What's with the "tummy slimming" jeans?

Avenue has them, a pair just popped up at Old Navy, and Lane Bryant has a whole line of tummy slimming pants and jeans. Basically, they're jeans or pants that have some sort of stretchy panel that, according to Old Navy, "lines the front waist for a contoured silhouette [and] keeps your curves in check." Avenue's will "smooth your shape" and Lane Bryant's claim to "firm and flatter your figure."

First of all, what?

Second, I think I understand the point but in practice, doesn't slimming just the lower half of your tummy look kind of... weird? Like, if the top portion of your stomach, above your belly button, isn't "slimmed" but the bottom portion is, doesn't that look strange?

I guess I'd need to try a pair of these suckers on to really get it but there's something very weird about the whole concept to me. Maybe I'm over thinking it. This wouldn't be the first time I put way too much thought into pants. But seriously, do we need body shapers in our jeans now? Aren't jeans supposed to be fairly comfortable? Further, do these types of pants exist in misses' sizes? Are thin women keeping their curves in check, too or are they allowed to have bellies?

Color me confused, I guess.

Comments

[a.]

I accidentally tried on a pair of these at LB and they are WEIRD. They looked like cute, unassuming jeans from the outside, but then there was this giant piece of flappy mesh inside your pants... a giant piece of flappy mesh that's not really doing anything except filling you with a vague sense of shame. Maybe I don't wear my jeans tight enough for the "power mesh" to, uh, dominate my curves, but I found it all very icky and pointless. I'm not excited to hear this trend is spreading.

[SteveD]

So it's true "Women are Slaves to Fashion"?

SteveD

[Carrie]

I'm both curious and skeptical-- curious because I have a lower belly, and skeptical because wouldn't it just smoosh everything upwards? That's not a good look...

[tish]

I have to agree with the comment of, "What?" All it sounds like is an exaggerated muffin top, and I really don't need any help in that department, thank you kindly!

First time commenter, btw, and I really love your blog! :)

[Di]

A girdle is a girdle, by any other strap of cloth...

[Lisa]

Until you're being forced into these pants, the idea that you're not ALLOWED to have stomach bulges (or that only thinner women are allowed) is nonsense.

Some fat women will want to smooth their lower stomach out. Some won't. No conspiracy.

[mimi]

Sounds like a recipe for muffin tops to me!

[Amanda]

Is it just me, or does anyone else dislike the euphamism "tummy?"

I'm not a toddler, you can call it my stomach, or my waist or whatever.

[Melissa]

I tried on a pair at LB and really liked them! They fit great and were really cute! However i dont think they really flattened my tummy that much, but whatev, cute jeans are cute jeans

[Gretchen]

I can't speak for any of the jeans you mentioned. But I do own a couple pairs of Levi's "Perfectly Slimming" Jeans (512s) and I love them. They are just right for my curves - but that's just me. What I love is the way they accomplish the "slimming" part. There's no extra stretchy fabric to make you feel shame - it's a simple redesign of the way jeans pockets are normally done. Instead of the pocket lining attaching to the zipper about 3 inches from the waistband (which creates weird pulls and bulges that emphasize the lower belly, at least for me), the lining goes all the way to the bottom of the zipper. It means that there's an even tension all across the lower half of my belly, and has the bonus of giving me bigger, more functional pockets. And they don't create any more of a "muffin top" than other jeans do. Plus, they come in nice dark, un-distressed denim (to be more slimming, I suppose, but I just like the color!)

[Becky]

Yeah, I bought a pair of pants like that. They really didn't do anything to pull my stomach or butt in... maybe because they weren't very tight, they were work pants and I like those to fit a little looser. I ended up cutting the mesh panel out. Oh, and it was a Misses line (that went up to 20), so yeah, thin women are supposed to keep their curves in check too.

[Meghan]

I have the Levi's 512s that Gretchen referred to and I LOVE them. They're incredibly comfortable and flattering on a pear shape like me, and I wouldn't so much say that they create Super Monster Muffin Top so much as they just smooth out lumps and bumps.

[Erika]

I bought a pair of these tummy tuck jeans from Nordstoms. The brand was not your daughters jeans and they are awesome. When you first start to pull them up it feels like "no way these are gonna close" but they do and they are totally comfy and actually work. I haven't tried the other brands but I definately reccomend these. Also you need to size down in this brand at least. Also they are a bit higher rise so it holds your waist in too without being "mom" jeans although the ad's make them look that way. Anyhow try a pair!