High waisted wide leg trousers - what the hell do I wear with them?

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

So this year I have acquired a few pairs of wide leg trousers which I love, but I'm having trouble working out what on earth to wear on my top half, especially once the weather gets colder! Not so much of a problem in the heat as I can just go with a thin t-shirt or fitted shirt, but all my jumpers are big baggy things for wearing over skinnies and I can't wear a big jumper or big coat over big trousers as I'll look like a sack of potatoes.

Any suggestions? If it helps, the trousers I have are these ones from Lucy and Yak and these ones from Uniqlo (they look completely different on me to the model!) and some from Toast which are similar to the ones in the picture.

[Floisme]

I think I've got the same (or very similar) Uniqlo trousers - love them. But yes, I follow the normal rule of thumb and wear them with shorter / more fitted tops. You do see seriously fashiony types wearing baggy with baggy but it's a too bit out-there for me (in all senses of the word). Plus you don't get the leg lengthening effect of high waisted unless you wear them with something defined at the waist.

As you say, it's easier with summery tops as they're thin enough to tuck in but with a jumper, there's too much bulk.

I would view it as a long term project - start with getting one shorter / more fitted jumper and then build up. There's time. It's why a new trouser / jeans shape takes several seasons to catch on - it's not just a case of buying one new thing, it's pretty much a change of outfit.

(Alternatively I've been known to chop a couple of inches off a jumper when it's too long but I couldn't possibly recommend it )

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

Hmm looks like I need to invest in some more slim knits then! I did buy one shorter jumper which I wear tucked in but I ended up wearing it every single day...

You're right about changing styles though - I remember when skinnies came in and I had to get rid of all my cropped things... Sadly I don't have the figure for those sorts of tops anyway any more

[chasingseagulls]

Definitely a case if having to change proportions of the whole outfit and invest in different tops. I think this is why cardigans are making a come back. You can still wear a summer t shirt or shirt you currently have, tucked in, then a cardigan over to make the weather transition. The main style seems to be waist length and v necked. Can’t link, but Cos have a cream ribbed one as an example, or look at Arkets mohair mix ones.

[DancelikeEmmaGoldman]

Take inspiration from the 1940s. Slim knits or shirts tucked in; cardigans or jumpers which fit at the waist or longer, slim fitting knits with a belt. Jackets like this version of the Eisenhower jacket. www.thehouseoffoxy.com/just-added/40s-americana-button-jacket-plum-wool or blazers which are nipped in at the waist with some shoulder padding like this vintage one: www.bluevelvetvintage.com/40s-gold-linen-nipped-waist-jacket-1940s-vintage-clothing.html

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

The only problem with cardigans worn over things is that they hide my waist, and I'm quite hourglass shaped so I then look dumpy. Cropped cardigans or tucked in ones would be OK though.

I love those 40s outfits! Again, a lot of my shirts are quite billowy for wearing over things, so I probably need to get a couple more which are more tailored (and maybe take in some of my smaller existing ones at the waist so there's not a lot of excess fabric hanging over the trousers)

[Floisme]

I expect we'll see more cropped cardigans drifting into the shops. I was looking at this M&S one the other day and, while I'm not keen on the colour options, it has a pleasing (at least to me) menswear vibe while being short enough to show off your waist.

[Gentlemanwiththistledownhair]

I have some thin light weight jumpers that I tuck in. That looks ok, but only for tailored wide leg trousers.

For the more casual jeans (I love those Lucy and Yak ones, think I might have to buy a pair), I find any t-shirt tucked in works really. Or buy a warehouse jumper and after a few washes it'll have shrunk enough to hit your waist anyway (but seriously, this is what I have inadvertently ended up doing!)

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

floisme I really like the style of that cardigan although it looks a bit baggy on the model - will keep an eye out for similar things around!

gentleman I really, really love the Lucy & Yak jeans - super comfy too. I wore them last winter with a tight black top and they looked great - the difficulty is finding warm tops which go with them!

