According to Heer, shapewear definitely works, but it all depends on the type you purchase and the results you want. “Shapewear can produce anything from a light, smoothing effect to real lift and compression,” she explains, adding that some brands will offer a range of shaping levels in different designs.

Can you wear shapewear while pregnant?

Yes, you can wear shapewear while pregnant. In fact, there are several maternity shapewear options available, including the Skims Maternity Sculpting Bodysuit , which is specifically designed for mothers to be. When shopping for shapewear while pregnant, the fit is especially important to consider as the last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable and restricted in your garments.

Do you wear underwear with shapewear?

Technically, you can wear underwear with shapewear. However, you might not want to. Many brands include a built-in gusset that can replace underwear as “the look will be smoother without additional underwear,” says Heer. However, it is entirely based on personal preference and, if it is more comfortable to wear underwear with your shapewear—or if your clothes aren’t tight on that particular area, you can absolutely do so.

The 11 Best Plus-Sized Shapewear Pieces for Brides

The Best Plus-Sized Shapewear For Brides — Brides / Alli Waataja

With its ability to smooth, sculpt, and accentuate certain aspects of the body like your waist or hips, shapewear is a helpful undergarment for form-fitting wedding gowns. Whether you're looking for a body suit with tummy control or a slip that smoothes, shapewear can also offer a layer of support that will leave you feeling even more confident as you walk down the aisle.

From a high-waisted brief that sculpts the tummy to a pair of shorts that smooths the thighs and butt, we researched the best shapewear styles, looking closely at size-inclusive options for plus-sized brides. As a result, we curated a list with lots of variety, styling potential, and—of course—support.

Read on for the best plus-sized shapewear styles for brides.

Our Top Picks

Best Bodysuit:

Spanx Shaping Satin Thong Bodysuit at Spanx (See Price)

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Best Shorts:

Thigh Society The Cotton Shorts at Thighsociety.com (See Price)

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Best Thong:

Skims Sculpting Mid Waist Thong at Skims.com (See Price)

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Best Brief:

Yitty Smoothed Reality High Waist Brief at Fabletics.com (See Price)

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Best Cami:

Cacique Naomi & Nicole Firm Control Shaping Cami at Lanebryant.com (See Price)

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Best Maternity:

Skims Maternity Sculpting Bodysuit Mid Thigh at Nordstrom ($64)

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Best Slip:

Knix LuxeLift Slip at Knix.ca ($58)

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Best Bra:

Yitty Nearly Naked Shaping Midi Bra at Fabletics.com (See Price)

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Best Open Bust:

Lane Bryant Open-Bust Thigh Shaper at Lanebryant.com (See Price)

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Best Set:

Knix Love Your Shape-Wear Kit at Knix (See Price)

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Spanx

View On Spanx View On Nordstrom $78 View On Macy's $47

For a bodysuit that acetates the waist and smooths the belly and bust, the Spanx Shaping Satin Thong Bodysuit is our top pick. Constructed from a quick-dry satin fabric with lots of stretch, this bodysuit is designed to smooth the skin with a double-layer panel for tummy control, too. On top of that, the thong-style bodysuit is designed with a seamless finish to prevent visible panty lines.

Thigh Society

View On Thighsociety.com

If you’re looking for a piece of shapewear that can sculpt your thighs, hips, and booty, as well as provide anti-chafe support, The Cotton Shorts from Thigh Society is an excellent choice. These shorts are constructed from a durable and high-quality Pima cotton and modal mixture, which makes them incredibly soft, breathable, and comfortable. On top of that, the fabric has an antibacterial feature that can help you stay feeling fresh over a long period of time.

Skims

View On Skims.com

You don’t need to commit to a full shapewear bodysuit to still get that sculpting support. For thong underwear that boasts lots of shaping capabilities, consider the Skims Sculpting Mid Waist Thong. This high-waisted thong comes in several different nude tones and is constructed from nylon material with 22 percent spandex, so it’s ultra-stretchy. Designed to enhance the waist’s natural shape and provide smoothing to the tummy area, it’s a great pick for dresses that aren’t bra or strap friendly.

Yitty

View On Fabletics.com

These briefs are our favorite piece of lightweight shapewear that smooths the belly and backside without feeling too constricting. Featuring a cheeky back, these undies are also made from breathable material with antimicrobial SilverSeam technology to keep odor at bay. These briefs also feature a no-show look, so you don’t have to worry about visible panty lines.

Cacique

View On Lanebryant.com

This shaping tank is designed with medium control, providing support to the back and shaping the tummy area for a smoothing finish. On top of that, it features seams that help it stay in place, so you don’t have to worry about it moving around underneath your gown. The effect is a more bodysuit-like fit, but with the flexibility and practicality of a cami.

