These are the first pair of LLBean pants I have found that fit comfortably. I purchased the straight fit and am very happy with them. These sit slightly below the waist and the regular length was perfect. I thought I would have to order the medium tall. Usually the waist in the LLBean pants is too small and the rise too short. Neither was an issue with these pants. My only suggest is that you offer them in black.
I am a size 4 bottoms in all other brands I buy but in Bean I have learned to size up to a 6. This time around I did so and found the waist to fit but still tight and the hips to be way too large. I also found the rise to be too short even for a below the waist fit. Not the first time this happened with Bean pants for me. I guess I am just not the right body type.
These pants are of a very high quality. I have a petite 10, and they fit well -- I am happy to say that they are not too short, either (sometimes a problem with Petites)! I have worn them on the brisk nights we've had the last few days, and they are comfortable for walking.
I love the weight of these pants and am a fan of the smaller wale cord. They are not so heavy as to scrape between your legs, but they are also a good weight for colder months. Also, I am thrilled about the color! Kudos to LLBean for not being afraid of bright colors!
Note about the sizing: I purchased them in the mustard yellow, and I had some sizing problems at first. I consulted the size guide extensively on the first order and still ended up with a pair of pants that I could pull off without unbuttoning. I understand that sizing is not an exact science, but I was a little floored.
Fortunately, the Customer Service line came to the rescue. If you are concerned about sizing, I would recommend calling LLBean and getting a Product Specialist on the line. To get a good fit, I measured a pair of pants that fits well, and then the Product Specialist and I figured out what size made sense based on the measurements of the actual product, rather than the size chart. I ended up with a pair that was two sizes smaller than what the size chart said should fit.
I was excited to try the new "straight" fit, thinking Bean had finally realized that not all women are curvy. Having experienced the appearance of a bit of a spare tire in middle age, I've found the lower waist can be helpful. Not so with these cords. They fit great in hips and thighs, but still TOO TIGHT in the waist. Also, had I not had $20 in coupons, I wouldn't have ordered to begin with. 50 bucks is way too much for these rather thin cords. Sorry, false alarm.
