Add me to the *I hate uber low rise and I'm short* crowd. On the otherhand, I don't like the above waist style either. I'm short waisted, and I find the slightly below the waist look is OK, but I despise anything lower. AND I too fight the gap at the back thing in most slacks. I've had to have my Banana Republic pants altered to close the gap. I'm not looking forward to the above the waist look either - they look like *old man pants* IMHO. Women's clothes, and fashion, Oy Vey.