Gossip Girls' Diet Secret — Spanx: Cool or Not?

I voted not cool only because I wouldn't want to suffer any discomfort in those panties. At the same time I'm glad to hear that instead of starving themselves stars make themselves look thinner by wearing Spanx.

I think it's good to encourage fixing such minor flaws with spanx instead of sending them on diets, since the Gossip Girl cast obviously already is in the healthy weight range.

i actually where something similar and i love it. especially during the holiday season, i don't eat as much because you're not as hungry from all the not breathing (jk), but it adds some confidence for people who have a difficult time loosing those last few pounds (like me!)

I think defintitely cool. Not only is it realistic for "real women" to use spanx, but it also creates healthy eating habits because you a) still want to look good and b) be able to breathe.

I think the attitude that you need to adjust your expectations around reality is a good one, but I voted not cool mainly because I just don't like Spanx. I've never had an amazing experience wearing the garments, not only comfort-wise but appearance-wise. For some reason, the Spanx garments I've tried (something like the one pictured although the panty version only, along with a slip), all seem to have thick edges that are completely visible through the clothes I've tried to wear them under. (And no, I wasn't trying to wear them under tight clothes or clothes that were too small for me either. I also tried all of the sizes I could of the Spanx products and still had that experience.)

I know some people have had these amazing experiences with the product, but I just can't share that enthusiasm. So while I support the use of strategic undergarments, I just can't say that Spanx is the one that should be embraced as the be-all, end-all.

I love spanx. They hold everything in, prevent lines, smooth and smooth everything out. I wish there were a few more versions to wear under shorter items. (The "power panties" type design always goes to mid-thigh, so it can't be worn with mini dresses).

I think if you "can't breathe" when you are wearing them you are either being very dramatic, or are wearing the wrong size. Going smaller does not always mean better with the Spanx. I personally have never had any respiratory or circulatory problems while wearing Spanx.

I'm with jkat. If you're having trouble breathing, it's most likely the wrong size. LOVE my Spanx.

I knew it! When Serena wears those tight bandage dresses you can tell, it looks like tights or spanx underneath.

Also what he said about the boobs is so true. I don't think Blake has had a boob job, I think she uses tv magic to make amazing 22 yr old boobs look unreal. I've got a decent size chest on small frame, but in reality big breasts tend to not be as perky, even at 24, so I hated wearing low V necklines where I couldn't wear a bra, then I found a bra on ebay by coincidence called the "V Bra" which has cups on the outer edge of the boob and the band part is really low. and OMG when you wear that under a low cut dress it looks amazing and totally unrealistic, yet no one can see a bra and because everything (side boob and all) is showing everyone will assume there is no bra and it must be natural or enhanced by surgery. So now I'm a firm believer in TV tricks, if this was on ebay and for walking around with people all day, I can't imagine what they have access to for tv shows!

I think it's cool, it's just a piece of clothing that makes you look better and feel more confident. Like a flattering outfit... I never used it though, so I can't comment on its comfort level...

Mixed feeling here. One good thing about it: there's less pressure to stay very thin for the actresses.

On the other hand, featuring people that look a bit more average would be better, I think.

I guess you bought the wrong size of spanx. I have been wearing spanx for years and have never been suffocated. I introduced them to many people in my life and have made spanx fans out of most of them, if not all. I originally got them to wear under dresses so my thighs would not rub together but I loved how they made all of my clothes look better so I started wearing them with outfits other than dresses too. I would never wear a dress without them, or some kind of shapewear, again.

I used to wear spanx all the time. The high-rise body smoother that you sampled. I never felt like I couldn't breathe - - - I just was always sweating after the work-out it involves in getting them on!!

They definitely smooth you out. When I was pretty damn chubby (60 lbs heavier than I am now), I always wore spanx...every day...because it allowed me to feel like it's not as obvious to everyone else. I felt "hmm, my stomach doesn't roll over my pants when I wear these. Good, I don't need to do anything about my stomach."

So in that regard, I feel that spanx did me a great disservice. It just made me not fix the problem, because it did such a good job getting pants on me that would have not gotten on me otherwise, and not displaying the muffin top that would have surely busted my pants if I had not had them on.

wooow love hearing this! it makes them regular relatable people the gg girls are normal thin well except for taylor momsen.. im on the thin/petite side and wear spanx everyday during new england winter... instead of buying other tights i wear the mid calf footless spanx under my pants..not only am i warm and i can def breathe but i notice i eat better and stop when full...

I LOVE Spanx! I genuinely like the security of being a little restricted under a dress (probably because I feel a little uncomfortable in them) so I'm a huge fan. Especially for weddings and fancy dresses. You get the best smooth lines. I am sure the GG gals don't have much to smooth out, so it probably just helps make them camera ready.

I'm naturally skinny but, I am from the middle east, no matter how 'thin' I am I still somewhat manage too look like a 12 year old boy while still having somewhat of an hourglass shape. My waist is really tiny and it makes my hips look massive. (I'm really self concious about my hips!) So, last year I bought some spanx...honestly, I think it made me look bigger :/ I don't know, when I spoke to my aunt about it she said if you work out and you've 'sculpted' your body with weights/pilates/barre, spanx makes you lose that...I don't know if I agree with her, but I do well without needing spanx. Although I think the idea is divine, I wish it works for me.

I don't find Spanx to be uncomfortable - I've used them under bias-cut silk and chiffon dresses that show EVERYTHING and they were about as constricting as a sports bra (but around my stomach). Maybe I'm wearing them too big, though?

Spanx are pretty cool and they really do work pretty well. I wore the shorts under my wedding dress instead of nylons and they smoothed me out and gave me a good foundation for the dress. I didn't find them to be overly tight, but I think if you got the wrong size, you could get a nice indent in your thighs where they cut off. At least they're using underwear to make the stars look better rather than forcing them to go on unrealistic diets. Good undergarments are hardly a new idea...they've been using them in Hollywood for decades.

I'd rather lace up my corset. Which is actually dead comfy.

I have used spanx for special occasions like weddings and haven't found them at all uncomfortable. Are you sure you had the right size?

I love my spanx!! I'm actually super stoked they have swimwear now! I also find that when I wear them it's difficult to overeat..not because I can't breathe, but because I'm more aware of my tummy.

I think they're fine for a big night out, first date, etc I'm not a fan of them for daily use as they might make not work out: "Hey I can skip a day or three of exercise. I'll just wear my spanx again." However, that's just me. If others want to wear them all the time, that's up to you.

I'm just here to laugh at the photo. Is it possible for someone's spanx to be too big?

I love Spanx!!!

I love Spanx and find them totally comfy!

HOW DO YOU PEE? No, srsly.