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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Flattering summer trousers when you have generous thighs and calves?

33 replies

DTisMYdoctor · 17/05/2013 18:44

Does such a thing exist? I've always struggled with this even when I was a size 10 (14 at the moment unfortunately).

My Spring and Summer wardrobe is in need of a complete overhaul, but while I've found some lovely flattering dresses, I could really do with at least one pair of trousers to wear on holiday.

Anything too wide or baggy tends to make me look twice my size, but all the more fitted styles I've tried have been too tight on the calf.

Please help me if you can!

OP posts:

TheDoctrineOfSnatch · 17/05/2013 18:47

onedev · 17/05/2013 18:48

Another marking place - hopefully someone will be along soon who can help us!!

Original poster

DTisMYdoctor · 17/05/2013 18:49

Ah, at least I am not alone! I'm done with wide leg linen trousers and the such like which do nothing for me just because the actually fit.

Please help us someone!

OP posts:

Mockingcurl · 17/05/2013 19:13

Marking my place as well. Just took my wide leg linen trousers out and washed them. They are drying on the line and look like a flag! No wonder they're not very flattering.

SteppingOnLego · 17/05/2013 19:37

Another one unable to help but keen to know the answer to this one. Tried the gap crops the other day and usual story - size 10 large on the waist but really tight on calves. Going up to a 12 will make them massive on waist so no good. I don't want baggy shapeless trousers though.

MummyTy · 17/05/2013 19:40

Try nice stretchy tights. Bought some on cherryclothing.co.uk/ladies/trousers_leggins and they do free shipping.

Original poster

DTisMYdoctor · 17/05/2013 19:46

Thanks MummyTy but I don't think any of the leggings on that site would be flattering on me at all.

OP posts:

Foosyerdoos · 17/05/2013 19:49

I am also large of calf and thigh. I wanted some slimmer leg / tapered trousers or chinos nut the ones I have tried look awful. Especially the oes that are too big round the waist and too tight on my legs.

Original poster

DTisMYdoctor · 17/05/2013 19:57

I fear there is no hope for us. I had high hopes for some bravissimo/pepperberry ones, given that the make clothes for curvy women, but the just looked like skinny jeans on me. The next size up would have been massive on the waist. I now know not to bother trying the gap ones either.

OP posts:

chosenone · 17/05/2013 20:00

What about harem pants. Ive had some lovely ones from next :-) ivwear them or maxi skirts tbh..trousers just show off my thunder thighs!

Circaea · 17/05/2013 20:09

Monsoon, surprisingly, is good for capris. I have a pair from there that are very flattering and I have 'sturdy' legs. Uniqlo also sometimes have nice ones although it's a bit more hit and miss (they've gone a bit pattern-bonkers this season). I also have some slim fit summer trousers from white stuff that I really like.

I usually look for straight leg rather than tapered otherwise cropped trousers are always too tight on my calves as well.

Foosyerdoos · 17/05/2013 20:12

I was considering trying some Hareem pants as my bum is good and my hips are not too wide, but I really wanted something a bit more structured for work.
Maybe duo boots will start doing duo trousers in a multitude of calf sizes.

Original poster

DTisMYdoctor · 17/05/2013 20:35

Circaea - thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a look there.

I've never tried harem pants - thought I was a bit too old for them at 40

OP posts:

PinkMangoSays · 17/05/2013 21:25

Oh i'll be watching this with interest.
I always thought harem pants which just make me look massive/like Aladdin...

Original poster

DTisMYdoctor · 17/05/2013 23:11

I'm now seriously contemplating next's harem pant. In a 'nothing to lose kind of way'. I like the idea of maxi skirts Chosenone, but to add insult to injury I'm also short on the leg and have never come across one that would suit me.

My mum, who is the same height as me, has naturally slender legs all the way to her armpits. And great nails. Would it have been too much to ask her to share some of her best genes with me?!?

OP posts:

LizzyDay · 17/05/2013 23:28

From bitter experience, I think the 'tapering trouser' or 'capri pant' is always going to be shit if you're a pear shaped person - made worse if your legs are short in proportion to your body.

Bootlegs (or turned up straights, at a push) in a lighter weight denim or cotton?

WipsGlitter · 18/05/2013 00:02

I got some from Wallis.

LeoandBoosmum · 18/05/2013 04:48

Chinos are usually a wider fit the whole length of the leg. I have some from Boden and they are great! They are straight but on the wider side and are very flattering. Also, they look equally good full-length or rolled up. I bought last season's version of these...

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Petite-range/WM339/Womens-Spring-Chinos.html

The code SIZE is still good for 20% off (free delivery and returns too) till today (18th, midnight)

butterfliesinmytummy · 18/05/2013 05:03

Gap broken in straight khakis are great for pear shapes

SteppingOnLego · 18/05/2013 07:48

Like foosyerdoos I was hoping for something a bit less casual than harems or even chinos. Something that could be suitable for work. I wouldn't say I was pear shaped exactly as fairly slim hips - it's below that I get wider (not sure what shape that would be though) and I have long legs as usually 33/34" inside leg needed. I've ordered some from boden but not hopeful really. Does anyone know of the fit of banana republic is just the same as gap?

RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 18/05/2013 08:01

They are expensive, but if you can splurge, Nicole Farhi does awesome wide leg linen trousers which are non-mumsy. Bought mine in black and ecru in 2003 and still wearing them, and she has issued them every year AFAIK with slight differences. They sit quite low on the waist without giving you builder's crack, so they don't emphasise your hips and thighs. Look good with nice wedges. Probably wouldnt work with flats if you're short though.

MrsHelsBels74 · 18/05/2013 08:46

Those Gap khakis look great, am definitely tempted by those. The others, not so much.

Snowcatliveshere · 18/05/2013 08:57

Stepping - I have the boden ankle skimming trousers and they are a lovely fit. Great for work - I do find that they really need heels but you might be ok with your longer legs. I'm 5 2 and petit are best fit for me. Banana republic slightly better for pear shapes than gap I think - their skirts fit me but not great quality really.

bigTillyMint · 18/05/2013 09:55

I am also marking my place - I have muscular thighs and calves, but small droopy bum and long legs. Capris look like pedal pushers on me usually

Original poster

DTisMYdoctor · 18/05/2013 10:33

Will have a look at Wallis and maybe give the Boden ones a try. It's not so much a pear shape issue for me either - it's the combination of chunky calves and generous thighs. I don't think this summers Gap chinos would fit my calves.

Someone suggested Duo should do trousers - maybe we need a MN campaign

I've got several pairs of straight/boot cut type jeans so not really looking for more of those. I'm not so keen on boot cut trousers for casual wear really.

I just want something light I can wear with flat sandals when I'm on holiday [sob]

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