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Trousers are difficult

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I know when trousers look good, but I have a hard time finding trousers that look good on me. Somehow they are either baggy, or pulling across the top of the thigh or are so long and flared that hemming would destroy the line. And I don't like cropped for winter because they fall weirdly for boots.

I could show you about 5 pairs of dress pants, only one of which I really like and they are unfortunately cotton.

I can easily find jeans that look good and they are my default. But that gets boring after a while.

Any short, but not petite, rectangle shape, wide waist, people have recommendations of pants they love?

Shopping

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Anonymous

You had me at Trousers are difficult. YES THEY ARE. Blasted things. I have been trying on pants all week. I experience every last one of the issues you describe, and find this season's offerings even more frustrating. I know I've put on a bit of weight, but come on! I would like something with some style to them too, not just plain old straight leg dress pants. I eagerly await the replies here! I'm tempted to order the grey ones Angie included on her finds today with the capsule post (from J Crew ) but have no idea what to expect and am getting tired of having to start from square one with each and every pair.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Try these (lots of colours). I just got them in red and LOVE the fit. They are a Fab Find for next week. Not cropped on me, but a great length with loafers or booties.

Maddie pant in bi-stretch wool

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Anonymous

Ok - I'll order the grey ones. Those are what I was referring to above. Was worried about the length, but I think you are taller than I, Angie. Clicking and ordering right now.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm 5 ft 6, with regular length legs.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I'll give them a run, too, though J Crew is usually the biggest source of heartbreaking pants for me.

Anonymous

Well, I just ordered them. Oops, and accidentally on purpose threw in those zip-ankle cargos that keep showing up on the front page. I imagine myself in stilettos perched on a stool with a pencil in my hand wearing the cargos and looking very cool ......
I hope those pants fit. I went up yet another size. Want them loose, not fitted. Good price though:)

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Sale was nice too. citron sweater $35 just threw itself in the cart.

Stretch ribbed merino wool sweater

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Anonymous

funny how that happens

Dimity

ha ha ha!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I hear you about trousers. They are impossible, and I have all but given up on finding a pair. Ankle pants are no problem for me, neither are jeans, so why trousers? I have no idea why that style of pant fits me so badly.

Joy

Veteran

I share your trouser problems. All the ones I have are several years old, but have you tried Banana Republic or Express? The last ones I bought were Vince Camuto, although I had to let the hem out for more length.
Being a rectangle means that if they fit at the waist, the hips are baggy. Jeans with a lower waist avoid that problem. Maybe lower rise trousers?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Trousers are difficult, true. I have totally opposite problems from a lot of you -- big hips, big thighs, short rise, long inseam, flat butt. And I have just come to accept that trousers that fit me and look good are a rarely found animal. Good thing my life is casual and I can wear jeans all of the time (those are hard enough), but sometimes I'd just like to find something a little more interesting, you know? The ones I have are basic black or grey, and a decade old, but I hang onto them because at least they fit. I always assume that you lucky narrow-hipped ladies have an easier time of trouser fit, so I'm sorry to hear that it's not so easy for you either!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

This post reminded me of my rant 3 years ago of not being able to
find pants that fit - ever. Angie still chuckles when she remembers that because I became quite a trouser person less than a year after that. I hope it can give you hope that your well fitting pants do exist and you just need to hit on the brand which suits your body shape. For me it was Express and Banana Republic. I have a different body type from you (hourglass) but hope somebody else can help you out.

jackiec

Veteran

Oh this is a fun thread. I am going to restrain myself from even looking at the JCrew website because it would be a case of buying for the life I do not have. The red trousers that Angie is recommending look so fun. Oh that citron sweater is what's tempting me now. Sorry no help on trousers. I'm pretty much all jeans around here

shiny

Veteran

I'm so glad you said trousers are difficult! Me too. I thought it was just me.

No recommendations since I'm petite.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I agree, and I kind of fit your description, shape-wise. My favorite trousers are skinny ones by Classiques Entier. I have them in charcoal and stone. I would like a pair that isn't skinny, though. I do have a pair of wider-legged pants by the same brand that I like a lot, but not all of their pants work for me.

Classiques Entier 'City Weave' Stretch Pants

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Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Just wanted to extend sympathies and comiserate, since it seems trousers are tricky at any size! I always thought you rectangles had it made, but the grass really always is greener on the other side of the fenfce isn't it? In my case I have to deal with the issue of limited selection. Plus-size fashions have come an extraordinarily long way and caught up to standard styles in most aspects, but in my experience trousers remain a real gap. Finding a pair that is not plain black or long enough for tall me and you've got yourself a goose chase. Good luck Lila! I do hope the J Crew items hurling themselves lemming-style into your cart wind up delivering the goods.
Your reply

K.M.

