I bought size large. For context I'm 5'9" and was 155lbs before pregnancy, currently 175 at 26w pregnant. I am comparing this to the Spanx version -- the belly bandit wins in a number of ways -- it's comfortable, smoothing, doesn't create lines on my belly or clothes, and is lightweight / good for hot days (I'll be finishing my pregnancy in the heat of summer). I wear this under my dress when I go for 2 mile walks every day. The thigh part does ride up a bit so I have to occasionally slide them back down. It's not too bothersome and is a small price to pay for the level of comfort provided. The thigh part doesn't come down as far as the spanx one, which is probably why it rides up, but that also means it doesn't show when I sit down in a dress.

The Spanx one is tighter but provides better support to the belly area, but it does have a seams that are visible through a dress and leave some minor lines on my belly when I take it off. The thighs never ride up on the Spanx one no matter how long I walk.

So if comfort, lightweight, and smoothing is your main concern, go with Belly Bandit. If support and thigh chafe protection is your main concern, go with Spanx. I have both so I can decide on any given day what my priority is.

These spanx-like babies got me through two weddings at 26 weeks and 33 weeks pregnant! I was a bridesmaid for one wedding and an officiant for the other wedding in so I had to do a lot of standing and running around at both weddings. Both weddings were outdoors on very hot days (over 90 degrees F!). The product was very comfortable over my big bump and thighs (did not feel tight) while smoothing out my curves and was not obvious through my lightweight dress. It also is thick enough to providing coverage and support, but not too thick where it was breathable and kept me cool in the heat. Best of all, it provided great support for dancing through the night! Note, you do need to be careful and pull too hard on the fabric as it tears/runs a bit easily. I have one minor tear that I sewed up easily. I'm 5'7" and a size medium pre-pregnancy. The medium was too tight, but the large fit perfectly.

I originally went looking for a pair of bump friendly spanx like shorts because I planned to take maternity photos in a white dress and wasn't sure what kind of undies would work best. I figured shorts would conceal any VPL. I looked at a few pairs and ended up going with this style, even tho it was a little more expensive. I had enough time to return and purchase a different pair if needed, but these checked every box for me! They are thin yet feel like they would hold up to being worn a bunch. I expected to only wear them for the maternity shoot (28 wks) , but ended up wearing them a few times the week before with my birthday dress and another more casual dress. We've had a mild winter so far so I'm probably getting more wear out of these than I expected with a Feb due date. On the days I've worn them, I've also done a ton of walking and they're super comfortable and stay down. I was a size 6 , 160lbs 5'7" (athletic pear) prior to pregnancy and I'm about 180 at 28 weeks and a medium fit perfectly. I would recommend these

Product is supportive. I'll like how tight it is on the belly, but still able to breathe and move in it. My only complaint is that the thighs roll up. I even tried double sticky tape to keep them down and that was unsuccessful.

I got these shorts at 22 weeks and field-tested them today. After attending a summer wedding a couple weeks ago, I was in need of something like a cross between bike shorts and a slip to wear under skirts and keep my thighs from rubbing together and chafing (so annoying!). So these shorts definitely fit my need.

I got a size large, which is supposed to fit sizes 14-18 per the Belly Bandit webpage, as I was wearing size 12-14 pants pre-pregnancy. So I expected large would work best for me, but I could see these being too small if I were at the upper end of the recommended size range - I could see my thighs bulging out at the bottom, which wouldn't be cool.

The fit in the thighs is OK for me. It takes some tugging to get these on, which I have to do every bathroom break, which, as a pregnant lady, I take frequently. The fabric is a bit delicate and easy to snag during this process - to give you an idea, it is a bit thicker than pantyhose or tights. I'll have to remember to be careful with my nails. I was hoping for fabric that has enough give or stretchiness in the thighs to be able to pull on or off relatively easily. Maybe non-shapewear shorts like these don't exist. I could care less about the thigh shapewear function of these at the moment, but at least they are far less constricting than the Assets shorts I have in my pre-pregnancy collection.

The fit in the belly is great. There is a panel of fabric in the front that has extra give versus in the thigh area, and I take it this is the part that will grow with my belly. What I like best is that the waistband goes up and over the bump, is not constricting at all, and doesn't create a big indentation across the middle of my belly like my old bike shorts did (used them in a pinch until I got these). So far, they are comfortable, and I have a smooth belly profile under my skirt. I could also see wearing these under any pants/skirts/dresses where the fabric at the waist is itchy or irritating (my skin has gotten weirdly sensitive).

Overall, I'm pleased with my purchase, but I am giving them 4 stars instead of 5 because pulling these on is more difficult than expected, especially for pregnant ladies needing frequent bathroom breaks!