Let's be honest: We've all had a case of unsightly plumber's crack. Ever since low-rise jeans became a fashion staple, unsuspecting passersby have seen more than they may have wanted when a fashionista simply needed to tie her shoes, pick up something she dropped or even sit in a chair.

But several boutiques in the Salt Lake Valley now stock accessories to prevent unwanted exposure: The Hip-T -- created by Christine Meeks and Kelley DeSerpa, of California -- and the Texas-based JAK's by Miss Oops!, are basically tube tops for your waist that make shirts look longer without the bulk of layering.

"It was kind of from the mouth of babes that got it all started," said Meeks, who launched the product with DeSerpa a little under two years ago. "I was volunteering at my daughter's elementary school when she came up to me and said 'Mom, don't wear those jeans again because I saw your stuff.' I was mortified."

Later, Meeks went to her closet and realized all she needed was the bottom half of a shirt to cover up the problem area, so she began cutting up old T-shirts and camisoles to experiment with shaping and different ways of making the fabric stay put.

"I remember it was Super Bowl Sunday and I thought, 'I finally got it,' " she said.

After that, it was only a matter of mass producing the Hip-Ts and sending them out into the world.

Brooke Barton, owner of Bellavie Boutique in Salt Lake City, has been carrying Hip-Ts for less than two months but says they're already a hit with customers.

"It has been phenomenal. Everyone is interested in it, and then those who do buy it love it," she said. "I thought it would be a big hit at my store because so many women are worried about [exposure], and since so many of the jeans I sell are low-rise, I thought the Hip-T could ease those fears."

Lauren Parks, 24, mother of sons Madden, 4 months, and Daxton, 3, recently purchased two Hip-Ts from Barton and says she would wear one every day if she could.

"I love them because I have a long torso and I was always bending over and showing some plumber's crack. It's also great because it sucks you in a little, and my jeans just feel more comfortable when I'm wearing it," she said. "I've also seen pregnant women wearing them because you can just unbutton your jeans and put [the Hip-T] over them, instead of buying new pants."

Lori Harris, owner of Mary Jane's Boutique in Park City, stocks another brand of coverup that she says is selling well.

"They're really popular here," said Harris of JAK's by Miss Oops. "I'm seeing a lot of moms buying them for their teenage daughters, especially for school dress codes because [the girls] can't have low-rise jeans showing."

But both shop owners said the products have appeal across generations.

Meeks says she's also had customers with medical problems, such as colostomies, who wear a Hip-T because it can hide the colostomy bag.

"It's really exciting to see it used in so many different ways, and it's really gratifying as an inventor to know that your product can be used in ways you didn't even intend for it," Meeks said.