How to Choose the Right Compression Level of Shapewear

Shapewear comes in three compression levels. Light compression smooths lines without squeezing and is made for all-day wear. Medium compression smooths and shapes, with a firmer hold around the tummy, waist and hips. High compression gives the firmest, most sculpted finish and is best saved for occasions. If you're new to shapewear, start with light or medium, always in your true size. Good shapewear should feel snug, never painful.

In This Guide

• What Is Shapewear Compression?
• Light vs Medium vs High Compression
• Which Compression Level for Which Outfit?
• How Tight Should Shapewear Be?
• How to Choose Your Compression Level
• Frequently Asked Questions

Buying shapewear online can feel a bit like guessing. The product looks great, the reviews are glowing, and then it arrives, and it's either so gentle you can't tell it's there, or so firm you're counting the minutes until you can take it off.

Nine times out of ten, the culprit is compression level. Get it right, and shapewear feels like a second skin that quietly does its job. Get it wrong, and even the best piece ends up at the back of the drawer.

This guide explains what each level actually feels like, which one suits which outfit and occasion, how tight shapewear should really be, and how to choose with confidence.

What Is Shapewear Compression?

Compression is how firmly shapewear holds you. The higher the compression, the firmer the fit and the more it shapes. Lower compression smooths, while higher compression sculpts. Most shapewear falls into one of three levels: light, medium, or high.

Compression isn't about squeezing yourself into a smaller size. It's about choosing how much smoothing and shaping you want for a particular outfit or day. A gentle layer under a jumper and a sculpting piece under a bodycon dress are both "shapewear", but they do very different jobs.

On Conturve product pages, you'll see the compression level listed in the product details. "Low" means light compression. A "2" on our bras means moderate shaping: enough to smooth and support without feeling tight.

Light vs Medium vs High Compression

Light compression smooths, medium compression shapes and holds, and high compression sculpts. The right one depends on how long you'll wear it, what you're wearing over it, and how much definition you want.

Light compression

Light compression is shapewear you can forget you're wearing. It evens out lines under fitted tops, trousers and knits without any real squeeze, so it's ideal for long days, warm weather and anyone new to shapewear. Think of it as a smoother, more polished version of your everyday underwear.

For example, the High Waist Seamless Bonded Brief is a low-compression everyday brief with laser-cut edges, so there's no visible line under fitted clothes.

Medium compression

Medium compression is the everyday sweet spot. It gives a firmer hold around the tummy, waist and hips, with visible smoothing and shaping, while staying comfortable for a full day at your desk or a night out. It's the level most women end up reaching for most often.

Medium-compression pieces in our range include the High Waisted Shaping Panty, with a double silicone-lined waistband to stop it rolling, the Seamless Shaping Scoop Neck Daily Cami Top, which gives 360° tummy control under tops, and the High Waisted Shaping Leggings.

High compression

High compression is the firmest level. It sculpts the tummy, waist and hips for a smooth, defined silhouette under the most fitted outfits, such as a bodycon dress or a wedding outfit. Because the hold is firmer, most women save it for events rather than every day. If you're new to shapewear, build up to it rather than starting here.

Which Compression Level for Which Outfit?

Choose your compression level by outfit and occasion. Lighter levels suit relaxed, everyday clothes and long days. Firmer levels suit fitted, unforgiving fabrics and shorter, special occasions.

Remember that type matters as much as level. A light-compression bodysuit and a medium-compression pair of shorts do different jobs. Our guide to types of shapewear explains which piece suits which outfit. If you're weighing up a bodysuit against shorts, see our comparison of waist trainers vs shaper shorts vs bodysuits.

How Tight Should Shapewear Be?

Shapewear should feel snug and supportive, like a firm hug, but never painful. You should be able to breathe, sit, bend and move comfortably. If it pinches, digs in, rolls down or leaves deep red marks, it's either the wrong size or too firm a level for you.

Signs your shapewear is too tight:

• It rolls down or up. This is the most common sign of shapewear that's too small.
• It digs in at the waistband or the legs.
• It leaves deep marks when you take it off.
• It's uncomfortable to sit or breathe in.

If any of these happen, go up a size first. If it still feels like too much, try a lighter compression level. Our guide to keeping shapewear in place has more fixes for rolling and slipping.

The golden rule: never size down for more control. It's tempting, but smaller shapewear doesn't sculpt more. It just rolls more, digs more and spends more time in the drawer. If you want more hold, choose a firmer compression level in your true size instead.

How to Choose Your Compression Level

Four quick questions will point you to the right level:

1. How long will you wear it? All day suggests light or medium. A few hours for an event means medium or high.
2. What are you wearing over it? Relaxed clothes suit light compression. Fitted or clingy fabrics call for medium or high.
3. How much definition do you want? Smoothing means light. Shaping means medium. Sculpting means high.
4. Is this your first piece? Start with light or medium, then build up once you know your fit.

Then check two things on the product page: the compression level in the product details, and the size chart. Some styles, like the High Waisted Shaping Panty, run small, and the page will say when sizing up is recommended. Every Conturve order is covered by our 60-day fit guarantee with free exchanges, so you can swap if it isn't quite right.

Frequently Asked Questions

What compression level of shapewear should I get?

For everyday wear, light or medium. Light compression smooths without squeezing, while medium adds firmer shaping around the tummy, waist and hips. Save high compression for occasions.

What's the difference between light and medium compression?

Light compression smooths lines and feels close to normal underwear. Medium compression smooths and shapes, with a firmer hold that gives more visible definition.

How tight should shapewear be?

Snug but never painful. You should be able to breathe, sit and move comfortably. If it rolls, digs in or leaves deep marks, go up a size or choose a lighter level.

Should I size down in shapewear for more control?

No. Wear your true size. Sizing down makes shapewear roll and dig in. For more control, choose a higher compression level instead.

Can I wear high compression shapewear every day?

Most people save high compression for events because it's the firmest level. For everyday wear, light or medium compression is more comfortable.

Find Your Level

The right compression level is the one that suits your outfit, your day, and your comfort. Start with light or medium, wear your true size, and step up to high compression when an occasion calls for it. When shapewear fits properly, you won't be thinking about it at all.

Explore the full shapewear collection to find your next piece.

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