Shapewear has come a long way. Once merely an inner layer for slimming silhouettes and smoothing lines, modern shapewear now combines comfort, style, and real support. Whether for smoothing under a dress, boosting confidence, or providing everyday support, it’s all about the right fit and helping you feel good in your skin—not about constriction or discomfort.
In this post, I'll explore what shapewear does best, what to look for when choosing, and take a closer look at two brands doing shapewear (and lingerie) very well: Freya and Fantasie.
What to Look for in Good Shapewear
Here are some key points:
Fit over firmness — It’s better to get pieces that fit properly rather than ones that squeeze. If it digs, rolls or you feel you’re fighting it all day, the shape or size is likely wrong.
Fabric and comfort — Seamless bonds, soft elastane / polyamide mixes, fabrics that move with you, breathable panels. These make all the difference.
Control level — Light, medium, firm, or targeted control (i.e. tummy only, waist, thighs, all over). Choose based on your outfit and how much sculpting you want vs. what you’ll be comfortable in for hours.
Edge finishing — Free-cut leg openings, bonded seams, no VPL (visible panty line) are what many people want.
Sizing and inclusivity — Some brands offer a wider range of sizes/band + cup combinations. For full bust / curvier figures, that becomes much more important.
If you have a full bust, going for a shapewear or lingeire brand that supports larger cups is essential — Freya delivers well here.
Be aware of how shapewear works with your bra — sometimes a separate smoothing brief or light control short is enough rather than an all-in one.
Try on with the outfit you intend to wear it under, especially if it’s body-con or has seams.
Light and medium control may be softer than firm control options from other brands. If you want strong shaping (e.g. for a special outfit), you may need something more structured.
Because many Fantasie pieces are designed to smooth rather than compress heavily, they can be more forgiving—but that means sometimes less dramatic shape change. For some people that’s perfect; for others, maybe less so.
Freya vs Fantasie: How to Choose
Here are some comparison points and when one might suit better than the other.
Feature Freya Fantasie
Full bust / larger cup sizes Very strong, often reaching K Cup. High support in bras, some shapewear complements. Also strong in full bust, includes many designs up to K cup. Slightly more focus on smoothing / comfort in shapewear.
Design style Trendy, often bold patterns, bright colours, fashion-led lingerie + swim. Elegant sophistication, more classic detailing, beautiful fabrics, lace/trim, various styles from subtle to decorative.
Shapewear focus More occasional shapewear styles, usually to smooth or complement lingerie/swimwear. Might lean towards medium support. Broader smoothing range; lighter pieces like Smoothease for everyday wear, invisible curve shorts/briefs etc.
Ideal for If you want a piece that gives support and style, especially in bra / swim / lingerie ? also dressy things. If you want comfort plus smoothing under more outfits, plus elegant design, especially for daily wear, or for under lighter fabrics.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Shapewear
Wear it well: Put on shapewear gradually, ensuring seams are flat, leg openings aren’t twisting.
Check under your outfit before going out: Move, sit, bend to see how the shapewear behaves.
Care properly: Hand wash where possible; harsh washes or tumble drying can damage the bonded seams or elastic.
Rotate: If you wear shapewear often, give pieces rest to preserve elasticity.
Shapewear shouldn’t feel like punishment. The best pieces are supportive, comfortable, and boost confidence. Brands like Freya and Fantasie are strong choices if you have fuller busts or want smoothing without compromise on style. They offer good size ranges, thoughtful design, and balance between fashion + function.
If I were you, I’d start by identifying what you want shapewear for (daily comfort, special outfit, smoothing under certain clothes etc.), then try pieces from both brands to see what works best for your shape. And remember: the right shapewear should feel like your second skin, not like armour.