How to choose shapewear for special occasions

Special occasions — weddings, corporate events, romantic evenings — call for a flawless look. The right shapewear doesn’t just smooth your figure; it creates the perfect foundation for your dress, helping it fit better and make an even greater impression. But what is the best shapewear, and how do you choose without making a mistake? The right piece should sculpt, stay invisible, breathe, and feel comfortable. This shapewear guide from Avarra will help you find your ideal match.

Shapewear Basics: What You Need to Know

Before you buy, it’s important to understand how shapewear works. It’s not just lingerie — it’s your secret confidence boost. Firm fabrics, often with reinforced zones, gently shape the body: smoothing the tummy, supporting the back, and helping your dress fall perfectly into place.

From Bodysuits to Shorts: Main Types Explained

For every area you’d like to enhance, there’s a shapewear option that makes it easy and comfortable:

• Panties or leggings smooth out cellulite and create a sleeker look through the legs.
• Briefs and shapewear shorts slim the hips and waist.
• A shapewear bodysuit can make you look one — or even two — dress sizes smaller.
• Shaping camisoles and corsets support your back and define your waist.

Any lingerie that cinches the waist also helps improve posture. And with better posture comes a lifted chin, a confident gaze, and a stronger sense of self.

Matching Shapewear to Your Body and Outfit

Every body is different — which is why shapewear should be tailored to your natural shape. If you’re apple-shaped, look for designs with extra tummy control. For pear-shaped bodies, shorts or full bodysuits help smooth the hips and define the waist. Rectangle shapes benefit from bodysuits or corsets with targeted compression around the midsection. And even if your figure already feels ideal, shapewear helps your clothes fit flawlessly.

The best shapewear is the kind you can’t see — which is why it should be chosen not only for your body type, but also for the outfit you’re wearing.

• Under a fitted dress: go for a seamless bodysuit or shaping skirt — they create a smooth base with no visible lines.
• With shorts or trousers: high-waisted briefs or short shapewear styles that target the stomach provide maximum support and invisibility.
• For structured suits: bodysuits or full shaper jumpsuits offer support for the back, waist, and hips — giving you a clean, powerful silhouette.

A Beginner’s Checklist by Avarra Experts

To find the best shapewear for women, follow a few simple rules:

• Choose the correct size — don’t size up or down. Stick to your actual measurements.
• If you can feel the shapewear while wearing it, it’s probably too tight.
• Seamlessness isn’t optional — it’s essential for form-fitting clothing.
• Match the cut to your outfit — bodysuits, shorts, or briefs should align with your dress style.
• Test in advance — try it on and wear it for a few hours before the big event.

Finding the Right Shapewear for Dresses

When finalizing your look, always try on shapewear with your actual outfit. You may need different pieces for different dresses. The best shapewear for dresses should remain completely invisible — like your secret superpower.

Wedding Day Looks: Support Without Lines

On your wedding day, everything needs to fit flawlessly. Well-chosen women’s lingerie creates a smooth silhouette and gentle support — without visible seams or marks beneath the fabric. Look for styles that complement your dress design, whether it’s an open back, deep neckline, or delicate straps. Great lingerie stays invisible — yet it’s what holds the entire look together.

Smoothing Solutions for Bodycon and Silky Fabrics

Shapewear for a bodycon dress gently smooths everything — folds, panty lines, and minor skin imperfections. These pieces help the fabric sit close to the body without bunching or clinging in the wrong places, so it drapes just as the designer intended.

Style Confidence with Invisible Layers

The secret to great style lies in knowing how to wear shapewear under a dress so it stays completely hidden — and totally effective. Even tiny bumps can be distracting, especially under structured clothing. Eliminate those, and your confidence and ease will let your style shine through.

How to Choose Size That Fits

Once you understand what shapewear is and have chosen your preferred style, the most important step is selecting the correct size. Shapewear should feel comfortable and fit precisely in order to do its job properly.

Size Guide: What You Need to Know

So, how do you choose your shapewear size? The same way you choose regular lingerie: take your measurements and compare them to the brand’s size chart. Shapewear is designed to match your everyday size — compression is already factored in. Stuck between two sizes? In that case only, you may size down.

Best Shapewear for Plus Size Women

At Avarra, we offer styles specifically designed for plus-size bodies — with enhanced support and ultra-soft seams. The most important tip when buying shapewear for plus size: never size down. Otherwise, you risk the dreaded “stuffed sausage” effect. The right size should fit like a second skin — no bulging, no pinching, no harsh lines. So, what’s the best shapewear for plus size? The one that lifts and smooths — not squeezes.

Is Shapewear Comfortable? What to Expect

One of the most common questions is: does shapewear still work if it doesn’t squeeze that hard? Light compression shapewear is made exactly for that — to smooth your silhouette without applying pressure, perfect for everyday wear. But if your goal is to reshape specific areas, medium compression may involve some pressure and mild restriction. For more dramatic shaping, high-compression styles can help — but should only be worn for a few hours at a time, not all day. Tight marks, pinching, or deep creases are signs that it’s the wrong size. Ask yourself honestly: is it just unfamiliar, or is it genuinely painful? Ideally, shapewear should be comfortable. Strong compression may bring a little discomfort — but never pain.

Your Canadian Shopping Guide

Looking for shapewear in Canada? Avarra has you covered. We offer tried-and-true pieces loved by thousands of women for their comfort, style, and invisibility.

Bridal and Evening Picks from Avarra

Choose bridal shapewear that stays invisible in photos and under your dress. Wondering what shapewear to wear under a wedding dress? Opt for nude-toned styles with smooth edges and subtle support — pieces that disappear under delicate fabrics.

Look Sleek with Tummy Control Styles

Flawless dresses start with a smooth waistline — it’s the foundation of a polished look. In our collection, you’ll find both slimming shapewear and tummy control shapewear that gently sculpt and contour, helping fabrics fit like they were made for you. The result? That effortless wow effect — where your dress simply falls into place.

Where to Find Reliable Online Options

Wondering where to buy shapewear? Explore the Avarra catalog. Our collection includes the best shapewear — pieces you’ll actually wear. And love.