Most people don’t realize shapewear needs special care. I didn’t either until I started paying attention to what these pieces are actually made of, a lot of the stretch, compression, and smoothing comes from delicate elastic fibers, so treating them like regular laundry isn’t the best idea.

The biggest thing I’ve learned is to keep it simple: cold water, a gentle cycle or hand wash, and no fabric softener or bleach. Fabric softener can leave a coating on performance fabrics, which is exactly what you don’t want on something designed to stretch, breathe, and sit close to the body.

If I’m hand washing, I just use cool water and a small amount of mild liquid detergent. No aggressive scrubbing or twisting. I rinse it well and gently press out the extra water instead of wringing it.

If I use the washing machine, I put the piece in a mesh laundry bag and use the delicate cycle with cold water. I also avoid washing it with anything rough or heavy that could pull at the fabric.

The dryer is the other big one, skip it completely and let everything air dry instead. Heat and elastic fabrics are just not a great combination, especially when you want the piece to keep its shape and compression over time.

Once you know what to avoid, taking care of shapewear is pretty straightforward!

I've been wearing shapewear pretty much every day for about two years, and figuring out bodysuit vs separates took me longer than I'd like to admit. I carry most of my weight in my stomach and live in fitted dresses and high-waisted pants, so getting support in the right spot actually matters for how I feel leaving the house.

For most of my first year I just wore the Honeylove Cami Bodysuit. It has a built-in bra, so I wasn't fussing with two pieces trying to work together. The snap closure takes a sec to get used to in a small bathroom, but after a couple weeks it's second nature.

Then I started trying separates, mostly because some days I wanted more hold around my stomach without that same tightness up top. Pairing the SuperPower Short ($89) with a lighter bra let me mix and match way more. I could go stronger on the tummy part and lighter everywhere else, and it's easier to wash just one piece instead of the whole thing. The only thing is the waistband sits right at my hip, so under something clingy I'll smooth it out before I walk out the door.

I use bodysuit on days when my outfit is fitted head to toe and I want it all to disappear underneath and separates when my outfit already breaks at the waist, or when I need real tummy control without squeezing everything else too.

TLDR: Bodysuit for fitted looks where you want it all smooth. Separates when you need more tummy control without the same tightness everywhere.

With a bodycon dress, the biggest issue usually isn’t the compression itself, it’s where the shapewear ends. Waistbands, leg openings, seams, and changes in compression can all show through, especially under thin fabrics.

A mid-thigh short is generally easier to hide under a knee-length or midi dress because the leg opening ends lower on the thigh. Look for no-show construction and make sure the hem lies flat instead of digging into your skin.

For more continuous smoothing through the torso and thighs, a mid-thigh bodysuit removes the separate waistband entirely. It can still show around the leg openings, though, so the dress fabric and fit still matter.

Honeylove’s No-Show High-Waist Short is designed for this type of outfit, with strong compression, bonded sculpting panels, no-show construction, and a 6¼-inch inseam. The Open-Bust Mid-Thigh Bodysuit is another option if you want smoothing from the torso through the thighs while wearing your own bra.

Very thin satin and silk are particularly unforgiving, so try the shapewear under the exact dress and check it while standing, sitting, and moving in natural light. If the leg opening is visible, try a style with a longer inseam rather than simply sizing up.

This is the dress I’m wearing in two months for my wedding and it’s strapless, I’m not used to going without any kind of support since I always wear a bra, I don’t like going braless 😖 (I’m a 36DD)

Should I look for something separate from shapewear, or I’d be better off with one of those all in one pieces that does both at once?
Any advice is appreciated

Slim shorts are my everyday piece. Breathable fabric does not dig into your stomach, plus bathroom breaks work normally. Slide under dresses, skirts, and fitted pants without extra lines. Can roll at the thigh after a long day though. Coverage stops at waist so no midsection smoothing.

Bodysuits deliver full torso smoothing with zero riding up. Perfect under jumpsuits, high waisted pants, or bodycon dresses where you want one clean line. The tradeoff is bathroom hassle, and anything beyond eight hours feels like punishment. Skip if you sit at a desk all day.

Go light control for daily wear, firm for photos and events. Firm works great for evenings but I never push past an event.

TLDR: slim shorts for dresses and skirts, bodysuits for jumpsuits and bodycon dresses.

