For reference, I always need the petite or short length in pants, unless I'm specifically only wearing those pants with heels. In jeans and dress pants I'm usually wearing a size 4 or 6 short/petite, with an inseam approx 29-30" depending on the brand. In leggings I'm typically comfortable wearing a size small. These Spalding ankle leggings fit me perfectly in size small. Because my legs are so short, I can tug them down to hit a bit lower on the ankle than where it shows in the product picture if I want to, but their natural fit when I pull them on is hitting exactly at my ankle bone. I was shocked because some of the reviews from taller ladies seem to indicate that these also fit their leg length. The waist band does not dig. I picked these leggings originally because it was the only pair I found in this price point with a wide, flat waistband. When I first received them, I was a bit disappointed because I was expecting the entire waistband, from the top of the legging to the seam, to be one solid elasticized piece. Instead, there is a 1/2" piece of elastic sewn in at the very top of that wide waistband. My experience in the past has been very disappointing with other inexpensive leggings that had the small elastic, but I have not had a pair that also had the wide waistband fabric piece like these do. On trying these on around the house for a bit, I found that the elastic does not roll or budge in any way, so that wide waistband easily stays laying flat. I decided to keep them since they were so inexpensive, and figured I could just wear them lounging around the house if I ended up hating them (luckily I ended up loving them). They do not stretch out during the day at all. The material is soft. I waited a while before I wrote this review because I wanted to see how these would handle being machine washed & dried. They're cotton so I was a bit worried about shrinking and pilling but I have two pairs (one charcoal, one black) and I've washed them both 5 or 6 times so far without any issues. (It's not been that long since I got these but I've been wearing them a lot). I wash on delicate, cold water, and dry in the dryer on delicate, low heat. So far they have not lost any of their elasticity at all and there's no pilling at all, not even between the thighs. I am curious to see how they hold up over a longer period of time. I do not wear these to work out because I personally don't like to work out in cotton clothing. I am willing to pay a lot more for performance leggings with a higher percentage of poly in the fabric blend for working out, as I find that my sensitive skin prefers wicking materials, and because I don't like working out with obvious sweat showing through my clothes. This is not at all a disappointment to me. Since the cotton/poly blend percentage is right in the product description I knew that these were not for the gym (for me). At this price point I don't think you can get a true performance wicking legging (if you know of one, please let me know!!!). These are fine for me for activities like long walks and light yoga, but not HIIT or running. I've worn them to go out a few times with a tunic and ankle boots, with knee high boots and a sweater, out for date night with heels and a strappy tank top, and of course, lounging around the house. I am very pleased with these leggings overall, and I find myself reaching for them constantly - I'm going to buy a couple more pairs while I'm here!
