Help! I'm done with trousers and jeans.

[GenuineRocks]

So I have mostly worn trousers and jeans throughout my life, but for about 5 yrs now I can't get on with any of the new styles or the quality issues and such. Every year I shop around and spend ages searching for a new pair and eventually give up.

I am outdoors a lot, so spend a lot of time in hiking leggings and outdoor stuff (which I like) but want something more casual for everyday stuff (cafe's, meeting friends, etc) so am wondering if I might like some sort of casual dress???

I have one simple floaty jersey dress from seasalt which has long sleeves and is the easiest thing to wear in the world, but unfortunately I can never find patters that I like. I do love the ease though and think they can be dressed up with other things to make them more 'me' and interesting.

I don't like the trend dresses in most shops, at any pricepoint. I don't like the large dull colours of Toast, nor the interestingly cut £400 stuff either. I just want something simple and casual. I hate the high street generally and not a fan of the prairie or midi trend as I prefer knee or above.

Has anyone else ever moved over in a big switch like this? How did it go? Is it even possible to get used to dresses if I am so long in the tooth (50), lol?

For ref I am 5'5, slim, average proportions. I have low contrast features, so fair eyes, hair and skin. All of the dark large patterns would drown my face, i think. I am thinking Seasalt as I don't like bulk and they do a small selection of shorter, slip on dresses that might appeal to me. Don't want to fork out for a few and then regret it, but have located some on ebay that I could try.

For reference, I am done with trousers and jeans because I hate the wide flapping fabric styles but most of all the super high waists. I walked the length and breadth of two cities in the past week and every damn shop had long baggy gussets, with inches of space below the fly. I just cant wear that stuff and it doesn't seem to be on it's way out!

Oh how annoying. I really sympathise.

I can't bear front seams or even elasticated knicker legs so wear only skirts these days. It's fine to have a breeze in summer (ahem) but obviously need something to keep warm in winter. My solution if it is any help is loose legged low crotch undies or leggings/long johns under a skirt.

I have some silk jersey "short johns" from Patra which are really baggy on me and almost more like french knickers. For reference, size small measures waist to crotch 14", inside leg length 9", hems 9 with no elastic and straight. There is a gusset 5" wide which runs one hem to another.

I am size 8 and size Small is quite voluminous on me but not bulky because the fabric is really light.

Just to add the rise is 14" at the front, 15" at the back, due to the wide gusset and high waist.

I'm a similar age to you and got this wool dress from here in the sale recently and it is really comfortable and suits me. www.icebreaker.com/en-gb/womens-dresses-skirts/merino-260-granary-long-sleeve-half-zip-dress/0A56U7853S.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw6JS3BhBAEiwAO9waF_zfPXHxnpczRSQKo4Xl-8Ll2PK0qCo7ApHgqVJljVPMCDl8XmMdkRoCZUQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds I'm 5'3 and just under 8 stone and the S fits me perfectly, looks less fitted on me than it does on the model and is more knee length on me. Looking forward to wearing it with tights and boots in the winter. I've bought a lot of stuff from there over the years as I love the machine washable wool, it lasts for years, is comfy and doesn't go bobbly.

Try Fatface or Roman originals for jersey dresses.

I had to change as I was too hot in jeans even in the winter!

Nobody fluttered an eyelid.

You could try joules, I think they are sometimes similar to sea salt. Tu by sainsburys might be good. I like joanie but may not be your cup of tea, though they do have a big range.

i wear many of my dresses year round, adding thick tights and boots and a woollen cardigan in colder months.