Two ends of the underwear spectrum arrived on my doorstep* yesterday.
On the left side were two pairs of soft, silky undies in new-season brights from the new Bonds micro and mesh hipster ranges. On the right side, the Spanx Super Power Panties in utility black.
I couldn’t but think it was a case of the universe having a small(s) joke with me.
See, in my very vivid delusional imagination I’m all Rachael Taylor (the new face of Bonds), getting around in her undies and bra, looking all sexy and wondering whether there’ll be a Transformers 4 movie made.
But I’m SO not.
I do love my Bonds undies, don’t get me wrong. Have done since I was toilet trained and thrown into a pair of waist-high white Cotton Tails. Thanks mum.
Now my Bonds undies are categorised in my smalls’ drawer as pyjama undies. You know, the ones you wear because they’re super comfortable and don’t give you a wedgie when you roll over in your sleep? Please tell me, that’s not just me.
And these new styles ($10.95 bikini; $12.95 boy leg) find that amazing balance between comfort and pretty that I know so many of you look for in an undie.
But, and it’s a big butt but.
There are many a wardrobe occasion (much to my husband’s horror) that calls for underwear of the reinforcement kind. Please tell me, that’s not just me.
Spanx are legends in the shapewear market. Founder Sara Blakely started her company with just $5000 and a dream of a flatter stomach.
Now, everyone from Hollywood celebs to Kate and Pippa Middleton is getting their Spanx on. And you should too.
These Super Power Panties ($59.95) are perfect for wearing under a fitted dress or skirt. They have compression zones that target all the suspect bits and bumps, give your bum a lift and provide a sleek finish under clothes.
Getting them on does take a few deep breaths as you try to manouvre your bits into the heavy duty nylon, lycra and elastane mix but once on they are surprisingly comfortable. And, umm, no, there won’t be a Model and Me post on this one!
Spanx (in sizes A-G based on height and weight) is available from David Jones department stores (Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne) and selected boutiques nationwide. The new Bonds Summer underwear range is available from sizes 8-16 at Myer, David Jones, Best & Less, Target and independent retailers. Phone 1800 300 430.
So, which undies camp do you step into? Bonds or Spanx? Or both?
* These products were sent to me for editorial consideration, in accordance with my disclosure policy.
Comments 53
Anyone selling Spanx on the Sunshine Coast?
Author
Closest is David Jones Brisbane, I think. Zodee online is another option.
I’m a Bonds girl from way back. I’m a pretty boring person colourwise, so I love to have bright knickers on under my jeans, that only I know about!
Although, there are a few occasions, and outfits, where spanx are required, especially those occasions when you know you’re going to be eating up big! I always wear something underneath them though, as I’ve been known to have to peel them off my bloated body in the car!
Actually, I have a drawer full of “pretty knickers” too, but they never seem to get worn.
Author
I like your style!
I have and always will be a Bonds girl. Although I do not support the fact Bonds is now made in China, I will always feel most comfortable and beautiful in my Bonds!
Author
These new styles would make a great addition then!
Bonds all the way here!
Author
You’ll love these then!
Bonds on a daily basis. For a sexy pair I like Jockey Parisienne.
Author
Good tip, thanks Carly!
I love my Bonds. Super comfy and comfy = sexy in my book! Do have some spanx clones for special occasions though. 🙂
Author
I’m really getting everyone’s undies confessions. Love it!
I have a funny story to share about “shaping underwear”
for my birthday this year a brought a gorgeous maxi dress that needed new underwear to go under it. Decided I would try on a shapewear slip to give me a nice smooth line…
As I “rolled” the slip on I got the giggles, by the time I had the thing on I was laughing hard – even more so when I looked in the mirror and remembered that 20 years ago the little black slip that I had managed to get myself into to wear UNDER my new dress was something I would have worn OUT!!
Bonds for ‘every’ day – matching pretty bras and knickers too, and the occasional shapewear moment too.
Author
That IS funny, Vicky … and yes we all have the occasional shapewear moment!
I saw a SNL skit recently on baby spanx. I was appalled. I hadn’t ever actually SEEN spanx before (just heard about them)…now I’ve seen them. Oh boy. Now I understand, haha. Baby spanx…bad, cruel joke. I don’t know if I’d wear them unless I needed to suck in a few extra pounds…say at my brother’s wedding in April. That might be useful. Otherwise, I’m oversize, and no amount of spanx will hide that fact. I’ll still be overweight. *sigh*. Might as well face the music, as long as I wear appropriate clothing to cover that extra weight.
Author
haha, yes it is about sucking in some curves but it’s more about creating a smooth line under fabrics and styles of clothes that even the most model-type woman would still show.
Prefer bonds undies (they make a semi shapewear version that’s comfortable) but a Spanx shapewear single, which removes my backfat and slims my tummy. So I’m on both teams.
Author
I think we need to be on both teams – there’s a time and a place for Spanx!
I probably will be a spanx girl soon, although bonds is also lovely. I’ll be both then. I also like bodywear thing endorsed by ricki lee.
Author
I like the Ricki Lee shapewear too and have a bit of everything in my undies’ drawer!
I only read this article for the… article. Bonds rock.
Author
Sure you did! Just like my husband who’s happily taken the USB press kit that came with the underwear.
No spanx for me but definitely comfie undies most days. I still ship out my M&S undies from the UK so there’s a definite lesson here: the undies you wear as a kid you wear for life. Just in a bigger size….
Rather disappointed about the Model and Me though. Go on, I dare you:)
Author
My step-mum is English and she still loves a M&S buy-up when she goes back to the UK – and no, I don’t thing a model and me post of me in Spanx would be a traffic generator! Well, not the traffic I’m after!!
Bonds.
To be specific, boyleg hipsters. And yes I do quite fancy some colour!
