What Are the Best Jeans for Tummy Control?

When you want a little stomach support and smoothing, you might be tempted to put on some shapewear under your jeans. But that could be bulky and uncomfortable. You want to be able to move around freely and breathe comfortably, after all. That said, many of us wouldn’t turn down a little extra support when we’re wearing unforgiving denim. That’s where tummy-control jeans come in.

Tummy-control jeans help smooth and support your midsection and typically come with high-rise waistlines and in slightly or very stretchy fabric. If you’re looking for a pair, make sure you keep an eye out for words such as “shape,” “support,” “sculpt,” or “control” in the name. Those will typically be the styles that hold you in. Their high-waisted silhouettes are often engineered to fit your midsection in a flattering way, thus making getting dressed that much easier.

There are hundreds of options available, but many will drain your bank account. Fortunately, we have some favorites for well under $100. To wit, there’s Levi’s 300 Shaping Series. Levi’s is a classic, trusted American brand and a good first place to look for any kind of jeans. The 300 Shaping Series includes bootcut, skinny, wide, straight, and even capri options in a range of washes. These styles are made with a smoothing tummy panel that’s just a little bit compressive while still being super comfy. We especially like the 315 Shaping Bootcut Women's Jeans, which come in sizes 24 to 34. 

For an even more budget-friendly (and fun!) option, Alexander Jane Tummy-Control Denim includes a wide selection of colorful tummy-control jeans (sizes 00 to 24) in slim and wide-leg versions. These have the nostalgic feel of the multicolored denim we used to wear in the 2010s, updated with more modern silhouettes. If rainbow isn’t your vibe, the brand offers classic denim washes, too. There are even tummy-control jean shorts, so you can feel secure in any weather. 

When it comes to splurge-worthy options, we can’t get enough of Spanx’s SPANXshape EveryWear Jeans, which come in flare, kick-flare, wide-leg, and cropped wide-leg options in sizes XS to 3X. These have a core-shaping technology with medium compression for a nice shaping effect. Lane Bryant’s Tighter Tummy Jeans are also worth the splurge (in sizes 12 to 40), with their reinforced, high-rise panel and elastic waistband to fit you comfortably while smoothing your midsection. You’ll find a variety of cuts and washes, all made with a cute double-button waistband.