Here is what I feel: it is NOT figure flattering. I truly understand that. Especially on a short-legged, high waisted person like me.
On the other hand, it is SUPER comfortable, and has an ease and je ne sais quoi that I love. I have always enjoyed loose trousers of all kinds, and especially jeans.
Jeans fit my lifestyle better than any other article of clothing, hands down, so I feel it is fair for me to purchase them in whatever styles tickle my fancy. Given that I wear the darn things so often, I don't want to confine myself to one cut or style or colour; I want a variety.
I have worn baggy jeans over the years in a number of incarnations. I quite like these ones for their taper. Oddly, I like the look with cuffs more than without; I think that is because cuffing creates a sharper taper, and it is the taper that seems to make it wearable for me. So, if I wear with boots, I'll wear with my Doc Marcies, cuffed, rather than rolled down all the way as in photo 4. I don't care for that look as much at all, and if I want full length, I will go with my BR boyfriends or my straight legs or other skinnies or Long and Leans.
Not sure if that answers your question, Freckles, but thank you for helping me think it through. It's not so much loving the LOOK as loving the FEEL. They evoke something for me. I love menswear and tomboy and androgynous style of all kinds. So....