We tried Oprah Winfrey’s ‘favorite’ Spanx Perfect Pant, and here’s our honest review

Is there really such a thing as a perfect pair of pants?

Well, Spanx — and Oprah Winfrey — sure thinks so. In 2019, the shapewear brand’s original Perfect Pant landed on Oprah’s famed “Favorite Things” list, with the media mogul raving, “When I first saw these ultraflattering pants, I immediately called Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, to applaud her. In sizes XS to 3X, they have built-in tummy control, so you don’t need to wear compression gear underneath — you’re already Spanxed!”

Since earning the superstar’s coveted stamp of approval, Spanx has rolled out multiple different Perfect Pant styles, from flares to skinnies and everything in between. The brand’s even expanded beyond slack to offer blazers, dresses, jumpsuits, shorts and tops cut from the same smoothing premium ponte fabric.

Spanx The Perfect Pant, Slim Straight

Spanx

Of course, the pants are still the collection’s hero products — and they’ve racked up thousands of five-star reviews on Spanx’s website, too.

“They are the workhorse of my closet. Their slim fit makes them look good with literally every jacket I wear. And the tummy tuck helps – and is comfortable at the same time!” one shopped raved of the Perfect Pant, Slim Straight.

“You have to try these pants!!!” another wrote of the Perfect Pant, Wide Leg. “The best! Seriously stop looking for the right pants and just buy these. They fit me so well and they’re as comfortable as yoga pants.”

Page Six put the Oprah-loved “Perfect Pant” to the test. Page Six; Getty Images for GLAAD; Spanx

And of the Perfect Pant, Kick Flare, a third gushed, “These pants snatch you in. They look professional. They are simply fabulous.”

To find out if Spanx’s pants really are perfect, we called in the bestselling Perfect Pant, Hi-Rise Flare for four Page Six staffers of different heights and body types to test out.

Spanx The Perfect Pant, Hi-Rise Flare

Spanx

Our review

Elana Fishman wears the Perfect Pant, Hi-Rise Flare in size M/Tall. Page Six

Elana Fishman, Page Six Style Editor: “As someone who wears a 4 or 6 in most pants, I was unsure about whether to go for a small or medium in these; I decided to size up in the end, and I think that was the right call. They’re a tiny bit loose at the waist, but not overly compressive elsewhere, which is generally the fit I prefer when it comes to pants and leggings. If I wanted to feel seriously snatched, I could’ve likely gone for a small. I’m about 5-foot-11, and the tall inseam was a great length for me.

“I felt comfortable and supported in these pants; not at all like an overstuffed sausage, which was my fear (they’re Spanx, after all). They really do feel like leggings you can get away with wearing to work or out to dinner and drinks. Next up, I’d be interested in trying the Perfect Pant, Kick Flare, as it looks like a fabulous dupe for that $860 High Sport pair every fashion person’s obsessed with right now.

Spanx The Perfect Pank, Kick Flare

Spanx

“I absolutely loved how high-waisted this style was. My primary requirement for any pant marketed as ‘high-rise’ is that they must at least hit me at my belly button — a tall order (pun intended), as I have a super-long torso. Most so-called ‘high-rise’ trousers and leggings are more like mid-rise on me; these, on the other hand, hit a whole inch or so higher than my navel. Praise be!

“My only real issue with these pants is that despite the fairly thick ponte fabric, panty lines may prove a problem for those who (like myself) loathe thongs.”

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Hannah Southwick wears the Perfect Pant, Hi-Rise Flare in size S/Petite. Page Six

Hannah Southwick, Page Six Commerce Writer/Reporter: “As a 5-foot-3 girl, I often have trouble finding stylish office pants that don’t pool on the floor and require tailoring. I was excited to see that Spanx offers a petite option, although the pants I tried are still too long to wear without a slight heel on.

“The smoothing ponte fabric is comfy yet supportive (think: high-waisted leggings, but office-ready). If you prefer a looser fit, however, the Perfect Pant, Wide Leg — which I already own and love — offers a trendy wide-leg silhouette and feels just like yoga pants.

