Women File Lawsuit: 'Slimming' Underwear Doesn't Slim

Undergarments made with seemingly magical fabric that can help you lose weight: sound too good to be true? Well, according to two Massachusetts women, it is. Annique Bellot and Tara Stefani are suing Maidenform Brands and Wacoal America over garments they sell with the claim that they'll help you slim down (think names like iPant and Instant Slimmer). The garments are made with fabric by Nurel SA of Spain, which is supposedly "constructed with minerals and nutrients that are absorbed by the skin and can permanently change women's body shape and skin tone," the East Bay Business Times reports. (Basically, fat-destroying vitamins, Metro International notes).

But apparently Bellot and Stefani didn't see the advertised results. They say in their lawsuit, for which they're seeking class-action status, that the undergarments are sold with false advertising and misrepresentation, tricking women into paying as much as a 50% premium. Why use that tactic? "To prey upon women's insecurities about their body images, because defendants know that the annual revenue of the US weight-loss industry is $20 billion," according to the lawsuit. (After a similar lawsuit, Skechers had to refund consumers who bought Shape-Ups shoes under the untrue claim that they'd help you lose weight.)

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Photo Credit: Flickr, lauracattano