Home / Buying guides / Shapewear
Lingerie
Best shapewear in the UK
By the buychecked team · Updated 9 October 2026 · Prices refresh daily from the retailer feed
Shapewear is a layer that sits between your skin and your clothes. People wear it for different reasons: a smoother line under a fitted dress, a bodysuit that stays tucked in, less chafing between the thighs, or simply the feeling of being held in place on a long day. None of those reasons is about changing your body, and the best piece is the one you forget you are wearing.
For most people the Heist Contour The Body is a good place to start. It is a seamless bodysuit with medium compression throughout, non-wired knitted cups and adjustable straps, so it works as an everyday layer rather than an occasion piece. If you want shaping from under the bust to mid-thigh, the Chantelle Basic Shaping High Waist Short is the pick, and for a dress the Prima Donna Twist A La Folie Control Dress works as a shaping slip with your own bra.
Below are seven pieces across budget, mid-range and premium price bands, covering bodies, shorts, a slip and a waist cincher, followed by advice on control levels, sizing and comfort. Many lingerie listings only show one or two sizes in stock, so check yours is available before you decide.
How we chose
We have not tried this shapewear on or tested it in person. We shortlisted it by comparing the published specifications, construction details, materials, size information, price and the retailer's own product descriptions across the full shapewear range we list, then chose pieces that each do a different job. The retailer's category also includes suspender belts and lace bodies that are lingerie rather than shaping garments, so we left those out. Where the data conflicts, for example a product tagged 'padded' that the description calls non-padded, we have trusted the description and said so.
1. Best overall
Heist Contour The Body - Black - 3XL - (20-22)
£21.00 at Belle Lingerie · best for an everyday shaping body you can wear all day
Heist's Contour The Body is a seamless bodysuit with medium compression throughout, which sits between a light smoothing layer and firm control. The cups are non-wired and non-padded, made from a 3D knit to give the bust some lift and definition without a separate bra, and the scoop neckline and full cup coverage make it easy to wear under everyday tops. The straps are adjustable and there is a snap gusset for practicality. Heist positions it as an alternative to shapewear that grips too tightly, which is the right brief for something you will wear for hours. The listing currently shows a single size, labelled as 20 to 22, so check the size options. It sits in the budget to mid-range price band.
✓ Pros
- Medium compression rather than very firm control
- Seamless construction for a smooth line under clothes
- Built-in non-wired cups and adjustable straps
- Snap gusset
✕ Cons
- Built-in cups will not give the support of a fitted bra for fuller busts
- Very limited sizes currently listed
2. Best shaping shorts
Chantelle Basic Shaping High Waist Short - Nude Sand
£62.00 at Belle Lingerie · best for dresses and trousers, and anyone who gets thigh chafing
Chantelle's Basic Shaping High Waist Short rises to just under the bust and finishes at mid-thigh, so it covers the stomach, waist, hips and rear in one piece. A silicone band at the top is there to stop it rolling down during the day, which is the most common complaint with high-waisted shapewear. Because it reaches the thigh, it also gives a smooth layer between the legs under skirts and dresses. You wear your own bra with it, so you keep whatever bra support you are used to. It is towards the upper end of the mid-range price band, and stock is limited, so check your size.
✓ Pros
- Covers from under the bust to mid-thigh
- Silicone waistband to help it stay up
- Works with your own bra
- Thigh coverage helps under skirts and dresses
✕ Cons
- Higher price than most shorts-style shapewear
- Single size currently listed in this shade
3. Best slip
Prima Donna Twist A La Folie Control Dress - Black
£27.60 at Belle Lingerie · best for wearing under a dress for an occasion
Prima Donna's Twist A La Folie Control Dress is a shaping slip in microfibre with control panels around the tummy, waist and bottom. A slip helps a dress skim over the body rather than catch on underwear, and the smooth fabric can stop lined or clingy dresses riding up. There is no bra built in, so you wear your own, which means you can pick the right bra for the neckline. It keeps a few decorative touches from the A La Folie range, with bows and lace, and there is a matching bra. Pricing is mid-range.
✓ Pros
- Full slip shape for dresses
- Control panels at tummy, waist and bottom
- Wear with your own bra
✕ Cons
- Single dress size listed at the moment
- Lace and bow details may show under very fine fabrics
4. Best budget firm control
Pour Moi Hourglass Firm Control Waist Cincher - Caramel
£12.00 at Belle Lingerie · best for firm waist shaping without spending much
Pour Moi's Hourglass Firm Control Waist Cincher is one of the lowest priced pieces in our shapewear range. It wraps the waist only, in extra firm fabric, and fastens with hooks and eyes at the front so it is easy to put on yourself. Soft elastic edges are designed not to dig in. Because it only covers the midsection, you choose your own bra and knickers, and it can be worn under high-waisted skirts or trousers for a defined waist. Firm control is not for all-day comfort for everyone, so it suits occasions more than long working days. There is a version with added back control too.
