9 Types of Shapewear: The Ultimate Guide

Whether you're getting ready for a big event, powering through a day at the office, or just keeping it cozy on the daily, the right shapewear can give you a clutch confidence boost. But sorting through the sea of options to find your perfect fit can feel like a full-time job.

Don't sweat it—SPANX has your back (and your front, and your sides, and everywhere in between).

In this guide, we’ll cover the main types of shapewear and the benefits of each.

1. Bodysuits

Best For:

• Full-body smoothing under dresses and fitted outfits
• Creating a streamlined silhouette without the need for separate pieces
• All-day wear with comprehensive support

Benefits:

1. Total Coverage: Smooths and shapes your entire torso, providing a sleek look from bust to hips.
2. Versatility: Often comes with built-in bras or open gussets, making it easy to wear under a variety of outfits.
3. Stay-Put Design: Ensures everything stays in place without shifting or rolling up.

Bodysuits are the ultimate all-in-one shapewear solution. They provide full coverage and support, smoothing your entire torso from bust to hips. Perfect for wearing under dresses and form-fitting outfits, bodysuits offer seamless shaping and often come with convenient features like built-in bras or open gussets. They're a great option when you want a smoothing appearance without worrying about separate pieces shifting out of place.

2. Shaping Underwear

Best For:

• Everyday wear for discreet shaping
• Targeted control for tummy, hips, and rear
• Pairing with skirts, pants, and dresses

Benefits:

1. Targeted Shaping: Focuses on specific areas like the tummy, hips, and rear for a smooth look.
2. Comfortable Fit: Available in various styles (briefs, thongs, boyshorts) to suit different preferences.
3. Discreet Design: Seamless and invisible under clothing for everyday confidence.

Shapewear underwear is designed to target and smooth specific areas, such as the tummy, hips, and rear. These come in various styles, including briefs, thongs, and boyshorts, allowing you to choose the level of coverage and support you need. Shapewear panties are ideal for everyday wear, offering discreet shaping under skirts, pants, and dresses.

3. Shaping Shorts

Best For:

• Smoothing lines under fitted skirts, dresses, and pants
• Preventing chafing and thigh rub
• All-day comfort and support

Benefits:

1. Versatile Coverage: Provides control from the tummy down to the thighs for a streamlined silhouette.
2. Chafe-Free Comfort: Prevents thigh rub and chafing, making it ideal for all-day wear.
3. Invisible Under Clothing: Smooths out lines for a seamless look under any outfit.

Shapewear shorts provide targeted control for your tummy, hips, thighs, and rear. These versatile pieces are perfect for smoothing out lines under fitted skirts, dresses, and pants. They offer a sleek silhouette while preventing chafing and thigh rub, making them a comfortable choice for all-day wear.

4. Hosiery

Best For:

• Wearing under dresses and skirts for full-leg smoothing
• Adding an extra layer of confidence to your outfit
• Combining regular tights with targeted shaping

Benefits:

1. Full-Leg Shaping: Smooths from the waist down to the toes for a sleek appearance.
2. Variety of Styles and Colors: Available in sheer, opaque, and patterned options to match any outfit.
3. Extra Confidence: Adds an additional layer of support and shaping for a polished look.

Shapewear hosiery combines the benefits of regular tights with the added advantage of targeted shaping. They provide smoothing from the waist down to your toes, making them perfect for wearing under dresses and skirts. Available in various styles, including sheer, opaque, and patterned, shapewear hosiery adds an extra layer of confidence to your outfit.

5. Tanks

Best For:

• Layering under tops and blouses
• Providing light to moderate control for the midsection
• Doubling as standalone tops

3 Benefits:

1. Lightweight Shaping: Offers light to moderate control without adding bulk.
2. Versatile Layering: Perfect for wearing under sheer tops or as a base layer.
3. Comfortable Fit: Seamless design ensures a smooth, comfortable fit all day long.

Shapewear tanks are versatile pieces that offer light to moderate control for your midsection. They are perfect for layering under tops and blouses, providing a smooth, streamlined look without adding bulk. Shapewear tanks can also double as standalone tops, offering both style and support.

