

We even took note of how easy it was to use the restroom, as not all options come with an easy access clasp at the bottom (and maneuvering in and out of a tight bodysuit at a public restroom is never fun).

We paid close attention to how challenging it was to slip in and out, how compressing the garment was, and of course, how it made our bodies look and feel. Stylist Lara Betiku turns to shapewear for herself and her clients not to alter the appearance of her body, but “mainly to smooth and enhance” her “natural shape.” So to give our delicious curves some enrichment, we set out to find the best shapewear you can buy, trying on 30 different pieces across 22 InStyle staffers with different heights and body types. But navigating the market - so many choices! - can be a challenge for sure. We know that shapewear is never a necessity, but there’s something about wearing it underneath our clothes, especially to formal events, that just dials the confidence-meter up a few notches.
