I got my usual jean/pant size, and it was too constricting on my abdomen.  After wearing these pants for 15 minutes, I started feeling mild abdominal cramps.  I can't imagine what would happen if I follow the brand's advice and buy a size down.  I really like the "Rinse" dark color, and the skinny ankle fit, but I will try detaching the interior of the pockets to the sides (what makes the "lift x tuck" technology) or returning for a size up.  The material itself is really stretchy, so I imagine these jeans would be quite comfortable if not for the restriction of the cloth of the pockets sewn to the sides of the jeans.
On a different note, I suppose each color has a different style on the ankles.  Mine, in the "rinse" color, had skinny ankles with no zipper or slit, just the raw edge.