I have never tried on let alone owned a pari of spanx or any other shapewear undergarments. Although I do think they could be handy!
Author
Miss Pink, having met you, I don’t think you’re in dire need of Spanx just yet x
I have no spanx or shapewear and only own a pair of Bonds undies as they were a present! I like to wear matching briefs and bras, which are lacy and pretty, simply because they make me feel good!
Author
I love my pretties, too, Steph. And I think you’ll like these new Bonds mesh ones as they’re a combo of pretty and comfort.
I SHOULD be a Spanx gal, but it’s Bonds all the way for me. I do the Spanx thing for ‘special occasions’ (I guess any occasion where the sight of my rumbling things and ass might offend). x
Author
I do the Spanx things when my rumbling things might offend the dress I’m wearing!
Heya Nikki!
I’m with you! Totally WISH I was a Bonds only girl, but those SPANX do come in handy! We sell them in the SACHA DRAKE store and they are magic! They also have different levels of ‘suck-em-in-ness’ if you know what I mean. That way you can still look and feel great, but also breathe, eat, laugh and sit down!!!
Gotta love my Bonds though xx
Author
Great idea selling them in store; it means you can actually see what the dress would look like with some “help” to iron out the curves!
I have recently found that good ol’ Jockey do fabulous, silky ‘control’ knickers. they cut high on the leg and sit up under your bra line to suck in your tum,.but you can wear them with your pretty bras too! I have them in black and nude,..and feel porky without them!
Author
Great tip off, Jane. Will check them out!
Definitely not a Spanx girl. I choose comfort every day! Spanx would give me much-detested health problems down there 😉
Author
haha, don’t want that, Ling!
Well, have to say that I am an ex-UK dweller who hung onto my M&S undies until they were in a shocking state. And finally found Intimo which revolutionised my undies drawer and made me feel so much better bottom-wise.
However, with a bit more time now kids are older, I must explore the whole Spanx phenomenon as I certainly have the prerequisites i.e. bumpy bottom and wobbly thighs, plus dresses and skirts that I need some – err – help with.
Thanks Nikki, need all the help I can get!
Author
Hi Seana, I’m a big Intimo fan too. You can get some pretty undies that fit your shape and fell comfortable. I have a good supply of shapewear in my drawer for certain occasions and outfits that require it!
I’m a bit of both. I like Bonds bikini pants for night time and during the day, I like shapewear. I actually only like shapewear on my tummy, and I particularly detest bike short ones, so I buy Spanx tights. I have them in tight-end, footless and my favourite, fishnets. That way I wear my normal comfy Berlei sports undies – microfibre, stretchy, can be worn higher waisted or more boy leg, no lines, help to hold tummy in without squishing, love them! – but get the smoothing effects of Spanx. Win-win!
I have tried Spanx Higher Power Panty (come up to the bra line, normal pants on the bottom) but I will never buy them again. They fray around the elastic line around the pants bit, and I was too embarrassed to take “knickers” back to DJs. I only handwashed them. Shame, because they were an awesome compromise, for those girls who want smoothing help in the tummy but whose thighs and bums are OK just as they are!
I like Nearly Nude shapewear camisoles and friends rave about Bella Bodies, but I’m not sold yet. I also like high waisted, high cut leg undies in black stretchy fabric that I bought at Woolworths for about $10 a pair! Can’t remember the brand though. Buy a pair every time I do the groceries! 🙂
I actually bought a pair of Bonds Cotton Tails last year – in a trendy striped cute 50s look – for wearing under maxi dresses on very hot days. Bloody fabulous.
Author
Kim, you rock a great underwear drawer! And it think it’s a case of finding the style that suits you and the outfit you’re wearing. I don’t find the bike pant leg as comfortable but in some cocktail dresses I own you can see the pant line with a style that finishes as normal undies would.
Boyleg Bonds for day to day. I have DJ’s reinforcement undies with an attached super sucker corset that I wear for special occassions. Once WD put his arm around me while we were at a wedding and asked why I had a bandage wrapped around my waist.
Author
My husband is scared to put his arm around me at a wedding or other such occasion! He’s knows he’ll find bandages!!
Little from column a and a little from column be.
I like spanx. I wish I wore them all the time so that I didnt have ‘fat’ days, but the facts are, I would be lying to myself (and others) if I wore them day in, day out so I only wear them when I am wering my tight mini dresses…
Bonds have never been my favourite, I tend to prefer Kookai or Davenport, but this ad intrigues me, so in my lunch, im going to buy a pair.
Ah the power of advertising (and the desperate want to look like Rachel Taylor!)
Author
I am not good for you, am I Amy? I think you’ll like these new fabrics – the microfibre is particularly comfy but sexy.
And yes, even Holllywood celebs don’t leave home in their tight minis and gowns without them!
You are not good for my bank account… You’re perfectly fine for me. 😀
Author
x
I love Bonds bras for every day.. they are the best fitting bra I’ve found in a long time (for me, small bust). Bonds knickers are great worn casually with boyfriend jeans but there’s no denying that when it comes to wanting that perfect line under a frock, a little shapewear goes a long way. Haven’t tried the Spanx brand though, but certainly recommend to clients.. actually, enforce would be a better word 🙂
and no Nikki it’s not just you, I love my Bonds knickers for bed too!
Author
Pheww! And yes, Sally, as a stylist you’d be pushing shapewear big time! I’ve tried quite a few brands. This one is a comfortable (and hard-working!) option – as is Yummie Tummie.
Bonds! Hipster boylegs all the way.
Author
You’d love these new styles, Amy x
Spanx forwhen I have to get dressed up(not very often) but for going to work and normal day to to day bonds.At least these Spanx don’t look like they would do the waist roll down.
Author
They don’t! And they don’t cut in on leg either! Win!