Is it possible to look stylish in leggings and sweatshirt/t-shirt?

[ClockwatchingClara]

I've tried upgrading my style and wearing smarter jeans with nicer shirts etc but the truth is that they make my feel uncomfortable.

However, I would like to look a little more stylish but leggings and sweatshirts/T shirts are my go to. I am 52 and in perimenopause, I also suffer from endometriosis, adenomyosis and daily IBS symptoms so I am often uncomfortable around my stomach area, leggings are perfect for this.

I don't work atm due to my health issues and I also help care for my elderly mother but I would still like to smarten myself up a bit.

I'm a size 10 (but often wear oversized tops for comfort due to my bloating). How can I upgrade this look to feel and look a bit smarter?

Elasticated trousers or linen drawstring trousers with a loose shirt over the top, vest underneath the shirt and nice sandals….that was my go to for a long time…

My summer uniform is Cos wide-legged culottes and blouses — cool and comfortable, can be dressed up or down.

Have you tried jeggings? You get the stretch around the tum and they're a bit smarter than leggings.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/flared-jeggings/p/clp60585101?color=BLACK#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r11c3

Or stretch waist trousers?
https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-straight-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506862?color=BLACK#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r5c2

You could wear a loose short-sleeved/sleeveless top with an open shirt/blouse worn as a kind of jacket.

Sorry OP, but I think that look only looks stylish if you’re not only slim, but a toned gym bunny. Generally the 20Somethings can pull it off.

Have you tried a looser fit of jeans? Maxi skirts, dresses, elasticated/loose fitting trousers?

Leggings are never going to look smart or stylish.

But as you have health problems and find the style comfy you could just buy a nicer fabric such as knitted merino ones

Example of a jogger style

https://www.hush-uk.com/daisy-merino-wool-jogger-charcoal-grey-marl/012453-2806-L.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_brand_new&utm_content=brand&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21151587281&gbraid=0AAAAADmDz977cedDCK19bAo7frZTr65Qg&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5ubABhDIARIsAHMighYBwhQApprq6X9wrZLQDCnVs_hiZ98Wujw5y4_uUBcVXUosmIrvhdcaAhGiEALw_wcB

I like the look of the stretch waist trousers, thanks.

I am quite toned as I exercise a lot but my endometriosis and adenomyosis means that my stomach area is quite sore and uncomfortable quite a lot so even the slightest restriction around that area hurts.

I don't like skirts or dresses they are not my style but I will start looking at some different looser fitting trousers.

In a word, no. If I want to avoid anything tight around my waist, I like jegging-type trousers - I recommend trying Halara, I got some great ones there. I’m a dress fan myself - no waist-cutting-in issues if you go for something flowing, but I see you don’t like dresses. Would you wear dungas? Or a jumpsuit that didn’t define the waist? I like both these options when my stomach is sore (health issues here too).

Seasalt do lots of trouser with some elastic in the waist that are not too constraining

I’d recommend dungarees or jumpsuits which don’t constrict around the waist

And dungarees if they are your thing

Also the teens are wearing flared or wide legged jersey trousers. It’s the tight legged leggings look that’s out of style but they’re all pretty similar round the waist area.

I've just bought a pair of flared jersey trousers and they manage to look smart as well as being comfortable.

I’ve got a couple of pairs of the M&S linen look stretchy waist trousers, a beige and white stripe and a blue and white - I wear them with a basic Cos tshirt tucked in and feel quite smart but mainly super comfy. I have a pair of wide leg black ones I wear for work, again with a basic tshirt or thin crew neck jumper & trainers. If you are on Instagram I like investinstyle she does a lot of more comfy looks.

I am the same with gynie and IBS issues. I wear these m&s trousers all the time. I went up a size for comfort and wear them lower on my hips rather than waist.

Also elasticated waist cotton/ linen trousers and culottes.

There was a recent thread on comfortable trousers which might be helpful

www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5323879-pull-on-comfortable-summer-trousers

Also agree with @Shetlands
You could wear a loose short-sleeved/sleeveless top with an open shirt/blouse worn as a kind of jacket

This is a bit of a uniform for the over 50s where I live but it does look more put together than leggings and an oversized t shirt.

It is possible - but you’d either need Claudia Winkkeman’s dresser or to carefully adopt her style. Obviously it doesn’t matter what you wear at home, but for when you’re leaving the house you need the best leggings you can possibly afford. (I gather LuluLemon is highly recommended.)

But it’s almost summer - and your legs won’t see any sun if they’re swathed in black. Fortunately black capri pants - essentially cut off below the knee leggings - are in fashion this year. I’d strongly suggest you get hold of a good quality pair for going out in.

The only way to make this look smart is to wear smarter things on top. So not t shirts. Or, if a tee shirt, wear it over an ironed shirt. (S&B is full of people telling each other to wear a shirt open over a vest or t shirt. Fine if you want to look like a woman advertising a mop on 1990s TV - but it honestly is not stylish.) In fact, if you accept that you only want to wear leggings you need to focus on finding a few lovely things to wear above them.

I do sympathise with your health issues. I’m impressed that you’re able to exercise - it would be good to capitalise on that by wearing some nicer clothes.

I have been contemplating trying some dungarees, my friend wears them a lot and always looks lovely.

I had a pair of Halara jeans once and they were so comfortable but they didn't wear well and were quite expensive but I will take another look on their website.

I have tried endless dresses but they never feel right on me, I have probably worn a dress a handful of times in my 52 years and have never felt comfortable in them for some reason.

My dd17 has a pair that she used to wear for work but no longer wears, I'll try them on and see how they feel.

Can I ask where you purchased them from?

Thanks, I will have a look on IG.

I have tried ordering some bits on M&S this morning but they aren't taking online orders due to the cyber attack but I will pop into town this week and have a look.

Thank you for the link, I will take a look.

As we head into summer - have a look at these https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E473792-000/00?colorDisplayCode=69&sizeDisplayCode=003 - you can also flick through the different colours for examples of how to style them, they also have a lot of "customer photos" (I'm never sure how legit these are but they do show how to style things). One thing that Uniqlo is good at is a colour palette thats very mix and match so you can look a bit more put together by buying a few things from them.

I adore Claudia Winkleman's style, I have a pinterest board of her different outfits, I must go back and look at it for inspiration.

I also love a capri pant. The classic Audrey Hepburn look, capri pants and a white shirt is just such a clean and classic look.

I don't find the exercise easy tbh, I really have to push myself and it can make me feel like crap but I feel a million times worse without, a bit of a double edged sword scenario unfortunately.

I'm in NZ and I got them from Boody. I think you have a UK site. They are the high waist flare pant.