Wedding trends may come and go, but one constant will always hold true: Every bride wants to look her absolute best on the big day. The trick to looking (and more importantly, feeling) your best on your wedding day? Ensuring that your bridal shapewear is perfectly curated to your needs. The best bridal shapewear will support you like a maid of honor—from hair and makeup in the bridal suite to nibbling snacks at the afterparty—without causing discomfort. Luckily, the array of shapewear available today is vast (even including one-leg options, Skims Solution Leg Exposed, $42 for those rocking daringly slit skirts), so you’re sure to find the right pieces to pair with your dream dress.
The Best Shapewear for Your Wedding Dress (No Matter Your Style)
The Goal: “Smooth, and not smother”
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Published Mar 22, 2024
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Spanx/Elizaveta Starkova/Getty Images/Skim
The Best Shapewear for Wedding Dresses at a Glance
1
Skims Barely There Shapewear Low Back Shorts
read more
2
Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
read more
3
Skims Fits Everybody Square Neck Bodysuit
read more
4
Honeylove SuperPower Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
read more
5
Leonisa Shapewear Undetectable Contouring Panty
read more
How We Chose the Best Bridal Shapewear
To help us narrow down the market to the best of the best, we tapped two bridal stylists, Lizzie Polden and Julie Sabatino (more on their expertise below) to give us their takes on the market. We asked them their thoughts on quality, styling and comfort (you’re looking to “smooth and not smother,” as Polden puts it), and for the ones they tell their brides to add to cart. We also read reviews left by shapewear devotees and previous brides to get the info on what styles hit the mark.
Meet the Experts
- Lizzy Polden is a native New Yorker and a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and has been in the fashion world since 2005. The founder of Agency Eight Weddings, she styles brides in NYC, the Hamptons and beyond, and calls herself “your wedding day fairy godmother.”
- Julie Sabatino is the founder of The Stylish Bride, a New York bridal styling institution since 2003. Sabatino has spent two decades curating wedding looks for an impressive client list that includes celebrities, socialites and elite power players.
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The Best Shapewear For Backless Wedding Dresses
1. Skims Barely There Shapewear Low Back Shorts
What We Like
- wide shade and size ranges
What We Don't Like
- some reviewers say the legs can roll up
Skims
Both Polden and Sabatino recommend this twist on the standard shaper shorts for dresses that show a little (or a lot) of skin at the back. While the compression on these shorts is light, the silky material ensures your dress will glide smoothly over your bottom half as you glide down the aisle.
Fast Facts
- Materials: 52% polyamide, 48% Lycra spandex
- Size Range: XXS - 4X
2. Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
What We Like
- easy access gusset
- seam-free leg openings to minimize lines
What We Don't Like
- some reviewers say the front panel could be more shaping
Spanx
This might actually be the shapewear that does it all: low-back friendly, a plunge front that still gives support and multiple ways to adjust for a custom fit. Called “perfection at every level” by one reviewer, the straps of this shaper can be tweaked in five ways (traditional, criss-cross, halter, narrow back and racerback) to work under a variety of dresses. Another bride called it her “wedding day saver,” and who doesn’t want one of those in their back pocket?
Fast Facts
- Materials: 51% elastane, 49% nylon
- Size Range: XS - XL
3. Skims Fits Everybody Square Neck Bodysuit
What We Like
- wide shade and size ranges
- snaps between the legs for easy bathroom access
What We Don't Like
- some reviewers say crotch fit is narrow
Skims
If your dress has a higher or square neckline, but still shows a little skin in the back, this shaper could be the perfect fit. One shopper calls the fit “insane,” and others rave that it’s “so flattering, so soft, so stretchy.” The thong back means you won’t have any bulges on the backside of your gown, and reviewers swear it’s comfy enough you’ll forget it’s even there.
Fast Facts
- Materials: 76% polyamide, 24% elastane
- Size Range: XXS - 4X
Best for Form Fitting Dresses
4. Honeylove SuperPower Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
What We Like
- open gusset
What We Don't Like
- limited size range
Honeylove
Honeylove’s signature criss-cross bands do it all—cinch your waist, contour your hips and even provide back support. Removable cups let you customize coverage and padding depending on the fit of your dress, and the adjustable straps help keep everything where you want it from the beginning of the night to the end. Reviewers caution that it takes some wiggling to get into this super-supportive shaper, but once you’re in, you’ll feel and look amazing.
