MALE CALL Body slimmers for men are gaining in popularity

By Lois Fenton

Posted: August 16, 2009 at 5:23 a.m.

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LITTLE ROCK — Q. I have a couple of Tshirts made with a small percentage of Lycra. They feel good on and I thought the way they fit created a good look for me. Recently I made the mistake (or probably the lucky action) of seeing myself in the mirror with one of these shirts before I pulled on my dress shirt. Are there tees that give that good feel and do not create that belly outline? If "create" isn't the reality, let's admit it and ask is there anything that helps hide it?

A. This is a particularly good time to be looking, as there appears to be at least one version of just what you are looking for.There are a few body-slimming undershirts on the market. Ones from Under Armour, Nike, Skins and Adidas have been around for a while. These are made of various mixes of synthetic fibers and are designed to provide different results. Some are for cooling (by wicking away perspiration during workouts), some are for slimming, and some are for partial muscle support, but they don't do everything. The latest product moves the bar up quite a few notches. While some men are still nervous about anything designed to flatten a guy's gut and hide any excess rolls, it is not likely to deter those who hear about - and try - Equmen.

Basically these undershirts, with a lot of spandex in them forstretch and some other fancy engineering, make a man look slimmer. The tees are rather snug-fitting and do for men what welldesigned undergarments do for women. The company explains that they deliver a streamlined look by defining and conforming to the contours of a man's body while adding support. They insist the shirt provides the ultimate in fit and controls body temperature as well.

These close-fitting, yet surprisingly comfortable undershirts have advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages claimed and supported by wearers I've spoken with are:

Fit - visibly streamlines with seamless stitching and ergonomic design.

Improves posture through built-in multiple ribbings that gently pull the shoulders back.

Supports core muscles - also through the technology of wellplaced ribbing.

Controls body temperature - a special visible weave creates air vents in the shirt.

A choice of cuts: crewneck or shallow V-neck, short sleeves, long sleeves and tank top.

The disadvantages are:

Not as quick and easy to put on as standard underwear (however, after a few minutes the shirt feels rather like a second skin, since it contours to the body).

A slight feeling of restriction.

Cost - they are quite expensive (prices range from $89-$119).

You may ask, "Who would pay $100 for a T-shirt?" But, just as women may resist getting into a slimming undergarment on a regular/daily basis yet are happy with how it makes them look and feel for special occasions, men, too, are finding that they like what they see in the mirror. They will probably begin by wearing the shirts for important events - the black-tie jacket that has grown a bit snug may not be able to be tailored out. This Tshirt would be significantly less expensive than a new tuxedo.Gradually users may move toward more regular wear. Looking good is hard to resist.

In today's enlightened way of thinking about image, there really is no reason a man cannot use help to look his best - no shame in it whatsoever. Two secrets behind the success of these undershirts are the technology of the engineered design and the use of a high percentage of spandex in the fabric. The shirts are made of 73 percent polyester, 13 percentnylon and 14 percent spandex. It turns out this combination works better than the small-percentage spandex shirts that have not been flattering you.

This new underwear is available at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores and other high-end shops and by visiting Equmen.com. The package blurb suggests: "Wear underneath shirts for a more tailored look. For more intensive action, try one size down."

Q. I've noticed several TV hosts wearing suits that have a shine to them. What's going on? Is this a new accepted style?

A. You are very observant. I noticed this recently on Nigel Lithgoe, the producer andjudge onSo You Think You Can Dance, and on a few of the news anchors. While this shiny look works on TV and elsewhere for show business types, it may not really be the wisest choice for the more typical well-dressed man. It is not exactly classic dressing and it may be out of style by next season (something of a given for women and unacceptable to men).

In the past, some suits made of silk or a blend of silk and wool had a definite shine. Since silk suits can tend to be very trendy, they may end up looking too slick, too "Las Vegas." So, they should not be part of a man's basic/beginning wardrobe, nor should they be worn for a job interview.

Though not exactly a suit - and not as dressy as a suit - sport jackets made of silk or silkblends have long been acceptable dressy weekend wear. The smarter versions have generally been a slightly rough, slubbed texture of silk, known as raw silk (raw silk has a texture similar to linen but bulkier and softer to the touch). These have a far less shiny finish - a debonair mix of elegance and nonchalance.

But if what you are referring to as "suits that have a shine" means the very slight hint of a shine of a classic wool sharkskin suit, then I have no quarrel with such a choice. "Sharkskin" is a term the clothing industry uses to define a smooth-finished twill-weave worsted wool fabric that is used for traditional suits and coats.

On the other hand, seasonality plays a part in a suit's acceptability as well. Especially in spring and summer, lighter suits made of cotton, linen or silk may have a slight bit of shine.

And going forward to this year's winter season, there is a clear trend in men's suits: several European designers and a few fashion-forward American designers have chosen shiny fabrics to make some of their men's clothing. While it has always been more of a European look, if done right, it can be an elegant trend and can work for a man who has a more extensive wardrobe.

A subtle shine can be appropriate for winter wear because it adds a touch of warmth to the look of the garment.

A few of the new designer collections have excellent combinations of opaque and slightly shiny fabrics that can look good without being extravagant.

If you like this trend, keep in mind that it is very important for the shine to be subtle. If you exaggerate, it won't look good and, even worse, it could very well be in poor taste.

Send your questions for Male Call to:

lois.fenton@prodigy.net

Northwest Profile, Pages 40 on 08/16/2009

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