I used to wear low rise jeans in the 90's but was never comfortable in them because tops and camisoles were short and you constantly had a daft up your back and front whether you wore a belt or not. Low rise jeans and pants were a very bad trend in my book - for everyone.
Tam, I don't have muffin top, so that's not the reason I like higher rises. But I LOVE feeling covered. I loathe drafty bits. Higher rises give me a fabulous sense of coverage and that's what I enjoy more than the girdling effect. Now that you can get long tops that tuck well, (and stay tucked well), into low rise jeans with the security of a belt - I feel just as covered. You could not get longer tops in the 90's.
Soooooooo, I never entertained low rise jeans again until I fell in love with the jodhpur jeans I bought recently. Now that I have found a way to wear them comfortably, it's opened up a whole new world of low rise options.
And that's my not very useful bit of forum info. Low rises are definitely not for everyone, whether you have muffin top challenges or not.
Stringy, that's interesting. I have one client who feels the same way you do. I wore a very form fitting polo neck with my jeans. It was long so it stayed put tucked in no problem - especially with the belt. Not quite sure if my woven tops will stay put.
Julie, very good point.