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The 15 Best Tummy Control Shapewear of 2024, Tested by PEOPLE Editors

Our picks look good under different clothing and provide functional, everyday wear

Two people wear the Shapermint Essentials All Day Every Day Scoop Neck Compression Cami
Photo:

People / Jhett Thompson

Shapewear adds a layer of compression to the body and is often worn under form-fitting garments to provide a smoothing and shaping effect. With targeted compression in the midsection, tummy control shapewear is designed to help shape, smooth, and support the midsection.

But it doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable; shapewear for tummy control should help you feel comfortable and supported in a sensitive area like the stomach, so that you can go about your day with confidence.

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian (who owns the beloved Skims shapewear line) and Gigi Hadid consider tummy control shapewear a fun and functional tool to add to your wardrobe for special events and everyday wear.

So we scoured the internet, tested various styles and pulled from our own drawers for the best tummy control shapewear — including tummy control underwear and  shorts — to determine which shapewear is actually worth trying.

For a versatile piece of shapewear you can wear on an everyday basis, the Core Control High-Waisted Thong from Skims is our favorite. Made of stretchy yet compressive nylon material, this high-waisted thong form-fits the body and provides lots of support to the lower belly and waist without feeling too tight or uncomfortable. It's shapewear and underwear in one, and in addition to smoothing the core, it also moonlights as a waist-cincher thanks to its high-rise design. 

The undergarment comes in nine colors, including classic black, so you can choose one that matches your skin and doesn’t show through thin materials. It also features a comfortable silicone band at the top to prevent it from rolling down or shifting out of place. On top of that, it has an excellent size range from 2XS through 4XL, and costs less than $40.

Material: 79% nylon, 21% spandex | Sizes: XXS-4XL | Style: Thong underwear | Colors: 10

This Spanx waist-cincher is our favorite for a couple of reasons. One: We love that it's a separate, so you can wear it however you want and still get the benefits. Two: This style is virtually seamless and goes undetectable under garments, which isn’t always the case with waist-cinchers since many have more of a corset-like design.

As a result, this waist-cincher is actually comfortable and supportive and doesn’t make you feel restricted when it's on. In addition to shaping the waist, it also smooths and sculpts the belly and since it’s constructed from stretchy nylon material, it feels breathable and is easy to slip into (no hooks necessary!). 

Material: 55% nylon, 45% Lycra elastane | Sizes: XS-XL | Style: Waist-cincher | Colors: 2

When choosing shapewear for dresses, there are so many different options. We love the Joyshaper Shapewear Dress Slip on Amazon because it features a stretchy and breathable polyamide material and is essentially an ultra-high-waisted band that covers the belly, back, waist, hips, butt, and tummy area.

The skirt features a seamless design with lots of ventilation — partially thanks to the skirt style and partially thanks to the fabric — and works well with a variety of dress styles, plus high-waisted skirts. 

Material: 90% polyamide, 10% spandex | Sizes: S-2XL | Style: Skirt slip | Colors: 4

If you’re looking for a full piece of shapewear that pairs well under strapless dress styles, look no further than the Commando Tech Control Strapless Slip. It’s our top pick for this category because it not only features a strapless design but also has lightweight compression to smooth the tummy area and sculpt the waist, hips, and butt.

It's also stretchy enough to fit comfortably over the body without making you feel like you’re too restricted. Plus, unlike many other shapewear garments, this dress isn’t see-through, so you can also wear it on its own — the strapless style certainly fits the Y2K trend that’s been dominating for the past few seasons. 

Material: 47% nylon, 40% cotton, 13% elastane | Sizes: XS-XL | Style: Dress | Colors: Black

Most shapewear bodysuits have tummy control features. However, we found that the Skims Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit is the best option — not only because of its strong compression but also its versatile design.

The spaghetti strap bodysuit features a brief underwear design with a mid-back and sweetheart neckline that allows you to hide it easily under various clothing styles. Plus, it includes adjustable straps so you can easily find your perfect fit. Because it has such strong compression and covers the torso area, this bodysuit doubles as a waist-cincher.

Material: 41% recycled nylon, 41% nylon, 18% elastane | Sizes: XXS-4XL | Style: Bodysuit | Colors: 10

A person wearing the nude Skims Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit
In the PEOPLE Tested lab, a tester tried the Skims Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit.

People / Jhett Thompson

There’s lots of plus-size shapewear on the market, and this tummy-control bodysuit is the best. Not only does the ShapeLLX shapewear smooth the stomach, back, and thighs — but it also has an open crotch to make using the bathroom easier than it is in traditional bodysuits.

We also appreciate the inclusive size range, which spans from XS to 5X (which their size chart equates to a range from a US size 0 to 24). It’s made from a breathable, antibacterial material, with adjustable straps for a customizable fit. Plus, it comes in four different neutral colors, so you can snag it in a few different colors to go with any outfit. 

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: XS-5X | Style: Body suit | Colors: 4

When you’re trying to cinch your lower belly, wearing a thong is almost a non-starter, unless you have this Nebility High-Waisted Tummy Control Body Shaper available on Amazon. The first layer already sculpts, while the corset hook-and-eye layer lets you pull the tummy in even more, including the lower belly.