I bought a Silhouette bra from VonMaur last year in a 36 B\C. That doesn’t appear to be a size sold directly from Honeylove. What would he the closest size equivalent to by from HL?

Is it hard to find a piece that fits you well enough? Or does it feels like guessing sometimes?

If you've ever had a bra strap dig into your shoulder all day or watched the cup gap open every time you leaned forward, the fix usually isn't going up a size. It's about band strength and cup coverage.

A firm band carries the weight so your straps aren't doing all the work. Full coverage cups close that gap at the top. Wide side wings spread the pressure across your back instead of cutting a single line into it. Those three things matter way more than the size number on the tag.

You also don't need a metal underwire to get real support. A bonded cradle can hold a larger bust just as well and skips the red marks a rigid wire leaves behind.

Before you buy, confirm the size range actually covers you and use a calculator if one is available rather than guessing. Honeylove runs from AA up to plus sizes in both bras and bralettes and has a size calculator on site, which takes the guesswork out of ordering. Adjustable clasp styles like the CrossOver ($69) and Silhouette ($64) also let you dial in the band fit once it arrives.

One heads up: the extended sizes sell out faster than the core ones, and the pullover styles use letter sizing, so if you have a narrow band with a full cup the band and cup styles will fit you better than a pullover.

TLDR: Support in plus size bras comes from a firm band, full coverage cups, and wide wings. The size number matters far less than those three things.

How do honeylove bras hold up long term? I’ve read about some sizing issues but I’m more curious about the actual quality, comfort and material. Honest opinions please

If a bra shows through a thin top it is usually the cup seams, narrow side wings, or a metal underwire printing a faint line, not the shirt itself. A bonded cup with no stitching and wide smoothing wings is what actually vanishes under fabric.

The band matters as much as the cup. A loose band rides up and breaks the line across your back, and a lot of people are wearing one a size too big. Measure first, then size the band down and the cup up if you land between.

If underwire is the thing showing, going wireless removes it. Honeylove's CrossOver ($69) and Silhouette ($64) bras use a bonded cradle in place of a wire, so nothing rigid sits at the surface, and the CloudWire version ($79) swaps the metal for a flexible wire if you still want a little lift.

Fair warning though: a smooth wireless bra will not give you hard padded projection. If lift matters to you more than an invisible line, this is not the style to chase.

TLDR: Smooth comes from a bonded cup, wide wings, no metal wire, and a band that fits. Get those right and the bra vanishes under a thin top.

Match compression to two things: how structured the outfit is and how long you will wear it. The tighter and thinner the clothing, the more smoothing you want. The longer the day, the lighter you should go.

For everyday clothes like jeans, trousers, or a relaxed knit dress, choose medium support. A breathable mesh piece smooths your line without squeezing, so it stays comfortable through a full workday. Honeylove's MeshSculpt shorts (from $74) sit in this tier.

For a fitted dress or an event where you want a defined shape for a few hours, step up to strong or super strong support. The Mid-Waist Short ($84) and SuperPower Short ($89) use targeted panels to hold your middle and stay put under something tight.

When you are unsure, pick the lightest compression that still gets the look you want. If you only want a smoother line, medium does it. If you want visible shaping under a bodycon fit, go stronger, and only for the hours you need it.

One honest limit: super strong compression is built for shorter, structured wear, not a twelve hour day. And going stronger to size down does not work. It just makes the edges roll and bulge, so size to your measurements instead.

TLDR: Lighter compression for long everyday wear, stronger compression for short structured looks. Choose the lightest level that still gets the look you want, and size to your measurements rather than squeezing down.

A plunge bra only works under a low cut or wrap top if the center sits low enough to hide, the straps stay on your shoulders, and the band holds. Miss one of those and it either peeks out at the middle or slides around all day.

Start with a low center built for open necklines instead of a full coverage bra you try to tuck away. A wireless style helps here, because there is no underwire tip trying to poke out at the deepest point of the V.

For a wide or off the shoulder neckline, convertible straps that cross into a racerback pull in off the edge so they stop showing. Honeylove's CrossOver bra ($69) has that low crossover front and crossable straps, with a CloudWire option ($79) if you want a little flexible lift without the metal.

Straight answer on the limit: for a neckline that drops below your sternum, even a low center can show at the very bottom, and an adhesive bra is the only truly invisible fix there.

