American Idol Contestant Gives Thanks to Spanx

American Idol contestant Carly Smithson revealed that Spanx was her secret weapon during the latest week of American Idol competition.

Darn it! Until then, most men had never heard of Spanx - the best little secret weapon of women everywhere. Even Ryan Seacrest, everyone's favorite metrosexual man, has missed out on the Spanx revolution.

For the clueless, Spanxs is the answer to your mother's, or maybe that's your grandmother's, girdle.

Any one remember girdles? They are the once-upon-a-time torture devices worn by our mothers and grandmothers. Girdles used to keep wayward hips and behinds from spreading a little too, ahem, wayward. Thanks to modern technology, Spanx undergarments are a more than tolerable improvement. Better yet, Spanxs undergarments help any little bulge problem from shoulders to toes.

What are Spanx?
The originator of Spanx undergarments is Sara Blakely, a southern girl with a plan. In 1998, Sara Blakely wanted to wear a pair of light colored slacks that weren't fitting just the way she wanted. To compound the problem, she wanted to wear open-toed shoes. We've all been there. Right, ladies? So she did what any good southern girl would do in a pinch. She improvised. Sara cut the feet out of a pair of pantyhose - gaining the slim, smooth silhouette she wanted. Whether you credit her imagination, applaud her inspiration, or totally identify with her desperation, thank goodness, Sara recognized a good idea when she had one. Spanx undergarments were born.

Today, Spanxs undergarments are number one at such fashionable stores as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales,and Saks Fifth Avenue. But the company has its eye on "every woman" as well. Since 2006 Target stores have carried the "ASSETS" product line of Spanx undergarments. Chico's, the women's clothing retailer, has also included Spanxs in its stores. QVC viewers are treated to "before-and-afters" of Spanx undergarments as testimonials ring in and sales ring up.

Most Popular Spanx Undergarments
Three of the best-selling Spanxs undergarments are Footless Spanx, Higher Power Spanx, and Slim Cognito Mid-Thigh Seamless Bodysuit. Footless Spanx is the oldest product in the Spanxs line and works like control top pantyhose without the feet. You can wear it with slacks and long skirts for shaping, slimming, and no panty lines.

To control the fat that pooches out under the bra line and above the pantyline, try Higher Power Spanx. This undergarment takes care of fat around the middle and ends like a biker short to smooth the thighs and back end, too. This Spanx is for women who are wearing skirts or pants (with a longer shirt).

If you need more help, use the Slim Cognito. Its slick material is made especially to skim over skirts and dresses. It also holds tighter.

Latest Spanx Undergarments
One of the latest Spanxs products is the Bra-llelujah! an underwire bra with a front closure that works to eliminate the dreaded "bra fat." This looks like the answer to those embarrassing bumps and bulges in t-shirts. If you need more coverage, Spanx has camisoles, too.

With cute names and great products, Spanx will keep all of us, including American Idol contestant Carly Smithson, in control.

Sources:
Knowledge at Emory, For Spanx, The Trifecta of Culture, Creativity and Quality Is a Winning Combination, Emory University
Stephanie Allmon, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, We can't hold it in any longer: Here's how 3 Spanx products held up, Seattle Times