A bit tighter in waist than I expected (from owning multiple clothing items from this brand), but not too tight to keep. I will definitely wear them (as long as I'm not bloated lol). The "high waist" is not like high waist jeans, and that's a good thing. It's high enough to not cause a muffin top- I carry most of my weight in my stomach. I have long legs, and these are not too short. I'm 5'5'' and 150lbs for reference. Ordered a L.