I get this problem all the time too. I think the jcrew matchsticks were the worst - it was downright comical! Plus the pockets were enormous for my figure. I always figured it's because I'm petite - and I also have a fairly small, kinda flat butt and narrow hips - not much to fill the jeans out.

It seems that jeans that have a back rise that's not too high tend to work the best. Pay attention to how long the yoke is in the back of the jean. You want minimal yoke. Curvy girl jeans will have a 14 inch back rise, farther spaced back pockets, and larger, lower ones, with an angled, long yoke. This is not what you want. You want a yoke that's barely angled, not very long, and smaller pockets that aren't angled too much.

Best brands I've found are, unfortunately, pricier than your range:

COH Ambers, Elsons
COH Huttons!!
Earnest Sewn

In your price range, it's tougher. I have jeans from Inc and Urban Outfitters that work passably well, but the pockets are still kinda low - better, but not best. What I do is wear longer tops to cover it up.

I would also try petite jeans if you are petite. You might give BR's new jeans a try too. I haven't tried them yet, but I have a hunch they may work.

thanks Shiny for the detailed response. I'll have to start noticing the yoke. I'll have to look into the COH when I go shopping. True, it's more than I really want to spend, but I'll consider it for the right fit and all.

I'd second Shiny's advice. I'm tall and have curves, but the yoke and pocket placement will turn me away from the purchase if they fall below my bottom. Go to a department store and try on everything in sight - as Angie says, leave no retail stone unturned.

Thanks, LE! That’s precisely what you should do, queenie.

I actually have Diesel jeans with deliberately low back pocket placements. I love those jeans! I guess I’m far less fussy about how my bottom looks with respect to pocket placement. It’s all good in my book. I am MUCH fussier about how the thigh and crotch areas fill out.