The Body Girdle

In their relentless pursuit of a trim figure, American women by the millions have tried exercise wheels, home massage kits, sauna belts, sauna pants and mummy wraps. Now they are turning to something new: the Isotoner Body Beauty Suit, which seems to have a slender edge over the other devices. It requires no effort except for putting it on, and it slims the body, even if no pounds are shed.

Before pulling on the two-piece, leotard-like, nylon spandex suit, customers are advised to cover their bodies with a light film of greaseless Isotoner Motion Cream. Any movement, explains Aris Gloves, the manufacturer, then causes the suit and cream to work "synergistically." The suit will knead the cream into the body and the fiber will produce an "isometric push-pull action" that makes the whole operation a kind of wear-a-massage.

Isotoner advertising carefully skirts the issue of weight reduction, claiming only to make wearers look and feel thinner. The nylon spandex suit is in effect a top-to-toe lightweight girdle that feels, one wearer told San Francisco's I. Magnin & Co., "better than a lover's caress."

Isotoners come in several colors, have scoop or mock-turtle necks and are meant to be worn like any body suit. Prices: $45 for the turtle neck, $35 for the scoop, $35 for the bottoms. Four-ounce refills of the cream are $8.50. The company recently introduced two-piece body suits for men, and this spring will place on sale a "safari" model with short sleeves, club collar and front pockets. Designer Cardinali has sketched "couture" print evening body suits for fall, and Geoffrey Beene already has a collection of separates designed to go with the Isotoner.

One word of caution. Isotoner suits should be worn with a bra, Aris' Barbara Kling concedes, and for good reason: "Without a bra for women with a large bosom, Isotoner will flatten the bust. For women with small breasts, it will flatten the area completely."

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