‘Forgiving’ leather look trousers or leggings for the chunky of calf

[YodaEars1]

I’m early 40s and feeling like I need a serious ‘update’. I love leather look trousers / leggings, but this would be a serious departure for me. I am also on the short side, and disproportionately chunky of calf.

Does anyone have recommendations for lovely, forgiving leather look trousers / leggings?

If you are chunky of calf then leather look trousers may not be your friend. In fact I’m not sure whose friend they are. I saw a petite woman wearing some the other day and thought they looked a bit ridiculous.
But that’s just my opinion!

What look are you trying to escape from?

You need legs like a gazelle to look good in them op due to the cling and the shine. Ive got long slim legs naturally but only wear mine when I’m at fighting weight.

Eek. Well, honesty is good, I appreciate it!

I suppose I’m trying to escape from looking every one of my 40+ years.

They look lovely in pictures, and in real life on the women I’ve seen.

I’m a size 12, but yes - definitely very muscley of calf. Legs look okay from the front... it’s just from behind that looks a bit Gladiators (not in a good way)

Aha - more evidence suggesting this may not be the best departure for me. Thanks all - this is helpful. May need to go back to drawing board.

What’s your current look? What do you like about leather trousers?

Current look is ‘still dresses like it’s the 90s’.

I’m definitely not envisaging anything skin tight like this pair from Spanx.

More trouser-y and a bit looser. I can’t find a good pic of what I’m imagining.

I don't think there's such a thing as forgiving leather look leggings. They emphasise everything. If you have long slim firm legs and a firm bum, they look fantastic. But they're very easy to get wrong....and definitely check what they look like from the back.

I was walking down the street yesterday and there was a woman wearing leather look leggings and it was awful. Whilst I respect her right to wear whatever she wants, walking behind someone who is wearing badly fitting leather look leggings when she is at least a size 26 and very wobbly (and short) was not pleasant. Maybe she was really happy with how she looked - or maybe she just hadn't used a mirror to look at her back view before going out. Sorry, there was no nice way to write this. She looked unnecessarily dreadful.

It might be worth looking at real leather leggings (although obviously they're much more expensive) as their thickness mean they're a little more forgiving although that also means they add bulk to your legs so maybe not a good choice if your legs are 'sturdy'.

Im a 12 with muscular calves, and always get compliments when I wear my Next coated jeggings.

I was also going to suggest coated jeans- massimo dutti have some lovely ones.
www.massimodutti.com/gb/women/collection/denim/mid-waist-rubberised-skinny-trousers-c675012p8640206.html?colorId=717&categoryId=675012

I've got a pair of leather look which are in between a skinny and straight fit.... Pretty sure they were new look.

hundredmiles no problem. That is a useful tale. I am taking heed!

Thanks for the suggestions....I’m going to check all of those out!

I would actually encourage you to go for it. I love mine and think I look great in them - which was fantastic after I gave birth and didn’t feel like myself at all.

I mean it’s possible I look like a bag of spanners; but I haven’t noticed any looks of disgust and/or pity and my husband hasn’t gently suggested I try something else on before leaving the house so 🤷‍♀️

I picked mine up in the states so can’t recommend a brand but it’s worth trying a couple until you hit the right ones. I’ve seen good reviews for the Tesco ones if they still do them and ASOS.

A lovely pair of tailored wooden trousers and a jacket in shapes to accentuate your body's good bits might be a better investment, if you measure by the cost per wear.

I second the Next Coated leggings - I bought 2 pairs after seeing them recommended on here!

I bought some fake leather ones from primark years ago and wore them to death. Loved them. I was a good size 12. Got lots of compliments.

A lovely pair of tailored wooden trousers and a jacket in shapes to accentuate your body's good bits might be a better investment, if you measure by the cost per wear

Nothing more guaranteed to make me feel an old frump (I'm 53!)

I 3rd the next ones.

There are lots of leather and pleather trousers in a jogger or utility shape this season, which may be more forgiving

Honestly, leather(look) leggings are not an update. They were current about five years ago while the skinny leg trouser was still most on trend. Obviously people still wear them, but I wouldn't jump on the look as a way to refresh an already outdated wardrobe.

The new silhouette is a wider leg, with a slim shorter top. Leather trousers are now wider leg, and cropped. Trousers in general are straight, or wide leg.

Ignore the colours, outfit as a whole because obviously they're bonkers, and just look at the trouser shapers, these are most current, and the high street is awash with all of them.

Sorry, went a bit off topic with general trousers there, but how about these as an update version of a (faux) leather trouser in a new shape?

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_001020520260_-1

The Massimo Dutti ones are lovely.

I used to have the Next coated skinny jeans in maroon and always got compliments when i wore them. The black not so much as i think they looked a bit cheap and dated. Try the khaki or navy.

A lovely pair of tailored wooden trousers and a jacket in shapes to accentuate your body's good bits might be a better investment, if you measure by the cost per wear

My sidebar of shame is all confused. Doesn't know what to do with wooden suits

Or have I missed a new craze?