Lingerie & Shapewear Size Guide
Find your Spanx, Skims, Maidenform size. Brand-specific notes — they fit very differently.
Compression levels — what to pick
Light (smoothing)
Eliminates VPL (visible panty line) and smooths under clothing. No body shape change. Comfortable for all-day wear. Examples: Skims Soft Smoothing, Spanx Suit Your Fancy.
Medium (control)
Reduces 1–1.5 inches off waist + hips. Gives noticeable shaping without major squeeze. Good for special occasions or daily wear. Examples: Spanx Shaping Tights, Maidenform Cover Your Bases.
Firm (sculpt)
Reduces 2+ inches. Used under bridal, formal, or fitted dresses. Not comfortable for all-day wear. Examples: Spanx OnCore, Skims Sculpting Bodysuit.
Extra Firm (extreme)
3+ inch reduction. Bridal-only territory. Often uncomfortable to sit/bend in. Best avoided unless required for specific outfit.
Brand-specific fit notes
Spanx (TRUE to size)
Buy your regular dress size. Their charts are accurate. Famous "OnCore" runs firmer than Suit Your Fancy or Higher Power.
Skims (runs small)
Size UP 1 from your regular size. Skims is designed snug-by-default. Their Fits Everybody line stretches more than Sculpting.
Maidenform / Bali (TRUE)
Reliable, US-standard sizing. Budget-friendly. Less compression than Spanx/Skims but more comfortable for daily wear.
Honeylove (TRUE)
Newer brand, runs accurate. SuperPower shorts are firmer than Liftwear. Try their fit quiz before ordering.
Yummie (runs small)
Size UP 1. Cotton-blend fabric is comfortable but cuts smaller than competitors.
Wacoal (premium, TRUE)
Higher-end, accurate sizing. Better for full-bust + plus figures than mass brands.
FAQ
Should I size down for more compression?
NO. Sizing down causes the elastic to roll, dig, or create unwanted bulges instead of smoothing. Always buy your accurate size — choose a higher compression level instead.
How do I know which shapewear style?
Identify your "trouble area": Tummy only: brief or short. Tummy + thigh: mid-thigh short. Bust to thigh: bodysuit or slip. Waist trainer (post-baby): high-waist short with hook closure.
Can shapewear cause health issues?
Extended firm/extra-firm wear can: restrict breathing, contribute to acid reflux, cause numbness in legs. Limit firm shapewear to occasion wear (6–8 hours max). Medium compression is fine for daily wear.
How do I wash shapewear?
Hand wash cold OR machine wash gentle in a mesh bag. NEVER dryer — heat kills the elastic. Hang dry. Replace every 6–12 months when it loses stretch.