well, never be painful, and also work from a colour standpoint. To that note: be wary of different lighting depending on how sheer your outfit is – some styles work best with nude lingerie and some work best with white or ivory, so test different colourways in different settings. Look for shapewear which offers more than just a contouring bodysuit; those with integrated bras such as the Mat De Luxe silhouette from Wolford nod to this. Lastly, be aware that sizing across shapewear will differ between brands – as will compression. Think about what you want the shaping piece to do and go from there.