I've tested more than 50 bathing suits as a fashion writer, but I'll admit I was skeptical before trying the Shapellx Smart Sculpt Plunge Corset Shaping Swimsuit. I own a 900-square-foot vintage beach cottage at the Jersey Shore, so swimwear is a big part of my summer wardrobe — but with limited closet space, every suit has to earn its spot.
Shaping swimwear has never really been my thing. In my experience, shaping swimsuits can feel stiff, heavy, and overly restrictive, which is the last thing I want when I'm sitting on a beach chair in 90-degree heat. And when I first took this Shapellx one-piece swimsuit out of the bag, I wasn't exactly convinced: It looked huge, almost like one of those matronly one-pieces from the '90s.
But once I tried it on, I was genuinely surprised by how flattering it looked and how comfortable it felt. Then my husband, who's seen me try on more swimsuits than either of us can count, commented on how good it looked, too. That's when I knew this Shapellx swimsuit deserved a closer look. Here's what I discovered.
For more of our swimwear coverage, check out our articles on the best one-piece swimsuits, the best swimsuits for large busts, and more. And for our thoughts on a similarly shaping one-piece, check out our TA3 review.
It has impressive shaping
That built-in support is most noticeable through the front and midsection, where the mesh lining creates a smoothing effect without the stiff, bulky feeling I usually associate with shaping swimsuits.
I liked that the compression on this suit felt gentle rather than restrictive. It gave me that held-in feeling through my stomach and waist, but I could still move, sit, and lounge comfortably.
Instead of flattening everything or making the suit feel heavy, the shaping felt more like subtle support — enough to smooth and define, but not so much that I was constantly aware of it.
The adjustable corset creates a made-for-you fit
The lace-up corset detail also does more than make the suit look cute. It's fully adjustable, so you can tighten or loosen the fit depending on how much waist definition you want. That makes the suit feel more customizable than a typical shaping swimsuit, especially if your waist, bust, and hips don't all fit neatly into one standard size.
For me, that was the biggest win. The corset helped create a more contoured shape through the waist, but because I could control the tension, it never felt like I was being squeezed into the suit. I got the held-in, hourglass effect I wanted without feeling like I was wearing compression shapewear to the beach.
The V-neck is actually supportive
I didn't expect much support from the top given the deep V-neck, but this suit felt much more secure than it looks. The removable pads add some shape and coverage, while the elastic underbust band helps keep everything in place without feeling tight or digging in.
The cross-back design also makes a difference. Instead of relying only on the front of the suit for support, the straps help distribute the weight more evenly across the back and shoulders. The wide straps were especially comfortable, since they didn't cut into my skin or leave me constantly adjusting the fit.
As Shane Shi, vice president of Shapellx, explains, all of these elements work together to spread support across the suit instead of concentrating it in one spot. The result is a plunging neckline that still feels wearable — even if, like me, you usually assume deep V swimsuits are more about looks than support.
The shades feel bright but still wearable
I tend to prefer shaping swimsuits in solid colors because they give the suit a cleaner, more streamlined look. This Shapellx swimsuit is currently available in four solid colors — ocean blue (my favorite), red, orange yellow, and black — which lean bold but still feel easy to wear.
At $64, it punches above its price point
I was fully expecting this swimsuit to be expensive — most shapewear-inspired swimsuits with built-in support can easily cost over $100.
At $64, this one feels surprisingly affordable, and the price makes it easy to justify buying more than one color.
You can change the neckline
The straps can be adjusted depending on the look and level of support you want, which makes the suit feel a little different each time you wear it — especially useful for travel, when you only have room to pack one or two swimsuits.
You can wear it as a classic V-neck, which was my favorite because it highlights the plunge neckline. There's also a front-cross option and a one-shoulder look, both of which create more of a lifted, pushed-up effect. "Versatility was a key focus in the design process," says Shi. "We wanted the swimsuit to adapt to different styling preferences, body types, and comfort needs."
Cons to consider
While I loved how the suit looked from the front, the back wasn't quite as flattering. The bottom offered minimal shaping and didn't provide much lift or structure, giving me a bit of a diaper butt.
I also noticed that the non-adjustable cross-back straps created some pinching along my upper back, compressing my skin on the sides of the straps.
And although the bathing suit can be styled in three different ways, the front cross and one-shoulder didn't work for me—the fabric bunched up and left gaps between my breasts. My guess is these two styles work best if you have a fuller bust and more to fill out at the top.
Bottom line
I've never found a shaping swimsuit I'd want to wear all day, but this one is comfortable enough that I didn't feel the need to take it off. It was designed with women in their 30s to 50s in mind, though I think it works just as well for anyone who wants a supportive swimsuit that smooths without looking overly conservative. More importantly, it delivers the shaping people want without sacrificing comfort or style. For someone who usually avoids shaping swimwear altogether, that says a lot.