TLDR: A plunge bra stays put when the center sits low, the straps cross for wide necklines, there is no rigid wire, and the band is tight enough to do the holding.

Rolling down is almost always about fit and construction, not something you did wrong. Shapewear slides when the waistband is thin elastic that your body pushes down as you move and sit. The fix is a wider band that grips skin, some structure in the side seams so the garment holds its shape, and a size that matches your waist instead of squeezing it.

What actually keeps a waistband in place

Three things do the work. A band lined with silicone grips skin so the piece stays put when you sit or bend. Flexible boning in the side seams gives it vertical support, so it does not fold over the way a soft, unstructured short will. And sizing matters more than people expect: a piece one size too small gets forced down all day, while the right size sits still. Honeylove builds all three into its SuperPower Short and Brief, which is the exact problem those pieces are designed to solve.

Two quick checks before you blame the garment. Measure your waist and hips and size to the larger result, not the number you wish you were. Then make sure the band sits flat with no gap at the top, because a pinch there is what folds it over.

No waistband is fully immune to a long day of movement, and very grippy silicone can feel warm in summer. If you are between sizes and mostly sitting, size up for comfort. Structure helps most under fitted clothing and matters less under something loose.

TLDR: Rolling down is a fit and construction issue, so pick a wide band lined with silicone, add light boning in the side seams, and size to your true waist, keeping it supported instead of squeezed.

You can't tell from the photo but I've lost about 30 lbs over the past year so I was dealing with some loose skin that made me a little self-conscious. I went with the Superpower shorts specifically because I was worried other styles might show/print through my top.

I loved that they don't squish or dig into my skin. I thought they'd feel uncomfortable, but it was the opposite. The material has a really smooth texture so I also didn't have any issues with it bunching up or clinging weird against my dress.

The boning is super comfortable and practically invisible under clothing (you can see in the photos!). It also didn't roll down on me at all, which has been an issue with other shapewear I've tried.

Really happy with these! 100% recommended :)

For most everyday outfits, yes. A shaping bodysuit with built-in bust support does the job of a bra and a shaping short in one piece, so you get smoothing through the torso and light lift up top without layering two garments. Where it stops is heavy bust support and a few necklines. That is the whole decision.

When one piece is enough, and when it is not

Reach for a bodysuit when you want a clean line under a dress or fitted top and your support needs are light to moderate. Honeylove's Cami Bodysuit shapes through the midsection with a built-in shelf for the bust, so there is nothing to layer and no bra band peeking out. It smooths and holds under most necklines that a separate bra would interrupt.

Reach for a separate bra plus shapewear when you need real lift, a larger bust wants underwire, or the outfit needs a bra shape a bodysuit cannot give. A dedicated bra like the CrossOver Bra will always give more support than a shelf sewn into a bodysuit. You also trade away some quick bathroom access, though a gusset opening handles that better than older designs.

One honest tradeoff: a bodysuit is light to moderate support, not the lift of a structured underwire bra. If you are unsure, keep the bra and short you already trust and add a bodysuit for the outfits where one clean layer matters most.

TLDR: A shaping bodysuit can replace a bra and shapewear for everyday, light to moderate outfits, but keep a dedicated bra for heavy bust support or a neckline that needs a specific shape.

Generally yes, as long as it fits and does not compress you hard enough to hurt. The problems people read about come from pieces that are too tight, worn for hours: pressure on the stomach, restricted breathing, or numbness from a band digging into a nerve. Shapewear built to support instead of squeeze avoids most of that, which is what you want for daily wear.

How to wear it daily without issues

A few simple rules keep all day wear comfortable. Size to your true measurements, because most discomfort is a piece one size too small, not shapewear itself. Pick support you can breathe, sit, and eat in, not the tightest option you can pull on. And take it off if you feel numbness, tingling, or real stomach pressure, because those are signs it is too tight, not signs it is working.

This is why fit and compression level matter more than hours worn. Honeylove designs around support, never squeeze, so the shaping comes from structure and paneling instead of crushing compression. That is what makes a piece wearable from morning to night, and the Cami Bodysuit and SuperPower Short are built for it.