Editor’s Top Pick

“I’ve worn this faja under a formal dress for a wedding, under a tennis dress for brunch, and under tank tops with jeans on casual days — it has never failed me. One of my favorite things about it is that it doesn’t ride up the middle, but I can also easily slip the center strip to the side when I need to use the bathroom.” — Shalwah Evans, Senior Shopping Editor

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: S-2XL | Style: Thong underwear | Colors: 4

We love the Shapermint High Waisted Body Shaper Shorts high-rise style for its excellent compression, size range, and comfortable fit. Not to mention these shapewear shorts are relatively budget-friendly, too.

The Shapermint shorts are constructed from nylon with 10 percent spandex for stretch, making them comfortable to slip into and form-fit around the body while keeping things nice and compressive for strong support. They feature a tummy band that smooths and sculpts the belly while also providing waist-cinching benefits.

Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: S-4XL | Style: Shorts | Colors: 4

For a pair of shapewear undies with a wallet-friendly price tag, consider the Jockey Slimmers Breathe High-Rise Brief which features high-quality construction despite the affordable cost. These undies are made from stretchy nylon, so they’re breathable, comfortable, and fit the body without too much constriction.

The ultra-high-rise silhouette means you can only achieve a smoother and more sculpted tummy area and also reap the benefits of a waist-cinching design. The shapewear briefs are designed with full coverage to lift and smooth the butt, too.

Material: 92% Nylon, 8% spandex | Sizes: S-3X | Style: Brief underwear | Colors: 2

The best sculpting shapewear is the ShaperX Sculpting Thong Bodysuit from Amazon. This bodysuit also comes in a shorts style and features enough compression to smooth the belly, hips, and waist while also sculpting and lifting.

Constructed from stretchy nylon material, the bodysuit doesn’t feel too restrictive and is durable enough that it doesn’t lose its shape. It also forgoes the compression at the bust area, so you don’t have to worry about it feeling too tight, and it has adjustable straps for an even better fit.

Material: 80% nylon, 20% spandex | Sizes: 2XS-5XL | Style: Bodysuit | Colors: 7

If you’re planning on wearing a dress or skirt without a slip, a pair of tights that also offers tummy shaping support is a convenient option. The Spanx Tummy Shaping Tights are hands-down the best shaping tights that we've tried. They feel supportive around the midsection and are impressively comfortable.

As expected from Spanx, these tights have meticulous detail, from the cotton gusset that lets you skip underwear to the thoughtful omission of thigh-shaping, allowing you to confidently wear mini skirts and dresses without visible shapewear lines.

Material: Nylon, elastane, cotton | Sizes: A-E | Style: Tights | Colors: 1

Spanx Tight-End Tights
In the PEOPLE Tested lab, a tester tried on the Spanx Tummy Shaping Tights.

Jhett Thompson

The best shapewear tank top for tummy control is the Shapermint Scoop Neck Compression Cami, which features adjustable spaghetti straps and stretches far down to smooth the belly, waist, and hips.

Constructed from a durable, breathable, and compressive nylon material, the top stretches easily over the body without losing its shape. Since it's not see-through, it can be worn underneath clothing or as is, making it ultra-versatile, too. 

Material: 90% nylon, 10% spandex | Sizes: S-4XL | Style: Tank | Colors: 11

A person wears the Shapermint Essentials All Day Every Day Scoop Neck Compression Cami
In the PEOPLE Tested lab, a tester tried the Shapermint Essentials All Day Every Day Scoop Neck Compression Cami. The tester also tried the cami underneath a form-fitting dress.

People / Jhett Thompson

In addition to the Core Control High-Waisted Thong, Skims also makes one of our favorite pairs of shapewear shorts. The Seamless Sculpt Mid Thigh Short is designed with strong compression to lift, sculpt, and support the tummy area while also cinching the waist and providing some shaping to the butt and thighs.

The supportive shorts are cut from a stretchy and breathable nylon material, and it has an open gusset, making it easier to use the restroom without having to pull down your shapewear. Similar to other Skims shapewear styles, the shorts also come in a variety of colors, so you can choose something that works well with your skin color and doesn’t show up under garments. 

Material: 78% nylon, 22% spandex | Sizes: 2XS-4XL | Style: Shorts | Colors: 10

We have several options on our list with an ultra-high-waist silhouette. However, the Honeylove SuperPower Brief offers some impressive compression that stretches all the way to under the bust area.

This shapewear piece is constructed from durable and stretchy nylon with a cotton gusset and features a targeted compression design so you can achieve a smoothing and sculpting effect on the tummy, waist, and backside. Additionally, the undergarment has strategically placed boning (for the best extreme tummy control shapewear) to prevent it from rolling and to help it keep its shape. 