Spanx The Perfect Pant, Wide Leg

Spanx

“If you’re building a capsule wardrobe of solid style staples, these Spanx pants could be a great investment piece. I love styling mine with bodysuits for a sleek tucked-in look, but they’d also pair perfectly with a blazer, button-up or even an elevated T-shirt to dress them down.

“To me, the ponte fabric is what makes these pants so, well, perfect — and based on what she’s said about them over the years, I can’t help but think Oprah might agree. It’s comfy, supportive and stylish all in one.

“On the other hand, I wish the petite option was more truly petite length-wise, and that the fabric didn’t show slight panty lines.”

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Sam Antona wears the Perfect Pant, Hi-Rise Flare in size 1X/Regular. Page Six

Sam Antona, Page Six Studio Technical Director: “As someone who has to crawl on the floor and is constantly running between rooms while on the job, I loved these pants. They weren’t uncomfortable while I was bending down or getting low, and I still felt stylish and sleek strutting through the office.

“I always size up one in Spanx from my normal size; I did that for these and the 1X fit perfectly. They’re certainly expensive, but I think for something that lasts a while, they’re worth the price. (Plus, Spanx usually has good sales!).

“My only gripe is that I wish there was at least one pocket. While I get that they’re probably pocket-free for compression reasons, it would be nice to have a spot for my phone.

“I would wear these pants with a tank and a blazer to work, and then probably switch to a little heel and just keep the tank for going out. I think they could easily flip between the two!”

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Taylor Valentine wears the Perfect Pant, Hi-Rise Flare in size M/Regular. Page Six

Taylor Valentine, Page Six Lead Video Editor/Producer: “The pants felt like they fit me well. As someone who has a small waist and larger hips/thicker thighs, I found them perfectly snug; however, the regular length was way too long for my 5-foot-3 frame. I should have gone for the petite.

“The pants were extremely comfortable; they felt like a legging, but with a little more compression. I think for a nice pair of black pants that you can wear casually and professionally, they are decently priced. However, they are still a legging-like pant … so I think if they were around $100, I would be more likely to purchase more pairs.

“I loved the compression on the tummy area; there was no gapping at the waist like I normally deal with. That said, I wish they were a little bit looser in the butt area; I don’t like things hugging my butt too tightly to show every little imperfection.

“I was bold and ordered a red pair thinking I could do something cool and different, but honestly, I think I would need some help from Gen Z to make these look cooler. I liked the idea of them with a metallic shoe (I love red and silver together) and maybe a fun top and some cool sunglasses.

“I think I would be much more likely to wear these in a neutral color, though, and because I clearly ordered the wrong length, I would be interested to see how the petite length looked and fit!”

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The bottom line

All four staffers who tried the Perfect Pant found the style comfortable, supportive, flattering and easy to style — like leggings you can wear to work, drinks and dinners while still looking put-together.

The consensus was that it’s worth sizing up if you prefer a more traditional pant-like fit, and down if you want a more body-conscious, legging-like effect.

Be aware that the Hi-Rise Flare runs long, as recommended on Spanx’s site; don’t order the tall inseam unless you’re at least 5-foot-9, and if you’re 5-foot-4 or under, the petite length is your best bet.

And because of its sleek silhouette, the Perfect Pant may show panty lines unless you wear a thong or seamless undies beneath, so plan accordingly. This also means that if you’re planning to tuck a top into the pants, you’ll want to go for a thin, slim-fit and/or seamless style to avoid lines showing — or a bodysuit, which worked well for Hannah.

How we tested

We recruited four Page Six staffers of different heights and body types to wear the Perfect Pant for a typical workday — including meetings and after-hours activities.

Throughout our testing, we prioritized the following points:

Appearance: Can these pants pass as nice trousers, or do they look more like leggings? Comfort: Do they fit and feel like athleisure (comfy), or more like shapewear (compressive)? Sizing: Was the sizing chart on Spanx’s website accurate?

Shop more Perfect Pant styles below:

Spanx The Perfect Pant, Button Tapered Ankle

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Spanx The Perfect Pant, Button Wide Leg

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Spanx The Perfect Front Slit Legging

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Spanx The Perfect Jumpsuit

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