Spanx Me, Baby!
Are New York women skipping the gym lately, packing into girdle-astic Spanx power panties? ‘They give you mannequin ass! They’re amazing!’
Jessica Alba all swear by high-tech power panties.
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The Observatory
Kate S., 27, a slim, attractive event planner who lives in Chinatown, was recently getting dressed for a high-profile party. “I always wear a black pinstriped suit,” she said. “I give away my womanly rights to wear stilettos and a low-cut shirt, so I have do something, you know? I knew there would be men around. You don’t want to look like a corporate person; you want your hiney to look cute.”
And so she did what an increasing number of New York women are doing every night of the week: She wiggled into a pair of Spanx, the nylon and spandex undergarments that cinch a gal’s waist and thighs, eliminating underwear lines and shaving off anywhere from 2 to 10 pounds, depending on whom you ask. “They look like The Crying Game, but I do feel better when I’m wearing them,” Kate said. And she knows she is not alone. “If anyone ever catches a glimpse in the bathroom, they’re like ‘Omigod, I have those in black and I love them!’”
“They’re like hosiery crack!” said Suze Yalof Schwartz, an editor at Glamour who puts Spanx on all the women she styles for the magazine’s TV makeover segments. “They’re addictive. I would say hold off as long as you can.” She estimated that she herself owns 10 pairs of the tights. “Who knows, I’m scared to even go into that drawer!”
>> Spencer Morgan: I Put My Chestnuts In Spandex Storage—It Felt … Creepy!
Scores in Manhattan society now swear by Spanx, the moderately priced innovation of one Sara Blakely, 36, an entrepreneur based in Atlanta who has been widely credited with reintroducing girdling to the masses, thanks to comfortable fabrics; cheeky packaging; 100 different styles that reach as far up as the bust and as low as the ankle, eliminating the flabby overflow known as “muffin top”; and plenty of celebrity endorsements. Oprah was an early convert (“Spanx really changed the way I wore clothes. … I’ve given up panties,” she once told her audience) and Gwyneth Paltrow owned up to wearing two pairs at a time after giving birth. The company, which launched in 2000, recorded over $150 million in sales in 2006.
Oddly for a city that long scorned nylons, Spanx are particularly coveted in New York, where they have become ubiquitous at benefits and photo shoots. “It’s such a fashionable, stylist-oriented city,” said Ms. Blakely, adding that she does the most business here. “And the stylists have become Spanx’s No. 1 fan.”
Daniel Lawson, costume designer for NBC’s forthcoming series Lipstick Jungle, has dressed the show’s entire cast—some of who request it specifically—in the special undergarment, as well as Kate Winslet in a forthcoming movie. “We just Spanx everybody right up!” he said. “Without a lot of effort, they take off five, eight pounds immediately.” Not to mention “everything slips on smoothly. It’s become the Kleenex of the girdle world.”
“I’m in my 40’s, and I’d say definitely probably 80 to 90 percent of my friends wear them,” said the designer Pamella Roland. “Especially with evening gowns.”
‘Not Your Grandmother's Girdle’
Ms. Blakely is not surprised that New Yorkers, surely among the skinniest women in America, are her biggest fans. She was a size two when she invented Spanx, she said, and she was primarily trying to eliminate the dread Visible Panty Line.
“I didn’t like the way my own butt looked in white pants,” she told The Observer in a phone interview. “I went shopping for body-shapers at the age of 27, and I was completely horrified by what was out there.”
She started her company with $5,000 she’d saved selling fax machines door-to-door. The response was immediate. “There was a whole new interest from the consumer in wearing shapewear that wasn’t your grandmother’s girdle,” said Elizabeth Hospodar, divisional merchandise manager for Intimate Apparel at Bloomingdale’s. “Imitations and new innovations have proliferated, but Spanx remain the best seller,” said Ms. Hospodar, who estimated that nationwide, Bloomingdale’s Spanx sales have increased between 30 percent and 50 percent in the past two years. Ms. Blakely said she gives Spanx, which retail for $20 to $40, to friends and acquaintances like socialite songwriter Denise Rich and socialite designer Tory Burch. Over the summer, she said, “Madonna’s stylist called us and said, ‘Madonna’s such a fan of Spanx, she wants her entire outfit for Live Earth to be made out of Spanx material; can you FedEx it to us?” And so they did.
Meanwhile, a Spanx representative estimated that sales have more than tripled in the past two years in New York alone.
Could the confinement of Spanx actually be a liberation of sorts, allowing us to cheat gravity for an evening, skip the gym occasionally or at least eat a big lunch?
“In New York it’s all about perfection,” said a prominent socialite who asked not to be named. “But the fact is, we’re not in perfect, toned shape.” With Spanx, she said, “you feel like you’re being covered before you put on a dress. You can dance. You don’t feel so self-conscious about your stomach sticking out.”