Skims

View On Nordstrom $64 View On Skims.com

If you’re looking for a maternity shapewear style in plus sizes, the Skims Maternity Sculpting Bodysuit is our top pick. This comfortable bodysuit is designed to lift, sculpt, and shape the body while also providing lots of support. For added comfort, it’s also designed without compression in the core, so the bodysuit can expand as your belly grows, and you don’t have to worry about purchasing it in multiple sizes.

Knix

View On Knix.ca $58

For those who like the idea of a bodysuit but find them too restricting, the Knit LuxeLift Slip is a fantastic alternative. This slip dress provides a similar all-over smoothing effect, except in a dress form. Additionally, it’s designed to form fit to the body and has LuxeLift technology that shapes and lifts, too. It's made from breathable nylon material with 38 percent spandex so it’s ultra-stretchy and it has a moisture-wicking feature that keeps you cool and dry.

Yitty

View On Fabletics.com

This shapewear bra is designed to support natural curves with lightweight support, making it ultra-comfy and flattering at the same time. Plus, the bra features reinforced shoulder straps that provide more lifting support and a back area that smoothes. The bra is also made from recycled nylon with 14 percent stretch, so it form fits to the body with a second-skin feel.

Lane Bryant

View On Lanebryant.com

If you’re shopping for a bodysuit with built-in shorts and an open bust, this option will not disappoint. It's designed to provide firm support and tummy control to the torso and mid-thigh, giving an overall smoothing finish. On top of that, the built-in shorts also feature shaping technology to help contour the thighs for tight-fitting dresses.

Knix

View On Knix

This set features a variety of styles that can be worn for several bridal occasions, including your bridal shower, bachelorette, and—of course—your wedding day. It comes with a bodysuit, shorts, and brief undies that are designed to enhance natural body shape and provide an all-over smoothing effect. All three styles are designed with a seamless finish so you can’t see them underneath garments—even tight-fitting cotton styles—and have comfortable compression for lightweight lift and support.

Honeylove

View On Nordstrom $89 View On Honeylove.com $89 View On Barenecessities.com $89

For the best plus-sized shapewear with tummy control, consider the HoneyLove SuperPower Shorts. The ingenious pair is designed with compression at the belly area in an X-shape, so you can still move and feel comfortable ,while the shapewear technology sculpts and smooths. These shorts are also designed with a nylon material with 25 percent spandex so they have lots of stretch that allows you to move without constricting.

What to Look for in Plus-Sized Shapewear

Compression

When shopping for shapewear, it's important to look at the amount of compression each piece offers, as this will tell you how much it smooths and shapes the body. And remember: too much compression is not always better. "Think about how long you will be wearing the shapewear and how accustomed you are to wearing it when deciding what level of compression you want," says intimate apparel designer Gill Heer. Shapewear can feel a bit restrictive, so for wedding days, Heer recommends a light, smoothing compression that's comfortable over something more high compression.

Fit

The way your shapewear fits is also important to consider. Since its job is to smooth and shape, shapewear should fit snugly around the body. However, you don’t want it to feel too tight or restrictive. If you’re shopping for shapewear for your wedding day, it helps to try the shapewear on under your dress to ensure it’s the right choice in terms of fit as well as style.

Shapewear Style

From bodysuits to bike shorts to high-waisted thong undies, shapewear comes in all sorts of styles. If you plan on wearing shapewear under your wedding gown, it helps to consider the gown’s silhouette and what type of shapewear might work best for you.

FAQ

Does shapewear work?

According to Heer, shapewear definitely works, but it all depends on the type you purchase and the results you want. “Shapewear can produce anything from a light, smoothing effect to real lift and compression,” she explains, adding that some brands will offer a range of shaping levels in different designs.
Can you wear shapewear while pregnant?

Yes, you can wear shapewear while pregnant. In fact, there are several maternity shapewear options available, including the Skims Maternity Sculpting Bodysuit, which is specifically designed for mothers to be. When shopping for shapewear while pregnant, the fit is especially important to consider as the last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable and restricted in your garments.
Do you wear underwear with shapewear?

Technically, you can wear underwear with shapewear. However, you might not want to. Many brands include a built-in gusset that can replace underwear as “the look will be smoother without additional underwear,” says Heer. However, it is entirely based on personal preference and, if it is more comfortable to wear underwear with your shapewear—or if your clothes aren’t tight on that particular area, you can absolutely do so.

Meet the Expert

Gill Heer is the Senior Vice President of Design and Intimate apparel at Lane Bryant and Cacique.

Why Trust Brides

Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a bachelor’s degree in fashion journalism. From working in the fashion closet and interviewing designers at NYLON Magazine to now writing about the best style trends for various publications, Jessie researches and sources the best fashion finds. When researching the best plus-size shapewear, Jessie researched dozens of options across a variety of styles to find the best of the best, based on construction, style, fit, and comfort, as well as the compression and how well it might work under a wedding dress.