Coats are another problem with big trousers - can't decide whether to go tailored or puffy, long or short...

[chasingseagulls]

Nowisthemonthofmaying for warmer slim tops, I have a few of these. Normally wear as base layers, but can work with a really slim fitting t-shirt underneath. Thin enough to tuck in.

[ZazieTheCat]

Thin merino baselayer worn over a fine gauge long sleeve cotton tshirt

[Floisme]

I prefer longer, slimmer coats with wider trousers but I'm not sure if there's any rationale for that. It might just be because that's what I remember from the last couple of times around. And it doesn't mean everyone goes straight out to buy a new coat; it's more that, the next time you buy one, you look for something different.

Jackets slowly change too. This won't make me popular but I think it might spell the end (for the time being) for bikers. All that busy detail works well with skinnies but with a wider leg, I think it can start to look fussy.

[StarlightLady]

I hate to be a killjoy, but it’s probably easier to change the trousers than find something that works well with them.

[fiorentina]

I wear a lightweight knit from Uniqlo or last year a fitter jersey polo neck was useful with wide legs too. Also a fitter blazer for work.

[YahBasic]

Bodies & super thin rollnecks

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

Ha - I'm not changing the trousers!

Like the idea of the merino layers.

[nitgel]

The uniqlo fine merino cardis work with these trousers also the cropped boay neck tops i love wide trousers

[ImperfectTents]

Love those uniqlo trews! Yes to fine knit .

[thefirstmrsdewinter]

I wear them with silk thermals under a fitted t-shirt, sometimes with a button-down shirt in a contrasting colour or pattern under the t-shirt. You could add a silk roll neck (or Patra do a neck warmer if you don't want an extra layer) or denim jacket. I like silk thermals on the bottom too (with legs cuffed or pulled up out of sight) if it's really cold. Wide legs are wafty rather than cozy.

Have a look at Kemi Telford's SM, she styles her voluminous skirts with layers on top, lots of great vintage collared shirts under tees.

Like you OP I need to go in at the waist. I find lots of t-shirts look sloppy on me (dropped shoulders, gaping at the waist etc) but Gap boys' t-shirts fit really neatly and wash/wear well (I'm not super busty obvs).

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

Silk thermals! That is genius mrsdewinter, for some reason I never thought of wearing things under shirts.

I will give the Gap tshirts a try as well - I hate wearing t-shirts usually as they look so scruffy, can never find ones which fit well and have a good shape. I'm a pear so not that big on top so boys' ones might work!

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

I will take a look at the Uniqlo merino stuff as well - I went in last year but hated all the colours of their jumpers, it's a bit hit and miss finding stuff which suits me.

[thefirstmrsdewinter]

Nowisthemonth if you'll permit me to bang on about my silk thermals for a moment they're among my most useful and amazing purchases because they:

• are virtually weightless and bulk-free, like a second skin
  
• allow your clothes to glide right over them, unlike merino
  
• wash well, don't seem to stain at all (even blood)
  
• dry super-fast and never feel damp/sweaty, even when they are
  

I wear them under skinny jeans, leggings, pyjamas, skirts etc and can't say enough about how great they are. If I'd known how useful they were I'd have bought them years ago.
Re Gap boys' shirts, I'm a 12-14 on top and the XXL fits perfectly. I give them a little stretch under the arms when I take them out of the wash to make room in the bosom area and the fit is very neat. They do the usual stripes and solids but I like the graphic tees too (it helps if you like dinosaurs and sharks).

[Floisme]

Where do you buy them mrsd?

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

Haha I love dinosaurs, have a swimming costume with triceratops on

Yes, any good recommendations for thermal shops?

[Gentlemanwiththistledownhair]

A triceratops swimsuit?! OP, at the risk of sounding like I'm copying your entire wardrobe, could you tell me where that's from?! Sounds fantastic!

[lindyloo57]

I would like to know where you get the silk thermals too.