Fast Facts
- Materials: 64% nylon, 34% spandex
- Size Range: XS - 3X
5. Leonisa Shapewear Undetectable Contouring Panty
What We Like
- seamless leg bands
What We Don't Like
- only available in black and light beige
Pink
Everyone talks about the walk down the aisle, but we want your exit to be just as memorable. The sheer lifting panels at the back of these shaping briefs give your booty a lift, while the light compression panel in the front holds you in. One reviewer says they’re “definitely seamless” and that she “love, love, loves” how soft they are while still offering the hold we want under a form-fitting dress.
Fast Facts
- Materials: Only available in black and light beige
- Size Range: S - XL
6. Skims Core Control High Waisted Thong
What We Like
- wide shade and size ranges
What We Don't Like
- silicone band at the waist
Skims
This one’s for the anti-shapewear girls who still want a little something on their wedding day (and is one of Sabatino’s top picks). It’ll snatch your waist without constriction and let your natural shape shine everywhere else. The size and color range are unmatched, so it’ll work for all shapes and skin tones.
Fast Facts
- Materials: 79% Nylon / 21% Spandex
- Size Range: XXS - 4X
Best for Strapless Dresses
7. Maidenform Convertible Slip With Built-In Bra
What We Like
- removable straps
- cool comfort fabric
What We Don't Like
- only available in black and light beige
- built-in panty is not removable
Maidenform
This shaper fits like your favorite mini dress but better—as one reviewer says, it’s an “all-time favorite” and is “perfect under dresses”—so why not wear it under the dress? Sizing is based on your bra size, so it’s tailored to fit well where it needs to most, and it comes with built-in underwear, so you’re saved from the dreaded panty-line problem without having to go commando.
Fast Facts
- Materials: 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra Elastane
- Size Range: 34B - 38D
8. Spanx Suit Your Fancy Shaping Strapless Cupped Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
What We Like
- removable straps
- split gusset
What We Don't Like
- only available in black and light beige
- some reviewers say it runs small
Spanx
A comfortable strapless bra is the holy grail of underwear, and finding one that supports your girls and also happens to be shapewear? Gold. The flexible cups on this shaper offer lift without digging in, and the adjustable back strap mimics your favorite bra for even more customization.
Fast Facts
- Materials: spandex/nylon
- Size Range: XS - XL
9. Skims Body High Waist Shaper Shorts
What We Like
- wide size and color range
- open gusset
What We Don't Like
- some reviewers mention wanting more hold
Skims
While these shorts don’t include a built-in bra, they are high-waisted enough that they’ll offer coverage and hold all the way up to the bustline, meaning you can tuck them into your go-to strapless bra. Polden recommends these to her clients, and notes the “fabric, quality and color options” are all on point. Multiple reviewers mention how comfortable these shorts are, with one saying they “fit the bill in every regard.”
Fast Facts
- Materials: 76% cotton, 24% spandex
- Size Range: XXS - 4X
Best For V-Neck Dresses
10. Maidenform Women's Wear-Your-Own-Bra Body Shaper
What We Like
- adjustable straps
- split cotton-lined gusset
What We Don't Like
- only available in black and light beige
Maidenform
This shaper has more than 5,500 five-star reviews, and it’s no mystery as to why. From the ability to customize the fit with your own bra to the brand’s Cool Comfort material that’ll keep you from overheating on your wedding day, it’s an ideal choice for those walking down the aisle in a v-neck dress. One reviewer calls it the “perfect shaper,” and we have to agree.
Fast Facts
- Materials: 78% Nylon, 22% Elastane
- Size Range: S - XXL
Best For Long Sleeve Dresses
11. Rhonda Shear Women’s Seamless Arm Shaper
What We Like
- seamless 4-way stretch material
What We Don't Like
- sizing can be challenging if your arms are a different size than your chest
Rhonda Shear
If your dress is channeling Kate Middleton’s iconic wedding gown, you know that while your arms may be covered in a long sleeve dress, they’ll still be front and center. Adding shapewear underneath will create a long, smooth line, while also providing a little warmth if the sleeves of your dress are sheer. This shaper is open in the bust, so you won’t have to worry about it showing over your neckline, and bonus—the seaming under the bra line gives a bit of extra lift.
