Are you troubled by excess stomach pouches or love handles when you don your favourite dress? Let’s be clear, bulges are totally normal for women, but if you’re searching for a helping hand to look and feel your best, there’s actually a solution. If there’s one wardrobe piece that is undoubtedly essential for every girl, it would be shapewear. Whether you’re looking for the best shapewear pieces for daily use or special occasions like weddings, we’ve got you covered.

What Exactly is Shapewear?

Photo by Roberto Hund on Pexels

As the name aptly suggests, this tight-fitting undergarment is designed to sculpt the figure into the intended shape. It offers a slimming effect while ensuring that your garment looks smooth with an impeccable fit to accentuate your natural silhouette. While shapewear is often associated with discomfort, modern technology has prioritised the comfort of its materials or fabrics for the wearer. According to Amie Heenan, co-owner of Melmira Boutique, “Fabric technologies have transformed [foundation garments] into lightweight, breathable garments that pull in, lift up, and sculpt the figure.

The Best Shapewear Pieces in Singapore 2024

1. Skims Seamless Sculpt Thong Bodysuit

Topping our list is the Skims Seamless Sculpt Thong Bodysuit, the ideal solution if you’re looking for the best shapewear to target everything from your tummy to your waist under dresses. Touted as the best-selling piece from the range, it provides strong full support with additional compression on the core and waist to accentuate your silhouette. It features adjustable straps, a cotton gusset with snap closure, and a wide crotch.

Why we love it:

  • Extensive range of size from XXS to 4X
  • Extra compression on the tummy area
  • A variety of shades are available

Cons:

  • The fabric is delicate 

Price: $110.00

Where to buy: Skims’ official website 

2. Spanx Firm Control Oncore High Waisted Brief

Trust us, no list of best shapewear is complete without the pioneering brand Spanx. Available in two colours, its Firm Control Oncore High Waisted Brief is designed with powerful compression, featuring firmly bonded front panels for the stomach area and edge-bonded side panels for an hourglass slimming appearance. The addition of hook-and-eye closures ensures a seamless experience without any hassle.

Why we love it:

  • Designed with bonded tummy panel for flattening effect
  • Addec with hook and eye closure
  • Strong support with powerful compression features

Cons:

  • Limited colours available 

Price: $112.00

Where to buy: Next’s official website 

3. UNIQLO AIRism Body Shaper Non-Lined Half Shorts 

If the hot and humid weather prevents you from wearing shapewear, the UNIQLO AIRism Body Shaper Non-Lined Half Shorts are your new solution. Leveraging Cool Touch and quick-drying DRY technology, its innovative fabric offers comfort-conditioning features to keep you comfortable. This shapewear piece is meticulously crafted to sculpt your figure, targeting the stomach and waist while also flattering the thighs to hips with a lifting effect. It is available in five different colours with size options up to 3XL.

Why we love it:

  • Ultra-thin materials 
  • Hems that are invincible
  • It features stretchy power mesh on the midsection
  • Quicky drying

Cons:

  • Some have reported that the shapewear rolls down to the stomach when worn

Price: $14.90

Where to buy: UNIQLO’s official website 

4. La Perla Slip Dress in Off-White Stretch Tulle

For brides, searching for the best shapewear for your big day is just as important as choosing your wedding dress. The Slip Dress in Off-White Stretch Tulle by La Perla is just what you need, thanks to its ultimate comfort and top-notch quality. Created from premium soft stretch tulle, we love that this shapewear slip dress offers a sculpted appearance with sheer panels and seamless lines. The padded cups and underwiring provide bust support. For those who prefer to highlight their hourglass figure, we recommend splurging on the Corset in off-white stretch tulle.

Why we love it:

  • Suitable as an undergarment for a wedding dress
  • Sculpted and smooth appearance
  • It comes with padded cups 

Cons:

  • Quite pricey 

Price: $705.00

Where to buy: La Perla’s official website 

5. Victoria Secret’s Leonisa Shapewear Sheer Lace Underwire Shaper Bra Top

Apart from shaping shorts, bodysuits, and supportive slip dresses, bras and bralettes are also essential for your daily wardrobe. The Leonisa Shapewear Sheer Lace Underwire Shaper Bra Top by Victoria’s Secret is outfitted with flexible side boning and underwire lift for ultimate support while flattering the curves. It also features adjustable straps and a 4-level adjustable back hook closure. In addition to its features, it is designed with stunning tulle cutouts and SmartLace®.

Why we love it:

  • Equipped with soft full-coverage cups
  • SmartLace® technology for smoothing effect
  • Supportive underwire

Cons:

  • Some reported that it changes to cone-shaped when worn

Price: $83.92

Where to buy: Victoria Secret’s official website 

6. Waistlab Body Lifting Scoop Neck UndieShaper Cami

Source: Waistlab

The Body Lifting Scoop Neck UndieShaper Cami from the local homegrown brand Waistlab is a must-have for feeling confident in your own skin, but with modesty. This cami shapewear offers strong compression on the tummy and waist while lifting the bust. Additionally, the scoop neck design provides coverage to your décolletage from low-cut dresses or blouses.

Why we love it:

  • Luxurious stretchability fabrics 
  • Adjustable straps
  • It offers coverage for the décolletage

Cons:

  • It only comes in two colours 

Price: $58.00

Where to buy: Waistlab’s official website 

7. KLVEE High Waisted Body Shaper Shorts 

Source: KLVEE

Flaunt your curves with the KLVEE High-Waisted Body Shaper Shorts, designed to flatten the tummy and lift the butt. It ticks all the boxes for what we look for in shapewear: breathable fabric, four silicone bone panels for high waist support, and a 3D butt-lifting effect, ensuring your lovely curves are accentuated while offering a smoothing effect.

Why we love it:

  • 3D butt lifting effect
  • Stretchy mesh fabric 
  • Affordable 

Cons:

  • Limited choice of colours available 

Price: $36.90

Where to buy: Amazon

8. H&M Light Shape Mesh Thong Body

If you dislike restrictive shapewear that is uncomfortable, the H&M Light Shape Mesh Thong Body will surely make you fall in love with shapewear pieces again. This V-neckline thong body offers a light shaping effect on the waist without any uncomfortable feelings associated with it. It is outfitted with thin adjustable shoulder straps and unlined cups to support the bust naturally.

Why we love it:

  • Light-shaping effect
  • Comfortable fabric
  • Adjustable shoulder straps

Cons:

  • Limited size available only from XS to L

Price: $24.95

Where to buy: H&M’s official website 

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