Gransnet forums

Style & beauty

Trouser fashion

(58 Posts)
Nansypansy Sat 28-Mar-26 13:45:55

I like to think I keep up with current fashion trends but quite honestly I think the designers have gone overboard with wider than wide trousers. I think they’re so unflattering and noticing how many have ended up in sales I think they’ve made a big mistake.

Oreo Mon 30-Mar-26 21:06:04

If you say so Casdon 😄
Coming from a tailoring background I have seen too many fashion faux pas over the years.You can’t go wrong with a straight leg jean/ trouser or a slightly tapered.
But if anyone doesn’t care then go for it.

Casdon Mon 30-Mar-26 21:00:21

Oreo

Casdon

Because shapes keep on changing, and if you stick with the same old, same old you look dated. I like to try new shapes out, and see what they look like - some work, and some don’t.

Wide legged don’t work unless you’re tall, slim and attractive and rather younger than we all are.
Often dedicated followers of fashion can’t see themselves as others do.

Obviously I am tall, slim and attractive(!), but I’m not a big fan of wide legged trousers, they don’t do much for me. However, I’d never think of limiting myself to only straight leg or tapered either, because I think that is dull. There’s a difference between trying new things and wearing what suits you, and being a fashion victim.

AmberGran Mon 30-Mar-26 20:53:19

Once you see what shape suits you why wear something that looks silly just because it’s the fashion?

Who says what looks silly anyway? And why care that someone else thinks something looks silly if you like it?

My mother used to think almost everything I wore in the 80s/90s looked silly but I loved it and wore it and let her live in her A-line skirts and elasticated trousers.

Oreo Mon 30-Mar-26 20:51:10

Casdon

Because shapes keep on changing, and if you stick with the same old, same old you look dated. I like to try new shapes out, and see what they look like - some work, and some don’t.

Wide legged don’t work unless you’re tall, slim and attractive and rather younger than we all are.
Often dedicated followers of fashion can’t see themselves as others do.

CanadianGran Mon 30-Mar-26 20:44:08

I agree, Casdon. I try new styles, but never go for the exaggerated version. So wide legged, barrel are fine on my 5'4" frame if done moderately and with the right top for proportion.

Casdon Sat 28-Mar-26 22:13:55

Because shapes keep on changing, and if you stick with the same old, same old you look dated. I like to try new shapes out, and see what they look like - some work, and some don’t.

Oreo Sat 28-Mar-26 22:04:55

Once you see what shape suits you why wear something that looks silly just because it’s the fashion?

Casdon Sat 28-Mar-26 21:59:44

That would be really boring, doomed to the same shape of trouser legs for life.

Oreo Sat 28-Mar-26 21:18:40

Straight leg every time or tapered if you are on the short side.

Oreo Sat 28-Mar-26 21:17:45

Gran22boys

I think wide leg trousers look ridiculous unless the wearer is very tall. I’m 5’5” and they look awful on me.

I’m around 5’7” and haven’t even tried them , they won’t look good on anyone under 5’10, very slim and around 25 and attractive 😂

Redrobin51 Sat 28-Mar-26 20:22:50

Straight legs for me but I do have some skinnier ones. I've always hated wide legged trousers and not keen on flares unless the flare is very slight.

Gran22boys Sat 28-Mar-26 20:15:10

I think wide leg trousers look ridiculous unless the wearer is very tall. I’m 5’5” and they look awful on me.

CanadianGran Sat 28-Mar-26 19:47:02

looks no lookes!

CanadianGran Sat 28-Mar-26 19:46:42

The ones I'm wearing today are sold as barrel, but I consider them more of a 'mom cut'; high waist, generous through hips and tapering down to a mid wide ankle. I see barrel as more exaggerated; look fine on some people but not all.

I never did like skinny cut and found the really uncomfortable, so tended towards straight and slightly wide. I'm glad the wide cuts come in different widths; I prefer a jean/trouser to sttill have some shoe showing , so not too wide.

As for length, a cropped trouser lookes nice in summer with sandals, but a bit silly to me with socks and closed shoes; they just look like what we used to jokingly called 'flood jeans'.

MayBee70 Sat 28-Mar-26 19:23:51

M0nica

I trip over widelegged trousers and get them wrapped round the other leg. I have never been prepared to sacrifice comfort or safety for fashion so always wear straight legged trousers.

I haven’t got wide legged trousers or jeans but trip over my pyjama bottoms sometimes which puts me off buying them. My daughter says when they’re very wide you don’t trip over them but I’m not going to risk it. It’s walking down stairs that worries me.

Deedaa Sat 28-Mar-26 19:18:15

I wear wide legged linen trousers in the summer, but not too wide legged!

Grammaretto Sat 28-Mar-26 19:13:07

I liked the fashion for cropped trousers in the summer. Much more flattering than shorts but I've not seen them anywhere now.
I don't look nice in wide legs so wear straight ones though I've not thrown my skinny jeans away as they're useful for exercise classes.
Anyone would think from reading this that I follow fashion. I don't.😂

foxie48 Sat 28-Mar-26 19:00:01

I've got some really wide trousers in a fine cotton fabric that hang really beautifully. I wear them casually with a fitted T and dress them up with a silk blouse and a big cinch type belt. I love them. I've got some barrel leg trousers in linen that i also love when its hot but they look best with sandals and a top which balances the shape. As Casdon has said, it's all about balance. I used to wear very slim trousers but they just don't look right ATM and I've completely gone off leggings unless I'm going to the gym.

ViceVersa Sat 28-Mar-26 18:50:23

M0nica

I trip over widelegged trousers and get them wrapped round the other leg. I have never been prepared to sacrifice comfort or safety for fashion so always wear straight legged trousers.

Same - never was able to wear them. Mind you, these days I live in leggings of one kind or another anyway.

Cossy Sat 28-Mar-26 18:47:48

M0nica

I trip over widelegged trousers and get them wrapped round the other leg. I have never been prepared to sacrifice comfort or safety for fashion so always wear straight legged trousers.

Thank goodness, I thought it was just me, though I can manage culottes!

Casdon Sat 28-Mar-26 17:32:28

Wearing trousers which are not fitted properly above the legs, ie too short waisted, droopy crotched, baggy or too tight is the biggest mistake I think. Shape wise I think it depends very much what you wear with them, wide legged trousers look far better with a short, neat fitting top, and vice versa for narrow legged - the worst look is wide legged trousers with a loose top in my opinion. I’ve got jeans with all sorts of fanciful names, including slim mom, girlfriend, cropped cigarette, and retro. I draw the line at paperbag, as they make me look two sizes bigger, or balloon, which look ridiculous on me.

NotSpaghetti Sat 28-Mar-26 17:22:47

The fashion trend I really don't like is the short trousers - maybe they are ankle length - but on most people they look like long trousers that you have grown out of somewhat!
grin
I don't mind wide ones if they are full length!

Nannylovesshopping Sat 28-Mar-26 17:17:59

I love a barrel leg Jean/jogger, suit my shape😀

Bukkie Sat 28-Mar-26 17:13:06

Very good Rosiesmile I too think of cowboys when I think of barrel legs. I have only seen them on a hanger though and not on a person so I don't know if they suit anybody.

SueDonim Sat 28-Mar-26 16:52:58

Glad it’s not just me who falls over their own trousers, Monica! grin

I prefer straight leg trousers, I think wide leg versions can make many people look like Sponge Bob Square Pants. As ever, though, we all wear what pleases us, who cares what others think?