Thanks all.
I am the opposite of most of you and didn't realise it was a thing in Friends!! Even though I used to watch it sometimes.
I have just seen them advertised a lot, probably from algorithms as I've been trying to find something.
It sounds like they are too unstructured/drapey, from what you say. I need something that is much more trouser-like and a bit formal, but I don't want the pleats or creases or anything really smart, either. But it needs to be structured enough to slightly hold me in! As well as a bit stretchy to accommodate me. So not jersey or jogger style. I have yoga pants but they are much too drapey, though comfortable at home I guess. The apartment pants - specifically Saint and Sofia! - sounded like they could be a bit more suitable, but now I'm not sure.
I have a mixed day, which can start early and go late, with lots of down time at home in between - it can involve some work at home (seeing people here), some housework, or meetings at a school or somewhere, maybe a long walk or cycle into town or in the park for exercise, maybe go to the supermarket or out for coffee, maybe some meetings elsewhere like a college or at someone's home, maybe some cooking back at home, maybe casual evening activities for myself with little time to change. Obviously I can and do change clothes for things where it's really necessary, but I'd like to have something that does as much of the day as possible. I currently have Fat Face jeggings, which are OK but don't feel smart enough for some of the things, so I do change; my formal trousers feel way too smart for most of the rest of the stuff, especially random housework and long walks, so I don't want to wear them all day. But something just a little smarter would mean I could still do all the home stuff, comfortable working here, do the housework, go for my walks etc, but then still look decent for something a little smarter (I don't have to be very formal, no suits or anything!! - I normally wear White Stuff style tunics and tops, that kind of thing - though I would like one day to upgrade from that if I lose a bit of weight and don't have to have quite as baggy tops, as I do feel a little like either a toddler or a granny, depending on pattern!). It's the pockets and seam style on the jeggings that let me down I think. But the structured shape and the slight stretch are fine. Maybe straighter legs would be good. But not jersey or anything too soft and drapey.
I thought the Hobbs ones looked good in terms of being actual trouser shaped (waistband, pockets etc), and no pleats or creases, but just too wide for short, fat, fifty-year old me. I hadn't considered the fabric in much detail so didn't know about the pilling etc. - I do wear cross body bags and am walking around a lot (I tend to wear black fit flop rally style trainers, or Fit flop ankle boots). I had considered ordering them in a smaller size to fit slightly more tightly, and then getting them taken up if needed and perhaps taken in on the legs to make them straighter rather than wide-legged. But by the time I've done all that (and it would be annoying if they then pilled!) I might as well have got something else instead - except it's hard to find something else.
Maybe I'll have a look at M&S, as I have a longish break this afternoon and could walk into town where there is one - not lots of stock, but if I could see the fabric, I could order, as there's a collection point not far from me.
I don't know if there's a Matalan somewhere near (not in town, but I think a nearby town might have one) so that sounds promising.