The short answer: for a pear-shaped body, choose shapewear that defines your waist and fits your hips and thighs without squeezing them. High-waisted shorts smooth your tummy and stop thigh chafing, a waist cincher or sculpting bodysuit highlights your smaller waist, and padded styles add even more curve if you want it. Always size for your hips.
Shapewear smooths and shapes while you wear it. It doesn't change your body permanently. For pear shapes, it's less about hiding and more about showing off your natural hourglass curve.
What is a pear shape?
A pear shape usually means your hips and thighs are fuller than your bust and shoulders, with a defined waist. Many plus size women with a pear shape find standard shapewear fits the waist but is too tight on the hips, or fits the hips but gapes at the waist. Every body is different, so use this as a guide, not a rule.
What pear shapes need from shapewear
- Hip room: styles cut for fuller hips and thighs, so leg bands don't dig in.
- Waist definition: hold through the middle to highlight your natural waist.
- Anti-chafe coverage: longer legs under dresses and skirts.
- Grip that stays put: wide leg bands that don't roll up your thighs.
The best styles for a pear shape
Waist cincher: for a defined waist
Show off your waist without squeezing your hips. The Rosamund Crossover Mesh Waist Cincher shapes through the middle in breathable mesh and stops above your hips.
Rosamund Crossover Mesh Waist CincherShop now
Sculpting bodysuit: for an hourglass line
For bodycon and fitted dresses, the Mireille Zip-Belt Sculpting Bodysuit adds waist definition with a zip belt and smooths from bust to hips.
Mireille Zip-Belt Sculpting BodysuitShop now
High-waisted shorts: for thighs and chafing
Under dresses and skirts, high-waisted shorts smooth your tummy and stop thigh rubbing. The Ottilie High-Waist Padded Shaper Shorts add a little shape behind too.
Ottilie High-Waist Padded Shaper ShortsShop now
Padded hip shorts: to celebrate your curves
Want even more hourglass? The Paulette Belted Hip Pad Shorts pair padded hips with a wrap waist belt, in sizes up to 6XL. For hip padding without the belt, try the Zelie Padded Hip Enhancer Shorts, also up to 6XL.
Paulette Belted Hip Pad ShortsShop now 
Zelie Padded Hip Enhancer ShortsShop now
Shaping capris: under trousers
For smooth thighs under fitted trousers, the Philippa High-Waist Capri Shaping Leggings smooth from waist to calf, in plus sizes 1XL to 4XL.
Philippa High-Waist Capri Shaping LeggingsShop now
Browse more in waist shaping, hip enhancers and thigh smoothing.
Fit and sizing tips for pear shapes
- Size for your hips. For bottoms and shorts, your hip measurement usually decides the size. Use each product's own chart. See our plus size sizing guide.
- Choose separates if you're between sizes. A cincher sized for your waist plus shorts sized for your hips often fits better than one piece.
- Check the leg bands. They should lie flat, not dig into your thighs. Read how tight shapewear should be.
Common mistakes
- Sizing for your waist in shorts. They'll squeeze your hips and roll.
- Flattening your curves. You don't have to. Waist definition makes your hips look balanced and beautiful.
- Short legs under dresses. They ride up and don't protect against chafing.
- Padding under thin fabric. Pad edges can show under very clingy knits.
What to wear it with
- Fit-and-flare and A-line dresses: high-waisted shorts. See our shapewear under dresses guide.
- Bodycon dresses: a sculpting bodysuit, or a cincher with shorts
- Trousers: shaping capris
- Wrap dresses: a waist cincher to highlight the wrap line
Pear shape shapewear FAQs
What is the best shapewear for a pear shape?
High-waisted shorts that fit your hips, paired with waist definition from a cincher or sculpting bodysuit.
Should pear shapes wear hip padding?
Only if you want more curve. Padded hip shorts create an even fuller hourglass. Skip them if you're happy with your hips as they are.
How do I stop shapewear digging into my thighs?
Size for your hips and thighs, and choose wide, flat leg bands. See our thighs guide.
What shapewear is best for a small waist and big hips?
Separates: a waist cincher in your waist size and shorts in your hip size.
Can shapewear make my hips look smaller?
It can smooth your hips and thighs for a sleeker line while you wear it. It doesn't reduce their size.
Is a bodysuit good for a pear shape?
Yes, if it fits your hips. Check the hip measurement on the size chart, not just the bust and waist.
Celebrate your curves
The best pear shape shapewear works with your hourglass, not against it. For more help, see our curves and waist guide, butt and hip guide and best plus size shapewear guide. Shop waist shaping shapewear, or visit our Shapewear Guides.