These have a less restrictive elastic waist than the longer shorts which is more comfortable. The longer version has a thick band. I like that they are not high rise. That's uncomfortable enough on women, let alone a six year old. They cover my daughter's little bum and they stay on. She wears them ...under all her dresses and they're not visible, but they give her the freedom to wear stuff she likes and still climb and play and sit on the floor without showing anything. I find the sizing true to size. My daughter is tall for her age and she can still fit in her smalls but we're transitioning into medium everything. The mediums fit her great. I wish they would keep these in stock and offer more solid colors.