I’m 45 and suddenly dislike jeans. What’s the alternative?

[TwoMagnificentLabradors]

I used to live in my skinnies. But at 45 and perimenopausal, I now find them restrictive and unflattering. I have a nice pair of wide leg jeans and they work a bit better. I love dresses, but there are months when it’s too cold for bare legs and too warm for tights. I’d love to find an alternative to jeans that’s still flattering, looks current and feels comfy. What do other jean-sceptics do? I’m 5’4’’, size 12, 62kg with a generous tum but good legs.

Omg am prob gonna get slated but, at 45 years of age last November I discovered leggings.
Used to think they were awful 🙊 ... until I tried some on (needed something light/flexible to go under "water proof over trousers")
I only wear black - but fml are they comfy

I’m 47 and very rarely wear jeans. I have trousers from Baukjen. I love their stuff.

I have started wearing Chinos and love them, I also have some wide leg jersey trousers for spring/summer.

I’m very similar I find myself dreading putting them on! Partly because my shoulder hurts and they give more resistance going on 🤣

leggings- what with?

Leggings, I still wear Jeans but I agree about the comfort factor. Either black like PP or dark patterned. Varley , sweaty Betty are nice , although I have found an amazon dupe that honesty I cannot tell the difference between them and sweaty Betty. Apart from being £20.00!

Too cold for bare legs and too warm for tights but ok for trousers? I’ve never experienced this weather!
Honestly I think based on your body shape dresses sound most flattering. Otherwise just go for some nice loose fit straight cut trousers with a little stretch..? Culottes can be really comfy and pretty too.

I hear you! 47, worn jeans all my life now turning to dresses... Leggings underneath work well with boots noone knows they are not tights, leggings with the wide waist band from peacocks are good. Skirt/ tunic over leggings for winter . Joe browns is fun 😊

I live in M and S wide legged trousers.

I know exactly what you mean about being too warm for tights but to cold for bare legs weather. I’ve no idea what I’m going to wear this spring summer as I’ve put some weight on and also hate my legs now.

I live in Fat Face jeggings they also come in different leg lengths as well.
Boden tapered trousers amd dresses for a smarter look.
Being short but curvy I have always struggled with trousers more so with the menopause.
I still keep an eye out for jeans and tend to wear them cropped or rolled up slightly in the summer with flats.

I think i did the same thing at about 45, just suddenly felt so constricted in fitted things. I still like waisted things but do also have a few of the more current wider dresses, but i don't like layering themso they're reserved for summer. For me in winter i prefer wide leg but tapered trousers, cords and wool, and i have some winter skirts that are thicker denim.

I just bought two pairs of work trousers because this is the season where I’m bored of wearing tights and boots, but it’s too early for dresses and bare legs.

I’ll have my ankles out at work on Monday!

I mainly live in dresses/skirts and woolly tights in cold weather. I don’t find the problem is that the ‘in between season’ is too warm for tights, but that it gets too warm for the boots I wear with them. I occasionally wear tights and trainers which are comfy but if I do I feel a bit self conscious, it feels an odd combo!
I recently bought a pair of wide leg swishy jeans and love them, but only some of my tops work with them.

I wear jeans a lot but also cords, linen trousers in summer and dresses, skirts with jumpers, tights and boots in winter

Relaxed wide leg trousers or maybe cords?

i find casual “not jeans and not chinos” trousers tend to require a lot of money.

I tend to wear next soft tapered trousers which i pick up second hand of ebay as i can never find them on the website. Also these from next. They cover me all year round as I wear them with vest tops in summer, jumpers in winter and if its really cold with thermal leggings underneath.

I also wear little black Jersey mini skirts from h&m and primark with either opaque tights or primark's fluffy leggings. They look surprisingly good for smart casual and to little cost

Long dresses with long cardigans. I do still wear jeans but I'm following this thread for other ideas. I'm getting over them.

If you can wear leggings then it's not too cold/warm to wear tights and a dress. I tend to choose cotton or cable knit tights for wearing at home and more standard black tights for work.

I'm finding clothes a nightmare these days. I'm a similar age and always wore skinnies. I've tried different shaped jeans but they look weird, not sure I can pull off wide trousers so just feel stuck and grumpy

Not grumpy, frumpy 🤦🏼‍♀️

This year I have discovered fleece thermal leggings from m and s. They are life changing and now I mainly wear dresses and skirts. i hate tights as uncomfortable and too cold.

I occasionally still wear a maxi dress in the Winter but with leggings under to keep my legs warm . I sometimes throw a big sweater on over the dress for extra warmth too , especially if it’s a sort sleeve maxi . I never feel cold . I don’t think it looks out of place in the winter but who knows hahahah I have no fashion sense ! I’m in London so Winter’s are mild compared to up north ! I’m from Canada where winters are extreme so the U.K. feels pretty mild to me.

@Ilovechintz can you link to the dupe?

I discovered these www.cottontraders.com/women/trousers/super-stretchy-slim-leg-pull-on-trousers/AC14676.html?cgid=womens-trousers#cgid=womens-trousers&start=8&list=product%20list&p=5, incredibly comfortable, easy care and flattering.

I just wear dresses and skirts all year round and I never bother with tights or leggings - I think they look frumpy on me. When it’s colder, it’s longer / thicker dresses with long sleeves and a throw on a jacket. I have woolly jumpers I wear with long silk skirts too. A long skirt combined with boots (especially knee high boots) is warm. Chunky knits over the top help and I love scarves too sometimes. When it gets warmer, I wear shoes instead of boots and lighten the dresses, wear T-shirts with skirts instead of jumpers etc