Ready to try shapewear but have no idea where to begin? Bodysuit, panties or shorts? What works for your body type? What should go under which outfit, and how much control do you actually need?
Let's keep it simple. First, get to know the 3 main types of shapewear for women. Then narrow it down by body type, by outfit and by how you'll wear it. By the end, you'll know exactly which piece to buy first.
Shapewear 101: the 3 main styles
Each style is built for a different job, so it's worth knowing them before you shop.
1. The shapewear bodysuit: one piece, bust to gusset
A bodysuit smooths you from your bust all the way to the gusset in a single piece. That makes it the most versatile option: the control is continuous and there's no gap or line between a top and a bottom. It shines under fitted dresses, bodycon dresses, jumpsuits and crop tops.
It comes in several cuts: brief (full coverage at the hips), thong (no line at the back), with legs (covers your thighs and stops chub rub), backless (for open-back dresses) and strapless bandeau (for off-the-shoulder looks).
2. Tummy control panties: low-key and easy
Tummy control panties cover your lower belly down to your hips. They're less noticeable than a bodysuit under jeans or regular pants, which is why they're the everyday favorite. No straps, on in seconds, perfect for the office.
Pick your rise: mid-rise (above the belly button, easy to hide under jeans), high-waisted (up to just under the bust, great under fitted dresses) or extra-high (made for postpartum and C-section recovery).
3. Shapewear shorts: comfort plus chub rub protection
Shorts take the coverage down onto your thighs. Their number one job is stopping inner-thigh chafing (a must in summer under midi and maxi dresses), while also smoothing your lower belly and hips.
Two lengths: boyshort (short leg, about 4 inches, sporty and cute) and mid-thigh (about 8 to 10 inches, for maximum anti-chafing coverage).
Side-by-side comparison
| Style | Coverage | Wear it under | Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodysuit | Bust to gusset | Fitted and bodycon dresses, crop tops | Strong, head to hip |
| Tummy control panties | Lower belly to hips | Jeans, pants, skirts | Focused on waist and tummy |
| Shorts | Lower belly to thighs | Maxi dresses, midi skirts, summer outfits | Lower body plus anti-chafing |
Shapewear by body type
Your shape decides which styles will truly flatter you.
Hourglass (defined waist)
Your waist is already defined, so your shapewear shouldn't reshape it. It should highlight it. Choose styles that follow your curves instead of squeezing hard.
- Tummy Control Bodysuit: gentle control that shows off your waist
- Tummy Control Panties: low-key everyday wear under jeans
Apple (fuller tummy)
Here the aim is to flatten and smooth your belly and balance your proportions. Look for a reinforced front panel or firm compression.
- Firm Control Briefs: firm compression you can see
- Firm Control Bodysuit: serious shaping for nights out
- High Waisted Shapewear Panties: rises all the way up to under your bust
Pear (fuller hips)
Your hips are an asset. You just want balance without pressure there, so go for styles that shape without clamping down on your hips.
- Tummy Control Panties: mid-rise, no dig at the hips
- Shapewear Boyshorts: thigh coverage with no squeeze at the hips
Rectangle (straighter shape)
Your goal is to add curves. Bodysuits and high-waisted panties sculpt your middle and give the look of a defined waist.
- Tummy Control Bodysuit: builds one smooth, continuous silhouette
- High Waisted Shapewear Panties: cinches and highlights your waist
After baby (postpartum)
This is a sensitive time, and it calls for purpose-made shapewear: gentle compression, an extra-high rise that sits comfortably over a C-section scar, and fabric that won't irritate stretched skin.
- Postpartum Shapewear Panties: designed specifically for this stage
Shapewear by outfit
Body type is half the story. What you're wearing on top matters just as much.
- Fitted jersey or crepe dress → Tummy Control Bodysuit
- Satin or super-thin jersey dress → Thong Shapewear Bodysuit (invisible cut, no lines)
- Deep V-back or open-back dress → Backless Shapewear Bodysuit
- Strapless or off-the-shoulder dress → Strapless Shapewear Bodysuit
- Summer maxi or midi dress → Shapewear Bodysuit Shorts or Shapewear Boyshorts (no chub rub)
- Jeans or classic pants → Tummy Control Panties (mid-rise, discreet)
- High-waisted pants → High Waisted Shapewear Panties
- Big night, photos, a wedding or special event → Firm Control Bodysuit or Firm Control Briefs
- Low-back outfit → Thong Shapewear
How much control do you need?
Tighter isn't automatically better. The right control level depends on how you'll wear it.
- Light control (everyday, 14 hours or more): a soft smoothing effect you won't even feel. Ideal for work, errands and regular days.
- Medium control (most of our bodysuits and panties): a visibly flatter tummy that stays comfortable for hours. The sweet spot for most everyday needs.
- Firm control (4 to 8 hours max): strong compression and a dramatic sculpting effect. Save it for moments when you want the results to show: a party, a wedding, an event, a photo shoot.
Skip extreme compression for all-day wear. It gets uncomfortable after a few hours and can interfere with digestion and breathing. You're better off owning two pieces with different control levels and switching depending on your day.
