I only want a pair of black trousers, how hard can it be?!

[KichenDancefloor]

I went sale shopping for a pair of smart black trousers today. I don't want anything weird or niche, just a pair I can wear to work.

These are the requirements;

• black
• trousers (not leggings, jeans, jodhpurs or shorts)
• not made of static inducing flimsy polyester
• not sequinned, frilled, studded, corseted or blinged up in any other way
• must fit from waist to ankle without wonky seams, gaping pockets or the dreaded camel toe.

I tried on 20 pairs of trousers and came away empty handed. This should be easy surely?!

FWIW I don't think I'm an odd size or shape (8-10 and average height). I'm just going to be in opaque tights for the rest of the winter unless I get some recommendations.

So help, where do you buy trousers (uk high street or online tips welcome). Ta!

Impossible - I haven’t owned a pair for at least 15 yrs because I can’t find any I actually like.
Good luck

I get mine from Very, next or river island.

I know what you mean... I ended up buying tommy hilfiger trousers and they cost a fortune but they were the only work trousers I could find that didn't make me look like they were shapeless generic uniform trousers

With those criteria i would definitely try Gap.

Thanks. I hadn't tried Gap, very or river island so will check those out.
Next are notorious for raising my hopes with what look like nice tailored trousers, only for them to wash poorly, hems to come down etc. Might just be me and my laundry skills though!

... and the Tommy Hilfigur sale prices make them more palatable

Gap are often ok. As are Cos, well worth a look there. They usually have good fabrics.

That's another reason I'll tolerate the Tommy price tag. I just throw them in the washing machine and a hundred washes later they're fine. I used ot have to wear grey trousers (part of a uniform) and the uniform trousers were so so so unflaterring I just couldn't. They turned a blind ey to us buying our own trousers! I'm in a new job now and still wearing the 'ankle treggings'

I’ve also pretty much given up on trousers. I’m a short, curvy 12/14 and nothing seems to fit right. But I’m also going to attempt Gap on the recommendation of others.

I am searching for the same. Asos thinks I should buy these www.asos.com/prd/8627109
No Asos.

Gap curvy ankle trousers - I have them in navy and black. There's 35% off full price styles today

I got a nice pair from uniqlo the other day.

Winser classic trouser? But they are £125!

@Thishatisnotmine ruffles, ruffles everywhere!
And I'm sure you'd get amazing VPL in that - you can see her knees for a start.

Right, off to bed now and hoping that gap and cos and tommy hilfigur won't have sold out by tomorrow.

Uniqlo - yes forgot about them. This merits a trip to the big town (so I don't have to rely on Debenhams and tk maxx!)

It’s a good time of year to buy an expensive well-made last-you-forever pair in the sale. I tried on a bunch of black trousers by Theory today in the Harvey Nichols sale and now rather regret not buying a pair. Still very pricey but £145 rather than £250+. And lots of different cuts — including several wide-legged pairs that excitingly I would have to wear with heels or have shortened (all the high street shops except Zara and H&M are a little too short for me).

wool bend trousers in uniqlo for less that £20

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

*blend

Can you post a link to the uniqlo ones please?!

The phone isn't playing ball with links but search 'women tweed trousers' on the uniqlo site.
I have a pair of black and navy winging their way here - for £40 for two pairs it was worth a punt. Although I totally understand needing to 'invest' in my wardrobe at some point (beyond another Primark top-up) it will do for now.

Unfortunately I just returned two pairs of navy trousers to Uniqlo, one being the wool blend. They are nice material and slim leg (too slim for my 'athletic' calves) - but the elastic waist band just didn't suit my apple shape, I thought it destroyed any waistline I have. Might be good for other shapes though.

I'm not usually apple-shaped but Christmas may have changed that

Uniqlo never state inside leg measurements but being a Japanese company I assume not the longer length which I need. Can you let me know about length when they arrive?

Will do. I'm 5'5" and noticed a lot of the current styles are ankle swinging on me so it must be hard if you're tall.

I'm a curvy 8/10, 5'4" and wear:

Gap Slim City
Banana Republic Sloan
Boden Chelsea or Richmond