Hmm, Donna, these EF pants are medium rise. Too pricy for me right now, but I'll keep an eye on them and may try if they go on sale. You're right that the rest are too high in the rise for me.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ei.....igin=categ

Una, I think what I need is the regular length NYDJ with a petite rise. Sigh.

I was really interested in this thread because I find myself in the exact same place. I don't like the tightness of skinny anything but I want something to wear with boots on the rare occasions that I wear them. I really thought ponte was going to be the answer.

Now, it's not fair to give up since I've only tried on one pair! But the pair I tried on at AT was like you described...way too body con for comfort, emotional and physical. And I even sized up. So now I don't know what to think. I'd like to find a pair that was just enough skinny to tuck into boots, but not so tight that I'm unhappy. Skinny in the calves, sweatpant in the body?? Do they make such a thing?

Please keep us posted if you find a pair you like!

I just bought ponte skinnies from Eddie Bauer:

http://www.eddiebauer.com/cata.....hInfo=T319

The rise is 9 1/2 inches. A bit too high for my liking, but I really like the looks of these pants. I will not need a tunic to cover the bum, but I will probably wear an untucked shirt with these. I don't know how well they would work for a person with a small waist though.

I also bought the leggings:
http://www.eddiebauer.com/cata.....hInfo=T319

On me, they don't look like they do on the model. I will wear a longer shirt, but I don't feel it would have to be a tunic. Some of my leggings are more like tights, but these are bigger and thicker than that.

I also ordered ponte pants in petite so I hope that the rise is a bit lower too:
http://www.eddiebauer.com/cata.....hInfo=T319

Last week they were on sale and I am sure I saw a discount code somewhere recently but I cannot remember where now.

Being a pretty pear, I have the same fit issues with ponte pants as you do. The only solution I have found was to legthen the VC Ponte ankle pants by letting the hem out to the maximum. They are form fitting, but not in a leggings sort of way, with a little bit of roominess. (hope that makes sense) They do not hug my calves or knees. Letting the hem out all the way made them just long enough, on short legged me, to wear with a low heel, no more than 1".

You need to feel fabulous in what you wear or you shouldn't wear it. As far as fit, I bought the VC version in brown at NAS and sized up from a 2or 4 to an 8 or 10 for length and slouch.

This is a great question. My recent capsule attempts allowed me to realize on my pear shape, my ponte pants are more like leggings in fit and only work with longer length tops. This makes them less versatile for me, but I still enjoy the rare occasion when I wear them just for a change of silhouette.

Diana, I am going through the EXACT SAME QUANDRY, even comparing ponte pants to the BR Martins. BUT, I did order another pair of ponte pants that I prefer to the NYDJ. The fabric is much more substantial, and they have a nice wide waist band, so, while quite fitted, they are not nearly as legging-like. I suggest you might want to try them. They are the Vince Camuto ponte pant. I'm still on the fence, as I've really enjoyed looser trousers and jeans this year, and like you, I'm not sure exactly how I would style them. So, this weekend I'll be trying a bunch of options to help me decide.

ETA: for some reason the link keeps taking me to the heather grey pants, but they also come in black (although not for 50% off, sadly). Just search "Vince Camuto ponte pant".

My Kut ponte (same as you have Diana) just came and they are more body con than I expected. I've never shied away from that in the past but am starting to feel a little more self-conscious about it. The VC ponte that Sarah linked to looked great to me - until I saw that the rise is only 30.5". ugh. WAY too short for me.

ETA - and they are on sale for $37?? oh, now I feel a little ill :-/