A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Sep. 07, 2024
Whether you're looking for shorts, bodysuits or anything in between, the best plus-size shapewear pieces help you feel confident the second you slip them on.
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The Reader’s Digest team loves Honeylove (just check out this review on the SuperPower Shorts). But this is about the Honeylove Cami Bodysuit. Bodysuits are my favorite shapewear option, as I wear wears dresses and skirts frequently. This sculpted option is completely comfortable for all-day wear.
It slips underneath a dress or skirt-and-sweater combination easily. I wore it multiple times beneath garments including gauzy sundresses and several suits. There was no need to add a separate bra because of the built-in lifting cups. I loved how the espresso option blended against my skin tone and disappeared when I was wearing lighter colors. It comes in eight true nude options, which are hard to find combined with comfort at a reasonable price.
The straps didn’t chafe or slip, and I quickly found that they could be tucked away without creating a bulge if desired. They’re also thick enough to ensure proper support and extremely comfortable. Thanks to a design that prioritizes smoothing effects, the bottom lays flat and didn’t dig into my thighs or bottom.
Nylon and spandex make up the majority of this bodysuits material but the real star is the gusset. It’s 100% cotton, making it comfortable and easy to snap and unsnap. If there’s only one piece of best plus-size shapewear you decide to try, make it this one.
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One of the first things you might notice about Leonisa’s shaper short is the mesh panel at the bum. That’s part of the design, notes Caldwell, who cites the brand as one of her favorites for plus-size shapewear. “Many clients want smoothness in the thigh and torso, but they don’t want their butt to be compressed,” she says. “Leonisa makes both panties and shorts that go all the way up to the bra and have a mesh opening in the butt so it maintains its natural shape.”
This shaper targets the midsection and the thighs, and it utilizes a signature technology called SkinFuse to achieve its compression. Because it’s a moderate compression option, it’s able to help fake an hourglass frame without restricting freedom of movement. The compression extends to the inner and outer thighs. It was a bit difficult to get all the way up, but once I did I really liked them. They felt really nice to the touch and super expensive against my skin. Plus, they alleviated any concerns I had about visible panty lines. It was truly invisible everywhere.
The adjustable straps and a smooth sheen make this shaper a must-buy. I really liked that it was strapless when I wanted it to be and I could add the straps if I need a little more leverage. It makes it versatile for a range of outfits.
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I have never been that big on traditional-style corsets. Usually the boning is stiff and uncomfortable and the hooks jut out at odd angles when you’re sitting down, making them feel even more awkward. But if cinching your waist is the goal, the Maidenform Ultra-Firm Control Waist Cincher is a fresh take with flexible boning on a classic design. The silhouette might be familiar, but the give of the boning took it into new territory. It reopened traditional shapes as an option for me.
Because of the cool comfort fabric, it didn’t cause me to sweat so I could wear it beneath layers without worrying. The microfibers were not just cooler, they were smoother than I expected them to be. I liked that the pretty jacquard print can also be worn as a peekaboo-style beneath a sweetheart neckline or inside of the cutout dresses that are trending this season. You can even wear it on its on with a suit or a mini skirt.
I recommend sizing up if you choose to make it part of your look. Size down it you’re going to wear it beneath the look of your choice. The downside? It’s not friendly for all-day wear. You can make it through a cocktail affair and the after-party, but I would not recommend it for a festival or another full-day occasion.
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Having sets to rely on is really important to me, as they often contain complimentary items that are easy to wear together. The Honeylove Bestseller Set Bundle includes the brand’s SuperPower Short, Silhouette Brief, CrossOver Bra and LiftWear Cami. Each piece has individual benefits that make it worth investing in, but together the value is undeniable. This set can take any piece in your closet from questionable to couture. They’re all breathable and don’t cause overheating.
The LiftWear Cami was my favorite piece. It can be worn with a racerback top or any other tricky shape. As with the brand’s bodysuit I awarded Best Overall, there’s no need to wear a bra beneath it. The CrossOver Bra has that capability, as well. Smooth sides make it a quality alternative to underwire bras. There’s no underwire or other sharp elements in the cami or bra, allowing any dress or blouse I wore to lay completely flat over it.
