Love handles and a little bit of what we call muffin top can look cute when you're naked. At least that's how I feel about my small amount of lumps: and I'm happy that Greg thinks so too.
Not to get too philosophical, but the human body wasn't born to be perfect anyways.
However, things are different with tighter clothing. Or when that muffin top shows a bit more than you'd like.
In such situations you might wish to have a secret helper under your clothes.
That's where shapewear for muffin top and love handles kicks in! Spanx has become almost a synonym for shapewear, with pieces like this high-waisted short.
Another contender is Maidenform, with shapewear like these boyshorts for a more lightweight, carefree feeling.
The question here is: what would feel comfortable for you?
For some women, bodysuits are the best approach to take care of those areas and cover the tummy too.
Others would prefer the more minimalistic boyshort-design shapewear. And for a third group, a tighter girdle with more compression would be ideal.
Similar to what I pointed out with my anti-cellulite yoga pants experience, we are different in what we like.
Considering these differences, I've handpicked these 5 shapewear pieces for muffin tops or love handles. Their designs, compression levels and materials differ to accommodate your personal taste 🙂
This list was updated in October 2026. The two Maidenform pieces are the ones I originally picked. Spanx no longer sells the Higher Power short or the closed-bust OnCore bodysuit I wrote about, so Spanx's current high-waisted short and OnCore bodysuit take their places. I've also swapped my old girdle pick for a Spanx high-waisted brief. The three Spanx pieces are described from what Spanx states. Compression levels below are the makers' own labels.
5 shapewear pieces for muffin top at a glance
| Style | Coverage | Compression (per maker) | Key feature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maidenform Flexees Hi-Waist Boyshort (2107 / 12107, Amazon model FL2107) | High-waist boyshort | Firm control | Silicone grippers inside the waistband | Check price on Amazon |
| SPANXshape Invisible High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Short | High-waist, mid-thigh | Medium compression | Silicone-enhanced no-slip waistband, cotton gusset | Check price on Amazon |
| Maidenform Wear Your Own Bra Romper (1856) | Open-bust romper | Firm control | Wide straps, hook-and-eye gusset | Check price on Amazon |
| SPANXsculpt OnCore Open-Bust Mid-Thigh Bodysuit (10130R) | Open-bust bodysuit, mid-thigh | Strong compression | Adjustable straps, double gusset | Check price on Amazon |
| SPANXsculpt OnCore High-Waisted Brief (1815, Amazon model PS1815) | High-waist brief | Strong compression | Bonded tummy panel, hook-and-eye gusset | Check price on Amazon |
1. Best lightweight shapewear for muffin top: Maidenform Hi-Waist Boyshort
Flexees is Maidenform's shapewear line. Boyshorts are a very elegant approach to muffin tops or love handles, as they don't advance to the chest area.
Which means that you can use your own bra!
One of the reasons I'm recommending you this one is the 70% nylon to 30% elastane body. Usually shapewear will have much more nylon…With that much elastane, though, you're getting a lot of stretch. Maidenform also describes the fabric as moisture-wicking.
Don't let the stretch fool you, though: Maidenform rates this boyshort firm control, and says it slims, shapes and smooths.
Another very common problem with cut out designs like this one is the panty line. No woman wants to have her panty line parading out there in the open.
This piece of shapewear passed my panty line test successfully.
Boyshorts also address another headache for a lot of ladies: a piece of clothing riding up their body. The boyshort cut is the reason I like this style, as it avoids the infamous "wedgie feeling" with your shapewear.
Up top, Maidenform puts stay-put silicone grippers along the inside of the waistband, and the gusset is lined with cotton. As with other delicate garments, remember that hand washing is the best way to take care of your Maidenform!
2. Best Spanx for muffin top & love handles: SPANXshape Invisible High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Short
As I mentioned before, Spanx are the big name in shapewear.
My original pick here was the Spanx Higher Power short, which I liked for its switch to a nylon and spandex blend and its thinner yarns. Spanx no longer sells the Higher Power line, so this spot now goes to Spanx's current high-waisted mid-thigh short. What follows is what Spanx states about it, not my own experience with it.
Spanx files it under SPANXshape, its medium-compression family, and says it gives 360-degree control and tummy control.
Coverage is similar to my old pick: high-waisted (Spanx suggests it for longer torsos) down to mid-thigh.
The body is 55% nylon and 45% LYCRA elastane, with a cotton gusset. Spanx describes the fabric as lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking, with free-cut leg openings so there's no visible panty line.
A common headache with high-waisted designs is the top rolling down. Spanx gives this one a silicone-enhanced waistband that it says prevents shifting without squeezing.
