Slipping into one of the many styles of Spanx allows women of all shapes and sizes to confidently wear white pants, stretchy skirts, and snug dresses without unsightly visible panty lines (VPL), bra fat, bulges, wrinkles or rolls.

The Story Behind Spanx

The creator of this revolutionary line of foundation garments is hip and savvy entrepreneur Sara Blakely. Like so many women, she was frustrated by clothes and underwear that amplified hideous visible panty lines and created ugly bulges and rolls.

"I bought clothes that looked amazing in a magazine or on the hanger, but in reality magnified every panty line and imperfection," says Blakely on her website, "clothes that eventually made their way to the 'maybe one day I'll be flawless' section of my closet where they remained unworn."

One night, in search of the perfect undergarment Blakely – who at the time was a photocopier salesperson by day and stand-up comedian by night – decided to do something about it. Cutting the feet out of her pantyhose to wear with white pants and open-toed shoes, the petite blonde knew that she had stumbled upon a multi-million dollar idea.

After sinking in $5000 of her savings, without any formal business training, out of the back of her apartment Blakely buried herself in internet research, patent-writing, persistent cold-calling, and client demonstrations. Then she got a call from one of the world's most influential women: Oprah Winfrey. And with that, the Spanx empire was born.

A Hollywood secret and a red-carpet must for celebrities from Gwyneth Paltrow to Oprah, now style-conscious women around the world, of all shapes and sizes enjoy the comfort and fashionable freedom that Spanx products afford them.

Why Spanx?

Even if you're totally in love with thongs, sometimes even a stretchy string of fabric creates visible panty lines.

In an interview for online women's magazine Filly.ca, Spanx creator insisted that many of her clients are fit and healthy women who just want to look better in their clothes. And women of all sizes – from the super slim to the voluptuously full-figured – occasionally find that certain garments create or enhance figure flaws like bulges, rolls and creases, making even the most svelte woman look frumpy.

Spanx solves these fashion faux pas by spanning well above and below the parts of your womanly bits which are at risk for lumps, bumps and lines – mainly breasts, torso, waist, bottom, belly, hips, thighs – and lifting, supporting, and smoothing it all out. Seamless body shapers and slimmers rescue women from back fat, love handles, waistline spillage, and even cellulite. The result is the perfect base for even the clingiest of outfits. A smoother line is a more attractive silhouette, regardless of a woman's dress size.

Which Spanx are For You?

Designed to flatter comfortably, the Spanx line includes hosiery and tights, body shapers, bras and panties, slimming intimates and apparel, as well as maternity and plus-size products. There is literally something for every woman and every outfit.

A couple standout products include:

• High-waisted tights that are perfect to wear under this season's high-waisted trousers and skirts – unlike traditional styles, these won't leave a line across your belly!
• Reversible tight-end tights are a fashion must-have; they are black on one side and brown or navy when flipped inside-out! These have a non-binding waistband that prevents that cinched waist pantyhose often create, plus they have a medium control panel that flattens the tummy, and an extended control top that smoothes and shapes the rear, hips and thighs.
• Control top fishnets with (or without) a back seam are super sexy, slimming, and won't leave you with grid-butt!
• The Slim Cognito Seamless Mid-Thigh Bodysuit contours problem areas by accentuating your waistline, minimizing tummy and thighs, and lifting your rear. The bodysuit attaches to your own bra with its detachable straps, allowing you to wear the bra that's best for your body and outfit. It also features a genius butt separator – which Blakely affectionately refers to as "The Great Divide" – that comfortably banishes the flat, uni-butt look that many body shapers give your bottom. Instead, this slimmer gives your bum a natural, perky shape.