Chic at 60ish!

Spanx is 25 years old! Hard to believe. I remember perfectly—25 years ago I was the fashion columnist for Main Line Life & was invited to Neiman Marcus to meet Sara Blakely. A young, pretty, super-smart, super-charming young woman, she’d just invented Spanx footless hose. Radical at the time, a game-changer in the shapewear business, then & now.

SENSATIONAL SARA BLAKELY: The woman who started a shapewear revolution

Before Spanx, I used to cut my Donna Karan “Essential toner” pantyhose at the knee, keeping my thighs smooth under pants. That worked—but they’d roll up & you could see the roll under white jeans.

CUTTING HOSE: I used to cut my pantyhose at the knee, creating my own Spanx before I knew they existed!! Wish I’d thought to market my idea first!!!!

Enter Sara Blakely, who had the same problem, then spent years fighting with men in the hosiery business that this was an item every woman needed. “Why sell something you can’t see?” they asked. Men! Starting the business in her living room, she finally found a manufacturer—and the rest is history!

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT: Spanx footless hose, best invention ever! At spanx.com

From that day to this, I have not left my house without Spanx. Footless hose, tights, leggings, camisoles, workout wear. I must be one of their best customers. Particularly at 60ish, women come in all shapes and sizes—we need to know what works on our bodies, as well as how to camouflage imperfections when you want a smoother look.

TOO TIGHT, JUST NOT RIGHT! My beautiful Reem Acra cocktail dress—when I complained that it cupped my behind, my seamstress told me my body was “shifting!!!” 😦

I’m going to tell you the truth. 10+ years ago my whole body fell down. We had been invited to a fancy holiday party & I was having a little fashion show with myself, deciding what to wear. Trying on a black cocktail dress I’d bought the year before, I looked in the mirror and my heart sank. Where it had fit beautifully, suddenly the dress cupped my behind—that only looks good on JLo & Beyonce.

MY MIRACLE: Shapewear for every need from miraclesuit.com

Devastated, I called my wonderful seamstress, who assured me the dress could be let out without any problem, adding: “Your body is shifting. It happens to everyone!” Vainly & stupidly, in my head I secretly screamed, “Not to me,” then headed to the lingerie department at Macy’s, King of Prussia. In the furthest back dark corner, I discovered my Miraclesuit, and let me tell you, it became my miracle! Though I did let the dress out a bit, my Miraclesuit totally held together all that was starting to spread. I instantly felt smoother, leaner, better. Now available online, I wear a Miraclesuit or Spanx bodysuit under good dresses to this day. An amazing invention that will change the way you get dressed.

BOB MACKIE & ME: The celeb designer who many years ago confided, “Even Cher’s body isn’t what it used to be.” That did make me feel better!

Remember celeb-designer Bob Mackie? I had a wonderful time interviewing him years ago, and got him to “dish the dish,” when Cher was still in her hey-day. I’ll never forget him admitting, “Despite all the intense workouts and plastic surgery, even Cher’s body is not what it was when she was 40. Gravity takes its toll on everyone.” Doesn’t that make you feel better?

LOOK LIKE YOU—BUT BETTER! Minimizer bras, push-up bras & “chicken cutlet” silicone take-outs, all at barenecessities.com

Besides Spanx & Miraclesuit, I love the websites barenecessities.com & herrom.com—options galore depending on what you need. Look at yourself in a full-length mirror. Start at the top. For a large bust, try minimizers. The newest are extra soft and have extra support, especially on the sides. Flat-chested women find solutions galore. Padded bras, push-up bras. If you need additional help, try another little secret, called “takeouts” or “cupcakes” for added cleavage. First used on fashion shoots, these silicone pads look like chicken cutlets and give you what Mother Nature forgot. Put them right inside your bra and watch what happens. Every garment suddenly hangs better. You’ll still look like you. But better!

PROBLEM SOLVERS: Thigh & back fat minimizers at spanx.com

The next problem? A thick waist? A little tummy? Again, gravity! Spanx high-waisted Power Panties offer control from under your bra to mid-thigh. How about back fat? I live in Spanx & TC Intimates camisoles, which smooth it all under sweaters and t-shirts.

THIGH MASTER: TC Intimates slimming boy shorts to wear under skirts & pants, from barenecessities.com; footless hose from spanx.com

Hips and thighs become the nemesis of many. Again, lots of news. Miraclesuit’s Thigh Slimmer is for hardcore slimming. Major control here. For something lighter, look to TC Intimate’s Boy Shorts. Again, another favorite is Spanx footless hose (I never leave home without them), giving you a leaner line every time. Every woman should own at least one pair.

WATCH YOUR CLOTHES TAKE SHAPE! “Spanxshape Suit Your Fancy,” my go-to shapewear, from spanx.com

Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative. Hide your flaws and show off your assets. Invest in the right undergarments. Best of all, your clothes will be more flattering. You’ll love everything—you’ll wear everything. That’s economically efficient. When your shapewear is right, every other purchase becomes perfection. I cannot imagine a better way to start the holiday season! Happy 25th Anniversary Spanx—Enjoy every gorgeous moment~ Ellyn Golder Saft

ps. Need a new TV binge? I’m loving “All’s Fair,” on Hulu & Disney+ from producer Ryan Murphy, about high-priced divorce lawyers in LA. Starring Naomi Watts (always a fave!), Kim Kardashian (interesting choice!), Niecy Nash, Teyana Taylor, Sarah Paulson & the fabulous Glenn Close—great cast, glam clothes, juicy plot lines—perfect for autumn nights 🙂