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The 7 Best Shapewear for Bodycon Dresses, These Are Total Life-Savers

SPLASH NEWS

SPLASH NEWS

Shapewear is a brilliant concept. In a culture obsessed with visuals that are "oddly satisfying" - cue videos of frozen yogurt and donuts receiving a coat of glaze - we're comforted by processes that flow smoothly. The same can be said for shapewear. A product created not to change the shape of your body, but to accent your body, there's something oddly satisfying about the smooth silhouettes they offer. Sara Blakely, the inventor ofSpanxknew this.

Before the Kardashians thrustbaddie outfitsand bodycon dresses into mainstream fashion, Blakely knew that even the mostbohemianloose-fitting dresses could present the odd bulge. And, it's not the dresses fault, it's no one's fault. There's nothing wrong with the odd bulge orloving your body's various lumps. But, that doesn't change the fact that smooth surfaces are oddly satisfying, and there's nothing more beautiful or sexy thana satisfied woman.

In 2012, Blakely took a chance on her invention, pitching her invention to a Neiman Marcus buyer in the ladies' restroom and the rest is history. I do not doubt that if Sara hadn't done it, some other visionary woman would have produced a Spanx-like garment because fashion girls needed it. Still, Sara changed the fashion game, by producing a garment that would give fashionista's of all shapes and sizes the courage to step out in the most daring outfits.

Fast-forward several years, and Spanx has a plethora of competitors in the market like Maidenform, Yummie, Miraclesuit, and Bodywrap. Hell, even Kim Kardashian West is leveraging her signature bodycon dress style aesthetic to launch a line of very specific solution-wear. West's signature style has played host to all sorts of necessary hacks from her boob-lift hack to body contouring hacks. To90s kids, the woman is a fashion McGuyver. The initial response to Kim's solution wear line was that a one-legged bodysuit was weird. But, it's actually genius because there are very few solutions for floor-length dresses with a slit if you want smoothing through the leg.

Kim Kardashian has worn every single style from floor-length to plunging neckline. She's a body contouring aficionado. And, while controversial, she's a great example of acurvy body. So, we solicited her in demonstrating the best shapewear for bodycon dresses to lead you to your life-changing investment garment.

NICHOLAS HUNT/FILMMAGIC

NICHOLAS HUNT/FILMMAGIC

SPANX

SPANX

OnCore High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Short

$72 at time of publication

Kim wore this low-key bodycon dress to the 2016 VMAs and her fans were surprised by the understated look. West took to her site toexplain her fashion choice, “for this year’s VMAs, I originally wanted to go for a really glammed up look, but I changed my mind last minute,” West said, “I was so inspired by my recent trip to Mexico, that I went with this amazing, vintage Galliano dress that I already had in my closet, for forever.”

With such a relaxed design, especially through the breast, it's best to go with a mid-thigh short that smooths the thigh. Combine the mid-thigh control shorts with nipple pasties or nipple covers, some that lift the breast while taming your nips.


GETTY IMAGES

GETTY IMAGES

SPANX

SPANX

Suit Your Fancy Strapless Cupped Mid-Thigh Bodysuit

$148 at time of publication

Kim wore this neon pink mini bodycon dress that hugged her body like a glove with a rhinestone-encrusted French fries handbag more. For a dress like this, a mid-thigh bodysuit will help you achieve the smooth silhouette from the breast, through the upper thigh without riding up.


BACKgRID

BACKgRID

SHOPBOP

SHOPBOP

Wire-Free Contour Fusion Bodysuit

$40 at time of publication

Spanx's Wire-Free Contour Fusion Bodysuit is the perfect companion to a form-fitting dress with a flowing skirt. For Chance the Rapper's wedding, Kim wore a silk-color-blocked maxi dress that featured delicate embroidery. Kim benefitted from the smoothing bodysuit from bust to bodice but didn't need a control slip or control skirt that slimmed through the thigh.


GETTY IMAGES

GETTY IMAGES

SPANX

SPANX

Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit

$148 at time of publication

West's iconic jaw-dropping dress that she wore to the 2019 Met Gala didn't pull any fashion punches. Visually, she took the "wet" beauty trend to the extreme and wore a Theirry Mugler gown that took eight months to make. The bodycon dress was made of latex and clung to her body while crystals dangled from every inch. It was an incredibly satisfying artistic display of why fashion girls love fashion.

This dress featured a plunging neckline and cinched waist best-paired with mid-thigh plunging neckline likeSpanx's Suit Your Fancy Bodysuit. The shapewear garment smooths from the breast down through the upper thigh while leaving your sternum open.


GETTY IMAGES

GETTY IMAGES

NORDSTROM

NORDSTROM

Two-Faced Tech Control Slip

$98 at time of publication

At the 2018 People Choice Awards, Kim Kardashian wore a trippy vintage Jean Paul Gaultier dress with the goal seemingly to mesmerize onlookers. It may be tempting to choose a romper style here, but it may cast an odd shadow from the waist down, depending on how you're standing. For a dress like West's, choose a control slip shapewear garment like the Two-Faced Tech Control Slip.


SPLASH NEWS

SPLASH NEWS

NORDSTROM

NORDSTROM

OnCore Open-Bust Mid-Thigh Shaper Bodysuit

$98 at time of publication

West was spotted leaving La Plata Taqueria & Cantina in Agoura Hills, CA wearing a long-sleeved velvet maxi dress with multiple cutouts on her shoulders and chest. This bodycon gown works well with anopen-bust mid-thigh shaperthat smooths from the bodice through the hips. The open-bust is crucial here to avoid disrupting the gorgeous design. Rather than a controlled bust, supportive nipple covers may work better.


SPLASH NEWS

SPLASH NEWS

AMAZON

AMAZON

Maidenform Flexees Women's Shapewear Romper

$24 at time of publication

West was spotted out in Miami wearing a sunny yellow mini dress and clear stilettos. For a dress like Kim's, you should shop a slimming romper with the bust out like Maidenform Flexees Women's Shapewear Romper. The mini dress's design naturally supports her breasts. So, she could've gone without a bra or chosen one that best contoured her boobs.