How to choose plus size shapewear that feels good
How to choose plus size shapewear that smooths without squeezing: picking coverage, when to size up, wide straps, leg bands and signs it is too tight.
Plus size shapewear should feel like a good hug, not a fight. When it fits, it smooths lines under your clothes, holds things in place and lets you forget about it. When it does not, it rolls, digs, pinches and gets peeled off in the restroom by noon. Here is how to choose a piece that works for your body and your day.
What should plus size shapewear feel like?
Held, not squeezed. You should be able to breathe deeply, sit down and bend over without pain. Shapewear smooths and supports what is already there. It does not change your body, and it should never hurt. Cleveland Clinic offers a simple test: if it leaves a mark, it is too tight.
What type of shapewear should I choose?
Start with the problem you want to solve, then pick the least amount of shapewear that solves it.
- Shaping shorts: for a smooth line under dresses and fitted pants, and to keep thighs from rubbing.
- A mid-thigh bodysuit faja: for smoothing from the bust line to the thigh in one piece, with no waistband to roll.
- An overbust faja: for the most coverage and structure, all the way up over the bust.
For plus size bodies, one-piece styles with straps are often easier to live with, because there is no waistband sitting at the softest part of your middle where it can fold over. Shorts with a high waist are a lighter option when you only need the lower half.
Should I size up in shapewear?
Size by your measurements, not by the number you wish you were. Spanx suggests using a soft tape measure around your bust, waist and hips and matching them to the brand size chart, and advises against sizing down. If you land between two sizes, its guidance is clear: the smaller size gives a snugger feel, and the larger size gives more comfort and flexibility. For all-day wear, many women choose comfort.
Spanx also notes that shapewear that is too small can feel restrictive and can roll, while shapewear that is too large will not smooth much. Cleveland Clinic adds that if a garment is uncomfortable, try a larger size, and that tightness around the hips can restrict blood flow to the lower legs.
Which features help shapewear stay put?
- Wide straps that spread the weight instead of cutting into your shoulders.
- Adjustable closures, like hook-and-eye levels, so you choose how firm it holds.
- Grippy bands at the leg so it does not ride up.
- A high waist on shorts, so the edge sits above your belly instead of across it.
- Snug, close fit at the thigh. Cleveland Clinic notes closer-fitting clothes are less likely to move and rub, and a layer between your thighs can act as a barrier against chafing.
Which hugmode shapewear is right for me?
Our Smoothing Faja Bodysuit is a mid-thigh faja with a 3-level hook-and-eye front, wide adjustable straps, a zipper crotch and silicone lace bands at the leg, so you can choose how firm it holds. If you want even more coverage, the Full Coverage Overbust Faja goes up over the bust with wide straps and 11 flexible steel bones, and uses the same size chart. Check the chart on the product page before you order.
If you only need smoothing below the waist, the High Waist Shaping Short is a seamless high-waist short with mid-thigh legs and a cotton gusset, sized by waist from XS/S to 5XL. Want a faja and shorts for different outfits? The Smooth Day Kit brings both together with a pack of nipple covers.
How long can I wear shapewear?
Cleveland Clinic advises against wearing shapewear for extremely long periods and says not to sleep in it. Very tight shapewear worn for hours can push on your digestive tract and trigger reflux, and poor fit can trap gas after meals. Women 50 and older should know that extra pressure on the belly may worsen pelvic organ prolapse.
When should I take it off?
Take it off and rethink the size if you notice redness, itching or chafing, tingling or numbness, more leg swelling, or reflux and bloating after eating. Cleveland Clinic suggests letting irritated skin clear before you wear it again, then trying another brand or a larger size, and washing shapewear often.
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Questions
Should I size up in shapewear if I am plus size?
If you are between sizes and want comfort, yes. Spanx advises choosing the smaller size for a snugger feel and the larger size for more comfort and flexibility. Do not size down to get more hold.
How do I know if my shapewear is too tight?
Cleveland Clinic says if it leaves a mark, it is too tight. Tingling, numbness, leg swelling, reflux or bloating after eating are also signs to take it off and try a larger size.
Why does my shapewear roll down?
Spanx notes that shapewear can roll when it is not the right size, and rolling often means it is too small. A higher waist, a bodysuit with straps or a full overbust style can also help.
Can I wear shapewear every day?
Cleveland Clinic advises against wearing it for extremely long stretches and says not to sleep in it. Give your skin a break, and stop wearing it if you notice redness, itching or chafing until your skin clears.
Keep reading
Sources: Cleveland Clinic: a doctor's advice on wearing shapewear · Spanx: how to choose the right shapewear size · Cleveland Clinic: tips to prevent chafing