Those M and S sidestripe trousers

[JaneFondue]

Are they now ok to wear everywhere? Just saw Deborah Meaden wearing them on Dragon's Den with a blazer, and then one of the women seeking investment was also wearing them.

I have one pair of these and love them, but not sure if I would wear them in such formal settings. Thinking about buying another because they are the last word in comfort for women of a certain age.

I have no idea what trousers you mean. Can you add a link or photo, please?

Doh! Would have been helpful, wouldn't it? Side Stripe Wide Leg Trousers | M&S Collection | M&S (marksandspencer.com)

They’re amazing and I don’t see why not, they’re heavy fabric and not see through! Totally work appropriate to me. I also noticed it on this week’s episode.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/side-stripe-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60517410?extid=ps_ps-gpla_ggl_ww_ch__-UK-_-_baussc&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bRJRynf8807_ryBTCbhNNhNq&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bRJRynf8807_ryBTCbhNNhNq&gclid=Cj0KCQjwocShBhCOARIsAFVYq0haF0-sBiZ8eQDw_aCJyfFKzybE2loGBCwDYssyVv2ZDgIPt825mxUaAkrsEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

sorry for ping link. They’re these. The red ones over autumn winter were my favourites.

Only if they aren't the pink ones. They are bright!!

I have two pairs. Black and navy. Also wear for work and with suit jacket. Love them!

I have the onyx ones from last year and thinking of buying the black for more "formal" wear.

I have the black ones and the green ones, love them.

Oh gawd. Surely those stripes are a yardstick for 'here my legs are fattest and here my legs or not quite as fat'. Or perhaps that's just me

They’ve become a bit of a ubiquitous uniform, like tea dresses and trainers. They look practical and comfy though.

Real 70s tracksuit vibes.

I don’t mean in a good way either.

I saw these in store. Really horrible fabric texture. A bit nails on blackboard fur me if that makes sense. Look great from a distance though.

Well, if it's good enough for a millionaire😊

Hers are probably from Me&Em. The original side stripe

The ones on the m&s link are quite loose but the worst case scenario are the more fitted ones when the stripes are distorted and the pockets are stretched.

I would have perhaps worn them, but if Deborah Meaden has been seen wearing them I might give them a miss.

Last year's M and S fabric was really good. Not sure about this year's.

They look like jogging bottoms to me. Nothing wrong with that but I agree with your original OP that I, personally, wouldn't wear in a formal business setting. But each to their own.

There are several types.

Avoid the ones made from jersey as they look like tracksuit bottoms at best, leggings at worst. Similarly, avoid the straight leg ones.
The wide leg ones come in two types, one is a heavier material (no ankle zip) and are iirc slightly cheaper than the others. The ones with the ankle zip are more summer weight and fit beautifully. I have the navy with white and the black with a goldish stripe. (the latter looks dressier somehow) I did look at the thicker ones (kind of a ponte jersey) but I did think they felt more like the Me & Em Palazzo pants from a couple of years ago (though obviously a million times cheaper) which were lovely, but because they were jersey, definitely more informal.

I'm a teacher and Academic Manager and they're quite formal enough for my job. I'd also say it depends what you wear on top.

These are the ones I find a bit informal because of the fabric.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/side-stripe-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60558391?color=BLACKMIX#intid=plpnav_pid_pg1pip48g2r11c2

These are the ones I find more formal because of the fabric. They've got a fixed pleat across the front as well. Definitely a trouser (despite their own description which does them no favours!) and not a jersey jogger.

I'm being increasingly convinced that mumsnet have shares in M and S and are paying someone to say how wonderful m and s clothes are. Let's see how many lemmings jump and buy them now. Kerching!

They're jogging bottoms redefined as formal wear. The middle-class version of pyjamas on the school run. You've been played by M&S.

Fine for wearing around the house, or even to go to the corner shop, but wearing them to work shows you CBA to acknowledge that you're in a professional environment

Possibly. But you'll find more product placement in S&B which starts with "has anyone ever used <insert newish brand nobody has heard of and which doesn't have a huge marketing budget> " which is then followed by loads of posters saying it's the best brand they've ever used and they'd never use anything else. So we all click and run.

Me & Em, Hush, Sezanne, 4160 Tuesdays, The Ordinary (back in the beginning) Boden, Liz Earle, Saltwater, Toast, all spring to mind.

All perfectly decent companies with a MN style demographic in mind. All with a very definite "ta da" moment arriving on MN with a big klaxon. (if you check back on S&B it's quite easy to spot) and all of them not going down (for whatever reason) the traditional advertising route. They don't need to, we do it for them.