If the hips fit, the waist is too tight. If the waist fits, the hips are way too loose. I am 0.8 waist/hips ratio. I also have sort of a flat butt (I think if you've got some curves in the back, you can fill out jeans better even if your hips are narrow). Pocket placement and size is important - sometimes I'll find pants that fit well, but the pockets just don't flatter at all.
Because my stomach is pretty much a wreck from pregnancies, I cannot do low-rise at all. Really need something that is at least a mid-rise, hitting at the widest part and locking it all in so it doesn't jiggle over the waistband! Ideal rise is 9 inches.
Back rise is just as important, since my butt is flat. I've found a back rise around the same as the front rise is most flattering. Yoke can't be too long or I'll wind up with pockets that are on my thigh, not my butt.
What's more, I'm petite at 5'0. Except, for some odd reason, I can't fit in petite jeans. I guess my rise is just slightly longer than the "normal" rise for petites, which I think is probably because of excess skin leftover from my pregnancies. But the sizing for regular pants has grown over the years, and more and more, the smallest size is simply way too big.
I also just need to get the scale right - since my hips are so narrow, forget about most wider leg pants. I will drown in them, unless they are scaled perfectly. But I really do like trouser cuts that are form-fitting on the thighs and then flare out after the knee.
Overall, I do prefer pants to skirts and dresses, which present their own special challenges for me. And I'm far more comfortable in the right pair of pants. When I find the right fit, I buy duplicates!!!
