Huh?
Shapewear for men is not an entirely new concept. (See John Galliano photos below.) But when I stumbled across the “Oh, Man!” section in the spring Spanx catalog…my jaw literally dropped. In my mind, if Spanx is on board, the concept is set to go mainstream. Are we ready for this?
Photo by Andrew Thomas courtesy of Style.com.
I’ll admit straight up that I’m a hypocrite on the subject. When it comes to women’s shapewear – I’m all for it. In fact, I dare you to try to take away my Spanx! But for men?
Women have fought for years against the air-brushed, perfectly lit, size zero female images used throughout media. Only recently have “normal” women been appearing more frequently. And still, it’s a rarity.
Do men really want to start holding themselves to this idealized image too? Aren’t they just opening the door to what could soon be their own set of impossible standards?
I personally wear Spanx with barely-there fabrics and form-fitting fashions. These are the times lumps and bumps can’t hide. And it’s why I believe some women’s fashions nearly require a supportive undergarment. How many men’s fashions require shapewear?
I know there’s probably a tiny part of me that smiles at the idea of men finally jumping through some of the hoops women have been navigating for years. But most of me just wonders: why?
What do you think? Am I being old-fashioned? Is it really time for men to start wearing shapewear?
Spanx for men. Photo courtesy of Spanx.com.
John Galliano Fall 2010. Andrew Thomas photo courtesy of Style.com.
John Galliano Fall 2010. Andrew Thomas photo courtesy of Style.com.
© 2010 DailyDivaDish. All rights reserved. ❤
Nah, it won’t catch on. More men have the gift of acceptance (or indiffernce?) when it comes to their bodies.
Twisted Tina´s last blog ..Twisted Silver at the American Cinematheque Gala Honoring Matt Damon
❤ Twisted Tina– I certainly hope you’re right. I just don’t
think this is something I could get used to.
XO Piper
I wear spanx also, but I clearing can’t imagine my husband wearing them!! LOL
❤ Melissa — The thought of my hubby in shapewear makes
me giggle too!
XO Piper
[...] DailyDivaDish – Spanx for Men: Is shapewear for men really going mainstream? Why I think it’s a bad idea. [...]
[...] DailyDivaDish – Spanx for Men: Is shapewear for men really going mainstream? Why I think it’s a bad idea. [...]
Actually in the days of old men wore shapewear just as women and lets face it if this can help the male population with beer belies what’s not to like
[...] DailyDivaDish – Spanx for Men: Is shapewear for men really going mainstream? Why I think it’s a bad idea. [...]
[...] DailyDivaDish – Spanx for Men: Is shapewear for men really going mainstream? Why I think it’s a bad idea. [...]
The bottom-line is guys won’t stand for it. They’re too lazy and indifferent about their appearance.
If men had half as much understanding about what women subject themselves to, they’d respect women more. A day in Spanx could do that…
Shybiker´s last blog ..Fashion In The Air
❤ Shybiker — Good point about the respect issue. I think
a few days in shapewear may open their eyes a bit to the
lengths women go look good.
XO Piper
[...] DailyDivaDish – Spanx for Men: Is shapewear for men really going mainstream? Why I think it’s a bad idea. [...]
[...] DailyDivaDish – Spanx for Men: Is shapewear for men really going mainstream? Why I think it’s a bad idea. [...]
[...] DailyDivaDish – Spanx for Men: Is shapewear for men really going mainstream? Why I think it’s a bad idea. [...]
unnecessary and kinda weird…
Empress´s last blog ..Zara Spring 2010 Lookbook Part 2
❤ Empress — I agree completely.
XO Piper
[...] DailyDivaDish – Spanx for Men: Is shapewear for men really going mainstream? Why I think it’s a bad idea. [...]
I really think it’s rather flippant to think that men don’t care about their appearance as some others have suggested.
Is it really fair to think men don’t have body image issues? I know quite a few who do….whether it’s because they’re overweight or because they’re skinny and not the ‘ideal’ masculine body type (i.e. six pack, etc) they still have issues. Also, men wore (and still wear) corsets tin the past, long before Galliano got to them. There is still a trend of male corsetry, though more underground than it once was, of course.
Andi B. Goode´s last blog ..A Short Break
❤ Andi —
You make a very valid point that body image
issues are not only reserved for women. And while male
shapewear is not a new concept, I just sincerely hope that
for their own sake) men don’t start feeling pressure to
conform to any one standard of beauty.
XO Piper