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I have a wedding coming up that I bought a dress for. I love it. It's not a typical dress that I'd normally wear. It's this beautiful pattern, geometric black and silvery gray. But, it's a clingy, spandexy material. Not sure if I can pull it off. My problem areas are my stomach and the hip area...very bulgy.

I tried it on with a girdle type thing and it looked...okay, but I need more (or less, if you kwim ). Will Spanx do the trick?

I need some kind of magical under garment that will squeeze it in just a little more. It's a really great dress and I want to wear it.

If not Spanx, any suggestions?

Thanks!

Are Spanx really all that?

Yes.

That's all I needed to hear. Going to get me some of that magical stuff!

So...where do they sell them? Department stores? (none of which I live near) Walmart? Kmart? Or should I order them online?

I think Spanx are awful. They distort my natural shape and cause bulging in unattractive areas. And they are hideously uncomfortable. The ones shaped like bike shorts are the worst, I have read about people having medical problems from their Spanx cutting off circulation in their legs.

Hmmmm....interesting completely opposite opinions.

Now what to do?

I read the reviews on their site. Mostly positive, some negative.

I'll wait for more feedback.

I like Spanx... I don't wear often however.

I would take the dress, go to the store and try both on together and see how you look.

How long do you intend to wear the outfit, with the Spanx?

What happened was, I remembered I needed a dress for this wedding and fell in love with this one, and another one was really nice too. So, I was comparing both and couldn't decide. The other one is fine, but it's typical of dresses that I usually wear and I wanted to step out of the box a little.

The gray one is, like I said, a little different, more stylish, IMO, and just not typical me. I was texting pics of both to DD from the dressing room for her opinion. It was funny.

I decided I'd take both and ask LD's opinion and DD's opinion when she gets home (she's coming home this week) and just return the one that got less votes. I showed LD and he really liked the gray but reinforced by concerns about the bulges. Then he reminded me that we also have his company Christmas party so I should just keep both dresses .

I guess I can buy the Spanx, it can't hurt (well, literally it can, but I guess I can always use them). I plan to wear it for the duration of the occasion...I guess 5-6 hours for the wedding and if I wear it to the holiday party about 4 hours.

The issues I've seen with Spanx can usually be traced to wearing too small a size. They are meant to compress, but if you buy too small a size, they could cut off circulation.

You can buy them at any department store, and can get equivalents anywhere. I've seen them at places like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Kohl's as well.

Don't buy without trying them on. And I like the suggestion of bringing the dress with you. That way you can make sure the style of the Spanx works with the cut of the dress.

[This message edited by nowiknow23 at 12:53 PM, October 13th (Sunday)]

I'm pro-Spanx. IMO, they've got better engineering at the edges, for example, to avoid the bulges outward at the end of the Spanx.

I bought the dresses at TJ Maxx and didn't see any Spanx. I'll check Kohl's or another TJ Maxx if I find one. I live in the sticks!!! I was just going to order online so I didn't have to search high and low. That's probably not a good idea.

Looking at the sizing chart I am about 5 lbs short of the higher end of the size. Would I go to the next size?

IthinkIcan,

The bulges going up and out is a problem, and for me the rolling down at the waist. I was looking at the one that goes up to under the bra. Thoughts?

Go to the next bigger size.

Get the most coverage possible. So yes, get the one that goes up to the bra.

You want smoothing out. Not to go down a size.

Spanx are good for making you less jiggle-y, but they aren't going to make you smaller. You need a boned corset for that.

Don't buy online go to Macy's and ask for help (you'll need it the first time you try to put them on...or take them off )

Sounds like I'll need some Vaseline or cooking oil and a crane or some heavy machinery.

Fun .

It shouldn't be that tough, AN. I have faith you can do it solo.

Yes, I use them to smooth out my jiggly thighs when I wear dress pants.

I also suggest going up a size, I would generally be in the "B" size but purchase a "C." You don't want to feel like you are stuffed sausage, you want your dress to give you a lean look!

It shouldn't be that tough, AN. I have faith you can do it solo.

Well, I didn't think so either, but you guys are all making it sound so complicated!

Annb, that was my dilemma, B or C. I think I'll go with a C.

I used to work in a maternity store and we sold maternity spanx.

All Spanx does is smooth the lumps and bumps. It does not make you thinner.

Just follow the size chart on the package. You definitely should try them on with the dress.

I've used them. It's weird when you sit down and the flab spills over the waist band. You might need to get the full body kind otherwise the bulges come out in weird places.

They are hell to get off too. You may need scissors!

Target also carries some that are not spanx name brand but function the same for far less $. My experience has been they will definitely help with a slinky dress, but buying too small will make you look and feel like a can of poppin fresh dough.