When it comes to your choice of the best shapewear, one you'll definitely want to have stocked up on is backless shapewear. With most women (including myself) tending to steer away from backless tops if they have bigger busts or don't fancy wearing a bra, backless shapewear is here to save the day. Going beyond shapewear bodysuits and shapewear dresses, backless shapewear is designed to be practically invisible under any of your favourite low-back outfits and promises to make you feel your most confident self, whatever outfit you're wearing.
While it can be a struggle to find backless shapewear that really holds everything into place, there is an array of high-quality options to choose from. When shopping for backless shapewear, the main things I look for is how will the piece support my chest and will it smooth out my figure? To help you out, and say goodbye to VPLs and pesky bra lines, I've hunted down the best backless shapewear you'll want to snap up immediately - tummy control shapewear included.
SHOP: Best backless shapewear at a glance
Editor's Choice: Sculpt Low Back Thong Bodysuit, £70 on SKIMS
Best highly-rated backless shapewear: Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit, £132 on SPANX
Best affordable backless shapewear: Backless Shapewear With Invisible Straps, £11.89 on The Range

And, we all know that good shapewear truly is an investment piece. Look to brands like SKIMS and Spanx for high-end choices that will seriously cinch you in. Just want something to get the job done? High street options are also available at SimplyBe and even Amazon (yes, and they have good reviews!) for SKIMS dupes that look (almost) exactly like the real thing.
So, whether you're going all out for a wedding or just want to wear that low-back dress that you've had in the wardrobe for months now, we've found the best backless shapewear for smoothing, shaping and hidden support. Shop the bestsellers below, including shapewear shorts, dresses and more.
SHOP: The best backless shapewear for every occasion
Editor's Choice

skims.com
Now, when it comes to shapewear, SKIMS certainly knows what it's doing. The brand, founded by Kim Kardashian, has been all over social media for its aesthetic design and super comfortable fabrics. This fitted bodysuit is low on the back, making it perfect for any backless outfits, as well as sculpting around the front for all your shapewear needs. Reviewers are raving about this low-back bodysuit, with one saying it's also great as a vest top with a pair of jeans.
Pros
- Stretch material makes for a comfortable fit all over
- Perfect for everyday wear
- Adjustable straps
Cons
- Thong cut may not be comfortable for everyone
Best highly-rated backless shapewear

www.selfridges.com
Now, whether or not you're into your shapewear, chances are, you'll have heard of Spanx. The industry-leading shapewear has been around since 2000, and the brand knows a thing or two about comfort. This low-back mid-thigh bodysuit is one to grab if you don't want the uncomfortable feeling of a thong or if you want to get more bang for your buck by smoothing out your thighs, too. Totally worth the money; this is quality at its finest. And we love that it comes with adjustable straps for versatility.
Pros
- Trusted brand
- Goes over hips, thighs and buttocks too
- Adjustable straps
Cons
- May be too long if you're wearing something short
Best affordable backless shapewear

www.therange.co.uk
Did you know that even The Range does backless shapewear? That shop really does do everything. For a ridiculously affordable option, look to this shapewear with invisible straps and a thong cut. The budget price tag really is worth it, and we also love its plunge neckline that makes it possible to wear with a low-cut front, too. This bodysuit? Totally inconspicuous.
Pros
- Classic backless shapewear silhouette
- Plunge body makes it easy to wear multiple ways
- Affordable price
Cons
- The size range is limited
Best plunge backless shapewear

www.next.co.uk
Party in the front, party in the back? Just because you're wearing a low-back outfit doesn't mean you can't go for a plunge look, too. This Spanx bodysuit does it all - and it also has a seamless finish that will provide the perfect solution to bodycon dresses and even tailoring, so it'll blend effortlessly under your outfits. We love that there's some level of wired support for maximising your assets.
Pros
- Has a seamless finish
- Is machine washable
- Comes with adjustable straps
Cons
- Only available in one colour
Best all-around backless shapewear

www.simplybe.co.uk
Now, this MAGIC Bodyfashion low-back bodysuit comes in as a top all-arounder for backless shapewear because it's comfy, slimming, low-back and also has a very accessible price point. Coming in at just under £50 for a bodysuit that tucks the tummy, waist and thighs, you're definitely getting your money's worth here. This even goes up to size 2XL, and we love its super stretchy material for everyday comfort.
Pros
- Great value-for-money
- Stretchy material for comfort
- Goes up to size 2XL
Cons
- Straps may struggle to stay up
Best adjustable backless shapewear

