Wide leg trousers

There are a few things to consider when styling wide leg trousers. I think you need to take your own shape into account as much as the trousers and we don't know what that is. Are you wider in the shoulder than the hips or vice versa.

You should be able to dress them up and down by using a variety of tops and shoes. Getting the length right is imperative. They should top your shoes (whether trainers or heels) to elongate your stature, but ensure the they don't catch between the heel and the floor. You may need to shorten them but it's best to get them right at the beginning. Heels will elevate the style, trainers suggest a more casual outing. I would never, ever, buy something that I feel can only be styled for one sort of occasion.

Making the top work means balancing the volume of the trousers. A t-shirt or similar fitted top will give you a dressed down, casual (but styled) look worn with appropriate accessories. If you like shirts I would go for a silky, flowing one rather than cotton as you need to balance the bulk of the trousers. If you start to feel your waist is disappearing, or you don't have one, define it with tucking the top into the waist of the trousers and wearing a belt. If the trousers make your legs look wider than your shoulders then shoulder pads can re-proportion your body.

It would help to see a picture of the ones you have bought and know the colour of them and to know your areas of concern re your body . You style clothes to suit you, not the clothes. They should make you feel confident. That's their job.

Casdon Marie-Anne.....she's got a lot going for her! Height, slim, a nice budget and of course she's French!

One can only dream.

lafergar

Casdon Marie-Anne.....she's got a lot going for her! Height, slim, a nice budget and of course she's French!

One can only dream.

I agree, but what she does really well is to illustrate the style and offer advice on proportions for all body shapes.

Yes, indeed!

Casdon

This lady is my YouTube style favourite, she’s really good at explaining what works with different body shapes. This is about wide leg jeans, but applies to trousers as well. Hope it’s helpful.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaj7xMaiipA

Mine is Mellisa Murrell (MM Personal Styling). She runs a company and is both a stylist and trainer of stylists but I expect we are all drawn to different people and their methods of teaching. I think she now has over 40 body shape master classes on YouTube where she dresses real people. She also has some where people have allowed her to film their consultation.

This one www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfb2b9St3GI is about "How to style the right length of trousers for your height & shape". But it's worth finding one that suits you.

My problem is that along with only being 5’2” I have a petite frame (8/10 on the bottom half)

Despite having the build of a size 10 on the top I have boobs not too dissimilar to those of Dolly Parton, consequently dressing for my shape is a veritable minefield.

Added to which I am naturally blonde, so no hope for going with the demure look 😹😹😹

Blimey I don’t think I’ve been an 8/10 since I was about 12 years old!

Whitewavemark2

Blimey I don’t think I’ve been an 8/10 since I was about 12 years old!

I think it’s genetic, my sister is in her 50’s and is a 6/8 and mainlines chocolate.

We just have very small frames, mine is slightly more padded than hers.

I do go to the gym at least three times a week, and walk quite a bit.

escaped

PS French women are the epitome of "petite".

Are they? All of them? I'm sure they can't all be the same height? I shall look it up!

GrannyGravy13

My problem is that along with only being 5’2” I have a petite frame (8/10 on the bottom half)

Despite having the build of a size 10 on the top I have boobs not too dissimilar to those of Dolly Parton, consequently dressing for my shape is a veritable minefield.

Added to which I am naturally blonde, so no hope for going with the demure look 😹😹😹

Oh God tell me about it! boobs that is, they've served their purpose now, I wish I could shrink them without going under the knife. in fact I've even contemplated doing that except for my husband's horrified response. Friends who are much flatter chested don't understand when I say I wish I was too, I'd definitely trade mine in for theirs and they vice versa

Certainly not size 10 anymore, I was once

TerriBull I had the pre-op consultation for breast reduction, then COVID hit, the more I thought about it, the more I became a scaredy cat

In the end as soon as the hospital said they were ready for cosmetic procedures I changed my mind, and didn’t go through with it.

