What to Wear Under Dresses, Skirts, and Shorts in the Summer
There are a few pieces in my closet that I know I just can’t get by wearing with just my traditional undergarments…especially ones that are clingy, pale-colored, or made of thin materials. After suffering from one too many lingerie mishaps over the years, I started to do a deep dive into the world of undergarments. I shied away from the idea of anything related to shapewear for years. But, after trying on what seems like every brand on the market, I found that I actually love how the right pair can smooth everything out without adding any discomfort. I recently asked AWSL readers for their favorite tried and true products, and boy, did they deliver! If you’re wondering what to wear under dresses, skirts, and shorts in the summer, this list of undergarments has everything you need.
While we’re on the topic of undergarments, you may want to check out these posts if you’re looking for a new bra to wear this summer:
What to Wear Under Dresses, Skirts, and Shorts in the Summer
The weather gets hot, fabrics get thinner, and the chafing can be real. Sometimes adding a slip short or slip under your dresses, skirts, and shorts can make all the difference in the world. The best part about the shorts? They can act as your underwear as well, so you aren’t having to double-layer, which makes you even hotter. I’m sharing some of my favorite products below.
Soma Luxe Bandeau Slip
If you have any strappy or sleeveless dresses in your closet, you know how hard it can be to find the proper undergarments to wear under them. This bandeau slip from Soma has stay-put technology to keep it from sliding down, and it skims the body without squeezing or compressing for a comfortable fit.
Thigh Society The Cooling Short
These shorts are made with a performance fabric that pulls heat and moisture away from your body, making them the ultimate undergarment for hot summer days to help prevent chafing. They come in three different lengths (5″, 7″, and 9″), and 12 different colors.
Shapermint Essentials All Day Every Day Tank Cami
If you are looking for a tank that smooths, shapes, and lifts, then you’ll want to look for a shapewear camisole like this one from Shapermint. I like that this one can be worn alone as a workout tank or as a layering piece under a sweater.
Shapermint Essentials All Day Every Day Scoop Neck Cami
Here’s another great shapewear camisole from the same brand that gets rave reviews. It’s designed to smooth you, while holding you in. Customers say it’s comfortable enough to sleep in, the straps stay up, and wearing a bra under it is optional.
Spanx Thinsticts 2.0 Mid-Thigh Short
Now, if you’re looking for a pair of shorts to smooth things out or even just to avoid chafing, this is the undergarment that finally converted me. I love how they even everything out, are comfy and are practically invisible under any type of garment.
Commando Half-Slip
If you are looking for something to wear under your dresses or skirts that lightly smooths and shapes without any uncomfortable binding, check out this half slip. It won’t ride up due to a weighted hem and can be machine washed, which is a huge perk.
Commando Fitted Slip
This buttery soft slip is the perfect thing to wear under your summer dresses. It won’t add any bulk, and the deep neckline and back allows it to be worn under many different styles of dress. Read the reviews on this, though, to make sure it’s what you’re looking for.
Jockey Skimmies Cooling Slipshort
Bette (an AWSL reader) gave the best review of these, so I think I need to try them next. She says, “I donāt wear shapewear, per se, but love Jockey Skimmies as a first layer under dresses or skirts. They donāt compress ā they smooth. I have a large abdominal scar and canāt stand anything tight ā the Skimmies are the best Iāve tried (and Iāve tried many). Comfortable, good price, long-lasting, easy wash.” You sold me Bette! Thank you for sharing!
Half Slip Dress Extender
If you don’t want any slimming or shaping qualities in your undergarments, a loose half slip like this helps to conceal panty lines and ensure your dress isn’t see-through. This piece can also be used as a dress extender if you have a dress that shows too much leg for your comfort level.
Honeylove Cami
Several ladies recommended products by Honeylove. This camisole would be great if you have a fit-and-flare dress that only requires you to add shaping or smoothing to your torso or under any of your favorite tops. Cathy says, “I love my Honeylove Cami. Itās perfect to smooth out my lumps and bumps!” and Tamara says, “Another vote for Honeylove! I really like the crossover bra, the silhouette bra, and the silhouette brief. I find that I can wear this shapewear as comfortable underwear for everyday activities, not just special occasions. Itās more smoothing than shaping underwear.”
Maidenform Cover Your Bases Smoothing Shapewear
I know many of the name brands of shapewear can be a little costly, so this undergarment is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable pair of smoothing shorts to put under your summer dresses at under $15. Maidenform has a lot of other great undergarment options. Another reader, Virginia, mentioned that she really likes their Tame Your Tummy Shaping Brief.
Spanx Socialite Slip
If you are looking for a full slip to provide a little extra hold, this slip is classified as level 2 shaping by Spanx, which they define as a firm hug. This would be great to wear under a form-fitting dress, like to a wedding, but also could be used every day to conceal any lumps or bumps you’d like to hide.
Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick
While this isn’t an undergarment per se, it is something you can wear under your dresses, skirts, and shorts this summer. Mary, an AWSL reader, says she uses Megababe Thigh Rescue to stop chafing in the summer because she dislikes wearing extra clothing when itās hot.
Shop More Garments to Wear Under Dresses, Skirts, and Shorts in the Summer:
Gone are the days when I would actually layer shapewear to shoehorn my body into a dress for a special event. I vividly remember the time I wore a shaping cami, plus shaping shorts, and topped it with a shaping slip! I’m surprised I could even sit down or breathe. With age comes wisdom and acceptance of what I will and won’t tolerate for a garment š¤.
Have I missed any great undergarments we should be looking at?
Personally, I wish the women on TV would wear slips….it seems to me that their “lumps/bumps” would not show as well as their panty lines. And their dresses would “hang” so much better! Oh, how I miss the old slips of which I have many in my lingerie drawers! Unworn but still available plus very pretty!
I love how pretty slips are too! The lacy edges!
This was very interesting and informative I never thought of using shapewear but I might try some cooling shorts.
It was soooo fantastic to see your column on this subject! Ever since your recent column on spring/summer dresses, I’ve been thinking about why I don’t wear them much, and it’s because of the “thigh chafing” and not having ever been able to find the correct fitting, comfortable undergarment!…not for lack of trying! So some of the “cooling short” suggestions are great and I’ll be looking into them!! Also love the “thigh balm” product and want to order the travel size to carry around all summer! Thanks very much for all this info!…Oh, I also tried some Warner bras that you posted about many months ago and have enjoyed them, so I’m confident this will be good advice too!!
The shorts are fabulous!!
Another vote for Skimmies by Jockey! Only thing I wear under dresses in summer. They are so lightweight, take the place of panties, and eliminate thigh rub. The best!
Good to know!
I love the Jockey ones! They donāt cut into my quite chubby thighs and do not roll. So nice under dresses!
What a really interesting post ,very informative thank you.
Your travel out fit to Vancouver is simple casual and comfy and the hat
adds panache . Well you are on your way for your cruise well almost .
Go girl go lolš.
Thanks! Iām excited
This was really helpful information. I rarely wear shape wear but when I do I wear Spanx. I think I need an updated version after seeing all these options!
Thank you! I have been looking for new shapewear for the last few years. I did try the Shapeez camisole with the built in underwire. Unfortunately, itās expensive and doesnāt seem to wear well. They do recommend hand washing which I didnāt do, so I may be the problem. Itās an option though if someone needs āhelpā just in the torso. I think I am going to try the Honeylove line next. Thanks again, your posts are so helpful!
This is a great post and like others, I will be doing some online shopping based on your recommendations! I do have Thigh Society cooling shorts in 7″ & 9″ and they actually work! I bought my first pair last year and have since added another 3 pairs. They really do cool you down – great for summers at home and travelling.
Thanks for that info Rhonda…..I’m thinking of giving them a try.
A cautionary note about these one-piecer jobbies. I have been looking for a one-piece undergarment to wear under my mother-of-the-bride dress and have not found anything that works. The dress has sheer sleeves, so it needs to have a strapless bra. Spanx doesn’t have the strapless feature, plus it doesn’t come in cup sizes, just s, m, l, etc. Plus, my mother always said I was long waisted, and I never knew what that meant until I put one of these garments on. I don’t think the bra cups are supposed to be midway between neck and navel. I have found a Wacoal strapless bra and I might just wear the Jockey skimmies that I’ve found on this blog as the dress isn’t tight-fitting in the waist and hips.
lol. Iām long waisted too!
Thank you for this post! I love all the options and will be trying some. One option I was looking for was a high waisted short that has a band around the top so it doesnāt slip down. I saw this somewhere and have not been able to find it again. Maybe your readers will have come across it. I would love to try that product.
Thank you. I will use as I shop for shapewear. Noticed some of the shorts seem to be riding low on the waist so would be concerned about rolling down and creating even more of a muffin top.
I always go for high rise
I want to hear more about the rule of thirds in dressing please. Also thanks for your research on the undergarments! Much appreciayef
I will put more together about that.
Love the jockey skimmies. Very cool in extremely hot and humid weather. For me, they come up to almost my bust so I get thigh rubbing protection and tummy smoothing.
Pinned for reference. Thanks Jennifer. -Brenda-
Thanks Brenda
I almost never get a pen/paper or take a screen shot of what to go investigate; today – I have! I think after my knitting group today I will head out to bring home some great shape wear. I havenāt had any in years because I just didnāt know where to start! This posting is sooooo helpful! Thank you!
Good luck!
Awesome! Iām glad itās helpful.