Girdles for Men? Latest Men's Fashion Trend Way Ahead of the Curve

(Aug. 18) -- When it comes to the newest fashion trends, men are usually late to the party, but one unique accessory is finally putting guys ahead of the curve.

Now, girdles and guys don't traditionally mix, but a new line of compression garments dubbed Ript Skinz, from shape-wear company Skineez Skincarewear, is hoping to change all that.

The twist? This skintight attire is made for men who want to suck in that gut and smooth out those bulges underneath their regular clothing, gym gear or work suits.

Michelle Moran, CEO of Skineez, told AOL News that the shape-wear industry grew by 10.6 percent from March 2009 to February 2010, according to research by the NPD Group, and sales show no sign of slowing.

To keep the momentum going, the industry is trying to tap into new markets, and Moran sees men as the next big consumers of shape-wear.

"The average guy doesn't want their man boobs or spare tires showing underneath their clothes. Men have trouble spots just like women, and if they have an opportunity to conceal them, why not?" she said.

Men don't seem to be getting bent out of shape about being offered girdle-like garments, either. In fact, many are embracing Ript Skinz since the line launched in New York City earlier this month.

So far, Moran said, she's had overwhelmingly positive responses from "gay guys, straight guys and athletes" who see nothing wrong with slipping into body-smoothing, curve-hugging tops and bottoms to improve their physical appearance.

And why should there be a problem? Women have been compressing their extra flab for ages under girdles, Spanx and even tape. Now men can understand firsthand the lengths women go to to look flawless.

But these Ript Skinz garments aren't your grandmother's girdles. Moran said the men's shape-wear -- available in thigh-firming bottoms, tight muscle shirts and, oddly enough, soon socks -- are stylish, sleek and easy to slip into. No extra hands or lacing up the back are required.

Initially, she said, she's been testing them out on National Football League and Major League Baseball athletic trainers, who've been wearing the apparel in gyms during the offseasons so they can still look as taut and toned as ever.

However, the elastic alone doesn't work wonders.

According to Moran, the fabric in Ript Skinz, along with every other type of Skineez Skincarewear, is actually infused with a patented cosmetic skin-care formula that's supposed to "rejuvenate, moisturize, tighten and tone the skin" as the clothes are being worn.

If this sounds to good to be true, plastic surgery specialist Dr. Drew Ordon from television's "The Doctors" can vouch for it. He said Skineez gear "constricts the skin, stimulates circulation and smooths out the fat. If you stick with it, it'll work."

The formula in the shape-wear was developed by a man named Dr. Raymond Mathis, who figured out that combining vitamin E with shea butter, apricot kernel oil, rose hip oil, red algae extract, caffeine and retinol could have cellulite-fighting, tightening effects on the skin.

His formula is embedded into the shape-wear through tiny, time-released microcapsules, which are absorbed directly into the wearer's skin throughout the day. After 10 or so washes, the garments can be sprayed with the formula again for continued use.

Although leading athletic apparel companies like Nike and Under Armour have helped shape the compression-garment industry, Moran is confident that her shape-wear is the future.

She sees the modern-day girdles for guys fitting seamlessly into the metrosexual movement, and also as something that even the manliest average fella can wear with pride.

"Ript Skinz will improve a man's posture, give them better shape and enhance their upper body," she said. "With all that, they'll gain more confidence. It's like having a spa wrap under your clothing every day that helps reduce those annoying extra 10 or so pounds that we all gain time and time again," she explained.