Flexible boning in the shorts stops them from rolling down and creating discomfort that can lead to awkward moments of trying to pull them back up. I liked wearing them beneath a pair of high-waisted pants. They have staying power and held up, yet weren’t uncomfortable throughout the day. I was worried they would stick, as some shapewear does, but they did not. When it was time to roll them down they came off with ease. I do wish the bundle came in more shade ranges, though.
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Miraclesuit has been one of my favorite brands for years, as its products hold up extremely well. I love that the makers of the magnificent swimsuit have brought its nylon blends to carefully constructed shapewear that’s known for its longevity. This version goes from sizes small to 3XL, and the largest size translates up to a size 20. Don’t automatically count Miraclesuit out if you’re larger than a 20, though. I am a few sizes above that and I was able to wear it. Stretch it first. I wouldn’t worry about tearing it as the stretch is fantastic. It clings to my body without suffocating it.
This high-waisted brief is extra firm and was built to last. It maintains its shape when it’s not in use, too. Sometimes high-waisted shapewear goes too far and blocks what you’re wearing on top. Thankfully, this option did not do that. I loved that its boundaries don’t go insanely high, making room for the bra of your choice. I paired it with something equally relaxed and more structured underwire bra without any clashing. Pair that with the cups of the legs opening being comfortable, and this is one of the best plus-size shapewear pieces.
To find the level of structure that you like best, Caldwell recommends starting with a piece that smooths and then working up to one with more compression or firmness. The comfort level will also increase as you grow more accustomed to wearing shapewear. If you only wear shapewear once in a while for special occasions and you’re not used to it, Caldwell suggests wearing it a couple of times before the big event.
Don’t forget to think about the occasion you need the shapewear for before purchasing. The shapewear that you’ll need for a fun girls’ night out or a candle-lit dinner might be completely different from the shapewear that can get you through a marathon event like a wedding.
Bodysuits are the easiest option for shapewear. They’re a one-piece solution to any wardrobe issues. Sometimes gussets can be annoying, but newer options have made them more accessible. Wearing them as tanks has become increasing normalized, as well, making them more practical of a choice for casual wear.
Shapewear shorts and control briefs only address a certain part of the body, but the upside is they tend to be more wearable.
I am a lifelong plus-size shopper and have been wearing shapewear to enhance the structure of my clothing since I was a pre-teen. I’m deeply familiar with what the market is like and how it has changed over the years. I’m also a seasoned commerce writer who has written on plus-size fashion for over 10 years at sites like HelloBeautiful, MadameNoire and Stylish Curves, as well as InStyle, Byrdie and Allure. So when you combine my personal interest in the best plus-size shapewear and my experience in sharing my findings with readers, you can feel confident knowing that I’ve put in the homework.
Reader’s Digest also consulted undergarment educator, Kimmay Caldwell, founder of Hurray Kimmay, to pick her brain on what women should considered when buying the best plus-size shapewear.
To find the best plus-size shapewear, I first retried on the shapewear that I already had to evaluate what my favorites were and why they were my favorites. Then, I considered new options and got samples for myself to test out. These pieces were worn practically everywhere and under everything. I tried them out under A-line dresses, skirt suits, sheath dresses, sequined midis, denim rompers and formal gowns. I tried the camis and bras beneath a series of racerback tanks and strapless crop tops. I was intentional about trying the nudes against different colors so that I could see if they were truly invisible. This process led me to the final top five plus-size pieces of shapewear.
The most effective shapewear for stomach compression is still the waist cincher. No matter how many other options are on the market, it reigns supreme in this area because that’s what it’s specifically designed to do.
In general, you should follow a brand’s size guide to determine the best size for you. It can be tempting to get a size smaller to enhance the effects, but that increases the likelihood of the product ripping or being so uncomfortable that you won’t wear it.
