The Clever Thongs, Waist-Nippers, Tights and Shapewear Celebs Actually Wear

From Fenty x Savage to Spanx, shapewear is no longer a fashion insider’s secret, passing fad or nifty trick stylists use to help smooth your body under clothing.

Indeed, undergarments that cinch your figure have come a long way from the days of Bridget Jones. (Remember Hugh Grant’s Daniel Cleaver chastising her for wearing “absolutely enormous panties” under her “silly little dress”?)

What was once an always inconspicuous and sometimes even shameful practice of squeezing yourself into garishly titled pieces like “waist cinches” and “tummy tuckers” has been revolutionised, becoming a booming industry that prioritises self-empowerment and sartorial agency.

Take Skims for example. The Kim Kardashian-owned juggernaut received a USD$4 billion valuation in 2023, proving consumer appetite and appreciation for these specific dressing solutions. In 2025, Londoners will be treated to an official Skims outpost, with the reality star and nascent actor signing a ten-year lease on Regent’s Street.

In bringing her neutral-toned sculpting bras and underwear to the UK in this way, Kardashian has cemented the shapewear empire as one that answers a basic fashion need: high-performing, functional and technical garments that will make you look and feel good, even without anything else on.

Of course, British women have known this for years. M&S’s shapewear has been an essential in modern wardrobes for decades. (It’s said that our favourite fictional diarist’s shapewear was from this high street staple.)

“We develop lingerie and shapewear for different body types and style preferences, helping customers to look and feel their best for everyday wear and special occasions,” says M&S’s head of lingerie designer, Soozie Jenkins, before adding, “ultimately empowering you to move through your day with confidence.” As stylist and creative director Avigail Collins adds, “before you think shapewear is all about just looking slimmer, think again”.

“These clever lingerie underpinnings can do all sorts of things, including make see-through fabrics look modest, stop jersey dresses from pulling or sagging in the wrong places, help you navigate that dress that can't be worn with visible panty line and so on,” Collins continues.

Yes, there’s more to shapewear than meets the eye. For me personally, I can’t count on one hand how many times shapewear has helped fix fashion woes. There have been countless events where I’ve worn body-conscious dresses that just clung to me oddly and would’ve benefited from seamless shapewear to help contour the piece to my mid-section.

But don’t just take it from me. Ahead, I’ve spoken to leading shapewear experts, brand founders and answered all your burning questions to bring you the definitive guide to the best shapewear brands to know.

The Best Shapewear Brands, Ranked by an Expert

• Best Overall Shapewear Brand: SKIMS
• Best High Street Shapewear Brand: M&S
• Best Sculpting Shapewear Brand: Spanx
• Best Everyday Shapewear Brand: Commando
• Best Luxury Shapewear Brand: Wolford

1. Skims

Style Notes: This brand needs no introduction, but indulge us anyway. Founded in June 2019 by entrepreneurs Kim Kardashian and Emma Grede—you might recognise this name from her work with Khloé Kardashian's size-inclusive denim brand Good American—Skims disrupted the fashion landscape with its minimalist and muted shapewear offering. What began as a range of high compression bodysuits, shorts and bralettes offered in every imaginable hue across the beige scale has blossomed into a collection of loungewear, swim and underwear styles. With pioneering marketing campaigns and stars including Megan Fox, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter, Skims has become a pop cultural mainstay in its own right.

Shop the Brand:

2. Spanx

Style Notes: Not your mother's shapewear. From its origins in the 2000s to now, Spanx has dressed millions of women across the world with their trail-blazing modern shapewear. Truly a leader in the field, the brand utilises technology like "targeted compression zones", which are performance-engineered and thoughtfully selected control areas, to smooth, sclupt and shape your physique.

Shop the Brand:

3. M&S

Style Notes: Worn by everyone from Renée Zelwegger to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, M&S’s shapewear is an integral part of the contemporary shapewear landscape thanks to its affordable pricing, firming fabric and wide range of styles. “Shapewear is designed to smooth the silhouette to improve how clothes fit,” explains Jenkinson. “You don't need to compromise on comfort when choosing M&S Shapewear,” she adds. Of the brand’s best sellers, Jenkinson adds, “customers really love our MagicwearTM Waist & Thigh Slimmer”.

“The waist cinching style is made with flattering tummy control technology featuring lightweight, yet supportive fabric that creates a smooth finish whilst lifting and shaping your silhouette, with the added Cool ComfortTM technology to help keep you cool all day long. The innovative tech in our MagicwearTM cinches your waist to help create an hourglass silhouette."

Shop the Brand:

4. Wolford

Style Notes: Wolford pieces are revered for giving you that second-skin feel, and the brand's shapewear is no exception. Like their tights and bodysuits, these styles are designed to lie flush and glide under clothes. Wolford claims to use subtle and effective shaping technology to accentuate the feminine form without sacrificing comfort. Materials range from tulle to cotton and the brand's unique Mat de Luxe fibre blend.

Shop the Brand:

5. Commando

Style Notes: What began as a single pair of seamless underwear in 2005 has grown into a full-fledged lingerie offering focused on a single vision—making something comfortable to wear and look incredible. Founded by Kerry O'Brien, the brand bridges athletic form with high-performance function for pieces that are as commanding on as they are when worn alone.

Shop the Brand:

6. Wacoal

Style Notes: Whether you're an A cup or a FF cup, size S or size 4XL, Wacoal's variety of shapewear styles caters to a wide variety of figures. Using lightweight fabrics that are soft to the touch, cuts range from classic briefs to more physique-controlling waist shapers.

Shop the Brand:

7. Next

Style Notes: Perennial high street favourite NEXT provides both timeless shapewear that's rooted in utility, along with gorgeous vintage-inspired styles featuring satin panels, lace trims and soft hues.