✓ Pros
- Budget price band
- Extra firm fabric for noticeable waist shaping
- Front hook and eye fastening
- Soft elastic edges
✕ Cons
- Firm control can feel restrictive over a long day
- Covers the waist only
- Single size currently listed
5. Best open-bust body
Chantelle Basic Shaping Open Bust Bodysuit - Black
£23.10 at Belle Lingerie · best for anyone who wants to wear their own bra
If you have a bra that already fits you well, an open-bust body lets you keep it. Chantelle's Basic Shaping Open Bust Bodysuit sits just under the bust and shapes across the stomach and bottom, and Chantelle says it is cut so it does not dig into the legs. The gusset is 100% cotton and the closure has two sets of hooks and eyes so you can adjust the fit. This is a good choice for fuller busts, people who need a specific bra for support, and anyone who finds built-in cups never quite fit. It sits in the budget to mid-range price band.
✓ Pros
- Wear with any bra
- Shapes stomach and bottom
- Cotton gusset
- Adjustable two-row closure
✕ Cons
- You need a separate bra
- Single size currently listed
Light, medium or firm control?
Light control is mostly about a smooth layer. It stops seams, knicker lines and clingy fabric catching, and it is comfortable enough to forget about. The Sloggi Zero Feel bodysuit is an example: it is described as a second-skin layer with no wires or seams rather than a compression garment.
Medium control, like the Heist Contour, adds noticeable hold while staying wearable for a full day. Firm control, like the Pour Moi Hourglass cincher, gives the most shaping but is the most likely to feel restrictive, so many people save it for an event. If you are new to shapewear, start lighter than you think you need. Comfort matters more than an extra centimetre.
Choosing the right shape of garment
A body covers the most and works well under fitted tops because it cannot untuck. Choose one with built-in cups if they match your bra size, or an open-bust body if you need your own bra. High-waist shorts suit dresses and trousers and help with thigh chafing. A slip is the most practical layer under an occasion dress, and a waist cincher gives targeted shaping around the middle while letting you choose everything else.
Think about the outfit first. A low back rules out most bodies, a short skirt might show the hem of mid-thigh shorts, and a pale or sheer fabric will show lace or bows on the garment underneath.
Sizing and fit
Buy your actual size. Going smaller does not give more shaping; it makes the garment roll, dig in and leave marks, and can be uncomfortable to sit in. A good fit should feel snug and smooth, with no edges cutting in at the waist, legs or under the bust.
Shapewear is sold in several ways: dress sizes, bra sizes, combined cup sizes such as C-D, or ranges such as 20-22. Check the brand's size guide on the retailer's page for each item. Stock on lingerie sites changes quickly and many of these listings currently show only one or two sizes, so check availability before you plan an outfit around a piece.
Comfort details worth looking for
A snap or hook gusset makes bodies far more practical for toilet trips. Silicone grip bands help high-waisted styles stay up. Adjustable straps, a cotton gusset and soft elastic or bonded edges all make a difference over a long day.
Also check the cups. The retailer data in this category is not always consistent, and several bodies are tagged 'padded' in their specification while the description says non-padded. Trust the description and the photos, and check the returns policy, since fit in shapewear is personal and hard to judge from a listing.
FAQs
Is it safe to wear shapewear every day?
For most people, comfortable, well-fitting shapewear is fine for daily wear. Choose light or medium control for everyday use, buy your true size and take it off if it causes discomfort, numbness or difficulty breathing. Firm control is better kept for shorter periods.
Should I size down in shapewear?
No. Sizing down usually makes shapewear roll at the waist, dig in at the legs and feel uncomfortable without giving a smoother result. Buy your measured size using the brand's own size guide.
What is the difference between a shaping body and a corselet?
The terms overlap. A corselet usually means a body with bra-sized cups built in, like the Anita Comfort Clara. A shaping body may have stretch cups, built-in minimiser cups or an open bust that you wear with your own bra.
What shapewear stops thighs rubbing?
Anything that covers the upper thighs will help, such as mid-thigh shaping shorts like the Chantelle Basic Shaping High Waist Short. Lighter, non-control anti-chafe shorts are another option if you do not want any shaping at all.
Can I wear my own bra with shapewear?
Yes, with open-bust bodies, high-waist shorts, slips and waist cinchers. The Chantelle Basic Shaping Open Bust Bodysuit and the Prima Donna Twist A La Folie Control Dress are both designed to be worn with a separate bra.
Want to see everything? Browse all shapewear or read our other buying guides.
Affiliate disclosure: buychecked may earn commission from qualifying purchases made via links on this page — at no extra cost to you. Prices checked against live merchant feeds.