This product is amazing! I have never tried waist training and wasn't looking for a product to do this; I was just looking for something to smooth out my flabby tummy when wearing tight clothes since I'm not a huge fan of sit ups. Typically a shaper works fine for me. I don't have a big stomach but since I've had my kid,I'm wider and If I gain weight it increases laterally (love handles) versus protruding forward and I gain in the lower abdomen because I had a c-section. I also keep a ton of back fat so for me it looks like I have a flat stomach (albeit jiggly) with back fat. The problem I run into is the shape wear sometimes roll down my back or I have to buy a full piece which is hell to get out of for the bathroom. But now that I have this I and have tried it on, I am in love and think I might try the "waist training" hype. 'A few things ... sizing: very true to size. if you are in between sizes i.e you are 30.5" versus 30" that's where you might have an issue. That was the case for me. I initially went down because in my case the department store girdles I have bought in the past were never tight enough. When I got the girdle, there was literally a 1/2" opening in the back after I put it on comfortably. Now I could close it but since I'm not use to wearing anything tight, I opted to return it for a size up. It might be worth noting that I had just come on my cycle and might have been extra bloated though... I received the size up and it fit perfect but now I don't think I will have enough reduction opportunity because I can almost close this one too easily.. So that said if you are used to wearing a girdle or such and you are in between size it might be okay go a size down; if not then go a size up. At this price you can always order another one once you get comfortable which is my plan.Length: I ordered the short torso because the ones I have purchased in the past were always too long and irritated me when sitting down and if it wasn't tight it created a bulge in the top part because the material bent at the lower end hitting my thigh when i sat down. I did measure my torso and I did fall within the recommended range for the short torso however, I do feel it's slightly (perhaps an inch) too short in the front. The back is perfect length though. The reason I mention this is that if you have had a c-section like me this might create an issue because it will make the lower part where you are likely to bulge anyway bulge out more. Mine is very small and goes down from time to time depending on how i eat so fortunately this is an easy fix with a cheap panty girdle if I'm wearing something extremely tight. However if you have a huge muffin area issue, you might consider the normal one.. I might try the regular one and update my feedback later on this.Value,Overall this is a great product. I showed my mom and she couldn't believe I paid less than $100. She said it looks like what they had in her day. This is far better than anyone one I've purchased in department stores, lingerie stores etc. and, even better than the custom girdle i had made for a wedding (because this one i can continue to adjust as I lose or gain weight). Also, this looks sexy. I would not be bothered wearing this around my boyfriend and hell I could keep it on during sex lol.Wearing it with clothes:I have no problem wearing this with clothes. I just got my order today and I'm wearing it with a fitted shirt now with no issue. I just tucked the shoe lace under the bottom border. The material is pretty thick that you can't see the lace when tucked under.