Shop the Brand:

8. Maidenform

Style Notes: Maidenform has been operating for over a century, making it one of the oldest lingerie brands around. (That's right, it's officially recognised as the first intimate apparel company.) From bodysuits you can pair with your favourite pair of jeans to full body shapers that come with built-in underwire bras, the brand is unique in how it considers both cup size and band size in fits.

Shop the Brand:

9. Honey Love

Style Notes: Like how AKT deodorant was born out of an actor's need for an antiperspirant that could withstand the harsh theatre lights, Honey Love emerged as musician Betsie Larkin's answer for shapewear that could suit the stage. As a touring artist, Larkin slipped into endless bodysuits but never found one that suited her needs or stayed up long enough to withstand a long performance. After sewing the first iteration of the brand's viral SuperPower short in between sets, Larkin took her design global in 2018. As they say, the rest is history.

Shop the Brand:

10. Falke

Style Notes: Established as a torchbearer of the legwear category, Falke began in Germany in 1895 as a family-owned knitting mill. Over 125 years, the brand has harnessed and finessed a century of know-how to make some of the best sculpting tights and stockings available.

Shop the Brand:

11. Intimissimi

Style Notes: Riffing on the Italian word for "intimates", Intimissimi produces stylish and in-demand lingerie styles with luxurious fabrics and at a premium price point. The brand has been worn by everyone from Addison Rae in her "High Fashion" music video to Kendall Jenner while strolling around Los Angeles.

Shop the Brand:

What Should You Look for When Buying Shapewear?

As discussions surrounding shapewear can involve phrases like "double gusset" and "compression zone", it's difficult to have any easy entry point into the category. But, given that shapewear has shifted away from being a hyper-specific and constricting garment to something that you can effortlessly wear on its own, buying pieces has never been more accessible.

"Choosing shapewear begins with understanding what you want it to do for your outfit, for example smoothing, shaping, or sculpting," explains Jenkinson. "Once you’ve identified your goal, consider the silhouette that suits your needs – whether that’s a thong, a bodysuit, or a thigh slimmer. Shapewear acts as the foundation to smooth your silhouette, whether for a standout outfit or an everyday look, helping women to feel confident inside and out."

Of course, it's not the most sustainable practice to purchase a new piece of shapewear if you're opting for a different kind of cut. Looking out for multi-functional styles (e.g garments that have removable straps) can help reap dividends and give you the most bang for your buck.

"Try your shapewear on before an event to get used to how it feels and consider taking your outfit into the fitting room with you so you can see how the total outfit looks and feels," Jenkinson adds. "Begin with lighter shaping options before moving on to firmer sculpting styles to find what suits you best. Choose the style that fits your comfort - shapewear is ultimately about building confidence through the foundation of your outfit."

Should Shapewear Be Hard to Put On?

Chalk this up to old shapewear stigmas that pieces need to be suffocating in order to be effective, but shapewear shouldn't actually be hard to put on. This obviously depends on the individual garment's compression levels, but it should never feel like a workout.

"Sculpting, firm control shapewear designed to contour your body more firmly can sometimes be a bit trickier to get on, however, we always design these pieces with comfort at the top of our agenda whilst ensuring we deliver on its promise to perform as shapewear," Jenkinson adds.

Should You Buy Shapewear a Size Bigger?

Another common question I get asked as a fashion editor is whether it's worthwhile to size up when buying shapewear. This usually comes down to two things—wanting a more comfortable fit and feeling like the tightness of the fabric is a barrier to entry. While it might sound appealing to size up on paper, in practice, Jenkinson tells me that it's a big "no no".

"Shapewear should be bought in your regular dress size to ensure the right level of control," she advises. "Don’t be tempted to size up, as this can mean the garment won’t provide the support or shaping you want."

Should You Wearing Specific Underwear When Wearing Shapewear?

Time to debunk another myth. While shapewear may feel like an additional layer you wear between your underwear and your clothes, it should actually serve as the base of your outfit. That's right, you shouldn't wear anything underneath your shapewear. This might send a shiver down some of your spines. (I know, think of the sweat!) But it's actually for a very good reason. When a garment is designed to be smooth and sculpted, you wouldn't want to wear anything that hinders this process, would you? Of course, this only applies if you're wearing briefs or pieces with more compression. If you're only wearing something with a soft stretch, feel free to wear a bra or panties for more coverage and support.

Can You Wear Shapewear Every Day?

With so many different forms of shapewear to shop, it certainly has become something you can wear every day. (If you consider the level of compression, that is.) You wouldn't want to wear extremely tight pieces 24/7, but wearing milder pieces for eight hours at a time isn't completely out of the question, either.

"You can 100% wear shapewear daily," Jenkinson tells me. "Whether you need smoothing or sculpting, it’s all about what feels right for you each day. There’s no strict time limit. Choose the style and duration that work best for your comfort and lifestyle."

How to Choose Shapewear Based on Your Outfit

Choosing the right shapewear for your outfit ultimately comes down to the specific design elements of the ensemble you're wearing over the top. Mini dresses will always work with bike shorts, so styles that fall to your mid-thigh won't be appropriate. Backless dresses are sometimes marred by the appearance of a bar strap stretching across your spine, so opt instead for a bodysuit that scoops at the back.

More specifcially, "a long maxi dress might call for a thigh slimmer like M&S's MagicwearTM Waist & Thigh Slimmer to create a smooth line, while a shorter skirt pairs best with shaping knickers or a thong like our Body DefineTM Firm Control No VPL Thong," Jenkinson explains. "If purchasing for a special event, try your shapewear with the outfit beforehand to ensure it enhances your look without impacting your comfort."

Why Trust Us?

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try pieces ourselves, everything from bestselling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.