Women's clothes are sometimes so weird in the sizing....sometimes they run small, sometimes big....so you don't really know until you try something on if it's going to fit right....which makes buying online sometimes questionable. I have several pairs of Columbia hiking pants both lined and unlined and wear sometimes a size 10 and sometimes a 12. I decided to try the 12 because honestly, I like a more relaxed, comfortable fit even though it might be a little loose. I really, really like these shorts....the material is thin so even though they are longer I think I won't roast in them in the summer. I love that I don't have to mess with a belt!  I plan to order another pair....I wear a size 10 or 12 in just about everything and would say these shorts run true to size.