Fashion

[SeaMaiden]

I wonder if spandex used in so many clothes today allowing for lots of "give and stretch"  has helped the consumer to become BIGGER in size?

Most consumers of fashion were smaller and  there was much less problems with overweight in the 1950's and 1960's.  When your clothes became tight it was an alarm bell of sorts  that you put on a few pounds....  Approximately 10 percent of U.S. adults were classified as having obesity during the 1950s.  

Then, Around 1959, Spandex came onto the market....

In 2011 to 2012, the CDC reported approximately 35 percent of U.S. adults had obesity; the prevalence of obesity among American adults has more than tripled within the past six decades. 

The U.S. adult obesity rate  in 2020 was at 42.4 percent, the first time the national rate has passed the 40 percent mark, and further evidence of the country's obesity crisis. The national adult obesity rate has increased by 26 percent since 2008.

On top of that, the product is  NON-BIODEGRADABLE.  In a landfill, spandex usually takes 20-200 years to break down.  Also, While it sits in the landfill, man-made fabrics could release toxic chemicals.  But This is the least of our problems...

I doubt Spandex is going away any time soon....there is too much consumer demand for the product as waistlines get bigger and bigger.... our lazy lifestyle does not help with our obesity rates either....spandex just accommodates THAT...

So, what are your views on Spandex? Do you think it helps or hinders your weight?

 I know when I was carrying 25 extra pounds over a year ago, I started buying MORE SPANDEX to accommodate my extra poundage....I found it EASY to kind of disregard my extra pounds because  My clothes stretched to what  extra pounds I had put on. Thank God I woke up and decided that the body in the mirror was NOT the body I wanted  because of both my health concerns as well as aesthetics.

will look forward to reading your viewpoints🙂

[jackthebear]

agree

[vermint]

@SeaMaiden You do make some good points...especially considering the number of overweight women I see with clothing stretched so tightly over their bodies that every roll, lump & bump shows!

HOWEVER, as a 2X plus-sized woman myself...I love 3-5% spandex in things, and think I would even if I were at my recommended weight. I buy clothes in the proper size to skim over my "flaws", not stretch over them. 

I am built in such a way that waistbands without any "stretch" cut into me when I sit or bend. making me very uncomfortable...and that was true even before I became plus-sized, so some spandex or elastic is handy for that reason. Also, my hips/thighs "spread" when I sit...with no spandex to draw the fabric back in, pants are baggy & mis-shapen when I stand up again. Again, this was a problem for me even when I weighed less.

Most cotton tops without spandex "shrink" lengthwise on me while wearing, also colors fade quicker in the wash.

I think the "good" or "bad" in spandex is all in how/why it's worn.

[Sugipine]

If you want to lose weight, stop wearing spandex and see what happens.

[Another new name Sue]

I'll agree with @vermint  that the spandex does help with shrinkage in length which can  spoil a garment.  It also gives knits a more drapey feel.  In summer, I avoid wearing my tops with spandex because it seems hot, and a lighter weight cotton top would be better.  

Spandex helps in pants because they keep their shape in the knees and derriere when the fabric is stretched in kneeling and sitting.  

I'll agree with spandex in landfills...not a good thing but neither is polyester, right?

I don't think we can blame spandex for the obesity epidemic.

[Pook]

I really do not think spandex is to blame!   In probably most cases it's just plain old no willpower in what is eaten and very little physical activity.  Life is more  hectic now so  there is little or no time to work out or plan healthy eating.  There are way more choices of snack foods and unhealthy prepared foods available now also.  For me spandex just makes clothing more comfortable  no matter what weight I am!

[Desertdi]

GOOD for me!    I am a small person with BROAD  shoulders.   Without any "give", I'd have to buy my tops 2 sizes larger.

[wagirl]

I like spandex as part of the content--keeps stuff from growing and adds a nice finish. I don't  wear 100% spandex --no more work out clothing for me anymore---, but a little is good. I never put anything with spandex in the dryer tho. I do go up a size when I buy pants especially--I don't like to be squished and have the lumps and bumps show thru--depends on the style too---and the thought of fabric stretching to accomodate extra weight--is horrible for me , been there a time or 2-----would rather wear looser than tighter---have witnessed some pretty mind bending attire on people. Yikes!!!

[Sugipine]

Interestingly enough spandex came along shortly after processed food became popular during the last world war. It would make sense why spandex became popular to accommodate expanding waistlines from eating the processed food. They go hand in hand.

[mspatmac]

@SeaMaiden 

Partially absolutely YES!  There are very disciplined people (not me) who control their weight and I salute them but with spandex the weight can creep up and we (I) don't realize it.  I remember a thin woman at work saying to never wear stretch waistbands.  I was more careful because I couldn't afford to replace a whole work wardrobe.

Spandex is a great invention for all the reasons other posters have mentioned and I do love my flexabelle jeans. Women have always come in all sizes and spandex has made dressing, especially casual clothes more  comfortable.  

I found your post very enlightening and I do understand the bad guys, fast food, stress etc but I only addressed your question.