Loose linen drawstring trews for middle aged fattie this summer.

[whoseafraidofnaomiwolf]

Somehow I put on 2 stone last October and despite efforts (admittedly not prolonged and a bit half hearted) it hasn't shifted (definitely middle age spread). So this summer none of my wardrobe will fit and I have to face the probability of a 'fat' summer. Thinking ahead I'd like to invest in a navy, and a white/cream pair of loose linen trousers I have to be very mobile in my job so they need to fit well as I have to get up and down from the floor a lot. Over the years I've tried various makes of linen trousers and never found any that I felt really comfy in - which ones would you recommend for style and comfort?

Meh, everything is designed to look better on tall slim people. If I was only allowed to wear clothes designed to look better on fatties, I'd have to leave the house naked, and obviously nobody would want to see that.

Do they definitely have to be elasticated? I got these from John Lewis (not cheap but good quality and they dry quickly ). They are very flattering and I really enjoyed wearing them last summer. They seem generously sized. I’m normally 14 but was fine in a 12. They go up to a 20 if that is any use?

Surely just the very thought that you might need to buy anything from Cotton Traders is the biggest diet incentive ever?

Just got a pair of "relaxed chinos" from Asda for £12 and love them. I'm going to go back and get a couple more pairs in different colours. Sorted for summer!

Alsohuman the links I posted are meant to show shapes that are flattering. I posted a selection of tailored (all but one iirc) trews, some flared, some tapered.

I wasn't seriously suggesting the OP should consider a pair of turquoise and black zebra striped trousers.

All of those styles are available in natural fabrics on other sites and in shops.

GraceMarks, you don't have to sacrifice comfort for style.

While I agree that most clothes seem designed for tall, slim people, there are some styles that are extremely unflattering for people carrying some extra weight, and some that can make you look absolutely kick-ass.

Why choose something unflattering?

GraceMarks, if you have a waist, then a big derriere is an asset.

Even if you have a waist that is just a little less in circumference than your behind, it could be highlighted.

Making the best of what you have is better than trying so hard to hide one feature that all the good points are erased.

You got some good points math. Think it boils down to knowing what suits you, and at some point involves alot of trying on. To the pp below, will check out the asda chino's. Thanks. Also I have found as I've got older longer tops and cardigans help create better lines.

mathanxiety I'm happy with the way I dress, actually. I am quite old enough to know what suits me and, with the best will in the world, I am never going to look "kick-ass".

You know, what I normally like about S&B is that when somebody starts a thread asking about clothes for bigger people, the default answer isn't "lose weight", people actually accept the size the OP is and make helpful suggestions. OP - linen or cotton trousers will be fine on you, perhaps ones with elastic at the sides and back of the waistband and a flat front. I wore the Asda ones for a lot of last summer and I didn't look like a sack of shit as far as I was concerned, although apparently some people would disagree. I think tapered trousers are a bit of a disaster if you're pear-shaped, but if you carry your weight more around your tummy and have ok legs, they can work.

GraceMarks I'm really with you and have been a bit surprised at some of the vehemence and negativity my post has engendered - S&B isn't usually quite so .... judge. Like you I'm old enough to know what looks work and what don't with my shape, colouring and body features. Whilst I've never carried this much weight before I do know that I sadly can't wear tapered trews or the shapes that Math suggested (though I appreciate her suggestions were made with kind intentions). I have a friend who is a very stylish larger woman and who often wears these type of loose linen trousers in the summer - she looks really great. Casual and cool (in both senses of the word) so I was thinking to model myself on her. Having said that Ive looked at Cos because of this thread and it does have some rather lovely trousers so I might treat myself for a more 'put together' look. Thankyou to all the more positive posters and those who suggested the likes of Next, Cos and so on. I'll be checking them out this summer so if you see a middle aged plump woman wearing loose linen trousers this summer (possibly looking like a sack of shit) give a wave - it might be me

Fuck flattering. Who cares. M&S is the place for these - linen cotton mix with a drawstring waist. Lovely and comfy and easy to wear. Bring on summer.

Just adding you to the fuckwit spreadsheet pouchofdouglas cheers for that.

You know what pouch. I'm dieting like mad at the moment but the weight ain't shifting because of the tablets I'm taking and the fact I'm a bit crippled so can't exercise.

So I'm fat. Look like a sack of shit. In pain and eating a very restricted diet. Go me.

ursula you don't have to justify your size to anyone, least of all rude, unkind people who seem to think they're on AIBU. I've never actually encountered a thread like this on S&B where people have been so nasty. This is one of the few places you can actually get neutral advice about dressing for your size without the diet police jumping on you, and I really hope this isn't an indication it's starting to go in a different direction.

I know. I'm just a bit pissed that I haven't lost an ounce having been abstemious all week.

I bet the fat shamers in this thread are the same people who claim to eat whatever they want and never gain a pound,

Some people store fat more easily than others. It’s a gift, what can I say!

The gift that keeps on giving.

Nothing helpful to add, have this problem myself. But top marks to this thread for "trews", so underused! And whoever chose the user name Joycedivision is a genius

If you know you supposedly store fat more easily than most (I don't believe this but anyway) then you need to consume fewer calories in order to off set this. I am 12lbs overweight but I never pretend it's to do with anything other than my lack of will power.

I'm short+fat and wide leg trousers are often suggested as flattering. IME they just make me look as if my torso has been put on a large marble plinth.

Structured trousers are much better.

I've hit middle age and perimenopause big time and I can vouch for the fact that it gets MUCH harder to lose weight. Like others I tend to put a bit on in winter, then lose it in spring but now the losing it part is really difficult. I can eat a lot less and exercise more and it makes hardly any difference.

Re linen trousers, I think it's all about the right pair - not too baggy, not too tight, more flattering without pockets (annoyingly) and not too wide at the ankle. The cheaper links on here are good as you can experiment and find the ones you love.

I've seen larger women looking great in linen trousers, especially with a floaty-type top or a longer t-shirt. I would avoid the white ones but I'd say that to anyone as they tend to show your pants and be hard to keep clean.

Two balloons fighting in a bag is exactly what a male friend told me he loves in a female bum! Make of that what you will :o . I know this thread is not primarily about looking attractive, but a big bum is not a disaster.