Tell me how to buy/wear trousers please!

[Searchingforthelight]

I have been in a clothes rut for some years and would really appreciate advice! For work I tend to wear dresses, and think I have that reasonably down at this stage.

But for the rest of my time, I am in a terrible rut! I am talking school run, weekend clothes etc, even clothes for relaxing at home. I have no idea where to start but have been wearing horrendous leggings and jumpers. The jumpers have been dreadful oversized items purchased in supermarkets when I was carrying extra weight. The leggings the same or from Amazon! It's a horrible look. I haven't owned a pair of jeans in years.

I see glossy school run mums, and inspired by that other thread, I wonder if anyone could advise me on how to dress for non- work/ professional settings?!

So trousers, nice knitwear, that sort of thing, what shoes etc.

So that I might start to look vaguely smart and presentable outside of work settings!

Thank you if you can help!

M n S do so many different styles of jeans. You need to go into a store and try them on to find out which suit. DD has recently switched to wide leg, elasticated waist from Simply B and swears by them.

Thank you- gosh the idea of going into a store and trying them on is so alien to me I didn't think of it! I have avoided clothes buying for a long time, and now I've lost the weight had bought dresses. But didn't know what to do with not-dress not-work situations! I must look at those trousers too, thank you

I agree that M & S have a great choice of jeans at the moment. If you’re on instagram, you can also find inspiration, eg. Wearsmymoney, Alexandra.stedman and jennysuegarcia all have accessible looks and Vamanicol has quick easy compilations of pics. You can get ideas of what you like and where to shop for the same.

I’m a habitual dress wearer too! I go for wide leg trousers and a fine knit jumper in the same colour. It’s visually similar to a dress (all one colour and a wide shape on the bottom) so it’s a nice easy move that still feels safe.

My favourites are the really cheap £17.50 jersey wide leg trousers from Marks and Ssspencer. I have them in black, charcoal and (my fave) navy. Navy trousers and jumper with leopard trainers or a flat tan boot makes me feel very ‘4x4 glossy’ as per the other thread 😆

Merino jumpers from Uniqlo wash and wear well and come in loads of colours.

I wear M&S chinos. They do them in a huge range of colours (I have black, cream and an olive green at the moment). They can be dressed up or down and I always feel smart in them. Plus they wash/dry/iron fab.

If you like leggings, skinny jeans are a good shout. The M&S Ivy Skinny in Indigo and Dark Indigo I buy on repeat.

M&S usually do some good wide leg trousers - a black pair will go with everything, and they do some different colours.

I do have other trousers but these are the ones I wear on repeat. Then there's your take on whatever is in fashion at the moment. Wide leg jeans are having their moment.

The problem is the more adventurous you get, you then get into the shoe dilemma of which shoes go with which jeans. Hence why I revert back to skinny and wide legs!

I really think you should get down to the shops to see, feel the clothes and try them on. I think it is worth spending a bit more money on jeans - I wear 7 for all mankind, frame, Paige and some others.

Thank you- I need to get on Instagram ( I must be last person left who isn't on it) and get some ideas. V

Thank you, thats great, the specifics of the trousers and jumpers are really helpful. I literally need telling how to dress!

Thank you, that's great
I'm definitely heading to M&S, so many recommendations now for their trousers
I've never worn chinos so helpful to point it out as an option

Thank you
I'm almost confused about whether I actually like leggings or whether I am just used to wearing them as elasticated etc from when I was carrying too much weight

I'm going to try these wide leg trousers out!

Thank you
I'm going to do this- actually attend a shop in person, changing rooms and all!

Some great ideas here- thanks everyone

I'll try trousers out first and will look to nice jeans when the whole thing isn't so alien to me!

Sainsbury's jeans are good and their returns are excellent buy a couple of different styles and see what suits. Shirts, jumpers, tops are all good with jeans

Thank you- this sounds crazy but I had forgotten shirts are even a thing for women, It's been that long since I wore one! Nice idea with trousers

Phase Eight do nice fine-knit jumpers, batwing style, that can look smart or casual depending on the rest of your outfit. I wouldn't pay full price but there's often 20% off.

Thank you, I'll look at these, I'm scrolling through the sales online but plan to go and try things on once festive time is over, and am looking forward to it!

Marks for me too. I appreciate the shorter leg length!

Cords as well, M&S have them as well, though they have been so popular it may be hard to get your size, I can't get mine. They have some nice wide leg ones.

M&S do have some great basics, they tend to have all the jeans in store but I can never find anything else and end up ordering them online.

I like the leggings and jumper look. I'm quite a classic smart dresser. Good quality leggings, a longer but slimish jumper and knee length boots or chunky ankle boots is one of my winter go tos.

In terms of trousers you might struggle with wide leg after being used to skinny. I have Boden ponte wide legs which are really comfy and I wear with a slightly scooped or turtleneck cashmere jumper. Colourwise try to avoid black trousers and coloured jumper - it's just too much like a uniform.

Thanks so much for all this- I'll definitely try on various trousers in M&S for sure!
Thanks also @GreyBlackBay re thinking of good quality leggings (definitely not what I've got?) and also avoiding black with coloured jumper which is precisely what I've done.
Looking forward to return to normal post festive life and some shopping!

Really appreciate all your advice!!