How we test shapewear

Shapewear can be a finicky thing. If it's any good, it can help silky, clingy skirts and body-conforming dresses lie smoothly. It's the hidden hero beneath many a wedding guest dress and formal gown, taming tricky fabrics so they behave nicely.

But if shapewear makes its presence known through unwanted lines, rolling hems, bumpy textures and a fit that feels uncomfortably tight, the jig is up. As you can imagine, it's not easy to find that perfect underlayer without putting in some serious work.

To find the best shapewear, we get our hands on a wide range of options and match each one with testers representing diverse body types and fit preferences. From shorts and bodysuits to briefs and camisoles, every option is thoroughly tested, with feedback captured through an extensive survey. Here's a closer look at how we put together our definitive list of the best shapewear.

Our testers

Shapewear is extremely personal, so what makes one item a great fit for one person may make it a no-go for another. Body type, fit preferences, bust size, torso length and so many other factors can impact whether a piece of shapewear feels good or not, so we make sure that our testing pool reflects a range of shapes and preferences to give us the most accurate and comprehensive feedback. Our current shapewear testing pool includes the following ranges:

• Ages: 25-54

• Sizes: XS-2X

• Bra sizes: 34A-32G

Our testing process

Each tester fills out an extensive intake survey to give us a good grasp on their likes, dislikes and fit preferences, which helps us match each person with shapewear that aligns with their needs and lifestyle. Testers wear their assigned shapewear under a variety of clothing — dresses, skirts, jumpsuits, jeans or the outfits they usually pair with shapewear — and hit the town. They wear it for a minimum of four hours while walking, sitting, dancing, stretching or doing whatever else the night has in store.

After wearing and laundering their assigned shapewear, testers complete a survey with more than 20 questions in which they rate the shapewear on fit, comfort, performance, quality and durability. It's truly comprehensive — our most recent round of feedback resulted in over 400 responses and ratings, with more to come from ongoing testing.

Research

Before anyone even thinks about shimmying into a single piece of shapewear, our team of expert fashion editors spends hours researching. Part of our job is to keep up with new product launches as they hit the market throughout the year, but we double down before embarking on any big product tests, scanning everything from well-known shapewear brands to newer innovators looking to disrupt the space.

We scour social media posts, Reddit threads and customer reviews and poll our staff of expert testers for insight on common complaints and difficulties. For example, 88% of testers polled cited rolling or digging at the waist as a main issue. Other frequently cited gripes: shapewear that rides up, creates visible lines or stretches out with wear. These insights help us home in on styles that aim (and claim) to solve these common issues.

Then, we evaluate and trim our initial list down based on price, availability and the breadth of each product's size and shade ranges. We remove anything that's too expensive, poorly rated, low in stock or offered in a limited size range. Finally, we order the items on our resulting list and assign the right pieces to the right testers who evaluate each one for real-world performance.

Fit

Testers evaluate the overall fit of the shapewear, whether it runs true to size and how easy it is to put on. Items that are trickier to get on aren't automatically eliminated, since difficulty putting on shapewear can sometimes signal proper compression rather than poor design.

Resistance and tightness aren't immediate red flags, but once the shapewear is fully on, it should make you feel supported rather than stuck. Shapewear is inherently tight, but there is definitely such a thing as too tight. Anything that causes painful indentations, chafing or difficulty breathing isn't a good fit. If something is truly difficult to get on because it lacks thoughtful design (think: ripping seams, trouble undressing without an extra set of hands), the score will reflect that.

Comfort

Shapewear isn't known for its comfort, but it needs to be at least comfortable enough to wear for several hours. Testers evaluate the overall comfort and compression level of their shapewear, as well as the comfort of any fixtures, including snap closures, plastic pieces, boning, hook-and-eye clasps and slide adjusters. Testers also note any mobility constraints: You should be able to walk, bend, sit, twist and dance in a good piece of shapewear without discomfort. If an item digs in, limits range of motion or becomes noticeably less comfortable during certain movements, we dock points.

Versatility matters too — items that double as a bra or underwear (think bodysuits with padding or underwires and briefs or shorts with a cotton gusset) eliminate an extra layer, offer a smoother finish and help reduce trapped heat. Breathability and odor resistance are also markers of high-quality shapewear. If a piece traps a significant amount of body heat or retains sweat and B.O., it's nixed from the list.

Performance

Shapewear is a functional garment, so it needs to actually smooth, support and stay in place as promised. We base our performance rating on whether a piece properly compresses the area it's designed to target and stays discreet under clothing without creating additional lines or bumps.

All testers rate the effectiveness of their shapewear, including whether it provides the intended level of compression and helps clothing lie smoothly. They also take into account the level of compression each piece is designed to offer; a lightly compressive pair of shorts shouldn't be held to the same shaping standard as a bodysuit designed for maximum compression.

• Light compression:Smooths and lightly shapes while allowing for longer wear

• Medium compression:Provides moderate control and support while remaining flexible

• Strong compression:Offers maximum shaping, cinching and support

Quality and durability

Shapewear is made of a blend of fibers that are highly stretchy and highly compressive. That can inherently make it difficult to strike a balance between function and longevity: the garment is designed to stretch, but not stretch out. We evaluate how well each piece retains its shape and elasticity after extended wear and laundering. The more shapewear can maintain its compression and hold, the better.

Testing continues long after testers submit their initial evaluations — the pieces stay with testers who wear and wash them for months and even years, giving us valuable feedback on each item's longevity. They report on durability factors such as whether pilling develops over time, whether extended wear and care break down the elastic or whether the garment remains supportive. We continually update our best shapewear ranking based on long-term feedback.

Our top shapewear

• The best shapewear