Super-Spanx Objective 1 Size Down, the latest shapewear from Playtex, not only promises to clinch you in and smooth you out, but its makers claim it will zap your cellulite and make you drop a dress size, too.

Objective 1 Size Down pants contain mysterious-sounding “acti-mineral ceramic crystals”, which are woven into the fabric and apparently improve microciculation by giving your thighs and bottom a continuous massage as you walk around.

But do these new wonder pants work? Could they help us to drop a dress size by wearing them every day for a month?

Objective 1 Size Down pants contain mysterious-sounding “acti-mineral ceramic crystals”, which are woven into the fabric and apparently improve microciculation by giving your thighs and bottom a continuous massage as you walk around

For a start, these are no ordinary knickers to look at or wear. They certainly make their presence felt.

Objective 1 Size Down pants cost $60, which seems a small price to pay for dimple-free thighs and a svelte waist. But having to wear them for 28 days (this is how long the makers claim it takes to notice the effects) means quite a few pairs are required. Luckily, their mighty flab-holding power withstands the rigors of the washing machine.