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Shapewear isn’t always the most comfortable thing to wear. Thanks to Lizzo, it might be getting more inclusive and colorful, but it’s still a hassle. Don’t get us started with summer shapewear. Adding on tight layers in the heat? An odyssey.
To find the best shapewear for summer shaping and layering, we reached out to fashion expert and celebrity stylist Cindy Conroy and ThirdLove founder Ra’el Cohen for their insight. Ultimately, Conroy says, finding the right shapewear is like dating. “Depending on your clothes, you might need a different style. And that’s okay.”
Below, we rounded up the best summer shapewear for every style, body type, and budget. Read on to shop shapewear shorts, thongs, briefs, bodysuits, tank tops, and bras from brands like Skims, Spanx, Knix, and Commando.
SO, WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT Summer shapewear?
➼ FAQs
➼ Shapewear shorts
➼ Shapewear thongs and briefs
➼ Shapewear tops
➼ Our experts
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Best Shapewear Shorts
The Best-Selling Shaping Shorts
Size: XS to 3X | Colors: 4 | Materials: Nylon, elastane
The best-selling high-waisted short from Spanx features bonded panels for shaping and flattening.
The Best Multifunctional Boyshort
Size: XS to 4XL | Colors: 2 | Materials: Cotton, elastane
This period underwear is designed to be absorbent, but the Cut’s fashion news writer Danya Issawi says it also works well as a “mild shapewear short” that helps prevent chafing in the summer. “It saves my thighs,” she says.
The Best Size Range
Size: XXS/XS to 4X/5X | Colors: 10 | Materials: Nylon, elastane
Shapewear favorite Skims offers shaping and lifting shorts with an open gusset, which Conroy highly recommends because it keeps your areas ventilated.
The Best Cooling Shorts
Size: XS/S to XL/2X | Colors: 11 | Materials: Nylon, elastane, cotton
These shorts come in different lengths (5-inch, 7-inch, 9-inch, and 12-inch) and are made to be worn in the summer to provide a cooling effect. While they aren’t compressive like typical shapewear, they do offer smoothing out and are light enough to wear even on the hottest of days.
The Best Lightweight Shorts
Size: XS to 3X | Colors: 4 | Materials: Nylon, elastane, cotton
Another option from Spanx to get on your radar is these breathable and seamless shorts. With medium compression, a cotton gusset, and stretchy Lycra, these are more comfortable for everyday wear, especially in the summer. If you need some shorts to prevent chafing under your dresses, these are worth grabbing.
The Best Bike Shorts
Size: XS/S to M/L | Colors: 3 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
With its subtle lace details, you probably won’t mind showing off these bike shorts. However, the stretchy and soft pair is short enough to wear under dresses discreetly. If you don’t want anything super-tight and fitted but still want to prevent chafing, opt for these.
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Best Shapewear Thongs and Briefs
The Best Smoothing Thong
Size: XS to XL | Colors: 4 | Materials: Nylon, elastane, cotton
Another option is this seamless thong from one of Conroy’s go-to brands. It comes in a variety of neutral tones and offers light compression thanks to its blend of nylon and spandex.
The Best Sheer Shapewear
Size: 34 to 46 | Colors: 2 | Materials: Polyamide, elastane
“You don’t want your shapewear secrets to be the talk of the town,” Conroy shares. “Keep it low-key under dresses and shorts by wearing shapewear styles with seamless flattening tummy panels and bonded seams. These won’t ride up and prevent unwanted lines.”
The Best Compression Briefs
Size: XS to 3X | Colors: 5 | Materials: Nylon, spandex, cotton
The bands across these briefs offer strong, targeted compression at the stomach and waist. You can grab one of the five colors in a brief, short, or thong option.
The Best Color Options
Size: S to 2X | Colors: 13 | Materials: Nylon, spandex, cotton
This lightweight shaping brief feels as comfy as your everyday underwear and comes in ten different colors.
The Most Comfortable Briefs
Size: XS to XXL | Colors: 8 | Materials: Nylon, elastane, cotton
Available in ten different colors, this high-waist brief hits just below the belly button and has what that brand calls “semi-cheeky” coverage in the back. The breathable micro-mesh material is semi-sheer, comfortable, and compressive, so you’ll feel supported all day long.
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Best Shapewear Tops
The Best Shaping Tank Top
Size: S to 3XL | Colors: 3 | Materials: Polyester, elastane
Like most of Spanx’s beloved shapewear products, this cami is completely invisible under clothes. It’s smoothing and compressive without being too restrictive, according to reviewers. The lightweight and quick-drying fabric is perfect for sweaty summer afternoons.
The Best Bodysuit
Size: XXS to 4XL | Colors: 11 | Materials: Nylon, elastane
Say what you want about Ms. Kimberly Noel Kardashian, but the woman knows how to make good shapewear. This innovative brief bodysuit offers strong support and targeted shaping with extra compression around the waist and core area. I wore it to a summer wedding when it was close to 100 degrees outside and didn’t have any sweat stains, miraculously.
The Best Shaping Bra
Size: 32AA to 44H | Colors: 11 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
Another shaping-bra recommendation from Cohen is ThirdLove’s Classic T-shirt Bra since it grants the needed support without the bulkiness of built-in bra shapewear.
Another Bodysuit Option
Size: S to 2XL | Colors: 5 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
With some light shaping, smoothing, and a built-in shelf bra, this bodysuit is an all-in-one option for summer. The lightweight suit is flattering enough to wear as a top, so you can skip the extra layers.
The Best Shaping Tube Top
Available in sizes 2XS to 2XL.
Colors: 18 | Materials: Nylon, elastane
Aritizia’s contour pieces are double-lined so they’re smoothing and supportive. I love to wear this tube top for light shaping in the summer and layer it in as it gets cooler out. It’s not exactly shapewear, so it’s not as tight, but it is formfitting and still comfortable enough to wear all day.
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FAQs
Which fabrics should you look for?
“Look for sculpting options that are made of lightweight fabrics (like cotton) and allow effortless airflow,” Conroy explains. “Breezy selects mean you won’t overheat and feel uncomfortable, which is the name of the game.”
Which shapewear is best for underneath summer dresses and shorts?
Instead of bodysuits, Conroy recommends targeting your stomach and hips by wearing a shaping high-waist brief, control thong, or shapewear shorts. These options offer support without making you feel uncomfortable because of the excess fabric and heat.
Which kinds of shapewear should you avoid?
Conroy suggests you shy away from using shapewear with too much fabric and heavy materials. “Plunging your curves into a bodysuit can be an instant recipe for sweating in the heat. There’s just too much fabric that won’t be able to moisture-wick as temperatures rise.”
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Our Experts:
- Cindy Conroy, fashion expert and celebrity stylist
- Ra’el Cohen, ThirdLove founder
