You know you want shapewear, but not where to start? Bodysuit, knickers or shapewear shorts? Which model for your body shape? Under which outfits? What level of control?
This guide answers all of these questions with a clear approach: first we understand the 3 main families, then we choose by your body shape, your outfits and your use. By the end you will know exactly which piece belongs in your drawer first.
The 3 types of shapewear: understanding the difference
Before choosing, it helps to tell the three main families apart. Each meets a specific need.
1. The shapewear bodysuit – full coverage from bust to gusset
The bodysuit covers from bust to gusset in one piece. It is the most versatile solution: continuous control, no visible break between knickers and top, ideal under fitted dresses, bodycon dresses, jumpsuits and cropped tops.
Available cuts: brief (full hip coverage), thong (no mark at the back), legs (extends coverage to the thighs, protects against chafing), backless (for dresses cut open at the back), bandeau (strapless for off-the-shoulder looks).
2. The shaping knickers – discreet and versatile
Shaping knickers cover from the lower stomach to the hips. More discreet than a bodysuit under jeans or classic trousers, they remain the most popular choice for every day. No straps, quick to put on, perfect for the office.
Rises: mid-rise (above the navel, discreet under jeans), high-waisted (up to under the bust, ideal under fitted dresses), extra-high (suitable postpartum and for C-sections).
3. The shapewear shorts – comfort and anti-chafing protection
Shorts extend coverage to the thighs. Their first job: to prevent chafing between the thighs (essential in summer under midi and long dresses) while shaping the lower stomach and hips.
Variants: boyshort (short leg ~10 cm, sporty-chic), mid-thigh (~20–25 cm, maximum anti-chafing protection).
Quick comparison
| Type | Coverage | Ideal under | Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodysuit | Bust → gusset | Fitted dresses, bodycon dresses, cropped tops | Continuous and strong |
| Shaping knickers | Lower stomach → hips | Jeans, trousers, skirts | Targeted at waist/stomach |
| Shorts | Lower stomach → thighs | Long dresses, midi skirts, summer | Lower body + anti-chafing |
Which shapewear for which body shape?
Your silhouette decides which models genuinely show you off.
Hourglass shape (defined waist)
You have a naturally defined waist. Shapewear should not change it, but emphasise it. Go for models that respect the curve without compressing too hard.
- Tummy Control Bodysuit – gentle control that emphasises the waist
- Tummy Control Knickers – discreet for everyday under jeans
Apple shape (rounded stomach)
Your goal: to flatten and smooth the stomach and rebalance the silhouette. Prefer models with a reinforced shaping front panel or firm compression.
- Firm Control Knickers – firm compression, a visible effect
- Firm Control Bodysuit – pronounced shaping for evenings
- High Waisted Shapewear Knickers – reaches up under the bust
Pear shape (pronounced hips)
Your hips are your strength, but you want to balance without pressing on them. Choose models that shape without aggressively compressing the hips.
- Tummy Control Knickers – mid-rise, does not mark the hips
- Shapewear Shorts – thigh coverage without pressure on the hips
Rectangle shape (few curves)
Your goal: to create curves. Bodysuits and high-waisted knickers shape and create the illusion of a defined waist.
- Tummy Control Bodysuit – creates a real continuous silhouette
- High Waisted Shapewear Knickers – emphasises the waist
After giving birth (postpartum)
A sensitive phase that calls for dedicated shapewear: gentle compression, an extra-high rise compatible with a C-section scar, and a fabric that will not irritate strained skin.
- Postpartum Shapewear Knickers – purpose-designed for this phase
Which shapewear for which outfit?
Beyond your body shape, it is your outfit that drives the choice.
- Fitted dress in jersey or crepe → Tummy Control Bodysuit
- Dress in satin or ultra-fine jersey → Thong Shapewear Bodysuit (invisible cut with no mark)
- Dress with a deep V-back or open back → Backless Shapewear Bodysuit
- Bandeau dress or off-the-shoulder → Strapless Shapewear Bodysuit
- Long or midi summer dress → Shapewear Bodysuit with Shorts or Shapewear Shorts (anti-chafing protection)
- Jeans or classic trousers → Tummy Control Knickers (mid-rise, discreet)
- High-waisted trousers → High Waisted Shapewear Knickers
- Important evening, photo, occasion → Firm Control Bodysuit or Firm Control Knickers
- Outfit with a low back → Thong Shapewear
Which level of control to choose?
Control is not about "tighter is better" — it is about use.
- Light control (everyday, 14 h and more): shapes gently, completely comfortable. This is what you want for work, shopping, a normal day.
- Medium control (most of our bodysuits and knickers): makes the stomach visibly flatter while staying comfortable for several hours. The sweet spot for 80% of uses.
- Firm control (4–8 h max): firm compression, a pronounced shaping effect. To wear for occasions where you want the effect to show: evening, wedding, event, photo shoot.
Avoid extreme compression for continuous wear: it is uncomfortable beyond a few hours and can restrict digestion and breathing. Better to have two pieces with different control levels that you alternate depending on the day.
How many pieces belong in your drawer?
You do not have to invest in 10 pieces from the start. Here is the smart order:
- The essential (1 piece): a Tummy Control Bodysuit or Tummy Control Knickers depending on your habits. The versatile everyday piece.
