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Everyone wants to look their best on their wedding day. A great shapewear undergarment enhances your own natural shape while providing compression and support. Just as there are no rules or restrictions as to what your wedding dress should look like, there is no shapewear that provides the perfect solution for every person. You’ll likely need to try on a variety of pieces in a range of styles to figure out the optimal choice for you. However, if you know what you want to achieve with shapewear—tummy control, a cinched waist, etc.—it’s easier to find a good option online. To help you get started, I’m drawing upon my 30+ years of experience as a tailor and stylist in the bridal, fashion, film and television businesses and sharing other ways to know you’ve found the right shapewear for your special day.
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In my 30 plus years of tailoring and altering dresses for brides, actresses, and other performers, these mid-thigh, high waisted Thinstincts shorts from Spanx consistently receive the highest praise for both their comfort and contouring properties. (Spanx also made our list of the best shapewear for women.) Made with single layer “Printed Power” shaping technology, you’ll marvel at how something so lightweight can provide such support and compression. They also feature free cut hems and minimal seams that create no visible lines.
High waisted, from compression, mid-thigh shorts from Spanx made with a thin, yet supportive material.
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If your main objective is to cinch in your waist à la the corsets of yore, the Skims waist trainer gets the job done without all the lacing and unlacing (that requires the assistance of another person). Unlike traditional corsets, it's fashioned from an ultra-thin high-tech neoprene that renders it undetectable under most everything. Note that it may require some struggling to get it on (maybe you do need a helper after all), but once situated, it’s comfortable enough to wear all day. Shopping tip: Skims also made our lists for the best bras for large breasts and the best cotton underwear.
Ultra-thin, extra firm compression waist cincher from Skims available in a full range of sizes.
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As far as slips go, you can’t beat this extra firm, high waisted version from Miraclesuit. Providing extra firm control, it comes up to just below the bust level and features silicone gripping at the top and bottom and breathable mesh inserts at the hips and upper thighs. And, there’s a built-in panty with hook and eye gusset.
High waisted, extra firm, half-slip from Miraclesuit with a built-in panty.
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While not technically seamless, the Spanx Undie-Tectable brief is constructed in a way that eliminates any visible panty lines (no elastic on the edges) while offering light compression over the tummy. They feature a cotton gusset and breathable properties for an all-day comfort fit. You’ll also find it in a range of sizes from XS-3X, making it one of the best shapewear for plus sizes.
Thin briefs from Spanx with light tummy compression and no visible panty lines.
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Fine silk gowns require silky smooth undergarments like this luxurious, ultralight slip from Intimissimi (which made our list of the best lingerie brands). Available in four colors, including ivory and rose pink, it offers light compression with a second-skin feel. If, however, your silk gown calls for a strap-free undergarment, turn to Commando’s Classic Control Short, which provides smoothing in the waist, butt, and thigh in a virtually undetectable design.
Ultralight, soft, light compression full silk from Intimissimi with spaghetti straps.
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The Skims Seamless Sculpt Bodysuit provides full coverage with a scoop neckline and strong compression across the tummy, core, waist, and upper thigh—yet it’s seamless and soft. It’s also equipped with butt pockets for lift and definition and an open gusset. Available in Skims’ large size range in a great variety of colors for diverse skin tones, it’s easy to find the perfect fit.
Full coverage, mid-thigh, firm support bodysuit from Skims available in a range of colors and sizes.
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This strapless bodysuit from TC Fine Intimates features flexible stays in the back, a firm underwire cup, and extra firm support throughout that smooths your tummy, waist, back, midriff, and hips. While the Bodybriefer delivers comfortable contouring it is not for the faint hearted. This is the kind of undergarment that sort of feels as if it’s wearing you (as opposed to you wearing it). But you (and your strapless gown) will look amazing.
Strapless, extra firm bodysuit with underwire and flexible boning.
This open bust pullover from Skims provides shape-wear for your arms. The raw cut sleeves terminate right below the elbows, and the back features a slightly scooped crew neckline. And it’s made from soft, thin fabric that won’t add any bulk while remaining comfortable all day and evening.
Open bust, pull-over, ¾ sleeve with back crew neckline from Skims providing compression for your arms.
This Spanx catsuit provides all over firm compression including on the arms, back, tummy, and legs (all the way to your ankles). The open bust style allows you to wear your bra of choice, and the easy access gusset means you don’t have to worry about trying to take it on and off when nature calls. This style offers the most coverage available from Spanx (as well as most other brands).
Open bust catsuit from Spanx with firm compression on the arms, tummy, back, butt and legs with open gusset.
Featuring 5-way adjustable straps, a very low back, and a plunging front neckline, this Spanx bodysuit shapewear accommodates a wide range of dresses. Switch up the straps for crisscross, racerback, halter, or narrow back styles. The clean-cut legs and thong ensure there won’t be any visible panty lines, and the lightly padded cups provide adequate nipple modesty.
