To look for stretchy work trousers for a petite apple?

[Whatsnewwithyou]

I'm so, so sick and tired of wearing uncomfortable clothes in an effort to look presentable at work. So I want to find some trousers that feel like leggings but look smart, and I want to wear them in different colours pretty much every day.

I'm a petite apple shape so I need them to come in short sizes and have a stretchy waist to accommodate my expanded tum. I don't really care if they're bootcut, straight or skinny. They should at least look like they have pockets as this would make them look less like leggings and more like trousers. They should be of decent enough quality that the seams don't come apart on the first couple of washes.

So AIBU to search for these? And to ask you if you've found them and if so WHERE??? And what you think of my plan? Any other ideas on how to dress very comfortably for work while still looking professional?

Get some Robells, honestly the best 50 quid I’ve ever spent. Elasticated waistbands (so important if you suffer from IBS!), so flattering, easy to wash and non iron. I’ve just bought a pair of fleece lined ones (they don’t look bulky at all) and I’ve barely had them off.

Bon Marche. They do at least four leg lengths, and about ten different styles. They start at £12 a pair, and wash really well.

I do suffer from IBS! That's definitely part of the problem . Don't you overheat though with a fleece lining? This is great - I will Google Robells, and there's a Bon Marche about 20 mins walk from my house!

Ah I feel your pain, office days can be unbearable with bloat. The normal ones are lovely for any day, I’m loving the fleece lined ones because I’m always freezing- a few women in the shop were obviously at menopause stage and laughing about them being a nightmare for them, so wouldn’t suit everyone. They come in loads of lengths and colours. Actually I bumped into my 80odd year old MIL wearing the same pair as me recently (I’m mid-30s) - they flatter everyone! Good luck.

Haha I'm mid/late 40s so definitely had my menopause hat on thinking about the fleece 😂. Thanks for the recommendation I will check them out!

These

No pockets though. I don't know why they are called joggers, they are cotton jersey trousers, very comfortable, and quite smart in black.
There are lots of stretchy trousers in Marks.

Hmm watching with interest!

Might be a good idea to ask for this to be moved to S and B?

I got some in M&S last week for £15, they are like extremely smart tracksuit bottoms - amazing!!

Just checked out the Robell trousers - anyone advice on sizing...

Robells look great and the fleece feels great, don’t get them too skinny as they do show knicker line

I got stretchy trousers in Matalan.

www.marksandspencer.com/ponte-straight-leg-trousers/p/p22469526?image=SD_01_T59_1535S_Y0_X_EC_90&color=BLACK&prevPage=srp&pdpredirect

Uniqlo EZY trousers. The back is elasticated. No ironing needed. They're the only trousers I wear to work.

I've ordered some short Robells on Amazon and will probably supplement them with some cheaper ones from other brands. I think I have a pair of the M&S ones linked and to my eyes they do look more like workout wear than office wear, it could just be me though or perhaps mine are different ones.

I decided to post on AIBU for traffic and it seems to have worked.

Actually I don't think mine are the Ponte ones linked mine are a very soft cotton, sorry about that

What is wrong with the Style & Beauty section?

You could also check out SimplyBe, Marisota, JDWilliams etc. Websites. All the same company and they do trousers at 25 inch and 27 inch inside leg. Impossible to link because they have so much choice of styles fabric etc.

What I like about their trousers is that they seem to have good depth to the body, unlike the lower rise trousers sold elsewhere which don’t accommodate my fat and bloated tummy.

I'm 4ft 10 and very definitely an apple. I've just discovered Roman trousers. They do ankle grazers which work as full length work trousers on me. Think they're around £25 and really comfortable.

Those Uniqlo EZY trousers look amazing- so many nice styles. Unfortunately no petites but they look so good they may be worth getting altered!

@Whatsnewwithyou they're ankle grazer anyway so you might get away with it! I'm about 5'3 and they're fine.

I got great elasticated ones from Dunnes Stores this summer. So comfy

What you want is trousers that are around 77% Viscose, 20% nylon and 3% elastane. They are stretchy but not squeezing over the tummy, but retain their shape very well. Also wash and wear great. Sometimes this fabric is called 'bengaline'. I always try and get the zip up ones rather than the pull on ones, as you can open the zip a little if you get bloated as the day goes on. Also the 'jegging' type ones can just squeeze my stomach too much.

Maternity trousers? I'm not looking forward to going back to rigid waist bands...

@uhhuhhoney the problem I have with ankle grazers in winter is that they don't tend to look good with socks or boots, and then my ankles get cold. How do you deal with this? I'm all about comfort!