Bum Flattery

[DancingFroglet]

I was just scrolling through pinterest and enjoying slouchy knits, loose trousers and getting excited about the new season. Then I came across this (pictured) and thought "Yes! I know what you mean!"

I never liked tight clothes and love more fluid, looser Japanese-style designs, so the new, looser offerings in stores now are great, I am not going to complain. But I wondered...am I bothered about the unflattering arse? I really don't know. I don't think I care, but then I don't wish to look like a sack of ferrets tied up with string either.
Still, I am not convinced that I care.

I know looser fit trews are popular on MN so what do you think about the baggy arse look (usually has no back pockets)? I am quite slim and have often felt as though I am wearing a nappy to be honest. Perhaps we are so used to being told that tighter fit clothes are 'flattering' that it is difficult to shift that, culturally speaking.

The text in the photo says it all
What do we define as a flattering fit? I am not a fan of bunched elasticated waistbands and would prefer them to lie flat (not hard to do!), but nor do I miss every facet of my anatomy being somewhat visible through leggings and skinny jeans either!

Another example! I love these trousers from Toast, but the back is so different to the front in terms of how they lie against the body...they seem to fit beautifully at the front hip yet enormously clown-like at the rear.

Yes, looks terrible from the back!

I think you are meant to wear something to cover most of the seat.
They look a bit like you've just given up.

They look awful from the back, you are right OP.
Really weird fit.
Any shape clothes (fitted or loose styles) should enhance the silhouette not make it disappear completely.

And yet cropped, shorter tops and knits are all over the stores! I wonder where people are finding the longer length cover ups to hide the ferret sacks.

They very rarely show you a back view, so good on Toast! (I still love those trousers)

There are a lot of clothes now that are designed to look good just for a photo (from the front /side), not on a woman walking around. Yes some are designed to be wore covering the arse with something else, but many just are designed purely to look good from the front.

that said, I often forget to do a two mirrored back check when I buy something/try something on I’ve ordered, I’m not overly fussed what part of me I can’t see looks like.

I really like these from Cos (pic), perhaps the effect isn't as obvious in black? (I prefer these as the mid rise makes them more subtle)

So I wonder how higher end are doing it, say Margaret Howell. I honestly don't mind a baggy silhouette at all, but coupled with the high waists it's all a bit 'island of the long arse' for me.

Mmm, Margaret Howell..not looking any better sadly.

To be fair as well, a lot of these are using what is clearly a very thin model. On a woman with a bigger arse, the trousers might be filled out a bit more.

I think the problem is when they use an elasticated/semi-elasticated waist, so the rear is just gathered in and has no chance of lying flat. I refuse to buy skirts or trousers with elastic at the waist as it never makes for the best shape.

Agree about the elasticated waists. I have a couple of trousers with stretch waists but the band is flat and attractive. I should think higher priced brands would opt for this, I wonder why they won't?

As for the thin models, I doubt it's just that, I can't imagine this look on anyone. Most bodytypes look great in decently made trousers.

Elasticated waist is fine if the fabric is stretchy. The Toast ones look like something from Bon Marche or similar but in better fabric.

The Bon Marche Bum!

I actually like the look of these. I far, far prefer a drapey, loose look than everything clinging to every curve. I don't think it looks clown like. I think we've just been conditioned to think we have to expose/enhance/ show off every curve and line of our bodies to look "good", that this feels jarring. All those models look slim, comfortable and presentable. That's what I would want if I bought those trousers (which I am now tempted by ).

BM trousers are very comfortable according to my mother and her friend.
Plain Textured Wide Leg Trousers | Bonmarché (bonmarche.co.uk)The rear view doesn't look as baggy arsed as the Toast ones

@OverTheCountryClub I tend to agree with you on the whole, I just wish they would use more attractive waistbands. I do prefer a more fluid line and am happy these things are available now after what feels like nigh on 20yrs of skinny-fit everything.

I agree that we are not used to it in the UK, I am 49 and discovered clothes in the alternative 90's, which where a lot less fitted (although not excessively baggy either). Since then there has been a huge focus on slim fitting clothes which we are much less familiar with on the whole. The eye gets used to the shapes..
The problem, I think, isn't the style itself but the manufacturers taking cheap shortcuts. It is perfectly possible to make fluid, loose fit clothing attractive, but so difficult to source any that are.

The Bon Marche bum is definitely less ferret like but still not great. I wish they'd all try a bit harder, I would be happy to spend!

It's perfectly possible to make wide or fuller leg trousers with a fixed, flat waistband all the way round, fitted gently to the upper bum, and then flowing away. It just costs more 🤷‍♀️ An elasticated waist is cheap and looks crap.

I’m a big fan of this style of trousers. I’m a curvier woman, size 14 with a small waist but to be honest, I’m not dressing for other people to find my bum attractive. But saying that, I’ve probably got a bit more bum to pad this style of trousers out! Anyway - wear what you want and what makes you happy.

The pink trousers aren't nice but they were the first ones I found on their site. They have ones in black and navy but the rear view isn't so obvious in those colours.

@DancingFroglet yes I see what you're saying and agree. True for a lot of clothes too - ruining something that could be simple and elegant with rubbish material and poor fit!

Glad it isn't just me! If anyone know where there are some decently made loose trousers in a good fabric, please do share!

I reckon the elasticated waists are a hangover from lockdown - too many people got used to wearing joggers /gym leggings all day and aren’t happy with fitted waistbands.

I reckon elasticated waistbands are a cheap option, instead of cutting the fabric pieces properly and putting in darts in the right places.

I love the idea of the Toast ones but from the back they remind me of something knocked up quickly and cheaply for a fancy dress in childhood.

I do think there's an element of gaslighting in current clothing manufacture, the bar is set so low now that nobody blinks at these being £195.