Thong bodysuit from Spanx with 5-way adjustable straps, plunging front neckline and firm compression.
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This bodysuit from Shapellx features a low scooped back neckline as well as a front deep plunge; a great solution for cowl back gowns. It provides both tummy smoothing and bust lifting, and the convertible straps can be adjusted for halter, crisscross, and traditional straps.
Thin, moderately compressive, thong bodysuit from Shapelix with a low scoop back and from plunge neckline.
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I love Wolford products for their luxurious feel and durable craftsmanship. This bodysuit features a strong shaping integrated bra with underwire and cups as well as tummy, waist, and hip shaping. Made from a thin, soft blend of polyamide and elastane, you’ll barely notice it's there.
Soft bodysuit with integrated underwire bra and firm compression from Wolford.
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High waisted, strong compression, one-legged shorts from Skims for gowns with high slits.
I’ve worked as a tailor, pattern maker and stylist for over 30 years in the bridal, fashion, film and television businesses. I have fit literally hundreds of people in all sorts of wedding dresses, from slinky bias-cut gowns to strapless ones with tight bodices and full skirts and everything in between (I once created a dress with a zip-off bottom so a bride could go from wedding ceremony to the dance reception with ease).
I also consulted online reviews, considering style, fabric, and quality, to put together this list of the best options for a range of styles.
The style of your shapewear should match that of your dress and, above all, should lay flat under it in the most unobtrusive way possible. You don’t want anyone to know you’re wearing shapewear, after all. Once you’ve settled on a dress, you may have to try on multiple options to achieve the best effect. Style elements of your dress that help determine which shapewear to choose include necklines, whether or not it's strapless, and how form fitting your gown is. Many people, at minimum, want tummy control shapewear.
Shapewear comes in a range of firmnesses, from light to extra firm. If you’re not used to wearing shapewear you may want to consider something with a lighter compression. Extra firm garments really do suck you in, and some people find them uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
That being said, it’s a great idea to don your shapewear under regular clothes and go about your day to see how it feels. Once people get used to a certain level of compression, they can usually wear it all day long without really noticing it’s there.
Skims offers the widest range of styles and colors of shapewear, including a diverse set of skin tones. Choosing shapewear that mimics as closely as possible your own skin tone is ideal as these will be the most invisible under thin fabrics. While a wedding dress is traditionally white, white shapewear isn’t always advisable because you may be able to see the color transition from it to bare skin.
Consider also how difficult it is to get in and out of your shapewear (sometimes pulling on a pair can feel like a full-blown workout). Look for garments that feature open or hook and eye gussets that will make bathroom trips easy. Which you prefer is really a personal preference. Again, I recommend taking your shapewear out for a few trial runs before the big day.
Refrain from ever tossing your shapewear into the dryer (always hang dry). Dryer heat will shrink and possibly damage the nylon and/or elastane used to construct most shapewear. If your washing machine possesses a truly “delicate” or hand wash cycle, it’s safe for washing but be sure to use cold water and a delicate laundry detergent such as Woolite. Hand washing is always a safe alternative option.
Features that will contribute to the comfort of your bridal and wedding shapewear include cotton gussets with hook and eye openings or a fold-over design to make going to the bathroom easier. Also, look for seamless options made from thin fabrics that will make them less noticeable under silky, body-skimming dresses.
Pay attention to necklines; many bridal dresses feature plunging fronts or low back styles and you don’t want your shapewear peeking out. I suggest staying away from anything with lace inserts, as no matter how pretty the lace is, it can still cause bumpiness when worn under many dresses. Look for shapewear that is as smooth as possible.
Bodysuits with adjustable straps provide a great versatile option that will allow you to pair it with a range of dresses (instead of just one specific gown).
You’re not necessarily “supposed” to (it’s your wedding day and you can do what you want) but many people like the smoothing and contouring aspects of a quality shapewear garment. Certain dress styles may fit better with shapewear under them, especially fitted or body-skimming styles.
High-waisted firm compression shorts, bodysuits, or even a waist cincher will all flatten your stomach under your wedding dress. Make sure to try your dress on with multiple undergarment options to achieve the silhouette that works best for you.
Most brides wear something that smooths out their stomach, hips, and back. From there, options vary depending on personal preference for the amount of compression, bust size, and whether or not they want thigh compression. Spanx high-waisted shorts are always a popular option; they smooth the upper thighs, butt, and tummy, and tuck in under your bra.
Look for shapewear made from high quality thin materials. If you’re going the bodysuit route, pay attention to what sort of gusset it has. An open gusset or one with a hook and eye closure will make your life much easier. Also, consider options with adjustable straps and a low neckline, as this will mean they’ll likely work under a wider range of different dresses.
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