It's safe to say that in 2024, the stigma around the best shapewear is finally out the window, and now things are getting more serious with shapewear dresses coming into the scene. Thanks to the likes of Kim K (and SKIMS), we can now scarf down that bacon cheeseburger before slipping on that body-con shapewear dress, without worrying about the dreaded bloat. What a time to be alive.
Shapewear dresses are fab for this time of the year when our go-to outfit is a floral maxi dress and some sneakers. They can help smoothen out your physique, help control your tummy and overall make you feel more confident. Especially when it's time to bust out that form-fitting mini you've been dying to wear for MONTHS.
The best shapewear dresses, at a glance:
The best shapewear dress overall: Cool Comfort™ Full Slip 14"-35", £20 on M&S
Best shapewear dress to wear on a night out: Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress, £80 on SKIMS
Best luxury shapewear dress: Wolford Sleeveless Scoop-Neck Stretch-Tulle Mini Dress, £150 on Selfridges
Shapewear dresses are also a lot comfier than traditional shapewear bodysuits or shapewear leggings and are also more breathable - which, in this heat, is a dream come true. So, to help you feel your best and most confident self, we've rounded up the best shapewear dresses on the market for every budget and body type. Shop our top picks below.
SHOP: The best shapewear dresses UK 2024
Best shapewear dress overall
www.marksandspencer.com
M&S offers an impressive range of shapewear, and this shapewear slip is smoothing, cling-resistant, and helps you stay fresh all day thanks to the sweat-wicking Cool Comfort technology. It has a reversible design as well as adjustable straps and is a great base layer for any outfit. Plus, it's available in three skin tone colours.
Pros
- Breathable material is perfect for summer
- Available in many skin tone colours
- Available in lengths 14 to 29 inches
Cons
- Some reviewers complained of riding up
Best shapewear dress to wear on a night out
skims.com
Wearing shapewear as an outfit on a night out has been popularised by the Kardashians, so it's only fitting that we include the famous SKIMS soft lounge slip dress. Available in six colours and sizes from XXS to 4X.
Pros
- Super inclusive sizing up to 4X
- Extremely flattering fit on any body type
- Available in multiple colours
Cons
- Patterned dress options can be see-through
Best luxury shapewear dress
www.selfridges.com
Luxury shapewear and lingerie brand Wolford has mastered the art of intimate clothing, and this shapewear dress is living proof. It's designed for soft control and sculpting, with a focus on the waist, stomach, hips and rear. The sheer material will feel like a second skin, and the silicone ribbon tape ensures perfect hold.
Pros
- High-quality craftsmanship
- Comfortable tulle fabric is soft against the skin
- Super-smoothing effect, with no lumps or bumps
Cons
- It's see-through, so can't be worn under a sheer dress
Best shapewear dress to lift your bust
With a 3D-bust design, removable straps and breathable fabric, this Joyshaper control slip dress will be your summer saviour. It's available in a variety of tones and styles and shapes the body beautifully.
Pros
- Reviewers rave about its very comfortable material
- Moulded cups help lift the chest
- Doesn't ride up
Cons
- A few reviewers complained about a tight fit in the breast area
Best shapewear dress for tummy control
www.johnlewis.com
If you're looking for a shapewear dress that in particular smoothes and cinches the stomach area, John Lewis' Ambra Slip is the one for you. We love the double-layer tummy band, smoothing out that area and saying bye-bye to any visible bloating.
Pros
- The double-layer tummy band smoothes and cinches
- It offers medium compression and 360 degrees of smoothing
- It is seamfree, so undetectable under clothing
Cons
- The sizing is more general than specific (e.g. 8-10)
Best microfibre shapewear dress
Intimissimiwww.intimissimi.com
For the softest shapewear dress in existence, we recommend opting for Intimissimi's luxurious Seamless Microfibre Shaping Slip, with a similarly double-layered fabric across the hips, stomach and rear to shape and contour.
Pros
- High-quality microfibre fabric is soft against the skin
- Removable adjustable straps mean you can wear it as a skirt too
- Double-layered fabric to shape the body where needed
Cons
- Currently only available in two colours
Best plus-size shapewear dress
www.simplybe.co.uk
We know how difficult it can be as a plus-size woman to find clothing online, let alone shapewear, but MAGISCULPT has got you covered. With sizes up to 48DD, the No VPL Multiway Slip has tummy control technology and an underwired cup for lifted support.
Pros
- We love its vintage-esque look, making it a rather sexy shapewear piece
- Can be worn with straps or strapless
- Adjustable back straps and a hook-and-eye fastening for a personalised fit
Cons
- It is only available in the colour Almond
What to wear your best UK shapewear with...
If you want to channel your inner Kim Kardashian, then why not wear your shapewear dress as your outfit, without layering anything on top? Pair your dress with some trainers (or heels if you really want to dress up) and you're good to go.
OR you can wear your shapewear dress under any dress in your wardrobe (mini, midi or maxi depending on your mood). It'll give a bit of light control to help discreetly smooth your figure - we love it.
After the SKIMS shapewear dress but can't quite hack the price? Be sure to shop the best SKIMS dress dupes here.
Should you size up or down when buying shapewear?
Although certain shapewear may feel snug initially, others may require sizing down for a more noticeable effect. Luckily, various websites and retailers offer guidance on whether a particular style runs small, true to size, or large. Bravissimo's shapewear buying guide recommends sticking to your usual size to prevent rolling down or digging in. To gauge how it might align with your clothing size, perusing customer reviews can be insightful. Look for reviewers who wear your size and see their thoughts on the fit.
What is the best tummy control shapewear dress?
Among the shapewear dresses we've listed, the John Lewis Ambra Powerlite Medium Control Seamfree Full Slip stands out for providing the highest level of tummy control. If you're seeking additional recommendations on general tummy control shapewear - from dresses to bodysuits, to pants - explore our roundup of the best tummy control shapewear.
Marina Avraam is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Closer. Hobbies include (but not limited to) finding the best designer dupes, buying every iteration of the adidas gazelles and listening to celeb podcasts every hour of every day.