Bargain v Blowout: I Tried 2 Sculpting Shapewear Shorts At 2 Very Different Prices

I love a good shapewear short.

I love how they feel, how they fit, how they make my hips look class, my bum lifted, and stop my thighs from chaffing.

Up until now, I’ve been indebted to the basic shapewear short – the one that’s been knocking around my underwear drawer for years, and has pretty much become a pair of leggings that’s how little control they’ve got left in them.

But shapewear has come a long way since the days of simply sucking you in. They’re also available from a lot of different brands for a range of prices to suit any budget.

To finally get my shapewear with the times, I decided to try two new products from two major brands, to see how good they were, and whether they were worth the money.

Bargain: Penneys Smoothing Shapewear Shorts

Cost: €14

Comfort: A solid pair of shapewear, these shorts are super comfortable and once on, to borrow a phrase from Ned Flanders, feel like you’re wearing nothing at all!

The first time I popped them on, there was a slight struggle (due to the shapewear element), but once I got them up and over, I was all G. The shorts also loosened slightly over time, making them easier to wear, though their shaping might be affected in future because of this.

Look: I choose a size Large (14-16) in these shorts. They rest about half way down my thighs and reach as high as my ribs, and give my hips and stomach a smoother look, free from most bumps and any unwanted jiggles.

I’ve worn them with loose fitting summer dresses and tighter skirts, and they give me a comfort and confidence well worth their €14 price. My belly isn’t quite as tucked as I would’ve liked but for the price, they’re doing a solid job.

Find out more here. 

Blowout: Spanx OnCore Firm Control High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Shorts

Cost: €88

Comfort: Lads, getting these on the first time was HARD. It hurt, I was grunting, and I very nearly broke a nail.

But once they were on (or finally over my thighs, tbh) they felt amazing. I was swanning around the place, sitting and bending down with ease. I again went for a size Large (16-18), and was ever so slightly concerned about needing to pull them down to pee, until I discovered a literal pee hole! Yes! Really!

Look: I’ve worn my Spanx with a loose linen suit and fitted dress… and felt unreal in both.

These shorts include sculpting tummy and side panels and elastic free waist bands for no slipping (although you do have to wear a bra with these ones to give the fabric something to grip onto or else they will start rolling).

They’re firm – super firm. Out and about, I felt held and tucked, like my ‘fit was looking fire and would remain so for the entire day. I could’ve been wearing a bodycon dress and actually felt comfortable – mad.

My arse also looked unreal.

Find out more here. 

@shoptess Theres a reason i love this shapewear body suit from feelin girl. IT MAKES ME LOOK LIKE THIS‼️‼️👏🏼👏🏼🫡 the hardest to get on is the legs once its up. Youre good to go👏🏼👏🏼 #bodysuit #viralbodysuit #viralshapewear #bodysuittiktokshop #feelingirl #feelingirlbodysuit #feelingirlofficial #blackbodysuit #bestbodysuit #bodyshaper #waistshapers #bodyshaping ♬ original sound – 🩷🩷

Overall, both pairs of shorts delivered.

Penneys’ were comfy and easy to throw on under a skirt or dress for some last minute control. Well worth their €14, they are absolutely worth having in your drawer whenever you need a bit of a lift… even though I suspect they’ll probably lose a bit of their shape over time.

Spanx’ shorts were, it has to be said, next level. But hey, they’re Spanx, they’d want to be! The tummy and hip panels meant that my body was looking beyond smooth. They’re also surprisingly comfy for how tight they are, even if they did have me questioning my existence while getting them on and off that first time.

88 quid is a lot to be dropping on a pair of shapewear, but if you’ve got a major event coming up – like a wedding or party – they may just be worth the investment.

• bargain v blowout
• Penneys
• spanx