Full Guide – Do You Wear Underwear With Spanx or other Shapewear?

Should You Wear Underwear with Shapewear?

If they are already labeled and designed as a shaping “undergarment,” then certainly not. Moreover, some brands like Spanx are designed to be worn underwear free.  The founder of Spanx, Sarah Blakely, once noted on the Today Show: “I will say that when I created Spanx 20 years ago, I designed them… so you don’t wear underwear under them”.

Here are things to consider against wearing underwear:

• Bumpiness and a form-fitting outfit. Extra layers add bumps and lumpiness where you don’t need them. If your outfit is form-fitting, you’ll potentially reveal a panty line.
• Extra heat. Combining underwear and shapewear may make things uncomfortably hot, create moisture, and in the worst case encourage bacterial and fungal growth. Yuck!
• An additional garment to wash. Even if you can get past the discomfort, you now have an additional item of clothing to contend with.
• Bathroom access. Some shapewear is designed to open at the bottom when you need to use the bathroom, while underwear is generally only designed to be pulled down.

Here are some reasons to consider in favor of wearing underwear with your shapewear:

• Material comfort. Sometimes, shapewear may not be made of the same material you need to stay comfortable in your private areas (for example, some shapewear that you love may chafe against your bare skin under extended wear).
• Cleanliness. An undergarment may be required to keep your shapewear, which you want to wash less frequently, clean.

Should you wear underwear with spandex shorts or leggings?

No. Spandex garments are form-fitting and generally designed to show your figure. Underwear will generally create panty lines or other ridges that undermine the spandex fit. This is particularly the case for athletic designs like cycling shorts and running tights, where wearing underwear would impede your performance. Moreover, underwear with spandex can promote bacteria and fungus growth, which can further aggravate issues such as UTIs and yeast infections.

Generally, there are some exceptiosn. You can wear underwear provided that spandex clothing has cropped pads, lining, or any other means to protect the wearer’s crotch.

Should you wear panties with shapewear bodysuits?

Most of the time, no. Bodysuits made of a cotton or poly blend are typically comfortable enough to wear without underwear and underwear will add lines to your form-fitting outfit. However, if you have a bottom piece that isn’t form fitting like a skirt or a pants material that conceals lines, there’s no harm in adding panties if you are more comfortable.

How to wear shapewear with pantyhose

Based on our research, the consensus on shapewear with pantyhose seems to be: three layers of underwear, pantyhose, and shapewear is way too much. First, don’t wear underwear. Then, the simplest approach is to put on pantyhose first, then slide shapewear shorts on to lock them up.

The rationale for this approach is simple: Pantyhose have a tendency to roll down if they’re above slick shapewear material. Moreover, if you had included underwear in the mix, you would be in lumpy line city.

How to wear underwear effectively under any shapewear

So, for one reason or another, you’ve decided to wear underwear with your shapewear. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth and nice-looking experience.

1. Check for lines. Check your front and back for unsightly lines!
2. Check for binding and bulges. Adjust the configuration to prevent introducing bulges and muffin tops that you aimed to defeat with shapewear in the first place.
3. Use anti-chafing products. If friction, irritation, and chafing are an issue, consider pre-applying some anti-chafe products. These include products like Body Glide, Chub Rub Anti-Chafe stick, and Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly.
4. Select underwear carefully. If you’re bringing underwear into the picture, consider lightweight and moisture-wicking varieties. Avoid cotton.

Read More: FAQs: Spanx After Tummy Tuck