While these shorts fit a whole size small, (my daughter usually wears a small, but needed a medium), once you do get the correct size they are AWESOME. The pattern is eyecatching and pleasing and seems to go with all the other cycling gear we already own. The legs don't squeeze too tightly yet stay in place, even without the grippers inside. The waste band stays flat and comfortable, even on 100 mile rides. But the most amazing thing is that my daughter was bit by a large dog the first time wearing these, and though the teeth broke the surface of her skin (she's okay, by the way), the shorts are perfectly fine. The blood washed out in a normal cycle with normal detergent and there are no holes. We believe the fabric stretched with the teeth and actually protected her skin to some degree. I would highly recommend these shorts!