If there's one wardrobe element that stylist and fashion editor Mecca James-Williams is passionate about, it's shapewear.
Known for her bold, yet sophisticated, sartorial senses, Mecca has styled the likes of Solange and Michaela Coel, bringing her distinctive creative vision to every project she touches. Her work exudes a sense of freedom, artistry, and a fearless mix of textures, patterns, and silhouettes.
It's vivid, yes, but also grounded in a deep understanding of how clothes should make you feel: confident, powerful, and completely at ease. And when it comes to shapewear, Mecca isn't interested in outdated notions of restriction or blending in.
Shapewear has evolved, and she's here for it. Customizable shapewear, in particular, is a game-changer that's creating a major buzz in fashion circles, and Mecca sees it as a gateway to total wardrobe liberation.
But with so many options and styles to choose from, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by how to start incorporating shapewear into your everyday outfits. That's where Mecca steps in—with insights that are as much about celebrating your unique shape as they are about finding the best shapewear pieces that truly work for you.
Here's everything you need to know to get started.
Find Freedom in Customization
Let's cut to the chase—literally. One of the most exciting aspects of the best shapewear on the market today is that you can customize it to fit your look. While other shapewear serves a one-style-fits-all model, customizable shapewear is designed to be tailorable from home with nothing more than a pair of scissors for a custom-fit.
Mecca is a huge fan: “When I see things that are customizable, it just shows women how you get to create the world that you want to live in within the fashion choices that you choose instead of saying, ‘This is the shape for you.'”
Customizable shapewear means you're not stuck with a predetermined silhouette. “You can cut the back out wherever you need it to be,” Mecca points out, making it work for that daring open-back dress you've been eyeing or a dramatic thigh-high slit.
Whether you're shortening the shorts on a mid thigh bodysuit or looking to create an asymmetrical look with shaping shorts, it's about making shapewear adapt to your wardrobe—not the other way around.
Hot Tip 🔥 If you're nervous about reaching for the scissors, read up on how customizable shapewear works with this handy how-to guide. Depending on the shapewear style, garments will feature pre-marked cutting lines. The more you experiment, the more you'll see how shapewear can become an extension of your personal style.
Shapewear Is a Styling Tool, Not Just Underwear
It's time to stop thinking of shapewear as something that only belongs under your clothes. “I think investing in good shapewear is a good styling tool because you learn how to use your pieces in multi-layers and multifaceted ways instead of just keeping it to one type of experience,” Mecca explains. It's not just functional—it's a fashion piece in its own right.
Mecca loves to layer shapewear for different looks: wear a bodysuit under an oversized blazer, or pair shapewear shorts with a sheer dress for a hint of intrigue. The goal? To turn your shapewear into the subtle star of the show, not the hidden supporting act. “Show it off. I think it's not about hiding your shapewear,” she emphasizes.
For a booty-boosting hold that offers more coverage, shapewear bodysuits are an easy go-to for layering. But if you're looking to curate a look with minimal seams (AKA no visible panty lines), a thong bodysuit will do the trick—avoiding any unwanted lines, so you're only showing what you want to show.
Hot Tip 🔥Treat shapewear like any other part of your outfit. Layer a shapewear bodysuit with a high-waisted skirt or trousers, or let a lace-trimmed piece peek out from under a low-cut top. It's an easy way to add a bit of edge and sophistication to your look.
Accentuate What You Love
“I have always used shapewear as an opportunity to mold, create, elevate, and showcase what your body can do in all different forms,” says Mecca. This means forgetting the idea that shapewear is just about smoothing out so-called ‘flaws.'
While shapewear garments can help provide additional support—especially in the lower belly and tummy area—it's about magnifying what you love, not camouflaging what you don't.
Rather, the best shapewear can be used a tool to accentuate your favorite features—whether that's lifting your bust with adjustable straps, defining your waist, or creating a sleek silhouette. Mecca's approach to most shapewear is to embrace your body's natural curves and shape.
“It's not about hiding; it's about elevating,” she insists. Choosing shapewear that feels comfortable, breathable, and works with your body can make all the difference.
Hot Tip 🔥 Look for pieces that have flexible, breathable fabrics that feel more like a second-skin than a suit of armor. The goal is to enhance, not constrain. And remember, shapewear should never feel like you're squeezing yourself into something—if it does, consider sizing up.
Make Shapewear Staples Work for You
If you're wondering where to start, Mecca has a few essential shapewear pieces she reaches for when styling herself and her clients:
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High-Waisted Briefs: “I love high-waisted briefs,” Mecca says. “They're so versatile.” These are perfect for pairing with a fitted dress or high-waisted jeans to create a smooth, seamless silhouette.
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Open-Bust Bodysuits: These are the ultimate layering piece. Wear them under a blouse, blazer, or even a sweater dress. Mecca loves how they let you wear your own bra (or not bra at all) while still offering support and shaping. Bra sizes can be tricky, so if you feel attached to the hook and eye closure of your favorite bra, an open-bust bodysuit removes finding the right cup size from the equation.
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Spandex Tights: “I'll cut them up and use them as a tube top, biker short, or stocking,” Mecca reveals. They're an incredibly versatile base layer that you can style in countless ways, whether you're heading to brunch or out for the night.
Hot Tip 🔥 Don't be afraid to get creative with your shapewear—experiment with layering, customizing, and mixing pieces to create different looks. It's all about having fun and finding what feels right for you.
Style Shapewear with Confidence
Mecca's biggest piece of advice? “I think shapewear is sexy. I don't think it's something that needs to be hidden.” Confidence is key when it comes to wearing shapewear, and Mecca encourages people to show it off proudly. “I want to be able to take off my jacket or take off this sweater, and it's something that I feel really beautiful and chic in.”
Whether you're letting shapewear peek out from beneath your outfit or wearing it as a statement piece, the trick is to own it. Confidence is the most important layer you can wear.
Hot Tip 🔥 Start small—layer your best shapewear under pieces you already feel comfortable in, like a loose T-shirt or a tailored jacket. As you grow more confident, experiment with letting more of your shapewear shine, like wearing a shaping slip under a sheer dress.
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Curating a shapewear collection isn't about cluttering your top drawer, it's about selecting pieces that will work with your wardrobe and style. It's an easy way to elevate your outfits with pieces that make you feel both confident and chic.
After all, shapewear isn't just about shaping your body—it's about shaping your style on your own terms.