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Brides / Chloe Jeong
Meet the Expert
Sapna Palep is the Co-CEO of luxury lingerie brand Journelle. The New York City-based company carries designer lingerie, bras, underwear, shapewear, loungewear, and accessories.
There's nothing wrong with a little extra support. In fact, it's often preferred! Wearing shapewear on your wedding day is certainly not required, but if you’re looking for bridal underpinnings with added support and coverage, shapewear solutions can offer just that. Shaping undergarments are designed to be virtually undetectable under most wedding dresses and come in a wide range of cuts and colors to suit all body types and skin tones. But how do you know if a shapewear garment is the best fit for you? We consulted Sapna Palep, Co-CEO of Journelle, for expert insight.
"The key to choosing the right shapewear comes down to picking something that you know works for you, your body, and your unique needs," explains Palep. "You want to be comfortable throughout the day while focusing on the areas that need the most support." In addition to finding shapewear that’s right for your body type, you’ll need to pick pieces that work well under your wedding dress. For example, certain undergarments like convertible bodysuits and bras provide great support beneath strapless ball gowns, while seamless briefs and thongs work best for form-fitting gowns and body-skimming slip dresses.
Take a moment to assess how you feel in your undergarments. Shapewear shouldn't ride up or be painful. It's your wedding day after all and you deserve to feel comfortable and confident, not pinched and squeezed.
If you're not sure where to start, we've got you covered. We researched and ranked the top shapewear pieces based on their level of support, seamlessness, comfort, and range of diverse colors and sizes. For the barely-there undergarments, we love the Commando Butter Control Briefs. For ultimate coverage and contouring, the Spanx Suit Your Fancy Strapless Bodysuit and the Heist Convertible Shaping Briefs are a foolproof pick.
Read on for the best bridal shapewear for every wedding dress and body type.
Best For Comfort: Honeylove SuperPower Short
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Courtesy of Honeylove
The wedding day can be long, which means finding comfortable shapewear is key to making it from the ceremony to the dance floor. The breathable fabric on this number is what makes it the perfect wedding day undergarment, especially if you plan on after-partying late into the night. This Honeylove power short uses panels of varying degrees of compression to shape and sculpt in all right areas resulting in a flattering fit that doesn't pinch or squeeze. It comes in five different shades and ranges from sizes extra-small to 3X.
Best Seamless Panty: Spanx Undie-Tectable Thong
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Courtesy of Spanx
Less is more with this simple and soft thong. If you're wearing a minimalist slip dress, opt for this seamless piece crafted from butter-soft fabric. You can rest assured that it won't create any unwanted panty lines on your special day, so you can walk down the aisle with the utmost confidence. Plus, the extra-wide waistband offers a comfortable and smooth fit.
Best for Deep-V Necklines: Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
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Courtesy of Spanx
This bodysuit was made for skin-baring wedding dresses and intricate designs. If you're wearing a gown with a plunging neckline and a low back, then this Spanx bodysuit is a smart shapewear solution. As versatile as it is comfortable, with adjustable and convertible straps, this undergarment is perfect for any special occasion.
Best for Strapless Dresses: Spanx Suit Your Fancy Strapless Bodysuit
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Courtesy of Shopbop
This sleek shaper has a built-in padded bra for brides looking for a little extra lift. Designed with detachable straps, this bodysuit is a versatile option suited for a variety of wedding dress silhouettes. The adjustable, five-way convertible straps are ideal for a strapless gown, while the panty construction is perfect for shorter hemlines and high slits.
Best Thong: SKIMS Core Control Thong
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Courtesy of SKIMS
The SKIMS bridal collection offers an array of sleek and size-inclusive shapewear. Our favorite piece? This sculpting high-waist thong that's designed to smooth and enhance your natural silhouette. With nine different color shades available, this number offers supportive construction and a core-contouring structure that helps every wedding day ensemble fit like a glove.
Best Shaper Shorts : Spanx Higher Power Shorts
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Nordstrom
This footless shaper is one of Spanx's bestselling styles, and for good reason. It smooths and contours the stomach, hips, rear, and thighs while providing light and sheer compression on the legs. This style can truly be worn with any floor-length wedding dress, so you can feel your best from the beginning to the end of your wedding day.
Best Smoothing : SKIMS Sculpting High Waist Brief
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Let's just say, SKIMS knows how to sculpt. With contouring high-waisted briefs, bodysuits, and bras all available in a wide range of colors and sizes, it's no wonder brides are turning to SKIMS for their big day. We love this double waistband style for its flattering and supremely comfortable fit that effortlessly enhances your natural shape.