6. Camisoles (AKA Camis)

Best For:

• Layering under clothing for a seamless look
• Providing smoothing and support for the upper body
• Customizable fit with adjustable straps

3 Benefits:

1. Seamless Support: Smooths and supports the upper body for a polished appearance.
2. Adjustable Fit: Features adjustable straps for a customizable, comfortable fit.
3. Versatile Layering: Ideal for wearing under sheer tops or as a sleek base layer.

Similar to tanks, camisoles provide smoothing and support for your upper body. They’re designed to be worn under clothing for a seamless look, and many feature a built-in bra and adjustable straps for convenience. Shapewear camisoles are great for layering under sheer tops or wearing as a sleek base layer.

7. Waist Cinchers

Best For:

• Creating a defined waistline under dresses and tops
• Targeting and slimming the midsection
• Achieving an hourglass shape

Benefits:

1. Firm Control: Provides targeted slimming and shaping for the midsection.
2. Adjustable Compression: Often comes with hook-and-eye closures or Velcro straps for a secure fit.
3. Hourglass Shape: Helps create a defined waistline for a flattering silhouette.

Waist cinchers are designed to target and slim your midsection, giving you a defined waistline. They provide firm control and are ideal for creating an hourglass shape under dresses and tops. Waist cinchers often come with hook-and-eye closures or Velcro straps for adjustable compression and a secure fit.

8. Footless & Capris

Best For:

• Providing targeted control for your lower body
• Hiding panty lines
• Wearing under dresses, skirts, and pants

Benefits:

1. Targeted Control: Shapes the tummy, hips, thighs, and rear without covering the feet.
2. Versatile Wear: Perfect for pairing with open-toe shoes or outfits where full-length coverage isn’t needed.
3. Smooth Silhouette: Provides a sleek look under a variety of outfits, from dresses to pants.

Footless shapewear and capris offer targeted control for your tummy, hips, thighs, and rear without covering your feet. These are perfect for pairing with sandals, open-toe shoes, or any outfit where you want the benefits of shapewear without the full-length coverage. They provide a smooth, sleek look under dresses, skirts, and pants.

9. Maternity

Best For:

• Expecting mothers seeking gentle support and comfort
• Smoothing and supporting the growing belly
• Relieving pressure on the lower back and hips

Benefits:

1. Gentle Support: Designed to accommodate and support a growing belly comfortably.
2. Relieves Pressure: Helps alleviate pressure on the lower back and hips for added comfort.
3. Versatile Styles: Available in various styles, including panties, shorts, and full-body pieces, to suit different needs during pregnancy.

Maternity shapewear is specially designed to provide gentle support and comfort for expecting mothers. It helps smooth and support the growing belly while relieving pressure on the lower back and hips. Maternity shapewear comes in various styles, including panties, shorts, and full-body pieces, ensuring that moms-to-be can feel comfortable and confident throughout their pregnancy.

Compression Types

Depending on your needs and the level of support you're looking for, you can choose between smoothing, shaping, or sculpting options. Each type offers different levels of compression, designed to enhance your silhouette in different ways. Let's dive into the differences.

Smoothing

Smoothing shapewear is designed to create a sleek, even surface under your clothes. It gently smooths out minor lumps and bumps, providing a seamless look without significant compression. This type of shapewear is often lightweight and comfortable for everyday wear.

Shaping

Shaping shapewear offers more structured support and control compared to smoothing options. It targets specific areas, such as the tummy, waist, hips, and thighs, to create a more defined silhouette. It provides moderate compression, making it suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions.

Sculpting

Sculpting shapewear delivers the highest level of compression and control. It’s designed to significantly reshape and contour your body, creating a smooth, sculpted look. Sculpting shapewear is ideal for special occasions or outfits that require maximum support and a flawless finish.

Explore the Spanx Shapewear Collection

Whether you're seeking the gentle touch of a cami, the structured support of tank, or the dramatic contouring of a bodysuit, SPANX has a perfect fit for every body, every outfit, and every occasion.

Browse by style, compression type, or solution area to discover the perfect pieces that will ensure you feel as fabulous as you look.