Should I size up in Spanx pants?
Those in the know advise purchasing them in a size smaller than you are. Spanx material stretches and for maximum longevity and hold it makes sense to do so. Truth be told it was a tight squeeze.
Keep in mind, leather does stretch out.
Seek a snug fit, but don't go down a size when buying a pair.
However, the leggings run on the small side. Going based on the size chart, I would've normally ordered a medium, but after reading several purchaser reviews, I decided to go up one size to large and am glad I did. For reference, the Spanx leggings size chart puts a medium at sizes 6-8, and a large at sizes 10-12.
They are still leggings so they do stretch, but remember at the end of the day Spanx is a shapewear brand. This means that they might be slightly tight when trying to put them on. Don't judge the fit before they are on all the way. If they feel overly tight once they are on, then size up.
Your shapewear may roll up or down because it's too small and therefore too tight on your body. It can also create a lumpy look from overflow where the shapewear meets the skin. If you've chosen a piece that's too long, it may not grip as well, which also causes roll-down.
Spanx may be best known for its comfortable, flattering shapewear, although the brand also makes stylish and functional clothing that you can just as easily wear on an airplane as you can in the office.
The more snug leather pants are the better
Ensure that any pair of leather pants you try on are perfectly fitted and there are no wrinkles or gathering of material because if they're baggy they don't look right.
Leather trousers can be worn at any age! Some of the brilliant comments included: “What has age got to do with whether you wear leather trousers? I'm nearly sixty and I wear them.
For the sake of comfort and the garment's longevity, leather pants should fit to the body. They shouldn't be too loose, as this could lead to creasing or cracking in the leather. However, leather pants that are too tight are suffocating and risk tearing or stretching at the seams.
Size | Size | Waist (in) |
---|---|---|
M | 6 - 8 | 31 -33 |
L | 10 - 12 | 33.5 - 35.5 |
XL | 14 - 16 | 36 - 39 |
1X | 18 - 20 | 39.5 - 42 |
Should Spanx feel tight?
Your shapewear should feel tight and secure, but at the same time, it should also be comfortable to breath and move around in. It's no surprise that an excessively tight shapewear can cause a variety of problems such as shortness of breath, irritation and can even distress your digestive system.
- Smooth: The most minimal, this type feels like a second skin.
- Shape: Items in this category firm and slim specific areas.
- Sculpt: Through maximum compression, sculpt totally transforms your figure.

If you're wondering if they stretch before you've put them on your body (because they look TINY straught out of the package) – YES, they will stretch a lot to go on your body. After that, they don't stretch with normal wear.
They do run a bit small, so going up a size is recommended. As mentioned, these leggings fit like a glove but are incredibly stretchable and breathable.
There are so many things to love about the Spanx legging, but it all comes down to the cut and fit of them. Unlike other leggings, the waistband will not roll down. Spanx's signature contoured Power Waistband is there to stay and make you feel extra comfortable all day, while still flattering your figure.
This may sound a bit obvious, but it really does make a difference how you put on your Spanx. You need to roll up the legs like you are putting on a pair of tights. Step into them and work them up your body. Make sure your bottom is right in them (this is the most important bit).
Shapewear and Acid Reflux
“It places pressure on the stomach and forces gastric acid into the esophagus.” According to Kouri, shapewear can also put pressure on the intestines, causing difficulty with contracting and releasing these muscles, which may lead to bloating, gas, or an upset stomach.
"Shapewear is engineered to funnel excess weight to help you appear to be more slim; it can slim you up to 1 to 2 inches," he says. "The excess flab is condensed, the same way as when you push your hands on your belly to push in the fat."
Spanx The Perfect Black Pant Skinny Pants.
The brand that always makes the cut? Spanx. It's no wonder why, as Spanx offers over 20 years of women-inspired fashion creation. Better yet, it's the brand behind Oprah's favorite pants — and the style is currently double discounted with an additional 30 percent off all sale items using an on-site code.
What shapewear does Oprah use?
Spanx's shapewear might be made to blend in, but the brand itself is certainly a standout for Oprah. In the two decades-plus since she first listed its Power Capri ($26) as a “favorite,” the media mogul's repeatedly raved about the label.
I'm 5'4" and usually wear a size medium in leggings, but the Spanx size chart noted that these run small, so I sized up just in case. I'm glad I did, because the larger size fits like a second skin.
Sometimes we're asked if you should wear a size bigger or smaller in shapewear. Our honest answer is whatever you feel most comfortable in, but we'd suggest going for your regular size to avoid your shapewear rolling down or digging in.
You really can't go wrong with Spanx or so has been my experience. They run true to size. I ordered a Small, I wear anywhere from a size 2 or size 4 depending on the manufacturer and fit, and the Small fit exactly as it should.
Size | Size | Waist (in) |
---|---|---|
M | 6 - 8 | 31 -33 |
L | 10 - 12 | 33.5 - 35.5 |
XL | 14 - 16 | 36 - 39 |
1X | 18 - 20 | 39.5 - 42 |