I am a professional seamstress and costume designer by trade....did you all know that women's pants are made by a specific formula...based on an average ratio that the average woman's waist is 10 inches smaller than her hips? For the average figure-the hourglass shape-this is about true...but for the pears and apple shapes....this can suck.
I am hourlgass shaped...large breasted, thinner waistline...and full hips and thighs...but I am a little "off" that ratio with a more narrow waist...with usually 11-12" inches difference there rather than 10...
For the smaller waist/bigger butt...here have been great finds for me:
**jeans with lycra in them...these come in regulr cut, as well as the more fashionable boot cut/flare leg styles
**stretch lycra BOOT CUT leggings for exercise wear-basically like regular lycra pants you would wear for exercise...except in the boot cut or "jazz pant" or "yoga pant" style...where the leg flares out a bit at the bottom rather than hugging the calf. The lycra and elastic waist give a perfect fit when you are working out-but what I have found for the "bigger bunned" women...is that the fullness at the calf/ankle makes you look more proportioned...and not like your behind is a mile wide then going down to the tiny ankles. Not flattering.
**jeans and capri pants with a drawstring waist-I have found these at Wal-Mart, Old Navy...etc. and I love them. I can get them in twill like khakis...or denim and the drawstring really helps with the gapping waist.
**Use a seamstress!!! I make a lot of my own clothes and costumes...but even if you don't you will find that spending a few bucks to have a pair of jeans taken in...or hemmed up...is totally worth it if they actually FIT when it is all over with. Better to spend $10-$20 on getting a pair of pants altered to fit...then spending $30-$40 on yet ANOTHER pair that won't.
Aphil