Part of me regrets that decision, but hey ho that’s where I am, and I feel that being mid sixties I shouldn’t be so vain. Mind you every time I have to purchase a bra and pay extortionate prices the little niggle makes itself known…

Oh that's interesting GG. I know someone who has had it done quite a while ago now, no regrets. Yes I do think about it, but my more rational side as well as my husband would dictate don't undergo an unnecessary procedure for vanity's sake and it's not as if I suffer from back problems just I think they ruin the line of how clothes hang, how trivial is that In my younger days, bearing in mind I was size 10 to 12 then I often felt objectified when men's eyes were prone to zoom into that particular area. When I see Katie Price having the umpteenth operation, her body I know, it exasperates me, of late I feel she makes a mockery of the feminine form with the most ridiculous looking breasts that resemble boulders.

I’ve got a couple of pairs, one animal pair from mountain warehouse and another jersey type from sea salt Cornwall. I find them really comfortable.

I’d wear whatever you feel comfortable in, Lilypops, and what you think looks nice.

For years I’ve had wide-ish leg summer trousers in linen, or a linen/cotton mix (I wear them with the sort of flats that aren’t minus any heel IYKWIM) but I’m having trouble finding anything the same now - I don’t want very wide leg or ‘ankle-grazers’ , let alone the ‘barrel-leg’ type.

I dare say it’s me, but I do find some of the currently fashionable styles pretty hideous.

Yes, I have a loose, wide-legged pair in soft a cotton viscose mix and they are great to wear. I used to be a fair bit taller but apparently I'm only 5'2" now 🤔
DD says they look good so that's a seal of approval! I wear them with more fitted tops from Land's End, with nice trainers as I have to wear sturdy shoes.

In fact, I don't care what anyone thinks now, as long as I'm clean and comfortable!

Re breasts - I am OK with big breasts but I do wish I could buy clothes that were a better fit.

I don't need huge armholes or tops so very broad across the shoulders that they hang off me - just because my boobs are big doesn't mean I'm not a "usual" size elsewhere.

If anyone has any suggestions re brands yo try (or other ideas) I'd be grateful.

My two pairs of wide-leg trousers have just been delivered (thank you postie)

One pair is perfect, good fabric and exact length.

The other pair, well, the material felt cheap, enormous round the waist and at least 6” too long, so they are going back.

I am astounded at the difference in sizing, as both pairs ordered were 10 short…

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I’m 5’7” and wear my summer print cropped wide leg trousers (which lie mid calf on me) with my Birks. I like the heft of them - they balance out the look well I think. I just wear a plain tee on top half.

I’m 5’7”

It’s not easy getting the top and bottom to look right so needs a lot of time in the shops.

I am a petite 5’1 and weigh 50 kgs and am a size 12. I do have two pairs of wide leg trousers. One pair I wear with a little jacket so looks quite formal and the second pair I wear with a small loose top, I have a few.

I wear them with FitFlop trainers which I love. I have some sparkly ones which I wear when dressing up a bit as I no longer like to wear heels unless it’s a very formal do and there are very few of those now. I prefer the cropped linen trousers on me.

I think they look smart, much nicer than those skinny jeans, especially on a larger lady. I must say though, I am not as keen on the those extra wide legged jeans.

escaped

Wide leg trousers seem to be being worn alot by women here in France at the moment.
I've noticed they are slightly shorter than usual, not grazing the floor, and they arecl worn with trainers. They look nice with a little knitted cardigan, (not granny style!).

This is how I would wear them. I can’t walk in anything with a heel and I need things that skim my ankle so I don’t trip over them. My disabilities dictate my fashion choices

I've just bought my third pair from Primarni at an affordable price so I can alter the length.

My others are from the petite range from Next. Love them and so comfortable in the warm weather.

Thankyou all for your very helpful tips on styling the wide lag trousers. , I am definitely going to keep them, they are blue patterned viscose , and I will wear with either a blue plain T-shirts and silver flats and jewellery or try a flowing shirt with a cami underneath ,, it’s been interesting reading comments from different size ladies. It seems anyone can wear them if you get the proportions right. I am a size 16 apple shape. But with size 14 slimmer hips so I think I can wear them and feel right. Many thanks ladies x

I love overshirts Lilypops. As well as the look they seem to suit our weather!

For those with large bust, Larger Apple Stomach, Slim Legs and Feet Issues, this may be useful www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErKe5i1cyaQ