Boden Richmond pant: Yay/Nay, size up, give up?

I need a pair of blue dress pants, but I am trying the red here because they photograph better (ordered for fun on sale, in case the blue were fabulous). I can't tell if these pants fit the way they are supposed to, or if I should size up for more ease in the waist and hips, although then the legs will be baggy. These are the petite length, but I am not sure if they still need some adjustment. Or is it a bad fit on me, and I should try a different pant?

These pants dig into my waist, although it's not awful. It's an ongoing fit issue with me and pants. If I size up for my waist and upper hip, pants are baggy in the seat and leg.

photo 1, "normal"
photo 2, sweater rolled up to show fit of the waist band.

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6 years ago

karen13

Veteran

They fit well from the hips down, but if they aren’t completely comfortable in the waist, I’m afraid you will find excuses not to wear them. Can you size up and easily take in the side seams and/or center back? It might be quite easy if there is no top stitching or felled seam.

They are very cute on. While I am no PPL expert, I might like them a tad shorter. Which goes to show my eye may finally be adjusting to Ankle baring pants.

LaPed

I find the Richmonds relax a bit over the course of a day, due to the stretch. You might wear them around for a couple hours to see if the waist loosens to a point where it's not uncomfortable.

I like the Richmonds precisely because they have more room in the leg than most current dress/office pants. But if you want more room in the waist and a slimmer leg, you could try the Boden Hampshires.

Anonymous

These look like they fit beautifully in the waist and thigh. I don’t see any digging in at the waist...I would expect some muffin top, if that were true, and I don’t see any.

The print is so cute! Nice for summer.

I would hem them up a bit though.

Jenni NZ

They look really cute. For me, from experience, if they dig into the waist I won't want to wear them.

Jane

They look good to my eye, but I tend to agree with Jenni.

rachylou

Ditto what Karen said...

Bijou

They do look good, I would try a size up as they are a great style on you.

Cardiff girl

I m afraid that you might be finding what I now do with Boden trousers.They used to fit me like a dream and then they did something to their sizing and now I can’t wear them .My usual size is just as you describe fine on the hips but a little tight at the waist then the next size up is too baggy around the hips.l ve got a pair of Richmond’s that I bought over a year ago sitting unworn in my cupboard for just this reason,as others have said if they are not totally comfortable you won’t wear them.For the record I m a uk size 10 and I still wear this size in Boden tops.

bella

(website)

Hmmm, don't you want a more closer fit around down the legs? They look very roomy to me, but if the waist is already tight, maybe this cut is not for you.

Scarlet

Thanks a lot for these thoughts. I am leaning toward sending the pants back. It's true what several people wrote, that having pants cutting in the waist makes one reach for them less often, but my problem is I don't have the more comfortable alternative to reach for instead. Also my work is not a long day and doesn't require long uninterrupted hours of sitting, so a little discomfort is tolerable if not ideal.

La Ped, thanks for sharing your experience with the fit and fabrications. I had a look at the Hampshires, but I would rather have a cotton fabrication.
Cardiff girl, Interesting that the fit has changed. Helps me square the raving reviews with my own fit problems.

ETA: Also I have to say that unfortunately the length and width on me is looking dumpy to my eye this morning. It is nice fabric though, for anyone else who was interested in these. Really cute ticking inside the waist band.

Aquamarine

Only you can decide if the waistband is too uncomfortable, but I have to say I agree with you on the length. It seems neither here nor there, especially given the width at the ankle. A more tapered leg would look better at that length, I think.

RobinF

I have the same fit issues with pants and can't stand having a tight waist. But I do sit all day for work so that aggravates any tightness. These look like they fit well, except for the length, but how they feel is important.

krishnidoux

Scarlet, it's funny that with your forum name, you would order a red pair when you need a blue! On the pic they look nice but how are they from the back? When pants are too tight, sometimes, and I can't decide, I grap a hand mirror and look ar the rear view: if they are too small, I will know.

Inge

Moderator

I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that if they were a tad shorter, and a tad less loose on the calf area, they would look better. But then there's still the issue of the waist feeling a little too tight. Like some Fabbers have said above, I tend to not reach for trousers when that's the case.

anchie

Ok, after suffering the whole day in pants that are too tight at the waist and swearing to never wear them again all I have to say is - keep looking!

Krish, red just causes me to veer off course. It's a trouble.

Gigi

I don't have experience with Boden, but it looks to me like the cut of these trousers doesn't work for you. The pants are tight in some places but loose in others. I would keep looking.

Glory

I have a very similar fit issue with many pants. I think sizing up will be too large as these look like a great fit. If you love them you could do a small alteration to ease up the waist but only if you really love them. Otherwise I would keep looking. I do love the red on you!

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