Shapewear is worn under your clothing and is designed to shape, smooth, support, and accentuate different parts of the body.

Do I have to wear shapewear under my wedding dress?

Definitely not! Wearing shapewear under your wedding dress is a personal choice and completely optional.

What shapewear works best under a wedding dress?

If you're wearing a wedding dress with a plunging neckline , you should consider a deep-V strapless bodysuit. If your wedding dress is body-hugging, you could experiment with a seamless high-waisted brief or thong.

20 Best Bridal & Wedding Shapewear of 2021

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While wearing shapewear on your wedding day is certainly not required, if you’re looking for bridal underpinnings with added support and coverage, shapewear solutions are a great option. What's more, these 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.

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.

"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 Sapna Palep, Co-CEO of Journelle. "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 also 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.

Read on for the best bridal shapewear for every wedding dress and body type.

Best for Deep-V Necklines: Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit

If you're wearing a wedding dress with a plunging neckline and a low back, then this Spanx bodysuit is a smart shapewear solution. As versatile as it is comfortable this undergarment is perfect for any special occasion.

Most Comfortable: Honeylove SuperPower Short

This short uses panels of varying compression to shape and release in all of the right areas for a flattering fit that doesn't pinch or squeeze.

Best Minimal Compression: Spanx Undie-Tectable Thong

If you're wearing a minimalist slip dress, opt for this seamless thong crafted from butter-soft fabric. Although this style is simple in design, you can rest assured that it won't create any unwanted panty lines.

Best Sheer Shaper: Spanx Footless Power Shorts

This footless shaper is one of Spanx's bestselling styles as it smooths and contours the stomach, hips, rear, and thighs and provides light and sheer compression on the legs. This style can truly be worn with any wedding dress as long as the hemline hits below the ankle.

For a Strapless Gown: Spanx Suit Your Fancy Strapless Bodysuit

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.

For Open Back Dress: Fashion Forms Lace Backless Strapless Bodysuit

This sexy number is perfect for a wedding dress with a seriously low and open back and features padded cups with clear adhesive straps for totally invisible and flawless support.

For Sheath Dresses: Commando Strapless Tech Control Stretch Slip

Brides wearing strapless or off-the-shoulder dresses should look for body-skimming stretch slips that hug your body in all of the right places. Since this shapewear solution is one piece, you won't run the risk of a waistband digging into your sides.

Most Seamless Panty: Commando Butter Control Brief

The name says it all! These Commando control briefs are as good as going bare and are as smooth as butter. This style is perfect for brides-to-be who are looking for light and seamless compression.

Most Seamless Lace: Squeem Brazilian Flair Mid-Waist Brief

These curve-enhancing briefs stop mid-waist making them ideal for the bride who wants a seamless fit that hits below the ribcage. If you're rocking a bustier style gown or a dress with built-in shapewear, sometimes the less fabric under the bodice is the way to go.

Best Shaping Skirt: Yummie High-Waist Skirt Slip

A high-waisted skirt slip is a great solution for brides who want all the benefits of shapewear but with a little more freedom. If your dress is body-hugging then a skirt slip is the perfect option for you.

Best Set: SKIMS Core Control Thong

The SKIMS bridal collection is finally here with an array of size-inclusive and sleek shapewear. Our favorite piece? This sculpting high-waist thong that's designed to smooth and enhance your natural silhouette.

Best Mid-Thigh Shaper: Natori Plush High-Waist Thigh Shaper

This mid-thigh shaper is like a supportive second skin and feels like next to nothing on. A power stretch jersey fabric helps the brief to stay in place while a soft lace finish prevents any seams from digging into your legs.

Best Style with Detachable Straps: Wacoal Strapless Shaping Bodysuit

Let's be honest, there's nothing more frustrating than having to constantly readjust a strapless bodice. Luckily, this style comes with silicone cups that help to keep the bodysuit from falling down.

Best Smoothing: SKIMS Mid Waist Brief

With sculpting high-waisted briefs, bodysuits, and bras all available in a wide range of colors and sizes, it's no wonder SKIMS shapewear is taking the world by storm. We love this double waistband style for its flattering and supremely comfortable fit.

Most Versatile: Heist Convertible Shaping Briefs

These targeted compression briefs come with removable straps and can be worn multiple ways from straight over the shoulders to crisscrossed in the front. Clipping these straps into the briefs also gives you the added reassurance that they'll stay in place no matter what you're wearing.

Best for Long Sleeve Gowns: Leonisa Undetectable Open Bust Jumpsuit

For brides wanting a little extra coverage under their long sleeve dress, this Leonisa jumpsuit shapes and sculpts all the way from your arms to your thighs.

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Best Thong Bodysuit: SKIMS 'Fits Everybody' Sculpting Bodysuit

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.

Best High-Waisted Thong: Cosabella Never Say Never Sexy High Waist Thong Shapewear,

"The Cosabella Never Say Never Sexy High Waist Thong Shapewear, made with their signature floral lace, complete with a power mesh tummy control panel hidden underneath the lace for extra support. This high-waisted style is perfect to wear under your dress, yet offers a touch of sexy for your big day," says Palep.

Best Strapless Bra: La Perla Strapless Contour Bra

If you don't have a tried and true strapless bra – it's time to get one! This style from La Perla provides invisible support and promises to stay put all the way from the aisle to the afterparty.

Most Strapless Bra Friendly: Wolford Tulle Shapewear Dress

One of the best shapewear styles to complement a strapless bra is one that makes room for the bra and dips just below it. This featherweight tulle shapewear dress does just that and creates a seamless bust under your gown while contouring and smoothing the lower half of your body. This Wolford number is ideal for wedding dresses with thicker straps.

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.

FAQ

What is shapewear?

Shapewear is worn under your clothing and is designed to shape, smooth, support, and accentuate different parts of the body.
Do I have to wear shapewear under my wedding dress?

Definitely not! Wearing shapewear under your wedding dress is a personal choice and completely optional.
What shapewear works best under a wedding dress?

If you're wearing a wedding dress with a plunging neckline, you should consider a deep-V strapless bodysuit. If your wedding dress is body-hugging, you could experiment with a seamless high-waisted brief or thong.

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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