How to look stylish in trousers for special occasions?

[betlynchiamnot]

Whenever I am looking for occasion wear I always default to dresses as the easier option, however I'm really not feeling the floaty, floral dresses about at the moment.

I'd love to be able to put an outfit together with some classic, flattering trousers that I could then mix and match with other pieces. The problem is my short, fat legs, mum run and general pear shape. I have tried wide legged trousers in the past but find they just make my bottom half look even bulkier.

I'm feeling very frumpy and need a boost so stylish ladies any ideas where to start looking for a perfect pair of trousers to dress up for christenings, weddings and parties? Ideally not too expensive!

I bought these (with a discount code) and they are really flattering; loose and flowy and actually seem to elongate my legs with small heels whilst making me look slimmer than I am with the belt. I am 5'6" and average size (10 - 12) but do have heavy, muscular legs with big thighs and calves. Worn with a top tucked in they look the business and could be worn with quite a few tops I would think and dressed up or down. www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/carrick-wide-leg-trousers-navy/sty-t0350-nav?cat=C1_S2_G963

Hm wide legs are my go-to so I’m not sure... but almost all trousers can be festive, it depends on the material mostly. I have no great ideas atm... any particular fabrics you’re thinking of....?

Following as I’m in the same boat, I don’t do floral/floaty and am too pear shaped for most dresses anyway, and wide legged trousers make me look huge. The Boden ones linked above are nice but definitely wouldn’t suit me.

I have loads of slim leg fitted trousers that I wear for work but the material isn’t right for a more dressed up look. So maybe I’m looking for something slightly silky/satiny/sheeny but still quite fitted/structured (no floating or flowing ) in a dark block colour. Probably looking for a unicorn 🦄

Thanks @RidgedPerfection they do look nice, unfortunately not many sizes left though. How do Boden sizes come up as I find I can vary from a 12 to a 16 in trousers depending on the shop!

@banivani and @SallieSallow I'm thinking about a pair of cropped Capri's with a loose top to attempt to balance out the pear-ness, just worried that could end up looking frumpy or too casual.

@betlynchiamnot I find the trouser sizing quite generous; I am quite small of waist and bum, it's my legs that are large. It's easy to return to Boden though and they refund you promptly.

Bouncing ideas here... If my links don't work my cookies are making them Swedish, you'll have to google a bit then.

Mango has some slit hem trousers that look a little different and could be a step up, depending on event of course.

Massimo Dutti often have something a bit satiny like these ones that are beige

Malene Birgers Santsi trousers (much dearer than you want, but I'm wondering if style is right)

I really like the Malene ones Bani - that's pretty much exactly what I want - slim leg and structured/fitted but in a more dressy/less worky type fabric.

Not the OP but they are on the pricey side for me, but it's given me an idea of what to search for on other sites.

I'm glad you like them! They're pricy of course but I'm positive I've seen similar for less quite often. As a matter of fact I bought the same shape trousers from Zara's sale in February or so and in a "festive" fabric. A red-black-multicoloured jaquard with metallic thread. Glitter trousers! I was thinking they'd be great for going out out, or drinks at someone's house ... stuff like that. Sadly I can't sit in them - didn't think to try that in the changing room! There's no give in the fabric so I can stand up or lie down, and I don't go to many parties requiring me to do either exclusively. So they'll be donated...

Thanks @banivani I do like your suggestions, but a bit above my budget too unfortunately.

I've just been glancing through the Debenhams website and Wallis have a lot of cigarette trousers, it's not somewhere I would normally shop however they look great on the models, probably not too great on my dumpy legs, but I will try to hit the shops soon to have a mega try on and I'll report back.

I've just seen these - not sure if the jaquard print might be a bit granny's curtains though, would have to see them IRL.

I'll follow you over to Debenhams and Wallis too betlynch

I have dumpy legs too and tried Wallis, Dp's, m&s etc etc and couldn't find anything. However Matalan of all places had some very nice cigarette style trousers - I think they were £16!!! Also have you seen any paper bag trousers? I find them flattering as they are wider around the thigh and taper to a slimmer leg.