On sizing, Spanx recommends sizing up if you're between sizes, and offers petite and regular lengths (petite for 5'4" and under). Its fit tip is to put the high-waisted short on first, then your bra over the waistband.
I also cover Spanx shorts in my guide to shapewear for bodycon dresses.
3. Best full body, bra open shapewear: Maidenform Wear Your Own Bra Romper
Some ladies might want firmer control around the tummy along with the muffin top area. They also want to have a longer, full-body coverage type of shapewear.
Maidenform's romper is made for just that. The cozy element here is that you can use your own bra: the bust is open.
This is absolutely crucial for ladies who are on the bustier side of things. I'm sure you have your own supportive bras and things would've felt a bit too tight if you had to force your chest into other all body shapewear.
Maidenform rates it firm control, with targeted control panels at the sides. The fabric is a nylon and elastane blend that Maidenform says wicks away moisture.
A common headache with such designs are the straps. Sometimes they irritate your skin and dig into your shoulders.
Happy to say that Maidenform went with plush, wide straps that it says stay in place, and non-binding legs.
There's also a hook and eye gusset, which helps a lot when you'll be going to the bathroom. Maidenform recommends hand washing it.
4. Firmer control full body shaper: SPANXsculpt OnCore Open-Bust Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
My original pick here was Spanx's closed-bust OnCore bodysuit. I liked that I could wear it braless, though I didn't recommend it for bigger chests. Spanx now sells the OnCore bodysuit with an open bust only, so this spot goes to the current version. What follows is what Spanx states about it, not my own experience with it.
With the open bust, you wear your own bra, which also makes it an option if you have a bigger chest.
Spanx puts it in its SPANXsculpt family, which it describes as strong compression, and calls the OnCore line its super strong core compression. There's a bonded tummy panel and what Spanx calls squeeze-free side panels.
The fabric is 80% nylon and 20% elastane. The straps are adjustable, and the leg openings are designed to stay discreet under clothing.
The downside of my old OnCore was that going to the bathroom was a hassle. The current version has a double gusset that Spanx says makes bathroom breaks a breeze.
Sizing: Spanx offers regular and petite lengths (petite for 5'4" and under) and recommends sizing up if you're between sizes.
5. Best high-waisted brief for muffin top: SPANXsculpt OnCore High-Waisted Brief
My original pick here was a Sweet Cherry girdle. I'll be honest: I'm not that fond of girdles, they've always been a bit too constricting for me, but I picked that one for its high waist and its 3-row hook-and-eye bottom. Its maker doesn't publish product details beyond the Amazon listing, so I've replaced it with a high-waisted brief from Spanx. What follows is what Spanx states about it, not my own experience with it.
An important preface: if you're looking for something to wear throughout the day, a girdle or a firm brief isn't that great of an idea. It might feel uncomfortable and "suffocate" your mid-section.
Spanx puts this brief in its SPANXsculpt family, which it describes as strong compression, and calls the OnCore line its super strong core compression. There's a bonded tummy panel and what Spanx calls squeeze-free side panels.
It's a high-waisted brief, so it covers the waistline and love handle area without going down the thighs. The fabric is 76% nylon and 24% elastane, and there's a hook and eye gusset for bathroom breaks.
Spanx's fit tip: put the high-waisted brief on first, then layer your bra over the waistband.
Dealing with muffin top: additional tips
Shapewear is one option, but how you style your outfit makes a big difference too.
Here's a video with 7 styling tricks from Tiffany Hendra that are useful for everyone:
What to look for in shapewear for muffin top
- Coverage. A high-waist boyshort or short covers the waistline without touching your bra; a romper or bodysuit covers more.
- Compression level. Makers label it: light, medium, firm or strong. Firmer isn't always better for all-day wear.
- The waistband. Silicone grippers or a no-slip band help keep a high waist from rolling down.
- Gusset. A hook-and-eye or open gusset makes bathroom breaks easier.
- Size guide. Use the maker's own size chart; Spanx, for example, recommends sizing up between sizes.
FAQ
What's the difference between light, medium and firm compression?
It's how tightly the fabric holds. Each maker labels its own levels; Spanx, for example, calls SPANXsmooth light, SPANXshape medium and SPANXsculpt strong compression.
Should I size up in shapewear?
Check the maker's size chart first. Spanx recommends sizing up if you're between sizes.
Can I wear my own bra with a bodysuit?
Yes, with an open-bust style like the Maidenform romper or the Spanx OnCore bodysuit above.
Will a high-waisted short roll down?
It depends on the fit and the waistband. The Maidenform boyshort and the SPANXshape short have silicone at the waistband, which the makers say helps them stay put.