Wedding Shapewear: Our Top Picks + The Expert Advice You Need to Know
Create a smooth, line-free silhouette underneath your wedding dress with our round-up of the best wedding shapewear to shop now
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First of all, let's get one thing clear: you don't need to wear shapewear on your wedding day. But if you're wearing a slim-fitting dress crafted from the kind of fabric that shows up every crease in your underwear - satin wedding dresses, we're looking at you - you might want to consider wedding shapewear to create a line-free silhouette.
Shapewear can also be helpful if you're looking to boost your bust in your sexy wedding dress, prevent chafing or enhance your waist. These specialised garments can help to create the right foundations for your wedding dress as well as offer support, allowing you to look and - most importantly - feel fabulous on your big day.
When it comes to selecting the right wedding shapewear for you, we'd recommend discussing it with the assistant at the bridal boutique you purchased your dress from. Chances are, they'll have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to helping brides create the best foundations for their gowns. It's also worth making sure you book in a session where you can try your gown on with your chosen shapewear to make sure it feels comfortable and looks seamless.
Don't have a bridal boutique to turn to? We've got you. We chatted to the team at Pour Moi who filled us in on everything from the advantages of shapewear to when to purchase and how to ensure a good fit. We've also created an edit of the best shapewear to shop now with a variety of sizes and shades to suit all skin tones.
The Best Wedding Shapewear to Shop Now
1. Skims Fits Everybody Scoop-Neck Jersey Body – £69, Selfridges
A staple item in Kim K’s game-changing brand, Skims, this jersey body is crafted from soft fabric that absorbs moisture and is free from seams – making a great choice for wearing under slim fitting gowns.
2. Skims Sculpting Snap-Fastening Woven Body – £74, Selfridges
This piece features built in cups designed to smooth and shape the chest while the bottom half enhances the derrière. Coming from the queen of curves herself, Kim K, you’re guaranteed a show-stopping silhouette when you wear this.
3. Skims Sculpting Super High-Rise Briefs – £39, Selfridges
Available in nine nude shades and crafted from the lightest weight fabric, these briefs will smooth and shape your silhouette and enhance your derrière while being totally undetectable.
4. Charnos Superfit Full Cup Body Shaper – £40, Pour Moi
If you’re after something with more of a wedding feel, we think this Charnos bodysuit could fit the bill. It features underwired, non-padded cups for a supportive yet natural feel as well as a tummy control panel. It’s available up to a FF cup too.
READ MORE: The 27 Best Wedding Lingerie Sets (& Our Top Tips for Bridal Underwear Shopping)
5. Hourglass Firm Control Wear Your Own Bra Slip – £34, Pour Moi
If you’re looking for some wedding shapewear but you’d prefer to wear a trusty bra you know you can rely on, this wear your own bra slip could be the answer. Scooping underneath the bust and extending to half-way down the thigh, this slip will beautifully shape and smooth without unsightly seams.
6. Hourglass Firm Control Thong – £18, Pour Moi
This extra-firm, high-waisted thong is crafted with contouring panels that will help to create an hourglass silhouette with a totally line-free derrière.
7. Spanx Suit Your Fancy Plunge Stretch-Jersey Body – £132, Selfridges
Available in champagne beige or black, this body from the OG shapewear brand, Spanx, ticks all our shaping boxes. Featuring targeted tummy control, anti-chafe shorts and a plunge top section, this will sit seamlessly under even the slinkiest gowns.
8. Spanx Thinstincts 2.0 High-Rise Shorts – £62, Selfridges
The classic Spanx Thinstincts short has been given an update for added support and we’re totally here for it. With seamless, super-stretchy fabric and a waist-cinching shape, it will sit perfectly under everything from a satin wedding dress to a jumpsuit.
9. Spanx Under Sculpt Corset – £150, Selfridges
A classic corset is a great pick for underneath a traditional ballgown wedding dress. It will sculpt your waist underneath the bodice, contrasting beautifully with the volume of the skirt. If it were us, we’d choose this satin one from Spanx with a zip fastening for ease and dreamy pastel pink panels.
