There may be areas of our bodies that we would like a bit of extra control on, whether it's a bit of lift in the bust or butt or a little added support in our hips and thigh area. There's certainly nothing wrong, either, with turning to a pair of Spanx or shaping shorts when you're in need of a little oomph—celebs do it all the time, especially when walking the red carpet.
If you’re considering shapewear, we’ve found the best pieces out there, as told by the people who have actually worn them.
Luckily, the market is chock-full of great shapewear that promises to smooth out any lumps or bumps where you want to. Today, we're honing in on all the best tummy-control shapewear that we think is 100% worth the investment. These are pieces you can wear whenever you feel the need to trim your tummy, shape your waistline and support your back. Ready to see our finds? Read on to shop the shorts, briefs and bodysuits that offer ultimate tummy control without sacrificing comfort plus the reviews that have us convinced.
Shop the Best Tummy-Control Shapewear:
1. Best Shapewear Shorts: Wolford Tulle Control Shorts, £95
2. Best Bodysuit: Spanx Stretch Bodysuit, £92
3. Best Control Shorts: Spanx Oncore Control Shorts, £66
4. Best Waist Cincher: Miraclesuit Back Magic Waist Cincher, £46
5. Best Shapewear Slip: Commando Two-Faced Tech Control Full Slip, £1016. Best Seamfree Briefs: John Lewis & Partners Seamfree High Waist Briefs, £16
7. Best Leg-Shaping Shorts: Spanx OnCore High-Waist Shaper Shorts, £74
8. Best Figure Flattering Bodysuit: Commando Luxe Control Stretch Mesh-Trimmed Tech-Jersey Bodysuit, £147
9. Best Compression Shorts: Spanx Higher High-Rise Mid-Thigh Shorts, £68
10. Best Body-Slimming Bodysuit: Skims Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit, £70
1. Best Shapewear Shorts: Wolford Tulle Control Shorts
Standout review: "Amazing! Smooth, slimming, easy to wear. Sucks you in."
Size: 8-16
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Tulle-blend
Pro: Sheer material to look less obvious under clothing.
Con: Only available in 2 colours so might not suit every skin tone.
2. Best Bodysuit: Spanx Stretch Bodysuit
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."
Size: S-XL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Stretch-jersey
Pro: Stretchy material for a comfortable fit.
Con: High backline so cannot be worn with low-back or backless dresses.
3. Best Bodysuit for Sculpting: Klayd Klay Collection Square Body
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."
Size: XS-4XL
Colour: 6 colours ranging from different skin tones
Material: Elastane-blend
Pro: Available in 6 colours that can be worn under clothing or on its own.
Con: Square neckline limits the clothing styles it can be worn under.
4. Best Control Shorts: Spanx Oncore Control Shorts
Standout review: "The legs stayed down and the top stayed up over my stomach all night. Very comfortable. Well worth the money."
Size: S-XL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Spandex and nylon-blend
Pro: Double-gusset opening to put on/take off easily.
Con: Reviewers have warned it doesn't always stay put under clothing.
5. Best Waist Cincher: Miraclesuit Back Magic Waist Cincher
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."
Size: S-XXL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Nylon and elastane-blend
Pro: Has extra firm control to cinch in waist.
Con: Might be initially uncomfortable for those not used to compression garments.
6. Best Shapewear Slip: Commando Two-Faced Tech Control Full Slip
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."
Size: XS-XL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Elastane, nylon and cotton-blend
Pro: Fit-tested by real customers.
Con: Only available in 2 colours.
7. Best Shapewear Thong: Commando Control Top Thong
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."
Size: XS-XL
Colour: 4 colours
Material: Elastane and nylon-blend
Pro: Fit-tested by real customers.
Con: Not true to size, so customers may need to size down for a better fit.
8. Best for Body Contouring: Marks & Spencer Magic Shaping High Waisted Leggings
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."
Size: 6-22
Colour: Black and navy
Material: Viscose, polyamide and elastane-blend
Pro: Made with a stretchy material for a comfortable fit.
Con: Customers say the material is too thick for warmer weather.
9. Best Seamfree Briefs: John Lewis & Partners Seamfree High Waist Briefs
Standout review: "A great smoothing effect and gives support."
Size: S-XL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Polyamide, elastane and cotton-blend
Pro: Has extra support in the waistband.
Con: Taller customers say that the briefs are not long enough for those over 5'9".
10. Best Leg-Shaping Shorts: Spanx OnCore High-Waist Shaper Shorts
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!"
Size: XS-XL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Stretch jersey
Pro: Built with fully-bonded front panels to flatten the stomach.
Con: Only available in 2 shades.
11. Best Figure Flattering Bodysuit: Commando Luxe Control stretch mesh-trimmed tech-jersey bodysuit
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 briefs up! I have a few dresses that don't need a slip but need something 'solid' underneath. Very soft and the bra part fits perfectly."
