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Original poster

Wide legged trousers if you're short of leg

20 replies

GoblinMode · 28/08/2023 23:14

I'm 5ft3. I've ordered some wide legged trousers for autumn, but they make me look....urm...stumpy.

I just want to know if this is a trend I'm going to have to swerve, or is there a way of wearing them so they flatter the vertically challenged?

OP posts:
FunkyMonks · 28/08/2023 23:17

Wear them with platform shoes or trainers that's what I tend to do I'm 5ft 4.
I also tend to wear a fitted top and high waisted so looks a bit more flattering.

loveacuddle1 · 29/08/2023 19:49

I agree with above 👆.
i’m 5 foot 2, I wear them. High waisted and with a shirt or top tucked in, or a crop jumper. In the summer I wear with wedges, winter with flatform converse

MrsFiddle · 29/08/2023 19:58

Surely it also depends on your hip size too?

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 29/08/2023 20:01

High waisted and wear them quite long and with a fitted top or at least a top tucked in at the waist. Definitely not cropped. I wear them a lot.

Lilsoph · 29/08/2023 20:16

Im only 5’1” and size 10, and I wear lots of wide leg trousers. Always with flat shoes - trainers, loafers, brogues or ankle boots as I don't wear any heels. I don't feel they make me look particularly ‘stumpy’. But to be honest, I’m not sure anything will make me look 5’6” or more 😊

DeclineandFall · 29/08/2023 22:13

Depends on the shape of the rest of you. I'm 5'4 and wide cropped suit me best and make me look taller. Full length I look shit. I've got a v short body, high waist and wide hips. It's like everything no one thing suits everyone who is the same height. So you might find a pair or you might have to swerve.

Floisme · 29/08/2023 22:20

Swerve them by all means if you want to but I'm the same height as you and wide legs are my favourite shape.

Like other posters have said, a high-ish waist and something fitted/tucked/half tucked on top will draw the eye away from your legs and, if they skim over your arse that can also disguise where your legs actually start. I wear with chunky loafers if I want a bit more of a lift but I often don't bother.

For what it's worth, I think my legs look their shortest and stumpiest in skinnies - there's no disguising them and nowhere to hide.

Original poster
GoblinMode · 30/08/2023 00:26

I've tried with my platform trainers and it helps a bit, but still not great. Maybe it's my body shape. Or the wrong trousers (gromit).

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 02:10

I'm an inverted triangle, not tall and don't have long legs. I'll be swerving the wide legs. I'd possibly consider a jumpsuit if the top and sleever were fairly plain

amberisola · 30/08/2023 06:00

I think it depends more on your shape than height. I find them flattering, although nothing is going to make me look tall!

WarOnTheSlugs · 30/08/2023 06:03

Short answer (sorry 🤣) is that they do not suit short people. Choose something more suited to your figure.

Niftythrifter · 30/08/2023 07:24

I am shorter than you and wear my wide leg jeans with Converse and something more fitted in the top. Now the we are moving in to a different season what I find helps is wearing a coat that nips you in at the waist.

Floisme · 30/08/2023 07:38

I used to live my life by the body shape rules (until I escaped) and, as I recall, it was as much to do with the shape of your legs as your height. If your thighs are disproportionately wide (saddlebags) then wide legs are a good option as they skim past them. I still have all the Trinny & Susannah books somewhere if anyone needs chapter and verse.

BlackJumpsuit · 30/08/2023 07:42

WarOnTheSlugs · 30/08/2023 06:03

Short answer (sorry 🤣) is that they do not suit short people. Choose something more suited to your figure.

I disagree! If you find the right cut for your body shape they can look great.

I'm very short and wide leg trousers look way better on me than straight leg or skinny, or tapered.

I've got some tailored wide leg linen trousers that are 👌

YukoandHiro · 30/08/2023 07:42

I'm 5ft 1in. In the 90s and early 00s I were huge trousers all the time. Looking back they were appalling for my frame.

I do wear a loose straight leg but I refuse to go back to really wide legs - with my mum til on top they will make me look like a pudding now

MoonshineandMagic · 30/08/2023 07:45

Any suggestions for a flattering pair? I’m fairly wide of arse as well but I do like the shape.

imnotwhoyouthinkiam · 30/08/2023 07:48

I'm 5ft1 (with incredibly short legs) and a size 20. I love my wide legs trousers. They may well make my legs look short. But my legs are short Hmm

I wear them with a fitted top and vans.

cabbageandgravy · 30/08/2023 07:49

My dd is under 5' and short in the leg proportionally too, wears them a lot - and looks fab (of course I'm biased Grin) - she is slim too though. As pp ssuggests, she wears high waisted with tops that barely reach the waistband, or tucked in, and thick-soled trainers/boots

Original poster
GoblinMode · 30/08/2023 09:17

YukoandHiro · 30/08/2023 07:42

I'm 5ft 1in. In the 90s and early 00s I were huge trousers all the time. Looking back they were appalling for my frame.

I do wear a loose straight leg but I refuse to go back to really wide legs - with my mum til on top they will make me look like a pudding now

In the 90s and 00s I wore flared jeans, but they were more close fitting on the arse and thighs and flared out dramatically below the knee, and these looked OK on me.

These wide legged ones Ive got now are wide everywhere, and there's too much material around the arse and thighs, as well as round the ankles, it makes me look dumpy. I don't suit those flouncy maxi dresses either for the same reason.

I dont know what body shape I am but I have narrow hips but not much waist definition. I think I have relatively short legs even for my height. It is probably my body shape that's the problem.

OP posts:
UncleHerbie · 30/08/2023 09:51

As a pp said above, definitely swerve cropped length

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