Have You Ever Been Spanxed?

Great Idea Week continues here at Now Norma Knits. 

The other entrepreneur featured on the same show as the granola guys is Sara Blakely, the creator of Spanx.  Well, having grown up on the tail end of the girdle era (my mom's girdle still gives me nightmares) and having tried various body-shapers over the years that were not worth the money -- and hot and uncomfortable and poor-fitting and generally just not helpful -- I have been very reticent to try Spanx since I first heard about them a few years ago.  But after that show, I am intrigued! I must be one of those $150 million annually in sales! I can't be left behind!  (pun, well, yes....intended!)

I went out and bought some trouser socks (AWESOME!  No tight binding at the knee!  Smooth and soft and wonderful!) and two pairs of tights, one of which I wore on the cruise on "Elegant Night," and yeah, I felt elegant all right -- and they were comfy and pretty and breathable. 

I've shunned pantyhose for five or more years for everything except tying up tomato plants. After having worn them every day for 15 years at work, I just.could.not.wear.them.one.more.day.of.my.life.  But Spanx might just bring me back to believing in having something to "finish" my legs.  And now I've ordered two of these and one of these.

Ooh, baby, I think I've been bad. I might need a Spanxing. 

What about you -- have you ever tried Spanx?

Comments

[Kristen]

I refuse. I think it's not healthy to regularly squash your body parts like that. So there, says the grumpy one!

[Robin]

I like the Spanxs socks and the long-line underwear. There seems to be a heavy-duty version and a lighter version of the underwear that has legs that extend down about 5 inches. I like the lighter version. Actually quite comfortable and no panty line! Better than a thong for this older woman who doesn't want a panty line.

[Jenn]

Haven't tried Spanx, but the lower-end Assets (same manufacturer, lower price point) that you can find at Target. They rock.

[Diana]

Used Spanx under a dress for my niece's wedding this summer. Wow! Love the ones that go up to just under your bra. No lumps sticking out.

[Carol]

Spanx was my postpartum savior. They have some long line underpants that let me wear my regular trousers long before I could actually fit back into them for real. I think they should be given out in the Maternity Room as a part of an antidote for postpartum depression. And they are a Trinny & Susannah top pick too!

[AnnaMarie]

Nope, I wear flowing dresses most of the time, they don't cling and hide a multitude of sins.

[gayle]

Haven't tried Spanx. But then again, I rarely dress up. Just a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal...

[linda]

All I can think about is the You Tube video of Paula Deen mooning Miami last weekend! I thought for sure that's where you were heading with this discussion.....

[Vicki]

I have an Asset or two. Heh. I don't dress up much these days, and it's mostly jeans and a sweater at work. Of course, then I do have this crazy panic about what to wear and how to fit into stuff when there is occasion to dress up (and then I usually end up saying Screw It and dressing down).
Ugh.

[naomi]

Nope. I like regular tights for those times when I wear skirts, perhaps in part because I've never had to wear skirts and tights on a regular basis.

[claudia]

I am always learning something new over here.

[Wendy]

Okay, I just bought a supply of the trouser socks -- you are the second person this week who has said they are awesome!

[Elizabeth]

I have the long line underwear and think they are just right under certain clothes where you need smooth with no seams and no er... lumpiness. You know what I mean.

[Sue]

I also like the fact that Sara Blakely created a foundation that supports and empowers women all around the world. A portion of every purchase goes to this foundation.

[Linda B.]

After Ryan Seacrest's interview with Taraji P. Henson on the Red Carpet, we now she wears them!

[Jena (the yarn harpy)]

I don't love them, but they do the trick. I wore them as a bridesmaid for a friend's wedding and ended up taking them off halfway through the reception. Trying to wrestle them, then my longline strapless bra/corset, then the strapless corseted dress back on was just too much. I figured the dress was essential and the bra was the next most important item so the Spanx went into my purse.
For my own wedding a couple months later, I had such a lovely full A-line dress with a big puffy petticoat and said bra/corset on that I decided no one would be able to tell the difference anyway. I was SO much more comfortable. No pantyhose, no heels. Why be miserable on your wedding day? :)

[Cheryl S.]

I remember wearing a girdle too, when I was about 11, with my stockings. Younger people have a hard time believing that I can remember the days before pantyhose - they came out in 1969, much later than most people might think.

I have a pair of the Spanx panties, for my clingy formal dresses. Sadly, though, I've probably outgrown both the Spanx and the dresses.

[Kelli]

Funny you should post on the topic. Just yesterday, I put a couple of Spanx items on my birthday wish list. I haven;t tried them yet but I've heard woderful things from already-customers. I'll keep you posted. ~ksp

[grumperina]

I have a pair of the long-line underwear, almost like shorts, that I've worn under formal dresses. Though better than other brands, they are still a tad constricting. I've tried on the bra, and it's very comfy. Unfortunately, it's not made in a big enough size for me :(.

[Mary K. in Rockport]

I'm curious to get your take on the new purchases. Sadly, I must be wrestled into a snug undergarment before donning dress-up clothes (it's so tight, I really can't do it myself.) This causes great merriment amongst my family members and possibly some neighbors who might have been able to see the exercise through an upstairs window.

[Seanna Lea]

I've never tried them and the last time I wore a body shaper I was a much bigger gal. I don't tend to wear pantyhose or tights very often anymore, which is a relief. I appreciate not spending money on something that I can only wear once before they run all over hell and gone.

[Carolyn]

Wow, I remember my mom's girdle also. What a contraption that thing was. As far as body shapers go, I could use something for my tummy but, I don't want to get hooked on it. Looking down occasionally at my pooch gives me the incentive to loose and crunch. I'm working on it... I'm working on it...

[paula]

I will have to try the socks

[Cookie]

Speaking of, I read the hottest thing the other day that involve-...

Wait...

What?!

Oh!

Nope. I like stockings. Shocked, I know. I'll be in the naughty corner if you need me.

[elizabeth a airhart]

why do women stuff themselves into elastic
next time buy some lacy stuff and sigh
i can breathe again -if you get into
an accident at leastyou will look pretty

[Ann]

Ugh, going to Las Vegas Friday and nothing to wear. But wait, I see a target across the pond. May be an Asset over there to suck in my gut. Maybe they have an "I just turned 50 and don;t give a shit" bathing suit as well. LOL. Well, you sure sparked some comments today, woman!

[Mary Fran]

Wearing them right now... no panty lines for me!

[kmkat]

Have never been Spanxed. Hope to FSM I never will be, amen.

[sandy]

Panty hose gives me the spanx. :D
xo

[sandy]

ahem. Hi Norma.
LX

[Renee]

I have Spanx dress pants. Spanx made and smoother built in. I bought them up in size a bit so they'd not be very tight and LOVE them.

[Miriam]

I bought some and wore them with my slinky red dress to my little brother's wedding. I really liked them, except for the fact that my butt crack got sweaty. But not too bad for short wearings.