Mango trousers try-on - YouLookFab Forum

I decided to persevere in my trouser search after my recent Cos/Arket/H&M fail, and moved on to Mango, which I haven’t tried anything from in almost a decade, when we used to have a store locally. I’m sticking to high street brands for the moment, just for convenience as there aren’t many higher end brands with good online return policies available where I’m located. I’ve been looking for both black and lighter colored summer trousers, and ordered these two beige/grey ones from the sales. As requested I took pictures this time, and would love some input and opinions on both.

The first pair is a linen/cotton blend with 2% elastane. When I put them on I immediately felt like this is exactly the style of trousers I’ve been looking for - straight legged, high waisted, kind of relaxed but also kind of tailored. I ordered size 40 (I would have also gotten a 38 for comparison, but it was sold out), and feel like they fit well on my hips, but of course they are huge in the waist. I would have to take them in quite a bit - possibly have some darts or pleats added in the front as well as take in an additional few cms in the back darts for a balanced fit. There is also not a separate waistband, just a facing/self-waistband, which makes them feel a little less stable, but it’s not a dealbreaker.

The second pair are these pull-on culottes in 100% linen, ordered in an M. The waistband is elasticized in the back (no fly), which makes them fit well on both the waist and hips (even if they are a little tight to pull on over the hips). Love the color and the fabric/feel. They are however much wider legged than I am used to wearing, and to be honest I feel kind of heavy in them. I might also be influenced by my husband’s dislike for anything that doesn’t show off my shape, but am trying to look beyond that, lol. What do you guys think?

I’m unsure about the length on both of them - do they need to be shorter? And also possible styling, since I haven’t owned a pair of light colored trousers in almost 20 years! Any advice is welcome!

Edit: Please excuse my jumbled surroundings, we are still mid-renovations, but thankfully back home and reunited with my wardrobe!

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9 months ago

Star

Veteran

I prefer the first pair. Very, very nice IF the alteration is relatively easy and does not change the shape of them, and obviously not too pricey. I cannot really say why I am not that attracted to the 2nd pair. I think the first one is more flattering on your shape, maybe your DH has a point If you don't feel fab in this shape now you probably won't ever IYKWIM. When I have Ifs and Buts to begin with it does not improve and I won't wear the item much. I will leave lengths to Angie, Miss PPL

slim cat

The first pair for sure. The wideness of the second pair feels unbalanced ( it could work out with stronger shoes - like sneakers, platform sandals and such ).

pirouette

Active Member

I also like the first pair with the zip and pockets. I much prefer when trousers are more tailored. I like the colour of both.

kkards

I tailor pants often, especially at the waist but often need to hem as well.
I actually like them both. And think they both look good. I’m not good with length/hem and appeal for help from this forum often

Jaime

(website)

I like them both and would consider shortening the second pair to true culotte length, but that is just me. I would choose the first pair if you want just one wide, full length pair.

Suz

I actually love them both, with a slight preference for the second pair, but perhaps not if you get the waist alteration done to the first. As for lengths, you might have to experiment with whatever footwear you intend to wear. You might need/ want a shoe or sandal with a bit more heft or presence with these wider legged pants.

One question -- is the rise a little long on these? It might be a trick of the camera, and/or if it is a problem with the first pair, the waist adjustment might hike them up so that it is not an issue any longer.

It can take the eye a while to adjust to wider silhouettes and to light colours. The first time I wore white jeans I felt as if I was walking around with a sign on my bum saying look at me! (Not something I wanted to say!) But after a few times of wearing, I got used to them. You might feel more easy in a wide silhouette if you went for a darker colour first time round.

Sisi

I like the first pair a lot, as they are (no shortening). Very flattering.

quietloud

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Opinions seem to be 50/50 on the second pair, which is the one I was already most uncertain about, so I'm leaning towards sending them back. While I am trying to get out of my comfort zone a little when it comes to style, I am also trying to be strict about not keeping pieces I don't love. I tried pinning them shorter as per your suggestion Jamie, and I also pinned one leg slightly narrower (see picture), which I think I like better. Having looked at it more though I think it's not the width of the legs that's the biggest problem, but that the pull on style without a fly, slash pockets, or any details just isn't that flattering on me. I have quite a long rise already, and this style creates a very large, unbroken piece of crotch, lol! Despite my wide hips I actually think some detailing in this area looks more flattering?

Suz, I agree that the rise looks long, but I think it's (at least partly) due to them not fitting properly at the waist and sitting a bit lower on the hips than I would like. I measured and the rise is exactly the same as on my favorite/best fitting pair of trousers, so I think they should be alright with some alterations. I do also have a fairly long rise too, though, lol.
Without a separate waistband, just a facing, the alterations should be fairly straightforward on these, and I can easily do them myself at no extra cost, so I am inclined to keep them.

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Angie

Fashion Stylist

I like them both too!

After waist alterations, the first pair will be KILLER. Nice find! And fab that you can do these alterations yourself

Yes, I hear you -- I have a long rise, too, so I'm probably overly aware of that area. I do find that detailing helps distract from that aspect of my shape, as well.

It sounds like you are keeping the first and I think that is a great call!

Janet

I love the first pair and have a very similar fit issue in at least 3 out of every 4 pair of pants that work for me. I think the alteration would be doable!

Helena

Jeez they both look perfect to me so I'm no help I don't think you'll go far wrong in any case!

Thanks for your help, ladies! I actually ended up keeping both of them! We had friends over for drinks in the garden on Saturday, and the culottes felt like the perfect thing to wear on a super warm evening, relaxed but somewhat elegant as well. I wore them with a cream knit top, gold hoop earrings and bare feet, and was very happy to wear something other than dark trousers for a change!

Will start on alterations on the first pair today, I think.

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by quietloud

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Jenni NZ

Well I had missed commenting earlier but I really liked them both, and I love your cream knit top! I’m sure you must have looked elegant!
I’m sitting in a warm bed while my 2 year old granddaughter sleeps next to me, and am dreaming about drinks in the garden in a warm summer evening! Maybe in six months

Thank you, Jenni!

That sounds so cozy I can already feel the days getting shorter here, so am really trying to make the most of our remaining summer days!

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