7 Editors on the Best Shapewear for Low Necklines, Open Backs, and Tight Tops
With the festive season in full swing, you’ve probably got a few chic cocktail dresses, sparkly tops, and striking jumpsuits at the ready for all your upcoming holiday events. We'd even guess that the majority of your party-ready pieces will likely demand a little extra support (read: adhesive bras for low backs, seamless bodysuits for sheer dresses, and deep-dipping front support for plunging necklines). If you’re seeking some shapewear solutions for your cocktail attire this season, then this one’s for you. Today, our fashion editors (who tend to rack up a lot of fashion and holiday invites) are sharing the shapewear pieces they swear by—from sculpting shorts to strapless bras and seamless bodysuits. Scroll below as they reveal their go-to undergarments for every style.
"I've owned this strapless Spanx bodysuit for years, and it still holds up as one of my best shapewear investments. I always rely on it to wear underneath tight dresses and pieces with short hemlines."
"I got the Skims Sculpting Shorts for this story, and I still stand by my positive review. I had been a newbie to the shapewear world, and I was sold on these shorts because they help me feel more confident about my hips and stomach in a formfitting dress. I don't feel inclined to wear shapewear every day, but for special occasions, it's a nice morale boost."
"This is a great plunge bra for low-cut tops. It's super comfortable and easy to wear, and you pretty much can't go wrong with classic black lace."
Despite the hefty price tag, I’m here to shout from the rooftops that this is seriously the best $148 I’ve ever spent. This caters to so many types of clothing—from deep-Vs to low backs and sheer dresses. I’ve worn this countless times under all those Reformation and Réalisation Par dresses that often call for an extra layer of support. It’s sleek, smooth, and seamless, and I love that the shorts tighten one of the body areas I’m personally a little more self-conscious about—my thighs. I’ll be wearing this one with all my cocktail dresses and holiday tops all season.
I recently attended a gala where I was in desperate need of bust support for my dress with a sweetheart neckline. These stick-on molded foam cups were my savior. They are super lightweight (I almost forgot I had them on), and they provided me with seamless support and just the right amount of lift under my dress. Moreover, in the past, I’ve had to fidget and adjust adhesive bras throughout the night, but I had zero issues with this one.
"I've had this shapewear slip for years. It always comes in handy when I need a seamless slip under a more sheer dress. It also stays in place once you put it on—no riding up with this shapewear!"
"Shapewear is a category that has historically excluded POC, and Nubian Skin is a brand working to correct that. I always recommend it to our readers since it's high-quality and has a wider range of shades than most brands."
"I swear by Lively's strapless bra to wear with spaghetti straps or strapless tops. It stays up all night (read: no awkward adjusting) and looks super natural underneath clothing. Personally, I'm not a fan of fully padded bras of any kind, so I like this one just has the underwire and of course the prettiest lace material."
"I first learned about these years ago when working as an intern in Who What Wear's fashion closet, and to this day I've never found a better alternative for going bra-less. A lot of stickers like this create bumps and creases that show through your top or dress, but these create a really smooth look."
"I love this Spanx bodysuit because it doubles as both lingerie and shapewear. It gives me the seamlessness I want with the fun of knowing I have nice lingerie on underneath it all."
Up next, Kim Kardashian West just told me her favorite bra-and-underwear trend right now.
Judith Jones is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear who specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.
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