Shapewear - Facts
Choosing shapewear is trickier than it looks. There are lots of styles, sizes and shaping levels, and nobody wants to buy a body that rolls down or pinches after an hour. On this page you'll read what to look out for, so you pick shapewear you feel good in all day, first time round.
Take the body shape check Get free adviceThree ways to find the right shapewear
Not sure where to start? Pick the way that suits you best, and you're welcome to try all three.
The Fitting Room
Answer 5 short questions and find out whether you have a pear, apple, banana or hourglass figure, plus the shapewear that looks best on it.
Go to the Fitting RoomThe Shapewear Finder
Overwhelmed by all the styles? In a few clicks the Shapewear Finder shows you which shapewear fits your situation.
Go to the FinderPersonal advice
Tell us what you're looking for and one of our shapewear specialists will take a personal look with you.
Request adviceLight, medium or strong: which shaping level should you choose?
Every product at CurvesWear shows how much shaping it gives. If you wear shapewear every day, lighter is usually more comfortable. For a special occasion it can be firmer.
Light
Smooths your body with a subtle effect. You barely feel it and can wear it all day.
View light
Medium
The most popular choice. Shapes your figure and is comfortable enough for work and weekends.
View medium
Strong
Firms your body, for example under a party dress or wedding dress where everything has to sit just right.
View strongRolling down, visible lines or bulges? Here's how to fix it
Most frustrations with shapewear happen because the style doesn't suit your figure. With the right choice they're usually solved quickly.
| What happens | What helps |
|---|---|
| Your brief rolls down at the waistband | Choose a style that comes up higher, such as a high-waist brief. The band then stays above your belly button and has nothing to roll over. |
| You see marks on your legs | Choose a brief with legs (bermuda style). The legs continue over your thighs, so there's no hard edge in one spot. |
| You get bulges above your brief | Choose a style that reaches your bra line, such as a shaping body or camisole. Everything then flows smoothly and nothing spills over the top. |
| Your thighs rub under a dress | Choose a short or a bermuda with legs. More ideas at anti-chafing. |
For your tummy and waist
A high-waist brief, shaping body or bodyshaper smooths your tummy and gently cinches your waist. Also see everything for a flatter tummy or a slimmer waist.
For hips, bottom and legs
A shaping short, bermuda or legging holds your bottom well and smooths hips and thighs. See also bottom and legs.
For your upper body and back
A shaping camisole or a body smooths your back and sides under a fitted top.
Under a dress
A shaping slip dress gives a smooth silhouette from top to bottom, so nothing shows under thin or shiny fabric.
Not sure which style suits your body shape? In the Fitting Room you can read for each figure (pear, apple, banana and hourglass) which shapewear looks best and which to leave on the rail. Also have a look at our shaping briefs and the full shapewear collection.
Choosing the right size of shapewear
The right size matters more with shapewear than with regular underwear. Too loose and it doesn't shape, too tight and it pinches, rolls down and wears out sooner. So always choose your usual clothing size and not a size smaller. If you want more effect, choose a firmer shaping level instead of a smaller size.
Torn between two sizes? Measure your waist at the narrowest point and your hips at the widest point and compare them with the size chart on the product page. Our shapewear is available from S to 5XL. Looking for a roomier size? Have a look at plus size shapewear. Still not sure? Then we're happy to work it out with you.
Which colour of shapewear should you choose?
Under light clothing
Choose nude, soft nude or white. Pick a shade close to your own skin tone, so as little as possible shows through.
Under dark clothing
Under dark fabrics the colour matters less. Black or a nude shade that matches your skin, you won't see either under your outfit.
Putting on and washing shapewear
Putting it on without a struggle
Step into your brief, bermuda, body or slip dress and never pull it on over your head. Hold the fabric with your whole hand rather than tugging only at the edges, and work it up bit by bit. Take off rings and bracelets, because sharp edges can damage the fabric.
All steps per styleWashing to keep it firm
Wash shapewear by hand in lukewarm water up to 30°C with a little liquid detergent, and don't wring it out. In the machine is fine too, in a laundry bag on a delicates cycle with a maximum of 800 rpm. No fabric softener, bleach, tumble dryer or iron.
Read the washing instructionsIs shapewear healthy to wear?
