Review: Spanx by Sara Blakely

I first heard about Spanx several months ago while watching a "Tyra Banks Show" episode. They were briefly mentioned (brief...see what I did there?), but there was no review or information other than Ms. Banks and her guest talking about how much they loved them. "Must be a Hollywood thing," I thought.

This past weekend I had a wedding to attend. I am not a slim woman. I like the comedienne Mo' Nique's term: thick. Yes, I'm fairly certain I would be considered "thick". So I would love to blame the extra pounds on water weight, but the fact is I've got some lumps and bumps. Over the years my midsection has taken it's toll: somewhere between bearing children and having a cupcake or two I have some dough where a six pack would be nice. Still, I already had a wonderful little empire-waste outfit to wear. If I could just smooth over the bumps.

That's where Spanx come in.

I went to some of my favorite clothing store sites looking for body shapers and saw the Spanx Power Panties. Hmm, maybe they're not so "Hollywood" after all. And at $25.00 for a pair I was really getting into the idea! I didn't have time to order online; the wedding date was right around the corner. I headed to the local version of the online store Lane Bryant and found a nice pair of black in my size. I felt the material...ahhh...very nice. It is a very soft feeling; a combination of lycra and nylon. It stretches, yet it's soft. It's very much like a microfiber blanket without the heat.

But the feel of the material made me suspicious. Is this really going to be all that slimming? They seemed very thin and weak to me. I made the purchase and took my little body-shaping secret home (disguised in a Yankee Candle Company bag.)

I got them out of the package: I was wrong about the strength. When I took them out and prepared to pull them on I almost wondered if I had the strength myself to pull them on! They have the strength of a control top panty hose but the feel of a comfortable pair of shorts! They were so soft and wonderful I didn't want to take them off. I actually called my husband upstairs to feel my tush! They were slimming, firming and yet comfortable! Best $25.00 I ever spent without involving liquor of some type!

While my experience has been limited to the Power Panties, I have since discovered the wide variety of Spanx made by Sara Blakely. In fact, while shopping at Target the other day I found a separate line of Sara Blakely hosiery that are very affordable. The Spanx line is not in limited sizes; many of the styles service 200+ pounds down to 95 pounds. Sara Blakely also carries a line of maternity hosiery.

Being a plus size woman I understand how frustrating clothes shopping can be. Spanx may not make me a size 2, but they boost my confidence in ways I hadn't thought possible from a pair of panties. This line of under garments is amazing. Every woman should have one. Even if you're not a plus size diva! We all have those bloated days when a little extra help is welcome. Spanx is a beacon of comfort in an over-whelming sea of size zero super-models.