Fast Facts
- Materials: 96% Nylon, 4% Spandex
- Size Range: S - 2X
Best For Wedding Dresses With a Split Skirt
12. Skims Right Leg-Exposed Solution Shorts
What We Like
- wide size and shade range
- available in right or left leg exposed
What We Don't Like
- only available in mid waist
Skims
One of Skims most unique products, this one-leg shapewear short fills a previously untapped need in the shapewear market - and saves you from having to roll up one leg of your shapewear or go without if your dress has a slit. One bride says she wore “these SKIMS underneath [her] wedding dress and it [didn’t] feel like [she had] anything on”. Crafted in Skims’ firm compression material with the addition of silicone strips to keep everything in place, these shorts are a game-changer.
Fast Facts
- Materials: 78% Nylon / 22% Spandex
- Size Range: XXS - 4X
Best For Mermaid Dresses
13. Spanx Thinstincts 2.0 Capri Leggings
What We Like
- seamless construction
- cotton-lined gusset
What We Don't Like
- some reviewers say the waistband can roll down
Spanx
When your dress is fitted from hip to knee, a sleek line under the skirt is crucial. One of Sabatino’s top picks, this shapewear legging is crafted from Spanx’s most lightweight, anti-chafing and seamless materials. Sabatino loves that these won’t cause an indent line in your thighs due to their longer length, and reviewers agree that this style is “so smoothing” and “a must-have.”
Fast Facts
- Materials: 55% nylon, 45% Lycra elastane
- Size Range: XS - 3X
Best For Short Dresses
14. Shapermint High Compression Shapewear
What We Like
- wide size range
What We Don't Like
- some reviewers say the legs can roll up
Shapermint
If you’re following in the footsteps of Sofia Richie and Kourtney Kardashian and opting for a mini wedding dress, there’s still shapewear out there for you. These boy shorts are high-waisted, so will help create that hourglass silhouette, but stop at your upper thighs so there’s no risk of them peeking out from below the hem of your dress. One reviewer says they’re the “best shapewear [she’s] ever had,” saying they “hold everything together tightly without being uncomfortable.”
Fast Facts
- Materials: 90% Nylon, 10% Spandex
- Size Range: S - 4X
15. Maidenform Women’s Tame Your Tummy Shapewear Brief
What We Like
- wide size and shade range
What We Don't Like
- some reviewers say the compression is on the light side
Maidenform
When a hint of compression and support is all you need, reach for this shaping underwear. According to many of the more than 6,000 five-star reviews, it won’t roll down at the waist (the downfall of many a shaping panty), due to the flat seams, and are “so well made.” You might find yourself pulling these on for everyday wear post-nuptials, they’re just that comfortable.
Fast Facts
- Materials: 84% Polyester, 16% Spandex
- Size Range: S - 3X
What To Look for in Bridal Shapewear
Both Polden and Sabatino agree that comfort is king (or queen) when looking for quality bridal shapewear. Polden’s top tip is to look for a brand you’ve worn before and loved, as every bride differs in what materials and construction work best for them. And both Polden and Sabatino recommend that you bring your shapewear when you try on dresses, or at least to your fittings, to ensure you can stand, bend and use the bathroom comfortably. It’s also important to consider:
- 1. Material: You have to take into account the sheerness of your wedding dress even more so than everyday life, because everyone will be photographing you from every angle and every lighting scenario throughout your wedding day,” Polden says. Sabatino agrees, and cautions against traditional shapewear materials like lace, as textured fabrics are more apt to show through your gown.
- 2. Color: Now is not the time for slimming black shapewear or even white to match your dress. As Sabatino tells us, “You want to make sure the color matches your skin as closely as possible,” thereby ensuring the most undetectable coverage.
- 3. Fit: Maybe the most important consideration of all, the fit of your chosen bridal shapewear is determined by the silhouette of your wedding dress. We’ve covered a variety of options in this story, but as Sabatino says, “as long as it’s comfortable, functional and not visible,” you’ve found your perfect bridal shapewear.