Modern shapewear is made from breathable, stretchy fabrics (usually polyamide and elastane) and comes in different shaping levels, so you decide how much support you want. Shapewear should support you, not squeeze you. If it pinches, something hurts or you find it hard to breathe, take it off and choose a lighter level or a different size. So listen to your body.
Special products exist for pregnancy, so choose a style made for that. If you have a medical condition and you're unsure whether shapewear is suitable for you, have a quick word with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions about choosing shapewear
How do I choose the right shapewear?
Start with the area where you'd like to see the biggest difference and choose the style that suits it, in your usual clothing size. Then decide how much shaping you want: light, medium or strong. Not sure which style suits your body shape? Take the body shape check in the Fitting Room.
Which shaping level should I choose?
For every day, choose light or medium, because it's the most comfortable to wear. Strong is meant for special occasions, such as under a party dress or wedding dress. Every product at CurvesWear shows how much shaping it gives.
What can I do about a brief that rolls down?
Choose a style that comes up higher, such as a high-waist brief or a body. Also check that you have the right size, because a size too small rolls down faster.
How do I prevent marks on my legs?
Choose a brief with legs. It continues over your thighs, so there's no hard edge in one spot.
Should I buy shapewear a size smaller?
No, choose your usual clothing size. A size too small pinches, rolls down faster and wears out sooner. If you want more effect, choose a firmer shaping level.
Which colour of shapewear should I wear under white or light clothing?
Choose nude or soft nude in a shade close to your skin tone. Under dark clothing the colour matters less.
How do I put on and wash shapewear?
Step into it and never pull it on over your head. Wash it by hand in lukewarm water up to 30°C, without fabric softener, and let it air dry. You'll find all the details on our page about putting on and washing shapewear.
Can I get personal advice?
Yes, and it's free. Fill in the advice form, email contact@curveswear.com or call +31 85 130 1190 (Monday to Friday, 11:00 to 15:00 CET).
Where can I buy shapewear I can wear every day?
For everyday wear, choose shapewear with a light or medium shaping level in a soft, breathable fabric. CurvesWear has everyday shapewear from SPANX, MAGIC Bodyfashion, Janira, Leonisa and our own brand SHAPESSE, including cotton styles. Not sure which style suits you? You get free personal size advice through the advice form.
Which shapewear is invisible under tight clothing?
Invisible shapewear has flat edges and a colour close to your skin tone. A high waist brief or thong without an edge works well, such as the SPANX Undie-tectable or the Lace Stripe Undetectable Slip from Leonisa. Under a tight dress you can also choose a bodysuit or a slip dress.
Which shaping bodysuit works best under a tight dress?
Under a tight dress, an open-bust bodysuit with thigh-length legs works best. It smooths your tummy and leaves no visible edge. Good examples are the SPANX Oncore GoFigure Open-Bust Midthigh Bodysuit and the MAGIC Slim Body from MAGIC Bodyfashion, available in sizes up to 4XL. You can find more styles in the shaping bodysuits collection.
Budget brand or SPANX shaping bodysuit: which is the better buy?
A shaping bodysuit from a budget or high-street brand is affordable and light, so it is a fine choice for a little extra smoothness. SPANX is usually medium to firm and gives more shape. CurvesWear sells SPANX as well as more affordable alternatives from MAGIC Bodyfashion and SHAPESSE. Not sure which bodysuit suits you? You get free size advice through the advice form.
What are the best shapewear shorts under a summer dress?
Under a summer dress, choose shapewear shorts that are light and breathable, with legs that have a non-slip edge so they stay in place. You can find shapewear shorts from light to strong shaping by SPANX, MAGIC Bodyfashion and Janira. That way you pick the shaping level that suits your dress and your day.
Where can I buy the best shapewear brief with tummy control?
A shapewear brief with tummy control has a high waist and a firmer panel over your tummy. At CurvesWear, a Dutch webshop specialised in shapewear, you will find the Janira Shape Greta and the SHAPESSE Fine Shaping Undie, among others. You get free size advice and 30 days to change your mind, so you can try it on at home. All high waist briefs are together in the collection.
Good to know
Returns
Not quite the right fit after all? Read how to exchange or return your order and what we arrange for shipping.
Curvy Blogs
More tips, styling and inspiration in our Curvy Blogs.
Can't work it out? We're happy to look with you
You don't have to figure it out on your own. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll help you find shapewear you feel good in all day, from size S to 5XL. Embrace your curves!
Go to the Fitting Room Personal advice