A flawless red carpet silhouette isn't just genetics or a strict diet — it's an engineering project. Behind every jaw-dropping gown is a team of stylists doing last-minute fittings, safety-pinning fabric, and layering shapewear pieces most fans never hear about.
And in 2026, the game is changing. Instead of stacking three or four shaping layers under a gown, more stylists are turning to dresses with built-in shaping panels — cutting prep time while keeping the same sculpted look.
(For the original celebrity favorites that started this conversation, check out our first roundup of celebrity shapewear fans.)
The Stylist's Secret Toolkit
Celebrity stylists have long described shapewear as "armor" for the red carpet — something that makes their clients feel locked in, confident, and ready for hundreds of camera flashes. It's not about being unhappy with one's body; it's about removing one variable on a high-stakes night. Stylists often keep a stocked kit of slips, thongs, high-waist shorts, and bodysuits on hand, mixing and matching pieces to fit whatever gown is going down the carpet that night — sometimes even modifying pieces on the spot to fit a backless or sheer design.
What the Stars Are Actually Wearing
Kim Kardashian has never hidden her shapewear habit — she's admitted to layering more than one piece at once for maximum smoothing, a method that helped inspire her own shapewear line. For curves-with-control like hers, our butt lifting underwear are designed for exactly this kind of seamless, no-VPL base layer.
Jessica Alba has spoken about leaning on shapewear postpartum, using it to ease back into red carpet dressing while her body changed. A supportive shaping layer can make that transition feel a lot less stressful.
Sarah Hyland is famously open about not leaving the house without shapewear, noting that the vast majority of women wear some form of it — they just don't always admit it out loud.
The Big 2026 Shift: Smarter Fabrics, Less Suffering
For years, "shapewear" and "comfortable" rarely showed up in the same sentence — stylists have joked about clients who could barely breathe, sit, or eat in their gowns. That's finally changing. The big shift this season isn't a new silhouette, it's the fabric underneath it.
Stylists are increasingly reaching for pieces made with breathable, moisture-wicking materials that hold their compression all night without the old-school discomfort — meaning a star can sit through a three-hour ceremony and an after-party without needing to peel everything off the second the cameras stop. The shaping power is the same; the wearability is what's catching up.
It's a small shift, but it's the difference between shapewear you tolerate and shapewear you forget you're wearing.
You Don't Need a Stylist to Get the Look
The good news? You don't need a team of stylists or a red carpet invite to borrow these tricks. The same shaping principles stars rely on — smoothing, lifting, no visible lines — are available in pieces you can wear to your next big event, date night, or just a Tuesday when you want to feel a little more put-together.
Start with our best-selling shapewear styles to see what's working for everyone right now.
Whether you've got a wedding, a reunion, or just a night out where you want to feel a little more "red carpet" than usual, the right piece underneath can do more for your confidence than another hour at the gym ever will. No stylist required — just five minutes of trying on, and you'll feel the difference the second you stand up straight.
🎉 Limited-Time Offer
Treat yourself to your own red-carpet-ready layer. Valid June 30 – July 7:
- $10 off orders of $80+ — code: JULY10
- $20 off orders of $130+ — code: JULY20
- $30 off orders of $180+ — code: JULY30
Shop your favorites before the offer ends.
