I am not a shaper girl. AT ALL. I find them to be uncomfortable, pinching, binding, and just all around...yucky. I have never understood how women wear shaperwear on a daily basis - especially laying shapewear. I've always thought those women were CRAZY. I recently had stomach and upper thigh surgery and had to wear a medical garment for a few days, then strong shapewear for a few weeks post-op. Since I don't ever wear shapewear, I didn't really know what to order. I wanted something that was strong and held me in, but wasn't really uncomfortable. Was it possible to find such shapewear? I didn't know - so I ordered several different items from a few different companies. I wasn't sure what to expect, but anxiously awaited the arrival of the shapewear. This one arrived quickly. Out of the maybe six different pieces I ordered, this is my third favorite. (My absolute favorite? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EVOO5RA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00) I have worn these layered over my favorite shapewear, because I feel neither holds me in to the level I require at this point. (This will change once I recover from surgery - I feel either of these will be sufficient.) This one doesn't bind, pinch, or hurt anywhere. It does provide shaping, but nothing super or amazing. After spending some time actually wearing this piece, I would definitely recommend it - it isn't anywhere near as horrid as the ones in the past that I couldn't stand. I also see major changes in how I fit under my clothes - everything just looks so much better! And I'm not only talking about dresses and skirts - I have also worn these under t-shirts and long shorts, and EVERYTHING looks better. Gone are the bulges and lumps. My t-shirts no longer kind of show my stomach - there is no stomach to be seen! I look much better and, if it makes sense, fluid. I can get into pants that are a full TWO sizes smaller than what I normally wear. (I know - I was shocked, too!) And I'm not hanging over the smaller size - they actually fit. I truly recommend this. It's comfortable and I feel sexy wearing it. This Bali's Women's Shapewear Cool Comfort Hi-Waist Thigh Slimmer is surprisingly comfortable. I am happy to report that I have not one single issue with the top rolling down, or the legs rolling up. There is a band of stitching that goes around the legs, which helps to keep them where they belong on your legs. I also don't have any issues with skin? fat? cellulite? whatever springing from the bottom of the legs. Few things are more attractive than your skin (or whatever it is) plopping out from the edges of your shapewear. It's almost like your body hates the shapewear so much, it's trying to escape! One quick thing I learned throughout this process (remember, I knew NOTHING about shapewear when I started my hunt): It is better to get a size larger, than a size smaller. Shapewear experts and occasional wearers alike told me the same thing. I previously thought a smaller size would make you even smaller - WRONG! If you are questioning your size, get the larger one. It will fit better, it will look better, and you'll be much happier. Something I've kind of learned throughout this process: Yes, they are hard to get on. If you are struggling and pulling, that's ok. If you are sweating, pushing, poking, shoving, and out of breath by the time they are on, you have a size that is probably too small. At least in this style. (I guess boned garments may be a little different.) If your body is "plumping" out/over the shaper, it's most likely too small. It should be some work to get this on - it's a shaper that is supposed to fit like a second skin, after all. However, I learned that the struggle shouldn't be extreme. Just a little piece of information I wanted to include for those who know nothing about this stuff, which is how I was at the beginning of my search. Bottom Line: LOVE IT! Out of the five (or so) shapers I bought - all the same style with the shorts built in, this is my third favorite. I purchased about five styles from different companies here on Amazon, then another one from the very popular shapewear company that starts with an "S" and rhymes with "banks". (And was at least twice as expensive as the shapers I purchased here.) Including that pair in my observations as well, this STILL ranks as my third favorite pair. My first two faves are from Maidenform, but this is the best Bali shaper I've worn. It goes all the way up to my bra, eliminating any sort of muffin top. Due to the bottom of the shaper being shorts, there are no panty lines, either. I give this garment a strong B, maybe B+. If you don't like feeling like a stuffed sausage, but need mid-torso coverage, this may well be the shaper for you!
