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.