Coming in nude or black options, these bodysuits come with clever adjustable invisible straps so that you can change up the tightness to suit your bust and back. Also, the invisible straps give you that extra bit of security that no one is going to see your backless shapewear. Great value for money, we're obsessed with this affordable option on Amazon.
Pros
- Adjustable straps for the perfect fit
- Non-slip strips keep it close to your body
- Stretchy mesh lining for tummy control
Cons
- Only available in two colours
Best everyday backless shapewear

This trendy shapewear bodysuit looks as flattering as it is stylish. Contouring your posterior and bust with a scrunch design, it offers comfortable support to all of the key areas - tummy, waist, thighs - you name it. Feeling super soft, almost like a second skin, it can be styled as a fab everyday jumpsuit, and we love some of the colours on offer here. Of course, it's complete with a low back, which reviewers say is a great option for a low-back dress while still offering support in the front.
Pros
- Offers comfortable, light support
- Ruched design that flatters bust and butt
- Goes up to size 5XL
Cons
- Some may like firmer control
Best backless shapewear shorts

skims.com
These nifty shorts from Skims come in as a top backless shapewear option because they come without the faff of worrying about straps or bra sizes. This way, you can still get the shaping effect on your tummy, hips, and thighs without any bra lines showing. A reviewer said it was her go-to choice for her wedding dress, saying it couldn't be seen due to its seamless quality. Genius.
Pros
- Comes with a unique, low-back cut
- Smooths midriff with light compression
- Can wear this with a variety of outfits, not just backless
Cons
- Doesn't support your chest
How did we select the best backless shapewear?
At Closer, we put together our round-up of the best backless shapewear by considering shapewear from highly rated, known, and trusted brand names such as SKIMS and Spanx.
We also wanted to account for all budgets and costs, so we chose some cost-friendly backless shapewear for those who aren't necessarily looking to part with loads of cash.
Finally, we had to look at how effective the shapewear was, including the amount of sculpting ability according to customer reviews, as well as if it had a low back to accommodate backless dresses.
FAQs
What is backless shapewear?
In today's shopping landscape, you'll find a whopping mass of shapewear out there that all do different things - and not to mention plus-size shapewear for everybody. So, what does backless shapewear really do? Well, it's designed to shape and contour the body like regular shapewear but will often have a low-back or invisible-back design. So, if you're wearing a gorgeous low-back dress, this is the shapewear for you.
How does backless shapewear work?
They generally target smoothing around the stomach, hips and thighs whilst giving your back the chance to show off. Look for options like strapless shapewear or those that have invisible straps if you're wearing a backless, strapless number. You'll be creating a streamlined silhouette, minimising bulges, and will have loads of additional support and confidence when wearing revealing dresses or tops that show your back.
What types of backless shapewear are available?
Looking to invest in the best backless shapewear for you? Well, there are tonnes of types of backless shapewear available, including backless bodysuits, backless corsets, backless slips, and adhesive backless bras. Each type serves a different purpose and offers varying levels of support and coverage, so you'll want to make sure you're snapping up the best for your clothing choice.
Can backless shapewear provide bust support?
Yes, of course. Most high-end backless shapewear should be designed with either underwire cups, molded cups, or push-up underwire cups, that will help to support and lift your bust up, without feeling uncomfortable.
Will backless shapewear be visible under my clothing?
No, that's the whole point of backless shapewear. If designed correctly and made by a high-quality retailer, then your backless shapewear should be discreet and provide support while remaining hidden under any low-back outfit. The key is to pick out backless shapewear that is made from a thin, seamless fabric that blends with your personal skin tone.
Is backless shapewear comfortable to wear?
Yes, if you choose a stretchy, soft, thin fabric, there's no doubt that you'll barely feel that you're wearing shapewear. Designed as thongs or bodysuits normally, you can choose what it's likely to be more comfortable for you on a daily basis or underneath a specific garment.
Caitlin Casey was a Senior Commerce Writer for Closer for three years, specialising in sex and wellness content. She has written across various publications since 2017 and covers shopping, fashion, beauty, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.