Budget Spanx or the real thing?

[JandJ]

DH and I are going on vacation in a couple of weeks (not Disney, but still exciting!) and I just tried on my "nicer" vacation clothes. Let's just say I've apparently put on a little weight . . . I am cutting back my portions and cutting out dessert starting today, and I can increase my work-outs, but it's not all going to go away or firm up in two weeks

I think I need Spanx to make a few of my dresses fit well. I looked at Spanx once before and they were expensive, so my question is, are they really that good? Are they worth the money? Do I need to get the real thing or will the cheap Target version work as well? Which style is best for tummy/bottom control? Thanks so much for any Spanx input y'all have!!

 

[DwarfMaster]

I have the ones from Target & they do the job well I've never owned real Spanx so I can't compare.

My DD7 calls them my "Belly-Sucker-In-Ers"

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I also have used the Target brand and I find they work very well.

 

[2BoysMom]

I have both. The quality is only slightly better with the Spanx, but there is no difference in the belly-sucking-in capabilities. Target brand works good.

 

[coastiewifern]

Only have the real spanx and got them for a good price on ebay.

 

[CarolA]

I started with the Target ones and moved to the real ones. Big Difference. I like the real ones better and they hold up. The Target ones fell apart!

 

[megthewonderful]

I started with the Target ones and now I just recently upgraded to the real thing too! Definitely worth the extra money!

 

[Foogahzee]

Wow am I outta touch! I thought you were talking about some type of cat or other exotic animal

 

[Juliet25]

DH and I are going on vacation in a couple of weeks (not Disney, but still exciting!) and I just tried on my "nicer" vacation clothes. Let's just say I've apparently put on a little weight . . . I am cutting back my portions and cutting out dessert starting today, and I can increase my work-outs, but it's not all going to go away or firm up in two weeks

I think I need Spanx to make a few of my dresses fit well. I looked at Spanx once before and they were expensive, so my question is, are they really that good? Are they worth the money? Do I need to get the real thing or will the cheap Target version work as well? Which style is best for tummy/bottom control? Thanks so much for any Spanx input y'all have!!

I don't get the Spanx craze at all. I don't think they offer much control. Maybe it was the kind I used (they looked like footless tights), but I was not impressed. I would either go with the off brand or go to someplace like Kohl's and buy a pair of control top granny pants.

 

[AustinTink]

I found a great knock-off at Ross. You may want to check there.

 

[Mickey527]

I bought a pair of spanx last year and I have never worn them.
I got the ones that go to my knee and they create a bulge at the knee. I know they are not too small because they are loose at the waist.
I needed them for the thighs, not for the stomach, and they don't do much.
I put them on with a pair of micro-fibre pants and they stuck to the cloth like they had static electricity, but not in a good way. I took them off and wore the pants without the spanx.
Unfortunately, they are not returnable.

 

[Cindy B]

I got the Kohl's brand. They worked for me.

 

[mouse1]

I have both Spanx and the ones spanx makes for target. Well my Spanx is all ripped apart and my target ones lasted longer.

It's funny everytime I am wearing my target one people ask me if I lost weight.

Anyway I find the target one just as good.

 

[CandCMommy]

I bought a pair of Spanx for a cruise I went on last year. They were the kind that look like biker shorts. I didn't like them because they just pushed the fat up and out the top giving me a beautiful muffin top. Then two weeks ago I was feeling rather frisky (first time ever away from the kids) and got a shorter tight dress that needed a little help from Spanx. Since we were already in Vegas at the time DH bought me another pair. This one is like a long tankini, you put it on with or without your bra and it goes all the way down over your butt. I LOVE IT!!! Worked wonders for me. No muffin top or bra bulge!. It's definitely pricey but worth every penny IMHO. Just a word of caution if you do purchase this one, DO NOT put it on over your head, it must be pulled on from the bottom. The sales lady told me that it is very important because she actually got stuck trying to put hers on over her head and another sales lady had to come help her get out of it.

 

[SandrA9810]

I'd go with the cheaper ones. You're only going to be on vacation for a short bit of time. I'm sure it can hold out through that.
Then if you find you like wearing it, buy the better one. But it seems like the target brand will do fine for the trip.

 

[onelostsockie]

Did you know Spanx and Assests (the target brand) are BOTH made by sara blakely? Just thought I'd throw that out there.

I would say go with a power panty or higher power panty when it comes to Spanx. The ones with the pantyhose attached don't last as long..they are no good once the sheer hose part is ripped! Spanx runs small too. When I'm selling them to people and showing them the size chart, I tell them if they are near a border line, size UP.

Another negative with Spanx, is that they are like pantyhose and cannot be tried on or returned. Most places allow you to try on shapewear on hangers and return them with tags attached.

When it comes to shapewear for special outfits, I prefer Flexees which you can buy in department stores. They have a "firm" control as opposed to Spanx says it has a "medium" control and are meant for everyday use. If you are need extra firmness, look for shapewear that is lined and/or has stitched tummy panels.

I don't know how big you are, but yesterday at my local Target I saw some assests on clearance. They had different styles, but they were all size 6...which is at least for over 250lbs.

Let us know which you get and how you like them!

 

[1bandaid]

I like the target version since it doesn't have the convenience flap that the originals do. (I've had mine for awhile maybe they don't anymore) I am with the above poster get the higher power version that stretches to underneath your bra to avoid muffin top.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

So glad I stumbled across this. After 3 c-sections and additional abdomnal surgeries my stomach is not the same as it once was (whose is right?) But I have been working out every day and loosing weight but honestly I feel that area looks worse since the weight loss! Noramlly it isn't a big deal for me, but my DH is going to be best man in a wedding this summer and I found a great dress to wear that fits!!!! for $4.81 at Sam's Club of all places. I love it and feel great in it but worried about the tummy and if I would be self consious all night. A friend suggested Spanx which I was going to buy, but that was going to kill the high of the $5 dress. I will have to go find the Target ones. Thanks for the tips and sorry to hijack the thread!!!

 

[dizcrazy]

I bought a pair of Spanx for a cruise I went on last year. They were the kind that look like biker shorts. I didn't like them because they just pushed the fat up and out the top giving me a beautiful muffin top. Then two weeks ago I was feeling rather frisky (first time ever away from the kids) and got a shorter tight dress that needed a little help from Spanx. Since we were already in Vegas at the time DH bought me another pair. This one is like a long tankini, you put it on with or without your bra and it goes all the way down over your butt. I LOVE IT!!! Worked wonders for me. No muffin top or bra bulge!.

Ohhhhhh, thank goodness you posted this! I bought the Target brand but stopped wearing it because of the muffin top! I thought maybe I was just too heavy or something!

 

[meriface11]

i wear both spanx and assets and i actually prefer assets to the spanx--DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE DRYER and they will hold up just as long