I’m a size 12-14. Early 40s. Generous of arse, hourglass shape. Hate feeling too constricted around the waist. Hate fabric that feels rough or stiff. Would live in pyjamas if I didn’t have to leave the house on a regular basis.
Is there anywhere I can buy soft, comfortable, flattering trousers that look even vaguely smart?
Edit: I think some of the issue is that I appear to have become a 14-16 when I, uh, wasn’t paying attention…
14 comments
Have you tried Uniqlo?
I recently bought some plain black wide leg and also tapered cropped from marks and Spencer, they have an elasticated waist but look smart enough for the office. Very comfortable
Matalan do comfy smart trousers, they’re my go to for work wear.
Lucy and Yak Alexa trousers are very comfortable and the black ones are smart enough for work in my opinion. They have a big stretchy waistband and are generously sized around the hips/bum area.
Have a look for some hiking trousers and hiking jeans. They’re excellent as they’re designed for scrambling up a mountain…. The plus side being that they’re very comfy and stretchy and they also come in plain colours
Betabrand if you can get this in the UK! Yoga pants that look like trousers.
Matalan is a staple, I’m about the same figure but 14-16. They do a range of typical black work trousers if you don’t mind them as well as other styles that can be used for a smart dress, some with stretchy waistbands (what a glorious invention!)
Select I don’t mind on the occasion!
I regularly go to second hand stores for clothes, it’s amazing what you can get sometimes.
Ebay, Vinted, Depop – again second hand but apps, you can get some great clothes for decent prices.
Asda George’s yoga pants are absolutely the BOMB and are only £12. Perfect thick elastic at the waist, wash beautifully, last for years and years. In fact, to date, I don’t think I’ve thrown any out unless they got paint on or I fell and tore the knee. They’re nearly perfect – aside from having a sheen and only coming in black.
Not being funny, but have you tried men’s?
Maternity trousers is my answer!
I have a round belly these days – and with my IBS I can “bloat up” (and down) an entire dress size on some days.
With a nice flared top, no one can tell you have stretchy-tummy trousers (or leggings) on.
Tesco do some smart looking “joggers” with elasticated waistbands. They’re soft as fuck and super comfy!
try the dress pant yoga pants from [betabrand.com](https://betabrand.com) they are basically comfy stretchy leggings that look like work trousers.
I’ve got decent ones from M&S but you have to go and shop in person as they seemto have a lot of similar styles with different fabrics – last time I was buying IEven got some that have pockets! They have elastic at the back of the waitband and flat waitband at the front, and wide legs, so they are fine to wear for work but pretty comfortable.
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You could also consider eShktu – they are mail order and not cheap but they can be made to measure – I bought a dress and some trousers recently andthe trousers are so comfortable (the dress is toobut I accidentally ordered with a longer skirt than I should have, so I haven’t orn it much as I want to take the hem up by about 2 inches!) All of their stuff can be customised with different sleeve legths, skirt/trouser lengths and necklines, and if you pay for full customisation and give them allyour measuremesnts they are made to measure so fitbetter than anything off the peg. They do more dresses than anything else but have some trousers etc.
You want jersey trousers (I recommend [Simply Be)](https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/s?text=jersey%20trousers&nofollowind=true&suggestedFrom=jers)- they last well, feel comfy and look smart enough for work.