THE CLOTHING TREND MADE FAMOUS BY OPRAH

Footless Spanx and Waist Cinchers

Soon others jumped on the bandwagon: L'eggs calls their version Smoothers, Target sells their own brand, Hanes is in the mix too. But just how “new” is this miracle shaper? Well, if you ask me it’s similar to what we used to call a pantygirdle.  It smoothed out the bumps and held in the bulges while keeping up your hosiery. This was the rage 40 years ago and every woman alive had to have them – even skinny women! Support pantyhose with “control tops” have been around a long time too. I guess everything old is new again!

Is all this compression fabric good for the body? Can it do harm?

Years ago when I was having serious back problems, my surgeon suggested a type of girdle that would prevent me from much moving and twisting so that my bulging disc in my back could heal. However, he said that after a certain amount of time wearing this type of garment, my muscles would get weak from lack of use and from depending on the support of the garment. He considered this a downside and did not encourage me to use it. So, could Spanx weaken your muscles?

Can Compression Increase Your Circulation?

It’s been long known that support hose (compression hosiery) improves circulation in the legs and is even recommended for tired or swollen legs not to mention that they are recommended on long travel flights. Compression clothing is recommended after surgery and reports are that they help speed the recovery process. Compression garments (depending on the amount of compression) help to move fluid to an area that’s draining well and stop fluid from building up. This is useful for lymphoedema.

Spanx for Men

Men may have need for compression undergarments for health reasons  just as much as women but do they need Spanx? In 2010 Spanx was introduced to men. The thought of a man in a Spanx undergarment is very unappealing and a sexual turnoff to me but whatever floats your boat.

How Comfortable are Compression Undergarments?

I think it depends on what you can tolerate! I can’t stand even wearing plain socks to bed no matter how cold my feet are! If I’ve over-eaten my belt has to be loosened. I can wear support knee-highs but I can only wear support hosiery for a limited amount of time and that is if the top portion of the support pantyhose has no support or is not a control top. I would not be a good candidate for Spanx.

In time I may join the Spanx revolution. But for now, I prefer to work hard at working out. I want the smoothed bulges on my body to be from my barbell exercises and my kickboxing exercises, not compression underwear. Spanx me? No Thanx!