Can a short, fat person wear wide legged floaty trousers?

[BarbaraVineFan]

And if so, which ones?

I am an apple shape, 5 foot 2 and a size 16-18. Going on holiday in a couple of weeks and would love a pair of cool, swishy wide legged trousers as an alternative to dresses and shorts. But I fear I might look a bit like Coco the Clown! I also can only do online shopping, as I am a single mum. Any help gratefully received!

I sent some back as they made me look bigger, I’m better in tighter trousers as it shows my slimmer legs.

Hmm, this is what I fear @DustyLee123! I just want something cool (temperature-wise!) to wear that isn't a dress for a change. If you have any trouser recommendations, do let me know please!

I’d like some culottes. Look like a skirt but without the chub rub!

That's a good idea! Culottes! Again though, think I might look like a clown in them :(

I'm the same size as you although a bit taller, I love wide leg everything! Floaty trousers for summer sounds great, I have some from Uniqlo a few years ago that I will be dusting off.

I’m short and fat with a pear shape (but turning apple with peri). A stylist insisted that wide leg pants were definitely what I needed to wear. I think you definitely need to try them on in person. If I try on 10 pairs of pants, I will be lucky if one of them is flattering.

I’m the same height as you but a size 10 and I honestly find they make me look bigger unless I get high waist ones. The high waist lengthens the legs and I tuck a t-shirt in. Like PP I may have to try on several pairs to find the right ones. If you’re looking for cheaper then New Look have loads of different styles in, Next have also got a lot in at the moment and several in petite sizes.

I do.

I'm an apple too and generally look awful in them. Go for an elasticated waist as then you can size down and the legs aren't so voluminous.

It's a shape that takes the eye a moment to adjust to, if you're not used to it on you. I have wide leg barrel shape and wide leg that isn't tapered. The tapered is definitely more attractive on me, but the non tapered, more culotte shape, but I'll admit to happily wearing things that aren't primarily attractive, but because they're comfortable, interesting fabrics, interesting cut, etc.

I’m slightly shorter than you. Probably a papple shape ( pear and an apple)!

I’ve tried on so many wide leg trousers, in so many different materials. They all looked awful, like a clown. Except a linen pair, probably because of the way the material drapes.

I’m similar to you and wear wide legs almost exclusively. I’ve found I need to try to wear a fitted top to balance it, or at least tuck the top in at the front. This gives balance and tricks the eyes into thinking the trousers are just wide. Or at least, that’s what I think 🤔
I get lots of compliments in the right pairs, usually higher waist or at least fitted top the waist.
on holiday I wear the COS wide legs, very light and airy with elasticated waist.

I am same size and height as you and I wear them with a fitted vest or tucked in top for balance, I have some nice linen striped trousers from marks and Spencer in extra short, and Hollister short length, will try and link. Also fat face cuffed trousers are lovely and light and comfy, ideal for travelling.

https://www.hollisterco.com/shop/uk/p/linen-blend-pull-on-wide-leg-pants-58926324?faceout=model&seq=04&pagefm=navigation-swatch&prodvm=navigation-swatch

https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-rich-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60636306?color=GREY&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_ww_ch__-UK-_-_bau&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bSsOXCFMNKPFNJcGniWW5CBt&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvrSm1_GfjAMVnpxQBh3rbRPWEAQYASABEgKJZvD_BwE

https://www.fatface.com/style/su227010/686226#686226

https://www.fatface.com/style/su303248/b90745#b90745

Theres a big difference in an apple shape vs pear shape wearing wide leg trousers i find.

Pear shapes usually look good as the wider leg skims their biggest area. Apple shapes struggle because hips and legs are usually their smallest area and that feels like its hidden in a wider leg.

However, if you try loads on as an apple shape you may find the material matters more in the wide leg. In summer a lovely flowy linen trouser looks lovely. Its also not too stiff so doesn't make you feel bigger on the bottom than you are.

Theres a fab woman on youtube called MM styling that does current style on various body shapes. Take a look. I love the way she finds a current style and finds versions of the same piece that suit different bodies and ages.

Rather than wide leg, which I agree makes me look silly, I bought some flares to try. It has been years since I have been complimented on my looks but I had several in one day! I highly recommend experimenting with different shapes and see what works for you.

To those suggesting tucking in the top, I'm sorry but a true apple shape like me has no waist (my waist is wider than my hips) and so I find it just accentuates the bulge in the wrong place!

I'm shorter than you and wear them. I'm an apple shape and find that something high waisted works best. M&S have lots of styles and fabrics, I have a couple of different ones from there as they do a short leg.

I think the gathered ankle ones would look better on you (harem pants I think they are called generically). You still get the flatness but less voluminous. I also find them just more practical as they don't drag in the dust/ get wet. Wide leg trousers are sometimes difficult to get the length right - if you want to wear with wedges need a different length to with trainers or flats.

something like this but not this as mostly sold out

www.johnlewis.com/monsoon-cece-woodblock-trousers-blue-multi/p112915606?size=S&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1zb2uFg4rbjGN1Ze78fBseFY&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4v6-BhDuARIsALprm312oj0nXgtGNwieW7nG-cVOBr42yQZHTNnyxmXNfVXKUEBJjkURT7MaAhpqEALw_wcB

Clothes don't make you look slimmer or fatter.

It's obvious that over sized clothes are over sized. You (general you) might be unfamiliar with wearing a particular style; you might never like the look or the feel of wearing a particular style, which is fair enough. I'm a 14 on a good day, 16 on a bad- nothing is going to me look slimmer than that.

I’m a similar shape and height I wear harem trousers from forgotten tribes and boho tusk all summer with a vest top. They are light and comfy www.bohotusk.co.uk

Also www.forgottentribes.com

I've embraced wide legs and am very similar size to you. Next Petite have some really summery wide leg cotton jumpsuits I've found very comfy and floaty.

Get some straight leg linen ones - if you are my shape then they will look "wide" leg on

I think ones with a fitted waist look better, and a straight down wide leg rather than a flared.

Fatface do these in a different pattern every year. And they have an S option. Other suppliers obviously available, but I think a small amount of tailoring is what makes the difference to looking chic and floaty rather than clown!

Funnily enough my very favourite pair of trousers of this type ever were a gok wan from Sainsbury's - the zip broke on mine - I might try and track them down on vinted.

I think the short answer (pun intended) is that yes you can where whatever you want. From my perspective as a petite 5”1 size 12-14 with wide hips is that generally they are not so flattering on me and make me look wider and smaller, so I go straight, tapered or skinny.