10. Curve Satin High Waist Control Brief – £11.99, Yours
Available in sizes 16 to 28 and with a matching moulded t-shirt bra available, this satin brief will give a smooth finish to your wedding dress.
READ MORE: 22 Wedding Dresses for Big Busts: Stylish Gowns That Provide Support
11. Curve Hook & Eye Belly Band – £14.99, Yours
Crafted in the same way as a traditional corset with built-in boning and a hook and eye fastening, this belly band will enhance your waist and add definition. It’s available in beige or black in sizes 16 to 32.
READ MORE: 17 Best Plus Size Bridal Boutiques in the UK
12. Curve Satin Control Short – £12.99, Yours
These satin shorts will nip chafing in the bud and smooth the waistline for a seamless silhouette. With firm control, they'll feel totally supportive too.
13. Firm Control Sheer Stripe Wear Your Own Bra Bodysuit – £25, Marks & Spencer
Wear this bodysuit with the bra of your choice for a seamless and supportive feel. With adjustable straps and a popper fastening at the bottom, it’s practical and high-performance.
READ MORE: Plus Size Bridal Lingerie: 28 Stunning Sets & How to Choose Them
14. Medium Control Secret Slimming Slip – £29.50, Marks & Spencer
Lightweight and supportive, this slip is the ultimate in wedding shapewear. Finishing above the knee, with a smooth non-wired cup and available in two nude shades, it will sit undetected under just about any wedding gown.
15. Tummy Control Magicwear Full Briefs – £20, Marks & Spencer
These high-rise briefs will help to enhance your natural shape. Made from a firm design with M&S’s clever Magicwear and Comfort technology, these babies are moisture-absorbing and totally seamless.
Your Wedding Shapewear Questions Answered
We put the most frequently asked wedding shapewear questions to the team at Pour Moi. From the most popular pieces to why wearing it is really all about how you feel, we think you'll be ready to shop for your shapewear after reading this.
Should You Wear Shapewear Under Your Wedding Dress?
"We want you to look and feel amazing, that is why it’s important for you to feel comfortable in what you wear. Shapewear or no shapewear, it’s all about how you feel, although, there are plenty of body-loving reasons to wear shapewear on your special day. Not only does shapewear create a smooth canvas for your outfit to slip over but it also works to enhance your natural figure."
What Do I Need to Consider When Choosing Shapewear for My Wedding Day?
"If you made the decision to wear shapewear on your wedding day, then don’t leave choosing it until the last minute. Your quest for the perfect shapewear really begins the minute you find your wedding outfit, so be prepared. Go dress-shopping armed with a selection of different shapewear, remember to try on shapewear over your knickers and ensure that the hygiene strip is still intact to be able to return.
"The final deadline for sorting your shapewear? It should really be your first dress fitting. At the fitting, make sure you can move around in your chosen dress/shapewear combo, so walk, sit, stand and dance - it’s the only way to find out what works and what needs adjusting."
What Are the Most Popular Shapewear Pieces for Brides?
"Each bride differs with their preference, but overall, it really depends on two things: the style of dress you choose, and the areas of your body you want to ‘shape’. Pour Moi has many different styles of shapewear to offer, with some of the most popular including: Hourglass Firm Control High Waist Brief, this style creates a sleek, hourglass figure with light shaping; Hourglass Firm Control Waist Cincher, perhaps making the most dramatic difference to your figure, the waist cincher pulls you in transforming your waist into Jessica Rabbit-style curves and the Hourglass Firm Control High Waist Shorts, if your main body hang up are your thighs or ‘love handles’, a pair of shapewear shorts are all you’ll need."
How Can I Ensure a Good Fit? How Do I Know If It's Too Tight?
"The important thing to remember is not to go too small – this does not provide extra firmness but will cause you discomfort and potential bulging over the waistband. Stick with your own dress size to smooth out. No one wants to be in discomfort by wearing shapewear that is too tight. Focus on your body and shapewear that fits perfectly and allows you to look fabulous and most importantly breathe!"
Heading to your first wedding dress fitting? Here's everything you need to know about wedding dress alterations and fittings.
