If you ask me, shapewear gets a bad reputation. My mom has always refused to wear it because she thinks it’s too hot—especially in the summer—and I think that most of us have grown to view it as a burden.
This Baggy Dad style from Levi’s is a tried-and-true favorite our team swears by, made famous by an effortlessly cool fit and PJ-like comfort.
For so long, we’ve been told that we (women) should be the perfect, smooth, hourglass figure with no lumps or bumps in sight. We’ve somehow absorbed this notion that it’s OK if we have a belly as long as no one knows about it; as long as we cinch, compress, and hide our imperfections from society, we’re the picture-perfect woman. But let’s be clear: the perfect woman is a real woman, and real women have rolls, real women have cellulite, and real women have muffin tops, and pooches, and everything in, around, and between.
So, here’s how I see it: retailers can’t and don’t design with all of our body shapes in mind, and to be fair, a lot of them don’t try. However, shapewear allows us to make our clothes fit in a way that feels comfortable, cute, and secure. Contrary to popular belief, shapewear is for every body, not just for women size 14 and up. It can be used to smooth and hold clothes in place, to add an extra layer of protection under thin clothing, and to just make you feel sexy and secure. And another newsflash? It can be worn in the summer too—as long as you find the right pieces (read: ones that won’t make you drip sweat).
Ready to find your perfect summer shapewear for any occasion? These have you covered.
For dinner
Spanx
Power Open-Bust Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
For everyday wear
Shapermint
All Day Every Day High Waisted Shaper Boyshort
For dresses with slits
SKIMS
Solution Short #2
For under thin clothes
Honeylove
Queen Brief
For tight dresses
SKIMS
Sheer Sculpt Slip
For when you just want light support
Adore Me
Claudine Plus
For low-cut necklines
Spanx
Low-Back Thong Bodysuit
For when you want to feel a little sexy
SKIMS
Power Mesh Bodysuit
For unforgiving tops
Honeylove
LiftWear Cami