Women's Thigh Slimmer (Shapewear)

A thigh slimmer carries the longest leg in this group. Fabric runs from the waist or hip down the leg, ending anywhere between the upper thigh and just above the knee, where a shaping short stops at mid thigh. That leg section is the whole difference between this and every other piece in the drawer.

Leg length changes the design of the entire garment. A longer leg needs graduated compression, firmer at the top and softer at the hem, or it cuts a ring into the thigh. Silicone strips or a bonded edge at the hem address the two things that go wrong here, which are rolling up and showing through. Above the leg the body section may be a brief rise or a high waist. The higher rise anchors the legs better because more fabric holds them down.

High-waist briefs finish at the top of the thigh, smoothing the stomach and leaving the leg untouched. Boyshort underwear covers similar ground with no compression and none of the anti-ride features. Shaping slips cover the thigh in loose fabric rather than gripping it, preventing rubbing without smoothing anything. Chafing is the specific complaint this shape answers, and it answers it better than anything else in the category.

Summer dresses, long walking days and hot-weather weddings are where a pair earns its place, particularly if your thighs rub in a skirt. Thin or clingy skirts often reveal the hem line, so pay for a bonded edge if that is your wardrobe. Firm compression down the leg feels restrictive across hours of sitting, making light or medium the sensible choice for a full day out.

Walk in them rather than standing still, since ride-up appears once you have covered some ground and never in the mirror. Compression should ease noticeably toward the hem when you feel the fabric between your fingers. Silicone loses grip as body lotion and detergent residue build up on it, so leave the softener out and rinse the strip clean when it starts to slide.