To struggle to find comfortable clothes

[sarahb083]

I've been on a mission to buy some more comfortable clothes for but I've had no luck with the standard high street shops.

Am I crazy thinking I can find clothes that are nearly as comfortable as workout gear but nice enough for a (very casual) office?

Jeans and trousers tend to give me a stomachache and I find them very uncomfortable. I've tried cotton-y leggings but they go baggy and have to be worn with long tops. Any suggestions on stretchy trousers that aren't too tight at the waist and aren't just standard cotton leggings?

I also find most jumpers itchy and claustrophobic, but don't want to buy tops that need ironing. Where can I find soft, long lasting and warm tops? And what fabrics should I be looking for

Any suggestions very welcome!

Are you wearing the right size? Surely all trousers/jeans if they fit correctly wont give you stomach ache?

Have you considered jeggings? Topshop Leigh jeans are very comfy too.

In terms of tops is it wool you find itchy?

Wide legged trousers can be very comfy and smart enough for work

There are lots of new fabrics available now that don’t need ironing. For warm tops look for polyester or acrylic jersey. For smart work tops look for polyester. Viscose drapes beautifully but also creases.

Buy work trousers with a bit of stretch (elastane) in them. I wear Next work trousers and they are very comfortable.

But agree finding the right size is key.

Loose jersey fabric dresses (no need to iron if you drip dry) and Snag tights (more comfortable than all other tights). It can still be quite casual depending on the dress.

Asda wonderfit jeans are amazing

The only reason I think you could be finding jeans uncomfortable is if you're wearing the wrong size. You might need to buy bigger than you think - clothes sizes are bonkers to be fair, but it doesn't matter what it says on the label. It's not like somebody's going to come up to you in the street and demand to be shown what size you're wearing.

My comfiest and most amazing jeans are a size 16, and I sulked for England when my partner made me buy them instead of the other style because I fit into a size 10 in those (see - bonkers) even though the 16s in this style were super comfy. Now, I'm very very glad he made me buy them. 16 or not, they're amazing!

Sainsburys sell the hideously named "treggings" which are as comfy as leggings but more like stretchy trousers. They last really well.

Agree with PP, buy the size that's most comfortable. No one is going to judge you as they won't know what size you're wearing. Sit down to see how jeans feel and if they're likely to dig in.
I fit into a size 8 but often buy size 12 jeans as hate the feeling of constriction caused by stretch fabrics. If they're likely to fall down I wear a belt that can be easily adjusted throughout the day.
Also prefer tops to be loose fitting and not too short so sometimes even get size 14 depending on the style.

If you can't find comfy trousers, buy dresses and wear them with comfy thick tights for winter. I prefer footless tights with socks under my boots for comfort.

Soft, loose trousers are comfortable. I've had them from M&S before.

Jersey dresses and tights are another favourite.

Come on, OP, give us your measurements (bust-waist-hips).

📢 You need Lululemon's On the Fly Pant, it will answer all your problems

Elasticated trousers? If you wear a top that covers the waist, noone need know. I'm fairly positive you can buy ones that look normal enough, though you might need to look in shops that target themselves at older people.

Thank you! I think I'm buying the right size trousers - when I buy larger sizes, they slip down when I sit and I have to pull them up every time I stand up, and they end up baggy in the legs. I'll look into the trousers suggested - sounds like elastane may be the way to go.

In terms of tops - yes, wool itches, but also merino and similar fabrics. Sometimes they're ok at first, but get itchy after a few washes. Does anyone else experience that?

Thanks for all of the suggestions - keep them coming!

I understand the problem.
Due to my shape I have been unable to find a pair of jeans that are comfortable, for a very long time. If I think I have found one and wear them they start to loosen up and the waist gives, so they fall down an inch or so and I find I am continually pulling them up. Or because of the cut the inseam rides up. Sitting down in jeans that have slipped down makes the button dig in regardless of the waist size.
I wear Asda George chinos which are not the best quality but not so thick that the waist digs in unless I have eaten way too much, they don't have a button at the waist to dig in. Fabric thickness makes a difference.

Tops and jumpers I also find scratchy, cotton goes crunchy in the wash here as our water is very hard and the deposits stay in the fabric so no cotton knits and my tops tend to be cotton/lycra mix. I can't wear wool due to itching so always look for acrylic jumpers which are the only things I ever wash with fabric conditioner to keep them soft and stop static.

Just returned a lovely coat as it was unlined and wool mix made it feel like a Brillo pad on my skin.

Have a look at Snag tights. Really comfortable

Look for clothes made of bamboo (there's a company called BAM that I like) or TENCEL. Do not buy anything with any polyester or acrylic in it, they're uncomfortable, make you sweat and are a disaster environmentally.

Highly recommend Heist tights, they are pricy but so comfortable! Soft and don't dig in.

I'll second bamboo, have a couple of dresses from Toast about 6 or 7 years ago, which are bamboo wash beautifully and still going strong. They are very comfy.

yes, wool itches, but also merino and similar fabrics

Merino is wool! It’s the best wool for apparel because it’s so fine. Other wools like Shetland are coarser so aren’t always as comfortable.

Whatever you do, don’t buy angora. And don’t googled how it’s harvested

Bamboo is very comfortable but obviously needs to be chemically treated to turn it into clothing fibre. It’s currently a very popular fibre because it grows fast and easily and the mark-up on finished products is massive.

Acrylic and polyester are environmentally disastrous but they last really well. I buy all my clothes secondhand (apart from underwear) and I have acrylic jumpers that are ancient but still going strong.

I find super skinny jeans to be very comfortable as they are soft. FatFace are my favorite. I wear them with good quality stretch cotton tops and merino jumpers.

I buy tops from Seasalt and Fatface, I also have some warm merino long sleeved tops but they cost a bit more.

Jersey dresses and tights are the way to go. Chuck on a dress, no worry about matching tops with bottoms, off you go!

If your trousers are high up at your natural waist they shouldn’t be digging in much when you’re sitting. They can be a bit looser but stay up because they rest on your hips like. True for me but I have a smaller waist than hips, might not be true for straight up and down shapes.

I got some trousers recently in M&S which I think are the kind of thing you want. In per Una but v simple, black, smart, straight leg - but in a lovely soft fabric with stretch. They look smart but not formal and are really comfortable. Not a gathered/elasticated waist band either.
Other good fabrics for comfort/drape have been mentioned already - bamboo, a good quality wool (more expensive to start with but will last amazingly well) or a man made like tencel or viscose.
Depending on the style of your office, you might find some of the'outdoorsy' brands might have something suitable. My DD has a lovely long sleeved blue wool top (very thin and not scratchy) from Rohan (£5 in charity shop but an expensive one to buy new)