Comfortable alternatives to jeans and leggings?

[wishIwasonholiday10]

I used to wear jeans regularly but realised how uncomfotable I find them over the pandemic. Over the lockdowns when I could work from home and on a years maternity leave I basically only wore soft high waisted leggings which I find so much more comfortable than jeans. Now I'm back at work and tight leggings are obviously not appropriate even though its a casual workplace. So I'm looking for super comfy trousers that feel like leggings and either look like jeans or like smarter black trousers. I have tried various 'jeggings' but never find them as comfy as my normal leggings. I quite like Uniqlo's legging trousers but I'm awkardly between sizes and not close enough to a shop to try stuff on so looking for some alternatives. I also tried some M&S trousers described as joggers but looked like jeans and they were pretty comfy but didn't last long and are not available anyway. Not keen on anything too loose fitting (especially over winter) or anything that looks too casual like most joggers.

Have looked through a few old threads but a lot of suggestions are no longer available. Has anyone found the holy grail of comfy but decent looking trousers recently?

If you want a slim fit then it's harder to look smart and be legging level comfy. The world is awash with elasticated waist wide legs which some women look fantastic in, but which add a stone on me.

I find high waist jeans in a size that actually fits me (not a size I used to be) are fine for day wear. I usually change into leggings when I get home.

Straight leg
Skinny fit
Skinny fit
Another Skinny fit
A few options here op, if this is the kind of thing you're looking for?

I just bought Only Power skinny jeans and they are honestly the most comfortable pair of anything I have ever worn in my life. They are amazing. They have quite a bit of stretch and are made of super soft material. Definitely don’t feel like jeans.

Try Halara. Soft stretchy material but smart look. They have a great range.

What is it about Jeans you find uncomfortable? IME if you have a bigger belly straight leg mid-rise jeans work best. You just have to play around with sizing and belts to find your fit. High and low waists are for slim waisted people

Thanks all for the suggestions, Will definately look into them!

I find jeans uncomfortable both around the waist and find most denim fabric really uncomfortable. I have some sensory issues around clothes which I tried to ignore for years but have realised I just want to feel comfortable now. I also don't find wide-leg trousers very flattering on me and prefer something slim fitting over winter as I get chilly walking to work in wide-leg trousers. I am size 14 and on the shorter side.

I wear black linen trousers a lot. Comfy and not tight like leggings or jeans. You can dress them up or down whatever the occasion.

I was going to suggest the M and S ones but sounds like you already have. Mine are lasting fine, I was them at 30 and don't tumble dry. I have two blue pairs and a black pair and live on them. Lots of other comfy M and S options.

I'm the same with jeans these days and clothes in general,I can't bear anything tight, stuff, rubbing etc.

I moved on to chinos for work to smarten myself up a bit. Not quite as comfy as leggings though.

I’ve got some trousers very similar to these from Tesco. They’re in a black and grey dogtooth check. I’m 5ft4 and they’re full length on me. I am tempted by these Matalan ones too.

If you like the soft high waist leggings, have you considered wearing them to work with a tunic dress or similar over the top? I would never be seen out in just a pair of leggings, I think only children and tweens can really pull leggings-as-trousers off as a look. But as soon as you've got a short jersey dress/pinafore/tunic over the top, the leggings become the most comfortable tights you've ever worn.

That's my go to 'smart' look. I'm lucky to work somewhere with no real dress code, though, so am also often found in the office in dungarees. No waistband at all to annoy me then!

I've just bought these in extra short as I'm 5.2" and M&S trousers are now so very long! They're smart/casual and very comfortable

https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-twill-straight-leg-trousers/p/clp60613519?color=DARKNAVY#intid=pid_pg4pip48g4r8c3

Also these, which I haven't worn yet but they look like they'll be comfortable

https://www.marksandspencer.com/drawstring-tapered-ankle-grazer-trousers/p/clp60506828?color=CHARCOAL#intid=pid_pg4pip48g4r5c2

Ninepine. So comfy. I have the wide leg trousers but they have different shapes and colours.

https://www.ninepine.uk/

How many women look at themselves from the back in leggings?

Toast Gabi trousers are my favourite. They're so comfortable and they wash well too.

Gabi Cotton Pull On Trousers | Storm Blue | TOAST

Probably most, since most people own mirrors

Halara trousers are stretchy and elasticated waist but in a slightly more formal work wear cut. I have trousers and cords and they're decent.
Also the elasticated waist and stretchy M&S workwear trousers are comfy for me too.
I do wear jeans daily but they have to fit right and be midrise as I'm short in the body so a high rise digs in under ribs, and a low rise has way too much overspill and digs in sat down.

The absolute best Ive seen for comfort and style acaioutdoorwear.com/collections/max-stretch-skinny-outdoor acaioutdoorwear.com/collections/max-stretch-skinny-outdoor]]]]

Regularly admired, what's not to like? id love for the espresso colour to come back into stock.

I've just brought a pair of elasticated waist flared trousers from mark and spencer £22.50 fit like leggings with a flared hem.

Realistically not many smart trousers are going to be as comfy as leggings. As a total alternative, because I also like to be comfy, I wear a lot of longer knitted dresses and tights in winter with boots. V comfy and cosy but looks smart.

I'd love some examples of your dresses and boots please. They sound like the look I'm going for but I am rubbish at knowing what goes together 💐

Me sadly. I look like sponge Bob from behind. I’m not overweight either, just square shaped.