I am hesitant to suggest this, because in some ways I think they are responsible for a lot of my current concerns about finances and shopping, but I bought two pairs of Hudson bootcuts in the summer of 2009 and they are incredibly flattering.
I also definitely prefer a low-rise (I am relatively small-hipped and basically flat-butted), and I was very intrigued by the Hudson signature pocket flaps. I ended up going to the enormous Macy's in San Francisco and spending like half a day trying on most premium denim brands. In the end, I liked Joe's Rocker cut and Citizens of Humanity Kelly, but the Hudsons were my favorite (signature bootcut). I got them in two slightly different washes and hemmed one for heels and one for flats. They are gorgeous and incredibly flattering.
The problem, imo, is that I was pretty happy with my American Eagle jeans. No pocket flaps, but they cost usually around $40-$50 to the Hudson's $170 per pair. I signed up for a Macy's card to bring the cost down (and got my CA tax refunded by going to the customer service department and showing them my out-of-state driver's license), but it was still an insane amount of money. The problem is that I believe that paying that much for jeans sort of did a permanent reset in my brain about how much I should pay for things. I find myself splurging on the occasional full-price piece from Anthropologie, which was full-stop unthinkable about four years ago. Admittedly, I'm older, but I don't think my financial situation has kept apace with how my price points have increased.
All in all, I recommend Hudsons, with reservations. Proceed with caution.
