Spaaaaaaanx And Other Shapewear

No, but seriously. Spanx. Or really any shapewear for that matter. I support it. 

A few months ago, my sweet, little grandma and I went shopping for some party dresses. Some of you may know, even though I've clearly not a dedicated blogger (full time job, family, social life, experimental cooking - stuff gets in my way) that the Viking & I opted to no longer "live in sin". But that's another story, for another time. Today, we're discussing shopping with Grandma!

My grandma had mentioned to me that she wanted to go shopping for something to wear for my wedding and the surrounding festivities (Mmm hmm, festivities, again, another story). So, my grandma, like any living, breathing woman on earth wants to feel great, but has parts of her body she doesn't feel great about. (Good to know that doesn't change, even when you're an 85 year-old Grandma? Nope. Not good.) She and I have been having discussions about healthy eating (lean protein & green veggies!) and positive body image, etc. 

The thing that was really getting her down was that, not only does she not care for the current trends (mind you, my grandma is sassy - red nails, sporty little outfits, and always a nice blazer when going out to eat) but they stuff she does like, is not made for someone with her body type. She is the very definition of petite, with her spiked hair she might juuuuust graze 5 feet. After moving to Florida when I was a kid, she did a radical transformation and lost a ton of weight. Obviously you can see where I'm going with this. When you lose weight, there is always excess skin. And at eighty-something, stuff just doesn't quite sit where it used to. 

Our discussion from food and body image took a path to discussing clothing choices - personally, the older I get, the more traditional my taste gets. Don't get my wrong, I lurv an avant garde statement necklace... But give me a pair of cropped skinnies and some ballet flats, and I feel like Ms. Audrey. 

For grandma, we decided an A line with an empasisized natural waist was the way to go. That way, she could still feel like she was keeping up with the times, but still keep a shape she was used I, but more importantly, was most flattering on her. Everything we picked out, fit into those strict guidelines. As she tried things on, dresses were good - but I knew they could look better. 

Then came the discussion of shapewear. Now, I realize that most people only wear them for special occations - and unless you are a movie star, you don't always have those occations. 

Did you know that in the 1950's, everyone wore shapewear, even men? How else do you think Dior made such gorgeous flower inspired dresses with such tiny waists? (It surely wasn't their diet - sugar was being advertised as a health food!)

Now, I'm happy to write a little disclaimer that having to fit into societies' perceived, yet near unobtainable attractiveness norms for our body shapes and sizes is sexist, chauvinistic bullshit - because it is. Unfortunately, I A) really love how a frilly tutu party press makes me feel inside (like a 4 year old with a spinning dress) and B) Have a job where I have to look professional and see other people - so I can't wear shapeless frocks the color of oatmeal (I mean, I could, but they don't elicit the same spinning response.)

Whew. That was nagging me a little bit. 

The next step in my adventure with Grandma was to approach the topic of shapewear. Was she interested, has she tried it, would she what it? Thankfully, one of the lovely associates in the department store we were patronizing brought us a pair of Spanx to try. 

We wiggled her into those things, little by little. We then picked a wrap dress for her to try. She looked at the mirror and barely even recognized herself. Her posture was improved (her head easily reached the 5 foot mark this time!), the dress skimmed her body, and most importantly, she was comfortable! She told me she felt like she could do anything. It's pretty magical when a woman you love so dearly, who hasn't been feeling that great about herself lately has that ah-ha moment.

Grandma got three new dresses that day. And a body shaper. It was a complete success. 

Now she wants a leather jacket to go with her wrap dress...