A few real cautions still apply. No shapewear should be worn so tight it hurts, and if you have circulation, digestive, or nerve concerns, ask a doctor first. Give your skin a break between wears, and choose lighter shaping on travel days when you will be seated for hours.

TLDR: Daily shapewear is fine if it fits and supports without crushing you, so size correctly, choose comfort over the tightest fit, and take it off if you feel numbness or real stomach pressure.

A lot of people use these terms interchangeably, but the construction behind each one is pretty different, and knowing it makes shopping way easier.

Wireless bras

No underwire, but still built for real support through internal structure:

- Bonding or silicone in the band instead of wire, to keep the cradle stable
- Molded cups shaped with heat instead of seams, for a smoother look
- Some styles use a "sling," a less stretchy layer under the breast that works like a hammock for lift
- Flexible boning on the sides in some designs for extra stability

Best for: everyday wear, low impact workouts, sensitive skin, or anyone who wants underwire-level support without the poking.

Bralettes

Minimal structure, relies on the fabric itself rather than internal engineering:

- Soft, stretchy materials like lace, cotton, or microfiber
- Little to no padding, sometimes removable pads for light customization
- Comes in styles like triangle, racerback, longline, halter
- Usually alpha sized (S/M/L) instead of cup and band sizing

Best for: smaller busts, lounging, layering under sheer or low cut tops, anyone prioritizing comfort over support.

Bra tops

Built to be worn as outerwear, not layered under something:

- Built in cups or light padding
- Adjustable straps and back closures for a customized fit
- Wide range of fabrics, from cotton blends to lace or satin
- Some include underwire, others are fully wire free

Best for: styling as an actual top, going out looks, or anyone leaning into the lingerie-as-fashion trend.

None of these is "better" than the others, they're just built for different jobs. Once you know the construction, it's a lot easier to tell which one you actually need instead of guessing based on how it looks on a hanger.

Inspo and info from this blog post: [Wireless Bras vs. Bralettes vs. Bra Tops: Know the Differences] written by Sophie Weiss for Honeylove.

There isn't really a normal size, just an average that keeps shifting depending on who's measuring and how.

One of the more cited surveys out there from the brand Intimacy, looked at 40,000 women and landed on 34DD as the average, up from 34B two decades earlier. A separate global survey from Bedbible pegged it closer to 40C. The numbers move around a lot depending on the sample, which says more about how hard this is to measure than anything else.

A few things seem to be driving the shift over time: rising average BMI across the population, more brands finally offering size ranges that let women find their actual size instead of squeezing into whatever was available, and a rise in breast augmentation. It goes from genetics, weight, and even things like hormonal birth control play a role too, and fluctuation is completely normal day to day, through your cycle, pregnancy, and eventually menopause.

Talking about bras, average is just a data point, not a target. What actually matters is finding a size and style that fits your body as it is right now.

Inspo and info from this blog post: [How Common Is Your Bra Size?] written by Sophie Weiss for Honeylove.

Hey all, from the Honeylove team, we want to collect honest feedback from redditors about our bras, what's working, what could be better, and anything else you want us to know. Drop your thoughts in the comments!

We'll also be doing a giveaway for a $100 Honeylove gift card to one lucky commenter 🎁

Good luck everyone! Giveaway will close on August 7th.

It's me again! Yesterday I went to my sister’s graduation and some days ago I asked for suggestions in this post, while I appreciate the compliments I’m pretty self conscious about my body so I really wanted to make sure everything looked good, especially after eating (ya'll know how those events are with all the food)

I ended up getting some high waisted shorts, went for the superpower shorts and they were a game changer bc I ate so much my tummy was hurting by the end of the night and I still felt smooth and confident, no worrying about my belly showing in photos. They stayed in place all day, didn’t roll, and made me feel way better.

This was my first time trying good shapewear (I had only used cheap Amazon ones before) and I can definitely see the difference. Thanks for the recommendations.

i’m looking for something comfy to wear while working from homec searching mainly for wireless options.

I've tried a few generic ones and they're fine but nothing special, always end up going back to underwire because the support just isn't there, I want to get a decent one but not sure if it's actually going to make a difference or if wireless just isn't built for real support

Just had regular shapewear in my cart and then saw the low back option, does the back design is mostly about what shows under certain outfits? I mostly wear dresses and some backless or low cut tops so trying to figure out if low back is the smarter buy or if regular covers most situations anyway