Best Shapewear for Plus Size: Confidence Starts Beneath It All
The best shapewear for plus size, though subject to the particulars of your situation and style, can make all the difference in your comfort and confidence. It is all about celebrating your curves and enhancing your silhouette. It’s about giving you the confidence to wear anything you love. To be sure, your best choice of shapewear will depend on where you need support most, and you will most certainly want the right fit.
A garment that is at the same time supportive but not suffocating is the best shapewear for plus size women. Before buying, think about what you want to achieve. All-over smoothing under a fitted dress? Extra control in the tummy? The answers might guide you toward a seamless full-body shaper or a plus size shapewear for lower stomach to deliver the right results. Let’s take a look at these in turn.
The Best Plus Size Shapewear for Tummy Control
Is your main goal a smooth, defined midsection? The best plus size shapewear for tummy control will combine firm compression with flexible comfort. High-waisted briefs and shaping shorts target the lower belly and are easier to put on and take off, making them some of the most popular choices. Remember you might need to go pee at some point!
For everyday wear, choose a breathable fabric blend with moisture-wicking technology. This helps you stay cool and comfortable for hours. Tummy control is often accomplished with reinforced panels or mesh zones made of special fabrics like Powernet to sculpt without digging into the skin. In fact, some of the most sophisticated (and expensive) pieces will combine numerous fabric zones to give you just the right shape and comfort. Breathable areas like cotton gussets can provide added comfort. Look for brands that blend such function and fashion, so you never feel restricted or overheated.
Plus Size Shapewear for Lower Stomach
For many, the lower stomach area can be the trickiest to smooth out. Plus size shapewear for the lower stomach, a.k.a. the “fupa” (fatty upper pubic area), is designed to smooth and support this area for a more contoured silhouette. High-rise shorts or bodysuits that target the lower stomach can ensure a sleek line under dresses or jeans. Again, look for the garments with specialized compression zones in the area you want the most support.
Some of the most effective designs use double-layer compression in the front to flatten the tummy while maintaining a natural curve in the hips and rear. This means a sculpted shape without feeling squeezed. For a more natural look, you can opt for seamless construction. Seamless shapewear garments are designed to be invisible under clothing. However, seamless construction is typically only available with garments offering light compression, so there can be a trade-off.
Full-Body Shapewear: All-Over Confidence
For a smoother silhouette from top to bottom, consider a full-body shaper. A one-piece garment can support your bust, shape your waist, and smooth your thighs all at once. Many styles come with different leg lengths, from panty to mid-thigh to full-leg, to suit various outfits and coverage preferences. You can also choose between built-in bra designs for all-in-one shaping or open-bust options that let you wear your own bra for a personalized fit with lift support. Some full-body shapers include back-smoothing panels that minimize bulges and create a seamless line under clothing. For an example, check out the Esme High Waist Capri bodysuit.
The best full-body options often feature adjustable straps, open gussets for convenience (i.e. going pee), and a combination of compression zones tailored to the body’s natural contours. Full-body shapewear can be especially useful under fitted dresses, evening wear, or bridal gowns. It ensures even support and eliminates lines or bulges, helping you move with greater comfort and confidence.
Where to Find the Right Fit
Getting the right size is crucial. Too tight, and shapewear can roll, pinch, or cause discomfort. Too loose, and it won’t deliver the smoothing effect you’re after. Always refer to the brand’s size chart, which can be slightly different for every brand. Don’t assume a 2XL in one brand is the same size as a 2XL in another. Also, pay attention to fabric and purpose. For everyday use, medium compression and breathable materials should serve you well. For special occasions, you might choose firm compression, which you will likely pair with specific outfits, but don’t get high compression shapewear and wear it for the first time at an important event. Test it out first!
Start your shopping at a retailer that carries numerous brands, like Shapermint or Shapewear USA. You will benefit from a much wider assortment of options that you would get from a retailer selling only their own products. Price is always relevant, but it should not be your guide. The one thing you can count on is that cheap is cheap, and for something as intimate as shapewear, a few extra dollars could be the difference between something you’ll tolerate for an hour and something you’ll wear often and forget you’re wearing.
The Bottom Line
The best shapewear for plus size will help you celebrate your body without having to change it. Look for the right piece to give you the support you desire on specific parts of your body. Choose the right materials and construction to keep you cool and comfortable in whatever situation you will be wearing them. And ensure you have the right size and fit for maximum comfort.
With the right piece, you’ll stand taller, move more freely, and radiate confidence from the inside out. Because the best outfit always starts with a foundation that makes you feel incredible, and that’s what great shapewear is all about.
