FWIW, my waist at this particular moment is 29 1/2 and my thighs are 21 3/4. I'm pretty sure that never in my adult life have I had a 26" waist. Also it's been years since I wore any pants that sit at my waist -- they tend to smush the belly button ring.

Pants sizes are wack. The ones that usually fit me best these days are the "authentic fit" boot cut jeans from J Jill. But even with them, there are variations. I have 2 pair of dark wash jeans, and one is tighter in the waist and shorter in the leg than the other. I also have a pair of lighter wash jeans that fit more comfortably but are dangerously close to plumber's butt if I squat down. I just bought a pair of gray jeans in the same size and they are very baggy in the butt.

The other day I tried on a pair of Hilfiger denim shorts in the same size that I wear in J Jill jeans. They were about 6 inches too big in the waist, no exaggeration. (Did I spell that right?) A few months back I tried a pair of Levi's in the same size that were too tight in the thigh and falling-down too big in the waist and hips.

Unfortunately you just have to try on lots of styles in various sizes to find the closest fit. For a perfect fit, get something that fits the largest part of you and then have it tailored down elsewhere.