Get to Know SPANX: The Brand Redefining Comfort, Confidence, and Closet Staples

From revolutionary shapewear to wardrobe staples you’ll actually want to wear every day, SPANX has come a long way since its undergarment beginnings. Founded by women and made for women, the brand has built a cult following for its ultra-comfy and confidence-boosting designs—think smoothing undergarments, supportive activewear, flattering denim, and beyond.

Here at Rank & Style, SPANX is no stranger to our Top 10 lists. In fact, their styles consistently earn high marks across our data-backed rankings, and they’re regularly featured in our curated collections for a reason—they work. Whether you’re dressing for a workout, a workday, or a weekend out, SPANX has you covered with pieces that feel as good as they look.

Ahead, we’re spotlighting everything you need to know about the brand, including some of our favorite finds and a bonus coupon you won’t want to miss.

So, What Is SPANX?

SPANX made its name by freeing women from the discomfort of outdated girdles and pantyhose, and replacing them with shapewear that actually feels good to wear. Since earning a coveted spot on Oprah’s Favorite Things list back in 2000, the brand has become a pop culture phenomenon. From red carpet shout-outs to on-screen mentions, SPANX has been embraced by countless celebrities, including Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Adele, and more.

Its cultural status was sealed in The Heat, when Sandra Bullock’s character tells Melissa McCarthy that her SPANX “hold everything together”—a moment that had audiences everywhere nodding in agreement. Simply put, SPANX has earned its place as a go-to staple in women’s wardrobes, blending function, fashion, and feel-good vibes like no one else.

From “Footless Pantyhose” to Now: A Brief Brand History

It all started in 1998, when Sara Blakely was pounding the pavement in Atlanta selling fax machines. Struggling to stay polished in the Southern heat, she grabbed a pair of control-top pantyhose, snipped off the feet, and slipped them under white pants to smooth her shape, skip the panty lines, and still show off her pedicure. The DIY fix worked (sort of) but the hose kept rolling up. So, with $5,000 in savings and a whole lot of determination, Sara spent the next two years developing a better solution from her apartment.

When it came time to launch in 2000, she picked the name SPANX for its catchy, edgy sound and started cold-calling hosiery mills and department stores. A game-changing meeting with Neiman Marcus followed, where Sara modeled her product in a pair of white pants: without SPANX, then with. It was the pitch of a lifetime, and it worked. Neiman Marcus ordered the shapewear for seven of its stores, and soon, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks were on board, too.

The real turning point came later that year, when SPANX landed a coveted spot on Oprah’s Favorite Things list. A QVC debut followed in 2001, and from there, the brand skyrocketed. By 2011, SPANX was pulling in $250 million in revenue. A year later, TIME named Sara one of its TIME 100, and Forbes dubbed her the youngest self-made female billionaire. In 2015, she expanded the brand beyond shapewear into categories like activewear and apparel to meet evolving style needs. Then, in 2021, investment firm Blackstone acquired a majority stake in the company—valuing it at $1.2 billion—while keeping Sara on board as executive chair and bringing in powerhouse investors like Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon.

While SPANX wasn’t the first brand to shape silhouettes, it was the first to do it in a way that felt modern, wearable, and empowering. With smart design details like seamless construction, targeted compression, and featherlight fabrics, SPANX changed the game, delivering confidence and comfort in one sleek package.

What SPANX Sells (Spoiler: It’s Way More Than Shapewear)

SPANX truly believes all women deserve to look and feel great, so they’ve expanded their line to include shapewear, casual casualwear, activewear, loungewear, and swimwear that are easy to wear any time.

