Oprah mentioned Spanx awhile back and the world turned upside down. Well--not really, but women everywhere started to claim that this undergarment is a godsend. Really, ladies? Don't crucify me for saying this, dolls (errr, Spanx supporters), but I don't get shapewear's appeal. (Sorry, Oprah!)

My Reasons

1. Wearing a minimizer is painful. Yeah, yeah, some might say those high heels are just as painful. My feet might ache in them, but I draw the line at suffocation. A girl's gotta breathe.
   
   
2. Shapewear gets rid of curves. And sorry, stick figures, I'm a huge fan of curves. Why minimize them when they should really be embraced? I say, shake what your momma gave yah and let it all hang out in its rounded goodness.
   
   
3. You'll be presenting a facade. On the one hand, onlookers will think you're super-tight and tone everywhere--because yes, shapewear can work wonders--but in reality, it's all a lie. You may be duping your date! It's false advertising if you think about it.
   
   
4. When your clothes come off, it's not a pretty sight. Remember that scene from St. Elmo's Fire when Rob Lowe's character reached into the skirt of that one nerdy-esque girl--sorry, kind of graphic here--and discovered shapewear? He tugged at its end and the unsightly undie recoiled and smacked the poor girl's leg? Can you say humiliating?!

So maybe it's not such a good idea to wear it on a first, second or third date. You never know how frisky you might get. And if one thing leads to another, you may end up embarrassing yourself. You can, however, excuse yourself and take off the minimizer while you're in the bathroom, but how will you dispose of it? Or, do you just walk out of the bathroom with it in your hand? Uhhh yeah, because that's not weird.

I wondered if I was alone on this matter, so I asked my gal pals on their Spanx stance. Here's what they had to say...

Where Does the Fat Go?
"I'm not sure how I feel about Spanx. I mean, sure, they make your mid-section and your upper legs appear thinner, but then where does it all go? In my case, I feel like it gives me a roll on my thighs where they end. I could just be imagining it, but I can't help but be self-conscious about 'thigh rolls.' However, if you like them, then I think you should feel free to wear them whenever you want." --Jill Sabato

Oh, Bridget Jones
"I just remember that part in Bridget Jones' Diary when she was about to do the 'deed' with Daniel... He saw that she had on what just appeared to be enormous underwear! LOL!" --Iris Asuncion

Beware of Muffin Tops
"For me, Spanx for a date? Not so much a fan of that. But, I am a fan of wearing them when it's a formal engagement with plenty of photo ops, like a wedding. LOL. I'm with Jill though--it has to go somewhere, right? You just have to be sure a muffin top isn't amplified!" --Claudine Principe

On the Fence
"I agree with the girls. I am back and forth on the Spanx subject. My fear would be if someone put their hand on my waist, they would feel the outline, and may mistake it for a--gasp!--girdle (which it sort of is)!" --May Walker

Confused
"What are Spanx? Are Spanx like spandex? --Hannah Halili

Formal Occasions Only
"I have personally never worn Spanx, but I don't think I would chance it for a date based on what May said. I might consider wearing Spanx to a formal occasion though." --Liz Caputo

Where do you stand on Spanx? Discuss shapewear on the iVillage message board!

--Ysolt