Best Style with Detachable Straps: Wacoal Red Carpet Medium Control Convertible Bodysuit
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Let's be honest, there's nothing more frustrating than having to constantly readjust a strapless bodice. And who wants to deal with that on their wedding day? Ditch the discomfort with this shapewear style that comes with silicone cups to help keep your undergarments in order. Thanks to the superior bra design and built-in power mesh, you'll never have to worry about this bodysuit falling down.
SKIMS 'Fits Everybody' Sculpting Bodysuit
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Courtesy of SKIMS
This impeccably made SKIMS bodysuit was crafted to lay flawlessly under your wedding dress. Designed with a high-cut leg opening and thong back, this piece guarantees seamless support. Not to mention, the wide square neckline and low scoop back make this an excellent shapewear option for a variety of different wedding dress designs.
Best Barely-There Briefs: Commando Butter Control Brief
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Courtesy of Commando
The name says it all. These Commando control briefs are as good as going bare and as smooth as butter. This style is perfect for brides-to-be who are looking for light and seamless compression. The breathable, raw-cut fabric provides luxurious comfort suited for any style of wedding dress, from mermaid silhouettes for a black-tie affair to silky slip dresses for your destination celebration.
Best for Open Back Dresses: Fashion Forms Backless Strapless Bodysuit
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Courtesy of David's Bridal
Nothing says sexy yet classic like an open-back wedding dress, and this backless bodysuit is the ultimate undergarment for your big day. It features padded cups with underwire and clear adhesive straps for totally invisible and flawless support. Plus, the lightweight stretch lace will keep you comfortable from your walk down the aisle to your final dance.
Best Shaping Skirt: Yummie High-Waist Skirt Slip
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Courtesy of Yummie
If you want all the benefits of shapewear but with a little more freedom, then this Yummie slip is for you. For body-hugging wedding gowns to feminine frocks, the lightweight yet firm fabric offers invisible control that will elevate your wedding day look and enhance your natural shape. Plus, the non-slip waistband and hemline keep everything in place.
Best for Long Sleeve Gowns: SKIMS Barely There Open Bust Arm Shaper
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Courtesy of SKIMS
From full-coverage gowns for winter ceremonies to elegant long sleeve lace wedding dresses, this SKIMS arm shaper provides brides with a little extra coverage. The open-bust pullover style and seamless fabric lightly smooth your upper back and sculpt your arms. And since the raw-cut hemline ends right below the elbow, you won't have to worry about any material popping out of the ends of your long sleeve dress.
Best for Strapless Bras: Wolford Tulle Shapewear Dress
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Courtesy of Matchesfashion
One of the best shapewear styles to complement a strapless bra is one that makes room for the cups and dips just below them. This featherweight tulle shapewear dress does just that to help create a seamless bust under your gown, all while contouring and smoothing the lower half of your body. This Wolford number is ideal for wedding dresses with thicker straps and floor-length designs.
Best Mid-Thigh Shaper: Natori Plush High-Waist Thigh Shaper
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Courtesy of Natori
This mid-thigh shaper is like a supportive second skin and feels like next to nothing on. A contouring, high-power stretch jersey fabric helps the briefs stay in place while a soft lace finish prevents any seams from digging into your legs.
Heist Convertible Shaping Briefs
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Courtesy of Net-a-Porter
Whether you're wearing an eccentric wedding dress design or you're switching it up for a reception outfit change, these briefs offer versatility for just about any wedding day ensemble. The targeted compression briefs come with removable straps that can be worn multiple ways, from straight over the shoulders to crisscrossed in the front for unique necklines. Clipping these straps into the briefs also gives you the added reassurance that they'll stay in place no matter what you're wearing.
Squeem Brazilian Flair Mid-Waist Brief
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Courtesy of Journelle
These curve-enhancing briefs stop mid-waist, making them ideal for the bride who wants a seamless fit that hits below the ribcage. Made with light-compression smoothing fabric and sheer mesh detailing, this lacy shapewear combines unmatched comfort with sexy style. And if you're rocking a bustier style gown or a dress with built-in shapewear, sometimes less fabric under the bodice is the way to go.
What to Look For in Bridal Shapewear
When it comes to bridal shapewear, it's important to pick an undergarment that not only fits you perfectly but lays seamlessly under your wedding day ensemble. Your shapewear should target areas that you'd like to smooth, contour, or support and shouldn't ride up or cause painful pinching and squeezing.
Shapewear comes in many different silhouettes and levels of compression. If you're looking for added contouring and support, opt for high-compression pieces or structured styles with built-in boning or bras. Searching for something a little more lightweight? Barely-there thongs or seamless high-waisted briefs feel like next to nothing when worn and are ideal for light and comfortable shaping.
Why Trust Brides
Contributing writer Sophie Moore is a former fashion editor at Brides and is an expert in all things bridal attire, from couture wedding gowns to the perfect "something blue" accessory. She researches and sources the best fashion items for brides, grooms, wedding guests, bridal parties, and more.
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