Here’s a glimpse at what you’ll find:

• Shapewear:
  SPANX began its journey with the compression shorts and bodysuits that made them famous. Today, their SPANXsculpt lines offer colors, styles, and levels of support for every event, gown, and garment you can imagine no matter your shape, size, or age.
• Leggings:
  SPANXshape Booty Boost and Get Moving lines are the perfect companions to your daily workouts while SPANXsmooth OnForm leggings give you confidence-enhancing lift and coverage.
• Bras and underwear:
  Shoppers rejoiced when SPANX introduced their underwear to the market, with comfortable and smoothing bras, briefs, thongs, bikinis, tangas, boyshorts, and hipsters made to suit every body. Whether you choose from the SPANXshape ExtraOrdinary, SPANXsupersmooth Undie-tectable, SPANXsmooth Fit-To-You lines, or any of many other available products, you’ll love the fit and finish of these everyday staples.
• Loungewear:
  SPANX knows its customers want to feel relaxed in or out of the house, so they created a range of super-soft separates in premium fabrics that make perfect everyday casual wear. You’ll find tops, bottoms, matching sets, dresses, and jumpsuits to wear out and about, plus track pants and jackets, polo shirts and mini dresses, sweatshirts, skorts, and more that look great at the gym or on the tennis court.
• Activewear:
  From joggers to leggings and bike shorts to flare pants, SPANX has your back at the gym. Their SPANXshape tanks, sports bras, tops, skorts, bodysuits, and jackets will give your body a boost and protect your modesty with no-reveal coverage.
• Denim and pants:
  Since white pants are the raison d'être for SPANX’s storied brand, it's no surprise that their jeans and pants come designed to flatter and shape every body. With flared, wide-leg, straight, and skinny styles, SPANXsculpt denim comes in cropped, ankle-length, and floor-grazing styles in black, white, dark, and medium blue washes. You’ll also find stretch twill shorts and pants in black, neutrals, brights, and white in a variety of trendy styles.
• Maternity:
  Expecting mothers will delight in the SPANXshape Mama line of mid-thigh tights and sheers. The SPANXsmooth Fit-To-You bikinis, briefs, and mid-thigh shorts; SPANXsmooth Bra-llelujah! unlined bralettes; and SPANX Breast of Both Worlds reversible comfort bras are functional essentials that offer support and stretch as you grow.
• Swimwear:
  For the ultimate in simple, modern swimwear that will sculpt and shape your figure, you can’t go wrong with SPANXshape swim tanks and two-piece suits. This appealing, classically styled swimwear acts like shapewear, offering medium compression and support, tummy control, and an elevated pique fabric in a selection of brilliant colors.

What’s Flying Off the (Virtual) Shelves?

SPANX is a brand that always aims high and finds new ways to delight us with iconic classics and innovative new apparel. Our list of SPANX bestsellers includes a mix of fashionable favorites across a range of categories. 

Check out our list below to see our top picks:

• Faux Leather Leggings:
  Give your look an edge with these sleek leggings beloved by everyone from Lizzo and Kris Jenner to Kelly Clarkson. Featuring sophisticated fabric and a sculpting fit, their contoured design provides core compression and a perky rearview with no camel toe! With an elevated style and rock 'n' roll feel, you’ll feel a burst of main-character energy the moment you put these on.
• AirEssentials Collection:
  This loungewear line is renowned for its light, ultra-soft, blended modal, polyester, and elastane fabric, and it’s no surprise that the Air Essentials half-zip top made Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2023. These drapey, throw-on styles have a buttery feel, breathability, and four-way stretch that makes them perfect for travel, errands, and hanging out at home. From half-zip sweatshirts to dresses, pants, and jumpsuits, you’ll find premium pieces you can wear every day.
• Suit Yourself® Shaping Bodysuits:
  SPANX shaping base layers come designed to support your body with targeted compression and give you a snatched waist. With plunge, scoop, high, low-back, and strapless necklines, you can easily pair your favorite style with pants, jeans, or skirts. These garments sculpt smooth bulges without squeezing, digging, rolling, or folding, and shoppers love their stretchy, soft, and breathable fabric that lasts for wash after wash.
• Perfect Pants:
  SPANX Perfect Pants are a collection of flattering, pull-on bottoms made from four-way stretch ponte fabric. They give you a tailored silhouette that hugs your curves and frees you from distracting pockets, zippers, or buttons. SPANX's CoreSure Tech provides shaping from tummy to hip, and the range of wide-leg, slim, straight, and flared styles will accommodate a range of sizes and all body types.
• Bra-llelujah! ® Bra:
  Say Bra-llelujah! These comfortable and supportive bras will win you over with their seamless design and pullover style. SPANX's patented all-hosiery back eliminates the need for clasps or hooks that can show through your clothes while signature Smart Stretch straps provide a secure and dig-free fit. Choose between unlined or lightly lined, full-coverage wired and wireless options that will provide gentle lift that lasts all day.