Veteran

I want to strongly second Joy's recommendation of Express trousers. They usually have a great assortment of fits, cuts, and fabrics, and their trousers always fit me amazingly. And are well-made too (wear well, wash well). I know Express can be a funny place, what with all the ultratight dresses and short skirts, but their pants (and "business-feminine") clothes offerings have never disappointed me.

Also, I find their trousers as comfortable to wear as a pair of sweats. No, scratch that. MORE COMFORTABLE.

kkards

Veteran

hmmmm, i love trousers. i'm 5'4, but not a petite in pants as most of my height is in my legs. i do need to shorten most pants, and often have the waist nipped in slightly. if you are looking for workish trousers i recommend the jcrew bristol trouser, or theory, like both the wide legs from my finds, and the cigarette leg. and for basics, don't over look talbots, which has a variety of cuts. i also like vince, most of the pants are ankle length, so they may not be exactly what you are looking for. (just wanted to add, that i really want to love the express trousers, but i've never found one that works for me)

Bristol trouser in Italian stretch wool

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Theory 'Emery 2' Wide Leg Trousers

$275.00 $109.98

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Vince 'Strapping' Stretch Wool Trousers

$265.00 $105.98

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ugh. Those Emery 2 trousers -- NIGHTMARE on me.

But here's the really frustrating part -- I have a pair of the OLD Emerys from Theory and they fit brilliantly!! (Well, not so brilliantly now that I am up a few pounds, but in "theory" (ha ha) and also past practice.

The moral of the story is, when it comes to trousers, you have to try, try, and try again.

kkards, you have the perfect shape for pants, I am convinced. They all look effortlessly elegant on your slim frame.

kkards

Veteran

suz, thanks for much! i think its the angle of my mirror and camera!

gryffin

Veteran

Gosh - I feel your pain on this!! That's why I had not one pair of "dress" pants. Some dressier pants gap, ponte pants AT. I do second KKards recommendation for the Vince "strapping" pants. I had seen them on another blogger. They are listed as running small and I did go from my usual 4 to size 6. Sounds like we are simliar body type, I am 5'3" rectangle, not a lot of waist with long legs. The Vince are brilliant - full length narrow leg on me so perfect for all shoes/booties, sligthly slouchy in the leg, slightly big in the waist but nothing a belt won't fix and I don't like pants tight. Highly recommended. I do have the Theory Louise Urban on the way to me right now, I'll update you if they work out. Since I shop almost exclusively online pants are a major HEWI. Good luck on the hunt!!

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viva

Veteran

Lemming here. Just ordered the red pants AND the citron sweater. Need to sign off before I order more. Yikes!

Anonymous

My advice is to go on a safari hunt for the perfect fit. Try on everything. Once you find your Holy Grail, buy several pairs.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I have the Vince strapping pants...and they do actually fit. And I had looked at the Theory Louise because I thought they might work. Theory pants with wider legs are among those I worry about spoiling the line of when they need to be hemmed up four inches or so.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I used to think that trousers were hard items to fit, but judging from how I assist my clientele, they aren't THAT hard. They became harder when curvy bodies are subjected to straight cuts, and straight bodies are subjected to curvy cuts. Once that is sorted, things are a lot smoother in the fitting room. (Pun intended). Thank you Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, NYDJs, Express and the Loft for supplying excellent fits for curvy figures.

In my experience, the ultimate challenge has been trying to create a tailored look on an extreme apple shaped body without a jacket.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Hope you find something and I know that trousers can be difficult. I have a small waist, but as an hourglass, I must be careful that my pockets don't bulge outward around my hips.

Angie's J. Crew pick looks wonder and worth exploring. I also like your slim Theory's and Vince, too, and may look at those myself. Once you find what works, you'll be good to go. Have you tried Halogen or Banana Republic?

catgirl

Veteran

Yes they are! I fit pants more easily than tops and jackets but I've learned to stick with certain tried and true brands and completely ignore others. I think the retail world skews toward hourglass/pears while the runway world skews toward ITs. So what I see and what I find are vastly different!

And Suz, yes! Theory changed their fit - the old Max C pants were perfect on me and now, not at all.

Stacyanderic

New here and loving it! I love love love trousers and they are my go-to for work, every single day. I am an hourglass/apple and love AT and Loft, and believe it or not JC Penny's. I have recently tried out Marks and Spencer's store brand and I love those as well!

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