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I’ve been a big fan of body shapers since my college days, when I tried to pass the knowledge of their assistance to all of my sorority sisters. My pair of hip shorts from Victoria’s Secret have lasted and served me well under many a skirt or dress through the years.
When Miss Orange posted a note about her fitting, I remembered how I needed to grab my shorts and stow them with my shoes for my Friday fitting, but I didn’t… and I left the house without any assistance to smooth out the bumps. Luckily that fact dawned on me quickly, so I put myself into rush mode and sped down the street to Nordstrom to get myself a pair.
Honestly, I was shocked by the amount of SPANX that now exist. I had seen the small displays when they first emerged, but now they’ve almost taken over the hosiery section with products for every shape and size! Medium control, Super control, waist control… how is a girl supposed to decide when she’s only got 10 minutes to spend in the store!
I quickly settled on the Higher Power model (tummy & hip control), which did a good job of keeping everything nice and smooth… but I think I’ll be exchanging them for another pair that doesn’t go up as high. I got a little breathless driving to the fitting, and decided that I didn’t need to be a fainting Victorian bride on my big day. 
Despite the momentary spots of oxygen deprivation, those suckers did their job and smooshed the pudge into the right spots. It’s a good thing too, because once those pins were in place, I suddenly realized just how slim-fitting my dress is, and the body shaper certainly helped the dress lay perfectly flat from my bust through the lower hips.
So back to Nordstrom I go this week to make the exchange for a different model and we’ll see what I walk out with this time. Perhaps I’ll just get the normal hosiery model…hmmm….
I also have a very slim-fitting dress and I’m now trying to figure out which Spanx to purchase. Anyone have any favorites?
I am in love with Spanx…. I have several pairs for several occassions… If nothing else, they totally smooth so you have no lines!
Quick question… Did they “suck you in” (for lack of a better word) or did they mainly smooth you out? If they did make you thinner do you think you might throw off the measurements once you change hoisery?
i have the higher power and it works great!
karen - they suck you in and smooth you out! when i have time, i’ll measure my waist and hips before and after. 
Yesterday I spotted Spanx @ Filene’s Basement @ 79 & Broadway for $11.99. Footless hose style, all sizes and colors. Lots in larger sizes and medium skin tones, too.
I wear the Higher Power mainly with dresses and they suck me in and smoothe me out. I love them, though I know what you mean about the breathless corset-type effect. I find that it isn’t that bad, especially considering how fabulous they make me look. For smoothing and firming from just the waist to the mid-thing, I recommend the Spanx Power Panties. These are what I wear with just skirts. I find them comfortable enough to wear all day long.
I’m thinking about wearing the higher power too! but I’m worried it might show during the garter thing?? it would be so embarrassing!
With the higher power do you get the dreaded “muffin top” pooching out over the top? Do they have a tendency to roll down with sitting or standing? I’m intruiged, but have had bad experiences before.
great review! - want to head out and get one!
I haven’t had a problem with the dreaded “muffin top” with the Spanx Higher Power. Like Miss Lemon, I’ve been a fan of body shapers for a long time and I know all about certain body shapers that cut in at the waist and produce the muffin top. My Higher Power come all the way up to my bra so that nothing has any space to pooch out. Mine don’t roll down. They are pretty high quality and they stay put. But you do have to remember that results may vary from woman to woman.
Anyone know what the differences between the Higher power and the Hide and Sleek Hi-Rise. I would that I would want the one that has the least amount of material.
I have a Hide and Sleek Hi-Rise and it is one superb bodyshaper. The Higher Power, however, definitely has less material. It is thinner, has less lycra, and offers excellent control. The Hide and Sleek Hi-Rise is a little thicker, has more lycra, and offers exceptional control. It is more expensive and it fits more like a traditional girdle. But it works so well that I find that I wear it a lot when I dress up to go out and want to look my best. Still, if you want the least amount of material, go for the Higher Power.
Thanks Claire!! You have helped sooo much!
just recently came across this phenomenon… and the sales lady tried to talk me into them (she was about 16 years old… now really, what can she tell me that I don’t already know? Get rid of my one piece from VS?) however, they were out of my size (’you mean you don’t weigh 1#$ and you want spanx?’) but I rushed over to the outlet center and the Bali store had an off brand of it. $11.99 and it worked like a charm! I brought both to my fitting, the spanx and the VS suck it all in, and the spanx wannabee was exactly what the Dr. (or seamstress) ordered!
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Mrs. Lemon, Los Angeles/Monterey Age and Occupation in 2006: 26, Graduate Student (Public Policy) Fiance's Age and Occupation in 2006: 29, Environmental Consultant Engagement Date: April 7, 2006 Wedding Date: July 7, 2007 Venue: Rosary Chapel & Monterey Marriott, Monterey, CA About Me: My FI and I met online, but we like to tell people that we met at a "cookie shop" which is the technical location of our first encounter. He proposed exactly 1 year, 1 month and 6 days after our first date (it's the only part of his proposal speech that I remember), and we're planning long-distance from Los Angeles for a July wedding in my hometown of Monterey, CA. I have a passion for all things "cool, cute and quirky" and I enjoy video games, reading blogs (WeddingBee, trashy celeb, consumer & political) and crafting in my spare time, if I have any!
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