What trousers would look good on me - chubby upper thighs

[RobynRuth]

Please could anyone advise. I'm completely lost for finding new trousers. Reasonably slim - size 10/12. But my weight sits mostly on my tummy and upper thighs.

I'm trying to find some new trousers that are smart but also comfortable, and can't seem to find any style that looks good with my figure. Skinny jeans do look good, but are not quite comfortable enough for me anymore. I'd love to find something a bit looser which I think would be more comfortable to wear, and more 'me' now at my age (40). But anything more stretchy (or with a pattern, say checkered or stripey jersey trousers) tends to look very unflattering on my thighs. Anything wide-leg, non-skinny makes me look wider overall as my legs end up looking the width of the thighs all the way down, when my lower legs are actually much slimmer. I like the shape of culottes and paperbag trousers on other women, but can't wear them myself as they don't hide the tummy. I also love the look of tapered trousers like these, with this kind of ruching on the thighs which I think is a lovely womanly shape: https://www.next.co.uk/style/ls382302/k62708#k62708 but on me looked huge and baggy around my midsection. Where am I going wrong?!

Anyone else have a similar figure and would have any tips for me?? Or do I just need to stick with dresses every day? TIA

I look my best I think in A-line, knee length dresses! Especially wrap dresses or belted- something to accentuate the waist.

Thanks. That makes sense. I guess flat cut and not too stretchy a material. (But somehow still comfy!)

I am large of thigh and I never wear trousers as a rule, but I have just bought these:
Comptoir des Cotonniers Brushed Jersey Pleated Wide Leg Trousers (Regular) | UNIQLO UK

They are quite heavy so they hang well, and look nice with heels and a more fitted top.

Trousers. Trousers of any kind. You don't exist as an ornament for others to admire. Wear what is comfortable and nobody will even notice.

I'm 5'2" with huge thighs and trousers are a nightmare! Tried the Uniqlo smart ankle-length trousers friends have been recommending and they made my thighs look bloody huge. In the end I found chinos from Muji that works for me. I don't know if it's the cut or the material or something but I look less wide if that makes sense!

https://www.muji.eu/uk/product/womens-4-way-stretch-slim-chino-trousers-17306.muji

I have these from Thought. Despite being called joggers they are not cuffed and with a smarter top they are fine for (my) work.
www.wearethought.com/products/tencel%E2%84%A2-essential-joggers

Try and find trousers with a side zip, such more flattering on the tummy area. Avoid elasticated waists even if it's just the back, never flattering.

Thank you! The link isn't working when I try to open it- under what name do the trousers show in the list?

Sorry, I don't why the link has failed.
They are called tencel essential joggers. Just khaki in the sale just now, but they have been available in black and navy. They're quite thick fabric for being tencel.

Thanks for all the tips! I really appreciate them. The Muji ones look very promising.

They are hideous.

Look like they cost 20p to make.

Hello! Also carry all my weight in my hips and upper thighs. Levi jeans are good - go for a dark pair of high waisted Levi’s and put a great belt on and it’ll draw attention to our waist not the thighs. The wide leg trouser options (or culottes) people have shared look good if paired with a thin jumper / top.

Skirt, nice top and a longline cashmere gilet to hide the tum? I find Hobbs flared skirts really hide my tummy.,

I was just browsing through the Levi's website and saw something that looks comfy called boyfriend jeans. Have you tried those? We sound like we have a similar body type and I'm not sure if something in that style fits us!

If you think skinny jeans look good and wide leg bad, maybe you are having trouble adjusting to the change in fashions? I am the same shape, 10-12 with saddlebags, and wide leg trousers are great. The key is to make sure they are high waisted so show off your slimmest point. Then the leg skims over your widest point so no one can tell how large your legs are. Getting trousers that fit your thighs while making the rest of your legs look slim is only going to draw attention to the difference in size. Plus wide legs are on trend so you’ll automatically look better in that sense.

I don't have a lot of weight around my thighs but I do have short legs and wide leg trousers make me look short and stumpy even though theoretically they should work as I am an inverted triangle. It just shows it's the combination of all our body bits that dictate what looks nice.

I think you are on the right lines with tapered so that you can still show your slimmer lower legs. But those Next ones are too extreme and too pleated around the hips and thighs so they would really accentuate that part. I have the Seasalt crackington ones which are flat fronted and more subtle tapered and may be worth a try

I’m a similar shape to you but more a 14. I agree wide-leg does not work - end up looking very wide although I love the look. I tend to wear straight leg now and usually 7/8 length to see my comparatively fine ankles!

Oh my gosh. Maybe you're right!!!

... though this is very true as well. Thank you- these look great. I'll definitely give them a try

Thank you- will try straight leg 7/8!

Thank you all- really appreciate all these tips!!!