to think I ought to be able to buy trousers that fit me

[snooter]

I have been the same size & shape all my adult life, give or take half an inch. Size 10 trousers fitted me perfectly 25 years ago but now are far too big on the waist (like about 4" too big) - I seem to need a 6-8 for the waist & a 12 for the hips. I trawl round the shops in a grump, trying on every possible pair, ending up buying trousers that fit on the hips & then taking in the waist at the back & wearing long tops to hide the joins. It's not me - I haven't changed. I did discover Not Your Daughter's Jeans jeans which are great & fit me (just as well as they cost a fortune), but that doesn't solve the problem with smart trousers for work. I could have trousers made I suppose but that seems ridiculous. Same problem with straight skirts - they just don't bloody fit, yet I still have an ancient short denim skirt that fits perfectly. Why is everything now cut for women with no waist & no bottom? Is it that the modern shape is a sort of shapeless tube? I can't be the only one left with a 1980s shape.

I don't think it is just you. If I can get them over my thighs they gape around the waist and it is not so easy to take them in. I have found size 10 is generally about a 30 or 32 inch waist when I have measured garmets. Oddly enough I find Gap trousers good (although the sizes are odd generally there) but that's no good for suiting. As the woman in Hobb's pointed out, "I could get you an 8 but you wouldn't get it over your thighs." I don't know why my thighs and waist are so out of proportion, but assume it must be because I walk a lot.

It's not just you, but surely getting a couple of smart pairts made to measure for work would save you time and effort and discomfort in the long run?

Yes I'll look into having some made I think. I just find it ridiculous that I can't go to a shop & buy some!

it isn't just you I used to be able to get into size 10 trousers no problem now they are huge on me I havn't lost weight I have been the same size for years, I am now in an 8 but they are a bit tight round the bum but fine in the waist and dont even get me started on that short zip thing are trousers meant to sit on the hips these days

oh and straighted legged trousers who are they made for stick legged women thats who

Ha yes the short zip problem - I find the whole thing slips so low as my waist is too small for the trousers that the crotch is halfway to my knees - grrr

Stick legs - yes quite - straight trousers a good fit below the knee then impossible to pull up over my "huge" size 10 thighs

then impossible to pull up over my "huge" size 10 thighs

I triedto haul a pair on my massive thighs in newlook almost cut my circulation off, do you think women have changed shape over the years ? dd1 is skinny legged with no thighs I just don't get it

If you look at younger women they don't seem to have the same kind of figures we older women (I am 49) have.

Younger women seem generally bigger all over, but with larger boobs and no waists. Not all of them, obviously. But I was looking at some photos of nieces and they just seem on a bigger scale, with less of a hip/waist differential.

I think you are being a bit unreasonable but only because trouser that fit me on my legs are tight on my waist. Size 10 like you. You just have to find a shop with tiny waists. Funnily enough M&S are the worst for me, you just need to shop around.

I definitely think younger women tend to have less of a differential between their waist & hip measurements, even the slimmer ones. As they are obviously the only ones who want to buy clothes that fit we older folk have to just lump it.

Just finding a shop with tiny waists doesn't help me because my hip measurement is relatively large. Waist 25" Hips 37"

I find M&S built for an hourglass as are many brands you find in a department store. I'd be tempted to go to John Lewis and try on a lot of trousers until you find the right fit.

YANBU - I have the same problem. I have to belt all my jeans which really annoys me. I have a size 10 waist, a 10/12 arse but def size 12 thighs it would seem. Everything bags around the waist and gapes at the back.

I

25" waist wow, maybe stick to dresses and show it off?

I have this problem, as I have large hips - jeans that will fit my hips are very baggy at the waist. (Don't tend to wear ordinary trousers much.) Didn't Levi's design a range of jeans to address this problem, though?

I don't want to wear dresses all the time.
I tried the Levis curve jeans but they still gaped at the back.
NYDJ jeans fit but expensive & no good for work

dd is quite big up top large bust but no thighs It is a wonder she doesn't topple tbh she is 20 a lot of her friends are the same dd2 is still developing so not sure what shape she will take at the moment she has grown so looks skinny but i suspect she will fill out again

I get some trousers from BHs they seem to cater for the older lady

Nydj do trousers google the Greta. I've only looked quickly so only Lund them in the US but probably worth the shipping if you are desperate.

Ha yes - trousers for the older lady - aged 48 I suddenly find myself being drawn towards crimplene slacks with a drawstring waist in shades of pale blue & lilac - who knows, perhaps I'll soon be able to find old stuff that fits!

NYDJ do trousers?? Hmmmm...

Anything [http://www.nydj.com/Pants/l/712?PageNo here] ?

Whoops here

"Funnily enough M&S are the worst for me"

Funnily enough I find M & S seem to cater more for the "no waist" women, especially for skirts. All their straight skirts that will fit my hips are miles too big on the waist - my waist is 12" smaller than my hips.

Last year, for the first time I found a pair of smart trousers in Next that fitted beautifully. They have a zip at the side which is far more flattering as well.