I need a pair of boyshorts to wear under a form fitting dress, and this pair is perfect. I wear a size 10 pants and bought the size L. I considered buying a size larger because I have both higher hips and love handles and in this case, I needed the waist band to lay absolutely flat with no muffin top. But I also didn't want it to be too loose on my narrower hips/butt, so ended up ordering an L. Fortunately, the lace waist band is very stretchy and non-constricting - it lays pretty flat. Having tried it on though, I can now say even the size XL would have stretched to fit and not been too loose. The legs do roll up on me slightly, especially on the inner side. I love the cotton fabric, so comfortable!