6 Pieces of Shapewear Every Woman Should Own

Top Tips For Buying Shapewear

Tip 1: Make the investment. Don’t splurge on the dress and skimp on the shapewear. While $200 may seem like a lot to spend, investing in the right undergarments saves money in the long run. When you buy lower-end pieces the shelf life of the fabric that smoothes and shapes is much shorter, so you end up rebuying them over and over. Quality over quantity is the key.

Tip 2: Fabric matters. In today’s world of fast fashion, quality clothing crafted for long-term wear is hard to find. While nylon and spandex - two popular shapewear materials - are excellent at holding you in, they run hot. If you’re worried about your personal heat index (thanks, menopause), seek out cotton blends and mesh materials, which are fabricated to offer both hold and breathability.

Tip 3: Match materials. Matching clothing and shapewear material is an easy win. Wearing silks or satin? Choose seamless shapewear with a similarly silky feel. Wearing a cotton dress? Pass on hosiery-type material to avoid the dreaded static cling.

Tip 4: Find the right fit. We all know the experience of squeezing into too-small shapewear only to end up sweaty, breathless, and with bulges in weird places. Shapewear should fit, not bind. If you can’t find an expert like Allure Lingerie to help you find the right size, a general rule of thumb is to buy your typical size: If you’re a medium in your dress, buy a medium in your shapewear.

Must-Have Shapewear For Women 40+

To help you build your arsenal of waist-defining, back-smoothing, and butt-lifting pieces, we have handpicked the best shapewear to add to your closet. Hear! hear! to tackling any occasion confidently.

Shapewear Shorts.

Shorts are the perfect first shapewear piece to add to any woman’s intimates drawer. They work well with skirts and dresses, and the right shorts slim your thighs, lift your booty and add extra tummy control. Pro tip: Consider the length and style of your dress before slipping into these shorts. Shorter skirts and dresses pair better with shapewear briefs or bodysuits.

Shapewear Bras.

Backfat beware! Shapewear bras were made to combat any and all of our bra-wearing woes and are bridging the gap between comfort and function. Offering the support and lift our lady lumps deserve without uncomfortable wires and hooks.

Shapewear Bodysuits.

Full body shapewear bodysuits is a one-stop shop from bust to booty. The right piece can lift, shape, and support your breast, tummy, hips, and butt without feeling constricted or making you overheat. Pro tip: Avoid the uncomfortable bathroom shimmy and invest in items with special slits built in for easy bathroom breaks.

Shapewear Slips.

A shapewear slip is a perfect piece to pair with lighter-weight fabric dresses and skirts that tend to be more sheer/see-through while also providing the smoothing you need to create that oh-so-sleek appearance around the tummy and thighs.

Shapewear Tights.

Shapewear tights - the OGs of shapewear - have always held a place in our closets and with today’s options there is no need to channel your inner 80s aerobic instructor - hello Jane Fonda - to get the support and shape you want.

Shapewear Tanks.

Shapewear tanks can double as bras and help smooth the back and tummy. They are also one of the pieces of shapewear that can be worn daily under a pretty blouse or oxford for built-in confidence. We love the slimming effects of these made-for-comfort shapewear tanks.