Have cropped wide trousers had their moment already? And are these options terrible?

[Sadik]

I'm looking for something for everyday-smartish but easy to wear. Generally I'm a very casual dresser, I've got an outdoors job (so workwear / boots) and outdoorsy hobbies so mostly wear combats/t-shirts when not at work. I need something for when I want to look just a bit more civilised - meal at the pub / work meetings / etc.

I like the understated Japanese look for this kind of thing so eg I've got a Muji top a bit like this in a soft felted yak / wool. But my skinny trousers and just-above-the-knee skirts / tights to go with look really dated now, plus being worn out.

I was contemplating either cropped wide leg trousers (almost culottes I guess) or a midi skirt. But is it the wrong time to go that route now?
I've been looking at these trousers and this skirt though not 100% sold on the colour (definitely don't want black, I'm after a warm autumnal colour)
I did rather like this midi skirt - or I like the colour/material of these trousers but they're a bit too casual (and not cropped!).

Any thoughts? What are you all wearing for that level of smartness in autumn/winter now? (FWIW I'm early 50s and 5'2" in my boots so proper short)

Cropped trousers are still fine, though, yes lots more full length appearing. The red trousers are gorgeous - you may need to shorten. But still leave them slouchy.

I’d swerve the skirts - both too bulky. (I get that they’re meant to look generous, but you could find better combinations of fabric + cut.)

Yes, I've been looking for a while for the perfect autumn skirt, but can't seem to find the right thing. Doesn't help that I struggle with wool / wool mixes unless they're fully lined, which most aren't - but I think they tend to hang better than cord for a skirt.

Im struggling to locate anything at the moment, so simply not buying. It's hard, and I need stuff, but I can't settle on anything out there.
But thank you for introducing me to Komodo, I hadn't seen this tore before! I like some of their dresses quite a lot.

I much prefer skirts to trousers, but it is a really personal choice. I personally look bulkier in trousers, especially wide ones, than skirts, but I do wish there was a touch less 'volume' on the market right now, with all things - I don't miss the skin tight horrors of a few years ago but something that doesn't drown my 5'4 small frame would be nice.

I would also love to like the skirts at Toast, but they would almost reach my ankles and spread so much fabric around my waist and hips I would look like a ship in sail. Everything everywhere is too bulky! I have beeb searching for an in-between, something that has good fabric and flows beautifully, but hey ho.

I like the cord skirt. Don't like the colour of the other things

I have a few skirts like the teal one from the early 1990s. I wonder if I'd still fit into them I think i know what the answer is

the colour of the komodo trousers is good but they are so long.

I’ve been buying wide legged cropped trousers for a few years from Cos so I don’t think it’s a flash in the pan trend. I also liking full length and wider leg although I haven’t worked out what shoes to wear them with other than trainers. DM shoes feel too clumpy… I think I need a loafer. ( whereas I like them with a cropped trouser) I like the first gingery coloured trousers you posted from Thought but that skirt is horribly bulky. I also like the red trousers. It looks like you’d go for Toast or Plumo and they might offer you styling options even if you don’t buy from there.

"I would also love to like the skirts at Toast, but they would almost reach my ankles and spread so much fabric around my waist and hips I would look like a ship in sail."
That is exactly me - I want to be that 6 foot graceful person, but I'm really not!
I'm a bit optimistic on the Komodo trousers if I shorten them, in that I have a pair of grey ultra fine wide needlecord trousers that did work for me (unfortunately both worn out and a size too big around the middle now I'm so post-baby she's left college and working )
Although the red is gorgeous, I'd probably have to go for the green just because I've got burnt orange / russet colour tops.

I'll have a look at Toast and Plumo - I'd rejected them as being for tall elegant people, but maybe I'm being pessimistic :)

Actually, these from Plumo might just fit the bill. A bit sludgy coloured possibly but maybe better IRL :)

For feet - I've got some green ankle boots that my dd described as 'like hippy DMs - a bit more fluffy and less street' which I think would work

No … Get flat fronted or one neat pleat at the front. Elasticated back is ok - but those are far too puffy at the front. (The Plumo green.)

No use at all, but I LOVE the red cords!

That's true Edmontina - tbh I'm not a big fan of elasticated waists, I prefer a regular waistband on the whole.

@Sadik, I have cord breeks (knickerbockers). They work with tops like the one in your link

Where did you get them from @KirstenBlest ? I used to have red corduroy pedal pushers when I was a kid (late 70s or very early 80s), I loved those trousers!

Charity shop (£1!) but I think they'll come back. They're a well known brand but I can't be arsed to go upstairs and look. You can find them on ebay (rundholz etc) and outdoor shops like [[https://www.newforestclothing.co.uk/collections/womens-breeks these]

I saw someone wearing some slightly longer camo combat ones in London on Saturday.

link fail.

these

You could also try House of Bruar, local agri/gamefair shops

I know that these images are probably not your taste but I thought I’d show you options for longer / looser trousers and options available. These are from my Pinterest board (after I acquired 3 pairs of full length wide legged trousers from a relative. ) I’ve since bought a further pair on grey jersey - it definitely feels like a fresher look than skinny cuts. The rust coloured pair are Dickies in case you’re interested.

I definitely don't look like image 1 but I can really see those style trousers might work for what I want - thanks Divebar :)

I look exactly like image 1. I seem to have a doppelganger

Seriously, even the models look shite in those clothes. I'd look like a bag lady in them

You might find something suitable in Uniqlo - they do seem to understand clothes for shorter women. They have a couple of midi skirts which look neat fitting at the waist.

those red cords are ace

I bought a pair of those Thought trousers (maybe exactly the same, different colour tho) a couple of years ago and they were huge and soggy in the waist (stretch cord ) so the pleats didn't sit nicely. Buying a size down might sort it. You may find they don't look very cropped on you, I think they were just above my ankle and I'm 5'6"-5'7".

That toffee colour is fab, I'm tempted to rebuy in a smaller size

londonmummy - Uniqlo is usually one of my go-to places, but I'm just not feeling inspired by their options right now, particularly in terms of colours.

I find the whole trousers and jeans thing very difficult at the moment. Everything that looks great on tall leggy models looks rather ridiculous on 5'3" short legged me. I love Toast for knitwear and tops but the dresses and trousers just trail along the ground, they would make a lot of money if they had a petite range or different leg lengths.
At the moment I'm wearing straight legged jeans and trousers I bought a few years back before the line became ultra skinny. I've noticed though that while in the last couple of years trousers and jeans were almost universal far more people are wearing skirts and dresses now, which I presume is partly because of how difficult it is now.