How to Pick the Right Shapewear For Your Body, According to a Stylist
From satin slip dresses to fitted party looks, a celebrity stylist explains how to choose comfortable, seamless shapewear for every holiday outfit.ByAlexa Vazquez, Megan SchalteggerMar 13, 2026 11:00 PM| Updated 8 hours agoTags
E! Illustration/ SKIMSFinding the perfect holiday dress is only half the battle. The rest depends on shapewear. It’s key to feeling your most confident—and achieving a smooth silhouette.
But shopping for shapewear can be as much of a challenge as finding the dress itself. So, we spoke with celebrity stylist Samantha Brown to help streamline your journey to picking the right shapewear for your holiday look.
- Best Cooling Shapewear: Thigh Society The Cooling Short
- Best Shapewear for Strapless Dresses: ANNZHIBRA Strapless Shapewear Slip
- Most Versatile Shapewear: Shaperx Mid-Waisted Seamless Shapewear Shorts
In order to find the right shapewear for your holiday look (and ensure it remains hidden),Brownsays you first need to secure the outfit.
“I recommend shopping for shapewear with a specific garment in mind. Whether you’re ordering online or shopping in person, it’s best to try the shapewear on with the garment to make sure it does the trick,” Brown tells E!.
In other words, buying shapewear before you’ve nailed down your look is putting the cart before the horse. Once you’ve selected your dress, you can then decide what style of shapewear will best suit the look.
There are endless shapewear styles, but Brown says “Some of the essentials are strapless bodysuits, high waisted thong underwear, and shaping slips.“
The Best Shapewear for Backless, Strapless, and Plunging Necklines?
“This is where that shapewear collection will come in handy. A strapless style is essential, and for very specific cuts, us stylists have been known to trim a leg off a brief for a high slit dress,” Brown says.
ANNZHIBRA Strapless Shapewear Slip
Cusotmers gushed that this Strapless Thong Bodysuit was “so easy to pull on” and snatched their waist “like a dream.” One shopper even said they “wore it from 2pm until 3am and it stayed in place and didn’t move or roll for the whole time.”
Strapless Thong Bodysuit
Cusotmers gushed that this Strapless Thong Bodysuit was “so easy to pull on” and snatched their waist “like a dream.” One shopper even said they “wore it from 2pm until 3am and it stayed in place and didn’t move or roll for the whole time.”
Thigh Society The Staple Short
These shorts are made from a buttery-soft opaque fabric that helps prevent chafing while smoothing and eliminating visible panty lines. Its no-roll waistband and leg openings stay put no matter how much you dance.
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Miraclesuit Modern Miracle Step-In Waist Cincher
“Depending on the problem area, this waist cincher does a great job slimming the waist and smoothing the mid back and tummy,” Brown says.
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What Should You Look for in Shapewear to Stay Comfortable the Entire Party?
“Opt for shapewear that has plastic grip along the seams so you don’t spend the night adjusting and tugging things into place.”
Additionally, you may want to look out for those made from cooling, sweat-preventing materials and seamless constructions for a smoothing effect that’s undetectable.
Thigh Society The Cooling Short
These seamless stretchy shorts are made from a cool-to-the-touch silky performance fabric that wicks away moisture and pulls heat away from your body, keeping you dry and dropping your body temperature by up to 1°.
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Shaperx Mid-Waisted Seamless Shapewear Shorts
These Mid-Waisted Shapewear Shorts have four stay-put bones in the design so you won’t have to worry about constantly readjusting. A must, especially if you’re planning to tear up the dance floor.
Skims Sienna High-Waisted Mid Thigh Short
Not only do these Skims Shorts offer great grip and compression, but they come in several shades. Brown recommends finding the “closest nude match to your own skin tone” if you’re planning to wear a light-colored dress.
Julygirl Shapewear Thong
This Julygirl Thong does it all thanks to its double X-shaped compression panel and four built-in flexible silicone bone strips that won’t slip. Even better, they’re actually comfy, according to shoppers.
The Bottom Line
“Seamless construction is ideal, rubber grip along the seams is a must, and targeted compression for specific areas are all key features to shop for,” Brown says. “[And] always look in a 3 way mirror to inspect the final look. You want to make sure your shapewear is doing you a service in the front, back and side views.”
These breathable panties will keep you cool when the heater’s on full blast.