Whether they’re nude “High-falutin’ Footless,” which extend to the bra line and hook to the bra, or black opaque “High-waisted Tight-End Tights,” Spanx are relatively easy to wiggle into, provided you choose the correct size (they extend from A to G). But they become increasingly laborious to stretch over a rear with each trip to the bathroom. By the end of a long workday, one could imagine fighting the urge to rip the damn things off and stash them in a purse. But Spanx, which have a cotton crotch, are actually meant to be worn every day in place of underwear. “It’s like a thong,” said Ms. Yalof Schwartz. “When you first put it on it’s very uncomfortable, but two weeks later you forget you’ve ever worn regular underwear.” Next Page >
If ever you wondered why women make 70 cents on the dollar, the mystery has been solved.
If you've ever wondered why Ron X has never had sex with anything other than his right hand, that mystery has also been solved.
Hey you were totally ahead of the game on this.
Damn that Sara Blakely!
These are ordinary control-top pantyhose for twice the price. Forget it.
betterthanu,
Instead of cultivating your denial by way of truth-obscuring undergarments, why not face reality and try a salad? It's cheaper.
Incidentally, sex with my right hand is infinitely more appealing than 95 percent of the female options in New York; it's never given me herpes or a $300 dinner bill, and it doesn't conjure the seaport.
And again, thus be the reason Ron X will never know the touch of a REAL woman... Spanx or no Spanx, we as a society should strive to be a little healthier and a little less lazy. But as a slender woman with curves sometimes a little help is needed; just don't use it as an everyday solution.
I think my man Ron X just about hit the nail on the head with that one. Carry on brother.
Yeah, I "get" Spanx, and wear similar things on the rare occasion that the dress I've absolutely gotta have could in fact stand to be a bit larger. But admit it, ladies, if you don't mind me presuming, but the easist thing to do is quit buying [designers, quit DESIGNING the stuff...hint, hint] all that clingly-show-every-lump/bump/slump so-called "clothing" in the first place.
Funny how those repelled by the smell of the seaport believe they have no seaport of their own.
Girlfriend is in the fashion industry, loves em. Her body including the spanx area is a ten for sure, nevertheless, when she wears anything in the light, flowy dress dept she is all about those spanx. Do I care? She has the same great body in and out of them, and they make her feel confident. I sure don't mind that she is meticulous when dressing up and quite frankly, a confident girlfriend = happy girlfriend, and happy girlfriends are more likely to enjoy the physical company of their boyfriends at the end of the night. If you are cruising for one night stands mostly, I can see how you might form a different opinion of it.
suddenly this turned into something against Ron X (I have nothing against him nor am I taking his side... just stating the facts) instead of Spanx... how amusing
If all it takes for a woman to go from 'eh, I look okay' to 'godddammmmm!' is a little piece of stretchy, clingy fabric - more power to ya, girls!! I happen to be a fan of going spanx-less, but I have been known to wear them when I want to look REALLY good as opposed to just good. If your guy has a problem with the fact that you want to look good for him? Then I guess he just doesn't need to see what's under those Spanx after all...
Because there is always someone out there that would L-O-V-E to see what you're hiding under there!! Maybe not RonX, but that just seems to be his loss, doesn't it?
Why all this hate for Spanx? I have never tried them but since my teenage years I have been wearing control top tights and I am assuming they are similar.
Need I remind those who think that Spanx is stupid that for hundreds of years women have been forced to wear body controlling undergarments? The theory behind Spanx is the same one that drove millions of women throughout time to crush their ribs with corsettes in order to get an appealing shape. I am sure once they took off their corsettes their bodies didn't look as great.
So, everyone should stop acting like this Spanx is a whole new phenomena and that women shouldn't do it , because we have been doing it nearly since the beginning of time.
The big debate is SPANX! Looking good in them will definately be a confidence booster, but isn't the REALITY of it ALL looking good out of them?
Walk the stairs to your office instead of the elevator, eat a apple or orange mid-day isntead of that SNICKERS bar...
We've become oa country of convenience "hence the NEED for undergarments that Nip & Tuck every little flaw. If you don't like the way you look in clothes then HIT A GYM or like others have said eat a salad
I wish there were some guys out there that would wear some Spanx.
This article falsly states that Spanx eliminate that dreaded thing called "muffin top". The reality is, any girdle, no matter how high up the garmet goes (i.e. below the bust), or what it's made of will ALWAYS produce muffin top. I have personally tried Spanx as well as other "support undergarments" all with the same result (and, yes, I did get professionally fitted to make sure I was wearing the correct size). Muffin top will always occur with a tight garment. You just have to chose where you want it to appear, around your waist or on your back, under your armpits.
