I have always had problems with finding jeans that fit well. I carry most of my weight in my hips and thighs but my waist is small.A lot of times I would have that gap in the back waist. I tried a pair of the Lee Riders relaxed fit jeans a couple months ago and am thrilled. I swear I heard trumpets sounding in the dressing room that day! They are 99% cotton and 1% spandex,so have just a bit of give. It bugs me when jeans look all baggy after wearing them a short time,but these keep their shape nicely.

I have added 2 more pairs to my collection,and yesterday bought 2 more in the next smaller size to put in my "hope chest". This way I'm covered just in case Lee decides to discontinue them for some silly reason.
The best news of all is they are around $20 at WalMart! I have a pair of $60 Ralph Lauren jeans that I don't like nearly as well.
Every time I wear them I can count on compliments. Who wouldn't want that?!

These work great for hourglass too

I'm going to check this out! The gap at the waist has been a life long annoyance!

I have a very big difference in my waist/hip ratio...I am also a pear shape. Unfortunately, relaxed fit jeans...and even the new Lee Curvy Fit (that say fuller hips/gaps happen at the waist, etc.) on the tag don't fit me!!!!

What I HAVE found that fits me is a small brand of designer jeans started by a woman with the same fitting problem. The brand of jeans is called Little In The Middle. (www.littleinthemiddle.com)

They actually make the jeans a FULL SIZE SMALLER in the waist, than they do in the hips. Basically, you order the jeans based on waist size, and the hips are "one size up". So, a pair of their jeans in a 12.1 are a 12 waist/14 hip. A pair of 8.1's are an 8 waist/10 hip...a 14.1 is a 14 waist/16 hip.

They are FABULOUS. They have them in low rise and mid rise...and many different colors and styles. They are usually boot cut, because that balances out fuller hips. They come in a 34" inseam...so if you are average or petite, you just pay a few bucks at the local alterations place to have them hemmed.

I cannot say enough about them...for the first time EVER I don't have to cinch my pants up like a paper bag with a belt. My measurements currently are an 8/10 through the chest, based on designer/store brand...and a 10/12 hip based on the same thing...I am always a size larger in the hips on size charts. Little In The Middle has solved my fitting issues!!!

Hi aphil,
So weird that I just found this post. My friend told me about LITM. I ordered a pair of size 6.1.

Then, I receive an email from them, telling me that they have a new with tags on, 30 day return policy, and that they are offering me a 35% discount on one pair. Ok, no problem. If I like the first pair I ordered, I'll use the discount for another pair. BUT, it also says: based on the sizing survey you filled out, we recommend a 00.

Huh? No way. I even took the measurements over again and read the instructions word for word for each measurement. I am 99% sure that I did it correctly, twice.

What do you think?

Hmmm...I filled out the sizing survey as well when I first started wearing LTM jeans...my first pair was a 12.1, my current pair is a 10.1...soon I will be ordering an 8.1.

My hips are currently 41" at this particular moment...and I am between the 10.1 and 8.1 in their sizing. (12 and 10 in the hips if you were buying regular jeans at a regular store...remember, they sell them by WAIST size.)

What are your measurements? The owner is fantastic...and if you need to change sizes up or down, and she is awesome.

Thanks for answering.
My waist is 28.5 and my hips are 36.

Hmmmm....are you positive you measured correctly? By what you have given me, your measurements at most chains like Old Navy are a 2 in the hip and 6-8 in the waist...and it is more of an "apple" shape measurement, not pear or hourglass.

I think you might have measured incorrectly.

They most likely gave you a size based on your hips, if they are indeed 36"...a size 0 in LTM would be 0 waist/2 hip. Did you measure at the smallest point of your midsection? (Usually naval or even a touch higher, depending on your torso length.)