Tuesdays are "I Tried It Tuesdays" where I'll tell you about something I recently tried -- an item, a movie, an activity, etc.
I love Oprah and Oprah loves Spanx -- the "undercover body-shaping" underwear that is supposed to give a smooth, contoured look.
Oprah (and other famous ladies) have been talking up Spanx since they hit the market years ago. And, when Oprah speaks, women listen.
I happened to see a rack of Spanx-like undies at the local Big Lots (don't laugh...you know you love to go there, too...it's like a treasure hunt in that store...you just never know what you're going to find). For $6, I figured I'd give the shaping panties a try. I bought a pair like these in the "B" size because my experience with the weight/size charts on the back of pantyhose is that they are out of their ever-loving minds.
Did I like them? About as much as I like root canals. I couldn't have hated these body-shaping panties more. There's a reason I eliminated pantyhose from my wardrobe (thank GOD for the bare-leg movement)...it's because I can't stand the restrictive control tops & resulting and oh-so-attractive "muffin top." So, why I thought it would be good to buy the WORST PART of control top pantyhose (the control-top panty part) and wear them, I don't know.
Why I hated them: Let me count the ways
1.) They held my stomach in alright...so much so that I knew I'd have a stomach ache by the end of the day.
2.) Because they were so tight (remember, I bought a size up!), they created a lovely muffin top of skin/fat at the top
3.) ....and....even lovelier...these skin-tight, thigh-length panties created two muffin bottoms on my thighs. Now...wouldn't those have looked great in my dress pants (surely would've pulled attention away from my unsightly pantylines, eh)? I'm a runner...I have thick, muscular legs...not fat ones...but a roll is a roll is a roll when it's calling attention to itself under your pants.
Would I recommend them to a friend? Not a chance. Oprah should be ashamed. Although...in fairness...the pair I bought were not official name-brand "Spanx" -- maybe that makes a difference, but I seriously doubt it.
What I did with them. Took them off and tossed them into the trash immediately. Life is too short. I choose happiness, comfort and pantylines.
Want to try it yourself? Get them at the east side Big Lots for $6 or pay big bucks for the real thing at the retail stores.
Have you tried body-shaping underwear? What was your experience? Do you love them? Hate them? Feel free to add your two cents by commenting on this post!
Comments (1)
I tried them in January - paid way more than I'd ever pay for a pair of pantyhose - and loved them! Of course, the Spanx went up to just underneath my bra.....but they stayed up. Not as bad a the "roll down" that you experience with control top pantyhose. They were tight - my husband giggled as I squeezed myself into the hose! I immediately banished him from the room - I told him that THIS was NOT a sideshow!! But, the result that I got when I put my dress on was great - I couldn't breathe for a few minutes, but I looked good while I was turning 4 shades of blue! Note to future Spanx users - if you plan on going to the bathroom, do it before you squeeze into the pantyhose. If not, you may need to take a helper into the restroom with you to get them back up!
Posted by Amy | April 8, 2008 2:56 PM
Posted on April 8, 2008 14:56