- Comfort (2 pieces): add the missing counterpart. If you have the bodysuit, add the knickers. And vice versa.
- The complete wardrobe (3–4 pieces): add a seamless model for fine outfits + a firm-control piece for occasions.
- The occasion wardrobe (5+ pieces): add the specialist models depending on your outfits — backless, bandeau, long shorts and so on.
Our Elya recommendation by profile
So you can get started concretely:
- Working woman, everyday: Tummy Control Knickers + Tummy Control Bodysuit
- Woman who goes out often: Tummy Control Bodysuit + Firm Control Bodysuit
- New mother: Postpartum Shapewear Knickers + Tummy Control Knickers (as you gradually reduce the compression)
- Woman with long summer dresses: Shapewear Bodysuit with Shorts + Shapewear Shorts
- Woman preparing for a wedding / occasion: Firm Control Bodysuit + Firm Control Knickers
Choosing the right size
The quality of the control depends on the right size. Measure your bust, waist and hip circumference, then check our complete size guide (2XS to 2XL, FR/EU/US/UK equivalences).
Between two sizes: go up for long-wear comfort, down for a pronounced shaping effect (but only over a short time).
The complete matrix: 4 body shapes × 6 outfits = your precise recommendation
This matrix systematically crosses each body shape with the 6 most common outfits. For each combination, the best-suited Elya shapewear.
| Shape ↓ / Outfit → | Fitted dress | Loose dress | Jeans / trousers | Bandeau dress | Wedding / evening | Smart-casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-shape (shoulders < hips) | Backless V-Bodysuit | High Waisted Knickers | Seamless Knickers | Strapless Bodysuit | Firm Control Bodysuit | Seamless Shorts |
| H-shape (rectangle) | Firm Control Bodysuit | Strapless Bodysuit | Tummy Control Knickers | Strapless Bodysuit | Firm Control Bodysuit | Mid-Thigh Shorts |
| O-shape (fuller middle) | Firm Control Bodysuit | High Waisted Knickers | Firm Control Knickers | Firm Control Bodysuit | Firm Control Bodysuit | High Waisted Knickers |
| X-shape (defined waist) | Thong Shapewear Bodysuit | Seamless Knickers | Thong Shapewear | Strapless Bodysuit | Tummy Control Bodysuit | Seamless Shorts |
Changing body: adapting shapewear over time
Your body changes. The shapewear that suited you at 25 is probably no longer the right one at 45, after a pregnancy or a significant weight change. Here is how to adapt.
After a pregnancy (postpartum)
In the first 6 weeks, forget shaping shapewear — your body needs to recover. Go for dedicated Postpartum Shapewear Knickers with gentle compression. After more than 3 months, and with your midwife's agreement, you can gradually reintroduce a classic bodysuit. Avoid firm-compression models until the abdominal muscles have recovered.
During perimenopause and menopause
At 45–55, the silhouette changes: fat moves to the stomach, and the skin becomes thinner and more prone to marks. Prefer bodysuits with medium rather than firm compression, and the softest fabrics possible. The classic Tummy Control Bodysuit is more comfortable than firm control at this age.
After a weight change (+/− 5 kg)
Take your measurements again before buying. Even a small weight loss can move you a size. Conversely, after gaining weight, do not squeeze into the old shapewear that has become too small — it loses its shaping effect and creates uncomfortable marks.
After targeted core training (regular exercise)
The stronger your abdominal muscles are naturally, the less firm compression you need. You can move from a firm-control bodysuit to a classic bodysuit, even to simple seamless tummy control knickers for a gentle "second-skin" effect.
The 5 most common mistakes when buying shapewear
- Sizing down to "boost the effect". It is the opposite: over-stretched fabric loses its compression and rolls at the waist.
- Choosing on the shaping effect alone without thinking about long-wear comfort. A firm-control bodysuit you cannot stand after 14 h is no use for a 12-hour occasion.
- Buying online without knowing your measurements. Measure your hips at the widest point and your bust at the fullest before choosing. The size guide is not a rough guide — it is precise.
- Buying a single piece for everything. A body has 3–4 different needs (everyday, occasion, sport, wedding). No single piece covers them all. Better 3 well-chosen models than one all-rounder.
- Cutting corners on quality. €15 supermarket shapewear loses its stretch in 5 washes and creates marks. Premium seamless shapewear (€40–70) lasts 1–2 years of daily use.
Tummy Control Bodysuit€47.99
Tummy Control Knickers€32.99
Seamless Shapewear Shorts€37.99
Strapless Shapewear Bodysuit€48.99
In short
Choosing shapewear means answering three simple questions: which body shape, which outfits, which level of control. The bodysuit is the most versatile, the knickers the most discreet, the shorts the most comfortable for long outfits.
For more on the topic, see our specific guides: How to Get a Flat Stomach Instantly, the comparison of the best tummy control underwear and the top 5 best shapewear bodysuits. And of course, discover our full collection: Bodysuits, Tummy Control Underwear and Shapewear Shorts — all made in Portugal from seamless fabric.
For your most fitted outfits, also discover our pick of the best seamless shapewear.
For advice by specific occasion: which shapewear under a wedding dress or which shapewear under a fitted dress for everyday.
For the lower body, also discover our comparison of the best shaping leggings for women.