Have seen a few threads on here so thought I would post an update.
I went to a Levis store to try them out today. I had already used the calculator on the website which told me I was a bold curve (am v v pear shaped).
The assistant asked me what size I was and I explained that I was "blessed" with size 10 waist (26/27 inches) and more like size 14 hips(40 inches plus). I am also 5ft 10 with an inside leg of 34 inches to add to my jean buying woes.
The assistant advised that size 12 = 30 inch waist. I tried on a range from 29-32 inch waist. Overall the 30 inch waist was best due to the low rise of the jeans and it is the first time I have tried on jeans that fit round hips where I thought I could get away with not wearing a belt to keep them on my waist and they didn't have that horrible gaping effect at the back.
However, and this might be a problem unique to pears, only my bum is mega big, my legs are in proportion with my waist, so the skinny jeans had a lot of extra fabric bagging round my legs. Wearing the 29 inch waist improved this but was really snug on my hips.
At the £80/£90 I thought they were overpriced. Fortunately my parents are visiting family in the States and I ordered two pairs from the levis site for $111.90 for them to bring back which is much more acceptable!