The Vibe Check: SPANX Aesthetic + Brand Personality

SPANX is the kind of brand that feels like your most confident, upbeat friend, the one who always looks polished but never overdone. With clean, modern silhouettes and a mostly neutral color palette (with a few playful pops of seasonal color), the designs are as versatile as they are flattering. Whether you’re wearing shapewear, leggings, or a little black jumpsuit, SPANX pieces are made to highlight your shape—not hide it—and help you feel like your best self.

Though the clothes are incredibly functional, they’re far from boring. Every piece is designed to inspire confidence through comfort, offering a put-together look without the effort. The brand leans into body positivity, encouraging women to embrace their shape while staying stylish and supported.

The SPANX personality is equal parts playful and empowering. From cheeky slogans to clever product names, the brand doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s part of its charm. And of course, Sara Blakely’s founder story continues to shine through. Her mix of grit, humor, and heart has helped shape SPANX into not just a fashion brand, but a feel-good movement that resonates with women living life to the fullest.

Price Point, Please (Plus a Little Something for You)

SPANX creates high-quality apparel at a mid-to-premium price point. Its innovative designs, attention to detail, and long-lasting fabrics justify its cost. 

Here’s the brand’s typical pricing by category:

Leggings: ~$98–$128

Bras & Underwear: ~$20–$70

Loungewear & Activewear: ~$80–$150

Shapewear: ~$40–$100+

Pants & Denim: ~$120-170

Swimwear: ~$85-165

Though SPANX can seem a little spendy, you can always find ways to save, like using our SPANX promo code. Discounts make the brand more accessible, and besides—confidence is priceless.

If You Like SPANX, You Might Also Love...

From smoothing shapewear to stylish loungewear, there’s no shortage of brands delivering comfort and confidence. So if SPANX is already a favorite in your closet, here are a few more names worth knowing, each offering its own unique take on feel-good essentials.

Try these brands for a different spin on shapewear:

• SKIMS:
  Kim Kardashian’s Insta-famous and body-positive shapewear and loungewear lines have a sleek, minimalist vibe.
• Commando:
  For a cheeky take on intimates, make this brand your go-to for sleek underwear and invisible basics.
• Yummie:
  When you need affordable shapewear for daily wear, these second-skin essentials have you covered.
• Honeylove:
  For ladies who like a bit of structure in their innerwear, these sculpting, supportive foundations are the bees' knees.
• Good American:
  Women come in all shapes, so celebrate your curves with this brand’s inclusive sizing.

Why We Love SPANX

At Rank & Style, our editors are constantly turning to SPANX when our figures (or spirits) could use a lift. We’re continually impressed by the brand’s consistent performance in our product rankings, which speaks to their comfort, confidence, and innovation.

Our editors especially love that SPANX combines form and function with fit-tested pieces that feel as good as they look. Add in their size-inclusive approach and ongoing commitment to female empowerment, and it’s easy to see why shopping SPANX feels like supporting something bigger.

The Bottom Line: Is SPANX Worth It?

If you're looking for pieces that smooth, support, and seriously boost your confidence, SPANX is a no-brainer. The brand has evolved well beyond shapewear, offering stylish, functional wardrobe staples that fit and flatter in all the right ways. From everyday essentials to dressy must-haves, SPANX delivers on comfort, quality, and performance.