Material: 75% nylon, 25% spandex; 81% nylon, 19% spandex lining; 100% cotton gusset | Sizes: XS-3XL | Style: Brief underwear | Colors: 7

You don’t have to worry about leaks when you’re on your period, thanks to Knix Leakproof Thigh Saver, which are shapewear shorts that are designed to help keep leaks at bay. They are constructed from a stretchy and comfortable lycra fabric and nylon blend with a gusset designed to hold one tampon and one panty liner’s worth of liquid.

When it comes to period underwear, these shorts aren't exactly the most absorbent but they feature a design constructed to help keep things fresh and leak-free. Periods aside, they’re also super comfy, fit well, and do a fantastic job at shaping the belly area. 

Material: ​​Lycra Xtra Life, nylon, cotton, spandex, carbon | Sizes: XS-4XL | Style: Shorts | Colors: 3

What to Know About Tummy Control Shapewear

Targeted Compression

When shopping for shapewear designed for specific purposes such as smoothing the tummy area, it’s important to look for designs with targeted compression so that you can get adequate support and shaping.

Experts Say

“Targeted compression styles strategically apply pressure to specific areas, aiding in shaping and smoothing [those] areas of the body,” says Gabrielle Richards, brand director at Shapermint. “If you’re looking for a shaping garment to shape or smooth a specific area, go for a style that targets the body part you’d prefer to smooth or enhance.” For tummy control shapewear, consider comfortable garments designed to target the belly, waist, and hip area.

The best shapewear pieces are supposed to have some compression and resistance; however, you still want to be able to move. At the end of the day, you want the shapewear to do its job but you also want to be comfortable, which is why stretch is super important. With this in mind, Sheila Attari, the founder and CEO of SheBird, says to look for flexible fabrics and designs. “Look for material that has a four-way stretch to keep you comfortable all day,” she explains.

Comfortable Fabric

In addition to stretch, Richards says to make sure the fabric in general is comfortable, breathable, and not restrictive. “Nylon and spandex are key shapewear fabrics that deliver on stretch and flexibility so you’ll feel comfortable all day long,” she explains. Most nylon shapewear fabrics have moisture-wicking properties, too, which is ideal for warmer climates or year-round if you tend to run hot. 

For a comfortable nylon-based shapewear style, consider the Shapermint High Waisted Body Shaper Shorts and the Skims Core Control High-Waisted Thong which is also constructed from a stretchy and breathable nylon. 

Supportive Features 

“A well-designed shapewear item will feature supportive features such as soft boning to provide support for posture and keep the garment from rolling down,” says Richards.

In addition to boning, she says to look for silicone along the waistband or leg hems so that the material grips to the body and to prevent the material from rolling. The Skims Core Control High-Waisted Thong features a band like this.

Behind the Scenes

For this story we researched dozens of shapewear brands and styles, noting different features such as compression, shaping, fabric quality and ratings from real women. Additionally, our PEOPLE Tested team evaluated a variety of shapewear styles, testing for the following:

  • Compression: We tested different shapewear to ensure that each style offered a level of compression desired, and held things in place without being too restrictive.  
  • Shaping: Our testers evaluated whether the garments offered shaping of areas like the buttocks, thighs, waist and more — bonus points for any tummy control shapewear that cinched the waist and smoothed the belly while adding lift in the back.
  • Comfort: We noted whether styles caused marks or chafing after lengthy wear, or if boning caused bulging, and if the shapewear rolled down unexpectedly. Additionally we made notes of how our bodies felt during wear and whether the shapewear was too restrictive.
  • Durability: Considering that most shapewear garments — tummy control and otherwise — can cost a sizable coin, durability is important. Plus, tummy control shapewear is meant to smooth and support the belly, so it needs to be strong and stand up to pulling, stretching and other forms of contortion.

After gathering all information from research and testing, we scored each design and put only the top scorers on this list of the best shapewear for tummy control.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Should you buy shapewear a size bigger?

    Shapewear in your usual size might feel a little tight at first — this is intentional. Since shapewear is compressive, it should fit snugly against the body. To ensure you have the right fit, Richards says to always purchase your usual size. “Purchasing it in too big of a size can reduce the shaping and smoothing features,” she explains. “I also do not recommend purchasing shapewear a size smaller as it can be uncomfortable and restricting.”


  • What's the difference between tummy tucker and shapewear?

    According to Richards, some use tummy tucker and shapewear interchangeably. “A tummy tucker targets the abdomen whereas shapewear is the category of garments that a tummy tucker is within,” she explains, adding that there are many different types of tummy control shapewear, including tummy tuckers, shaping panties, shaping shorts, and shaping tops.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. To source the best tummy control shapewear, Jessie researched dozens of styles, carefully considering important features like targeted compression, stretch and fabric flexibility, material, and fit. 

She also considered all of the different types of shapewear designs that target the tummy area to provide as many options as possible for a variety of preferences. Additionally, Jessie connected with shapewear experts to learn more about what to look for in the product category and what makes the best shapewear. 

PEOPLE shopping writer Cai Cramer, added new shapewear picks based on PEOPLE Tested insights on the best shapewear tights and bodysuits.

Our Expert Panel

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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