How many pieces should you own?
There's no need to buy 10 pieces on day one. Build your collection in this order:
- Start with 1 essential: a Tummy Control Bodysuit or Tummy Control Panties, depending on what you wear most. Your go-to for every day.
- Add a second piece: grab the other one. Own the bodysuit? Add the panties, and vice versa.
- Round it out with 3 to 4 pieces: add a seamless style for thin fabrics and a firm control piece for big occasions.
- Go all in with 5 or more: layer in specialty styles that match your wardrobe, like backless, strapless or longer shorts.
Where to start: our picks by lifestyle
Not sure what fits your life? Start here:
- You work 9 to 5 and want everyday shaping: Tummy Control Panties + Tummy Control Bodysuit
- You go out a lot: Tummy Control Bodysuit + Firm Control Bodysuit
- You're a new mom: Postpartum Shapewear Panties + Tummy Control Panties (as you step down the compression over time)
- You live in summer maxi dresses: Shapewear Bodysuit Shorts + Shapewear Boyshorts
- You're getting ready for a wedding or big event: Firm Control Bodysuit + Firm Control Briefs
Getting your size right
Shapewear only works in the right size. Measure your bust, waist and hips, then compare with our full size guide (XXS to 2XL, with US, UK, EU and FR size conversions).
In between sizes? Size up for all-day comfort, or down for a stronger sculpting effect, but only for a few hours.
Your cheat sheet: 4 body types × 6 outfits
Find your body type, then your outfit: each square gives you the Elya shapewear that works best for that combination.
| Body type ↓ / Outfit → | Fitted dress | Flowy dress | Jeans / pants | Strapless dress | Wedding / night out | Smart casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triangle (shoulders narrower than hips) | Backless V-Bodysuit | High Waisted Panties | Seamless Panties | Strapless Bodysuit | Firm Control Bodysuit | Seamless Shorts |
| Rectangle (straight shape) | Firm Control Bodysuit | Strapless Bodysuit | Tummy Control Panties | Strapless Bodysuit | Firm Control Bodysuit | Mid-Thigh Shorts |
| Apple (fuller middle) | Firm Control Bodysuit | High Waisted Panties | Firm Control Briefs | Firm Control Bodysuit | Firm Control Bodysuit | High Waisted Panties |
| Hourglass (defined waist) | Thong Shapewear Bodysuit | Seamless Panties | Thong Shapewear | Strapless Bodysuit | Tummy Control Bodysuit | Seamless Shorts |
As your body changes, your shapewear should too
The shapewear that worked for you at 25 probably isn't right at 45, after a baby or after your weight shifts. Here's how to adjust.
After pregnancy
For the first 6 weeks, skip sculpting shapewear entirely: your body needs time to heal. Choose dedicated Postpartum Shapewear Panties with gentle compression. Once you're past 3 months, and only with your doctor's or midwife's OK, you can slowly bring back a regular bodysuit. Hold off on firm compression until your abdominal muscles have recovered.
Perimenopause and menopause
Between 45 and 55, your shape shifts: weight tends to settle around the belly, and skin gets thinner and marks more easily. Choose medium rather than firm compression and the softest fabrics you can find. Our classic Tummy Control Bodysuit will feel better than firm control at this stage.
After gaining or losing weight (about 10 lb)
Measure yourself again before you buy. Even a small loss can drop you a size. And if you've gained, don't force yourself into old shapewear that's now too small: it stops smoothing and leaves painful marks.
After building core strength
The stronger your abs, the less compression you need. You can trade a firm control bodysuit for a classic one, or even for simple seamless tummy control panties that feel like a second skin.
5 shapewear shopping mistakes to avoid
- Sizing down "for better results." It backfires: overstretched fabric loses its compression and rolls down at the waist.
- Buying for the sculpting effect alone and forgetting comfort. A firm control bodysuit you can't stand after a few hours won't get you through a 12-hour wedding day.
- Ordering online without measuring. Measure your hips at the widest point and your bust at the fullest. A size chart isn't a rough estimate; it's precise.
- Expecting one piece to do it all. Your body has 3 to 4 different needs (everyday, special occasions, workouts, weddings), and no single piece covers them all. Three well-chosen styles beat one do-everything piece.
- Going too cheap. $15 drugstore shapewear loses its stretch within 5 washes and leaves marks. Premium seamless shapewear ($45 to $75) holds up for 1 to 2 years of daily wear.
The bottom line
Picking shapewear comes down to three questions: what's your body type, what are you wearing and how much control do you need. Bodysuits are the most versatile, tummy control panties are the easiest to hide, and shorts are the comfiest under long dresses.
Want to dig deeper? Read our guides on how to get a flat stomach instantly, the best tummy control underwear compared and the 5 best shapewear bodysuits. Or shop our full range of bodysuits, tummy control underwear and shapewear shorts, all made in Portugal from seamless fabric.
Dressing for something extra fitted? See our roundup of the best seamless shapewear.
Shopping for a specific occasion? Here's what shapewear to wear under a wedding dress and the best shapewear under a fitted dress for everyday.
For your lower half, check out our comparison of the best shaping leggings for women.