Don't do cropped capris, worst thing for a shorter pear shape figure.

You should find a wide-leg, very high waist pair in a silky fabric that skims the thighs. You said you haven't like them in the past, but maybe you were trying the wrong fit. Zara have great ones, check out Trinny Woodall on Youtube or Instagram as she has great recs and inspiration for this look.

I have these in a few different fabrics. I’m quite pear shaped and I think they’re really flattering. Generous sizing so size down.
www.bananarepublic.co.uk/br/ryan-slim-straight-fit-washable-pant/000366803.html?dwvar_000366803_color=000366803F100-02944&cgid=57998#parentCategory=58367&start=11

On someone's recommendation on here, I have two pairs of these (in navy and black) and they are really lovely. You probably need to order a size down and they do a petite range.

www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/navy-everyday-meghan-cigarette-trousers/CR137/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=9063&promo=4212&cm_mmc=AffiliateWindow--SimplyBe--Product%20Feeds-_-&dclid=CMq5s7DKvuICFYsN0wodlVYLOQ#colour:Navy,size:10&CAWELAID=120121250008131202&promo=4212&utm_source=Affiliate%20Window&utm_medium=Affiliates&utm_term=Lyst+Ltd&utm_content=Content&utm_campaign=Always%20On&awc=3027_1559058734_ef3c60226521abf5ef53de306ae582db

Please dont stress about your body I am sure you are fabulous. I was feeling really drab and frumpy for the last 6 months so I really understand what you are going through. I treated myself to a haircut and a few bits for my wardrobe, some new make up. I felt guilty spending the cash as my daughter's Pony needs a new saddle but feel happier in myself and a bit more confident.

Try Oh Polly or House of CB for an idea of the aesthetic; think flowy, slinky, high waisted, wide leg etc. I think it’s the material & shape that differs everyday trousers from going out trousers, the cigarette ones linked look more like boring work trousers in my opinion. Which is fine if that’s what you want, but they don’t really suit weddings & christenings

I would also struggle to see cigarette trousers as a wedding option, possibly evening do (afters).

Yes I like a lot of the cigarette pants linked but they’re pretty much the same as what I already have & wear to work. I’m really limited in footwear too (odd shaped feet and bad knees) and can’t wear heels so it’s hard to ‘dress up’ trousers. I’m looking at paper bag ones now but again might not be dressy enough with flats.

I have massive saddle bag thighs but my legs are slim from mid thigh down so the wide leg flowy styles really don’t do me any favours as they make my whole leg look as wide as my thigh.

Go wider. Nobody thinks your calves are 40 cm in diameter. Go so wide the trousers are like a skirt when you stand.

Or say fuck it. It doesn’t matter. You don’t owe anyone “showing off” your “best” bits. Or focus on making your smaller waist the “best” bit.

Try Zara. I got these m.zara.com/uk/en/culottes-p05375040.html?v1=7885125&v2=1180429 and they fit fab. High waisted and wide- also have them in a tonne of colours if you want something brighter

I agree about giving wide legs another try. I think they work better for a dressed up event because they exude a bit of old school Hollywood glamour. I wear cigarette style too but with them you just get my legs exactly as they are - there's nowhere to hide, whereas a wide leg gives me a whole new silhouette, especially if they're high waisted.

Anyway going back to a narrower leg, I nearly bought these in the chalk lilac couple of months ago]] I thought they would dress up well because the fabric has a bit of a sheen and it drapes and hangs really well (admittedly cos polyester). In the end I didn't, partly because I decided to go dressier (wedding) partly cos I'm skint but also because you could see the outline of the pocket lining through the fabric and I thought that would really start to annoy me. But I still think of them from time to time.

Oh I quite like those Zara ones and seen a few other possibles on their website too, not sure about size though as I sometimes need to go up to a 16 in trousers for thigh fit, is that what their XL is?

Bani I hear what you’re saying about ‘best bits’ but those are definitely too floaty for me, I’m just not a floaty person and don’t think I’d feel confident or comfortable in them. And I’d quite possibly trip over them

Ah yes, that’s always a hazard ;)