My 80-year-old mother is apple shaped and normally wears size 12 pants.  Reading the reviews, I bought her size 14.  It fits ok, riding low after her pool exercise.  It is cut and made just like men's board shorts.  Because of the quick dry and light weight feature I wanted her to wear it to the pool and steam/sauna room for modesty (won't have to walk around in her bathing suit panties) and to prevent thigh chaffing.