Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

UPDATE: Dropping my 4 star rating down to 1. I've been wearing this for about a week and its pretty much completely useless now. Its pretty much stretched out. After 6 days of basic wear (work, dog walking, etc.. nothing hardcore). Its still "tight" but pretty much in the way that any shapewear or spandex is tight or wearing a cami a size smaller than your normal size is tight. It no longer feels like a corset is supposed to feel. It does not give me anymore of an hourglass figure than already had before I put it on. The tiny but of sucking in my gut it was actually helping with is no longer happening. No I did not lose any weight or inches off my waist in the weeks time. The "waist trainer" just stretched out and it there's no point in wearing it anymore. I refuse to waste more of my money and purchase another size just to have the same thing happen again. I've always believed waist trainers were a scam and this pretty much just proves my theory. I have left my original review below for anyone who wants to continue reading. Original Review: Measure you waist and then size two sizes down when you're ordering. I'm 5'11", 240lbs & my waist is 38". So by their chart I should have been a 2X. I ordered an XL and had no problems getting it on. I hooked it on the first set of hooks & zipped it up straight out of the package. Yes it is tight, but its supposed to be. In my late teens and early 20's I wore corsets on a regular basis so the hooking and getting into it might have come easier for me because I'm pretty used to it but I don't think this is difficult to use. The first day, I wore it around the house (cleaning, cooking, watching football.. nothing too vigorous) and it did not bother me at all. I actually found it pretty comfortable, but again, I'm pretty used to corsets. I've worn it to work and to walk my dog and it does just fine. It doesn't move or roll up (the very VERY bottom in the back does but its not noticeable) while I'm wearing it and its not visible under my clothes unless I'm wearing something skin tight. It does offer some back support which is great because I sit all day for work. I was nervous about it fitting my chest (I wear a 40H bra) but it's fine. For everyone saying the straps dig into their arms or shoulders, you're wearing them too tight. I had to adjust mine and make them as loose as possible and then they were fine and did not dig in. I can wear all my normal bras & everything is pretty comfortable. Also for people saying it's too short, again, adjust the straps. I thought it was too short at first too but when I lengthened the straps I was able to pull it down so it covers the bottom of my stomach. I'm 5'11" and it completely covers me. The back boning could use some help. Its not very strong so if you have back fat, yes its going to kind of fold into and move with your body because of the material. It does this on me but I don't find it very noticeable (again, I don't wear too many skin tight clothes). I will say that when sitting the back boning does stick out a bit and can be noticeable (I think because I have it pulled down a bit far). And it will fold into your stomach a bit when sitting but not uncomfortably so and it will smooth itself out when you stand up. This will not make your stomach flat. All it does is cinch in your waist. So if you have a gut (like I do) you're still going to have it when you put this on. Just FYI for anyone wondering. Also, the design is not completely smooth under your clothes so if you're wearing something tight just know that it has a tendency to "gather" or fold in places and may be visible under your clothing. My problem with this "waist trainer" is I don't think it holds it shape very well because of the material. Its meant to have a bit of stretch and move with your body in order to be comfortable but I believe that is its downfall. I hooked it on the first row on day one. On day two I was easily on the second row and could have gone to the third. Once you wear it and stretch it a bit, it does not revert back to its original shape. Now I'm not saying it stretches out completely, it still cinches my waist jut as well as it did in the beginning and it is still tight. But because of the easy progression in putting it on (I was on row 3 by the second day) I feel as though it may be falsely advertising its ability to help you lose weight. I definitely did not lose any pounds or inches in 24 hours but I was able to make the vest tighter because of its stretching ability. This is my first attempt at wearing a waist trainer because honestly I've always felt they were a scam. I don't know if that opinion has changed but for the price I paid for this and the fact that is has helped me look better in a few shirts & dresses I own, I'm happy with it.