The reality is, ladies, as many people have already stated, you not only have to get your self in shape. But if you're not in the best shape already, or are sel-conscious about certain parts (as I am about a bit of a thick waist) dress to compliment your best assets and avoid bottoms that give you muffin top, like jeans that are too tigh and too low.
I see nothing wrong with them. They help to provide a smooth line under your clothes.
I say a real, confident woman doesn't give a damn if she has a muffin top or not. Most men can sense confidence in a woman and I think that's the turn on. It's all about attitude girls!!! I say let it all hang out and be comfortable and most importantly... be yourself!
Muffin Diva, Ron X: If looking great is not your thing, that is fine. But why knock women (or men) who take a little extra time and spend a little extra money to look the best that they can possibly look?
E: The difference between Spanx and other shapewear such as girdles, corsets, and yes even control top pantyhose is the comfort and the over all look. Spanx comes in a huge variety of styles and types that now there is a perfect fit for everyone.
MzLatnDiva: Muffin top will not occur if you wear your Spanx high enough. For every woman that height will be different. For some it will be above the tummy, for others it will be just below the breasts and for yet others it could be up over the shoulders. There are practically full body Spanx these days.
Spanx is a new product that offers new opportunity for many women to look great. I don't see anything wrong with that.
http://www.squidoo.com/spanxShapewear
Just bought and wore a pair for the first time this weekend. I am 20 punds heavier than my girlfriends and belive me I looked the best that night. I even looked tighter and fitter. Spanx inspired me to get back in the gym. I will be fabulous soon and with the help of Spanx ....Unstoppable.
I'm a crossdresser, and I love Spanx. I've been wearing them for several years now. They're great.
So I was trying to buy some Spanx online the other day, and it does appear to be popular because several websites were out of stock. But I found it here:
http://www.barenecessities.com/Shapewear-Spanx_catalog_nxs,33,vendor,809...
and got it within a couple of days.
After 4 kids spanx are my new best friend. I am back to a size 7 after much hard work, but the extra stretched out skin wont go away not matter how often I hit the gym. I put alot of effort into not become the overweight sweatpants mom. Now not only do my size 7 clothes fit, but I look damn good in them. I deserve that much right?
terrible idea...i mean ok i have no perfect body, but that doesnt mean im gonna trick a dude into thinking i do and once in the bedroom SURPRISE!!! how do you girls keep your confidence knowing these men are NOT after you, or your real body, but the fake manequin ass, or the super flat board tummy? baby tummies are wonderful, my friend has one and she gave birth two months ago, and she looks so cute with it! why be embarrassed for nature, although, in the polluted, yucky, crowded, disgraceful NY i can see why...
boy...some poor, unsuspecting men are in for some nasty treats...
OK now I know the Spanx craze has gone too far. It's one thing if it's suburban moms and their lady lumps but ... American Idol rockers?? And who wants to bet Ryan Seacrest has a pair of Manx.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14WktMfmrMY
Perhaps women wear Spanx to make THEMSELVES feel better and not to entice a man?
Fact is, if all a guy wants is a hard body there isn't much substance in him to sustain anything longer term than a one-night stand.
I walk, I work out, and I have a very physical job. But nature gave me what she gave me, and that, short of surgery, is who you're gonna get when the Spanx come off.
Who said wearing spanx has to be to impress guy and get him in bed? It that's the case, women have a lot more problems than muffin top.
For you ladies who are looking for a man who loves you only for your body then you two deserve each other! I assume you ladies don't wear push-up bras, either, since when you take it off the man who you brought home to sleep with will get a "nasty treat" when your breasts aren't what he thought they were! I'm sure none of you color, highlight, straighten, or curl your hair, or wear colored contacts, or have a fake tan, or have extensions, or wax your eyebrows, or your arms etc. There's ABSOLUTELY no difference.
Who said wearing spanx has to be to impress guy and get him in bed? It that's the case, women have a lot more problems than muffin top.
For you ladies who are looking for a man who loves you only for your body then you two deserve each other! I assume you ladies don't wear push-up bras, either, since when you take it off the man who you brought home to sleep with will get a "nasty treat" when your breasts aren't what he thought they were! I'm sure none of you color, highlight, straighten, or curl your hair, or wear colored contacts, or have a fake tan, or have extensions, or wax your eyebrows, or your arms etc. There's ABSOLUTELY no difference.
I really just want to know: ARE Spanx better than other brands of bodyshapers? ARE they better than control top pantyhose? I'd really love some comfy, invisible-under-clothes panties that don't crawl,creep or dig into me.. I don't want a garment difficult to pull up, or a tight girdling effect, just smoooooooothness - is there such a thing?
And please, I don't care what it looks like without clothes over it to a man, or what someone's opinion is of my um.. what.. sexiness? self-worth? I'm talking panties here, not hormones or intelligence.
Just the goods on the damned pants!