Size: XS-XL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Polyamide and elastane-blend
Pro: Low backline so can be worn with multiple clothing styles.
Con: Might not be suitable for those with a shorter torso.
12. Best Compression Shorts: Spanx Higher High-Rise Mid-Thigh Shorts
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!"
Size: XS-1XL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Nylon and lycra-blend
Pro: Made with form-compressing nylon to smooth and sculpt the thighs.
Con: Can't be worn under shorter length skirts or shorts.
13. Best Body-Slimming Bodysuit: Skims Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit
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."
Size: XXS-4XL
Colour: 7 colours ranging from different skin tones
Material: Nylon and spandex-blend
Pro: Available in seven neutral shades to adapt to a range of skin tones.
Con: Those with a long torso may need to size up.
14. Best Supporting Tights: Commando Ultimate Opaque Control Top Tights
Standout review: "This past autumn, I ordered a variety of brands, including Spanx, Wolford, Smartwool, and Commando. This pair was the winner."
Size: S-XL
Colour: Black
Material: Stretch nylon
Pro: Made with a 'raw-cut' waistband that smooths and supports digging in to the skin.
Con: Only available in black.
15. Best for Slimming: Miraclesuit High Waist Thigh Slimming 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."
Size: S-XXL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Nylon and elastane-blend
Pro: Costumers have praised the comfortable fit.
Con: Not true to size so shoppers may need to size up.
16. Best High Waist Shorts: Wacoal High Waist Long Leg Shaper
Standout review: "These have a comfortable smoothing effect, and no pinching or rolling up of the waist band."
Size: S-XXL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Nylon, polyamide and elastane-blend
Pro: Can be worn discreetly under dresses, shorts, skirts and trousers.
Con: Only available in sizes S to XXL.
17. Best Firm Slip Dress: John Lewis & Partners Rae Firm Control Slip in Black
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!"
Size: 8-18
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Polyamide and elastane-blend
Pro: Customers have stated that the dress doesn't ride up once on the body.
Con: Only available in sizes 8 to 18.
18. Best Under-Skirt: Miraclesuit High Waisted Slip
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."
Size: S-XXL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Nylon and elastane-blend
Pro: Made with extra firm compression to smooth and sculpt the body.
Con: Only available in sizes S to XXL.
19. Best for Waist Shaping: Triumph True Shape Sensation
Standout review: "It's very comfortable and made from good quality material that washes very well on a 30 degree cycle. It has padded straps for extra comfort. The control isn't too firm I would say its medium control which is perfect for what I want. It does up underneath with hooks and eyes. I'm very pleased with this item.."
Size: 34B-42DD
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Polyamide, elastane and polyester-blend
Pro: Has padded cups for additional support.
Con: Only available in cup sizes B to DD, so may not suitable for those with fuller or smaller bust.
20. Best Smooth Thong: Yummie Shaper Thong
Standout review: "Smoothed out my stomach but ran a little small. Good purchase overall."
Size: S-XL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Elastane and polyamide-blend
Pro: Seam-free, thong styles for a discreet fit.
Con: Runs slightly small so customers may need to size up.
21. Best Shapewear Camisole: Yummie 3 in 1 Shaping Cami
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!"
Size: XS-3XL
Colour: White and nude
Material: Tactel nylon and elastane-blend
Pro: Great for those looking for non-constricting post-surgery support.
Con: Runs small so customers may need to size up.
22. Best Postpartum Shorts: Belly Bandit Mother Tucker Compression Shorts
Standout review: "Starting wearing these a week after my C-section. Very comfortable and highly recommend."
Size: XS-L
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Nylon and elastane-blend
Pro: Great for those looking for comfortable post-partum support.
Con: Only available in size XS to L.
23. Best for Under Dresses: Miraclesuit Tummy Tuck Wear Your Own Bra Bike Short Bodysuit
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."
Size: S-XXL
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Nylon and spandex-blend
Pro: Ideal fit for layering under occasion dresses.
Con: Only available 2 colours.
24. Best Soft Bodysuit: Chantelle Soft Stretch Body
Standout review: "Extremely comfortable bodysuit, very stretchy and lightweight. A daily staple. I've got 6 of them and love them."
Size: XS-L
Colour: Black and nude
Material: Nylon and elastane-blend
Pro: Made from a "second skin" material to adapt to each individual body shape and smooth the tummy area without causing discomfort.
Con: Customers have noted the style is expensive for what it is.
25. Best High Waist Underwear: M&S Firm Control High Leg Knickers
Standout review: "These firm control high leg knickers are brilliant. They are so comfortable and holds my tummy in the lace at the front of the leg is an attractive feature too."
Size: 8-24
Colour: Black, white and nude
Material: Cotton, elastane and polyamide-blend
Pro: Available in 3 wearable colours and in sizes UK 8 to 24.
Con: Reviews have highlighted that the waistline can be tight on certain body shapes.
This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
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