How would you alter these trousers?

[cinematic]

I could only get these in XL but they are definitely 1 or 2 sizes too big on me, have washed / tumble dried them but didn't really shrink (typical!). I am going to give a go altering them but a bit stumped how to do it. Would you take in from the sides (don't mind if it means losing the pockets)? Or do the middle seams? Inside the waistband there is quite wide elastic. I don't really want to lose the leg width. I would generally wear something slightly over the top so don't mind if it's not a perfect finish. more pics on the site. here

I’d take a chunk right round the crotch seam. If you need to lose a whole size worth, if you just take in the legs and not the crotch, you’ll end up looking like you’re wearing a terry nappy!

I'd open up a seam at the waist band and just shorten the elastic to fir your waist and close seam. The trousers aren't too full around the waist, so the extra gathering wouldn't be too bad.

Ooh thank you. The terry nappy look is definitely not what I'm going for 😀I suppose I could combine both ideas - do the waist and then if too much bulk I could tackle the crotch to waist seams? If I do the crotch seam would I be able to taper it so I don't lose length in the legs? Or will that just give me another nappy shape?

Yes taper it a bit and You shouldn’t lose length in the actual length as what you’ll be doing is removing some of the bulk of the fabric from the actual bum and stomach areas of them