Maternity trousers for elderly woman with steroid bloat

[SpeedyMackechnie]

My 81 year old mum is currently going through cancer treatment and is on and off steroids. She’s putting on a lot of weight, mostly around her tummy (she’s otherwise pretty slim, and certainly slim on the legs) and she’s so uncomfortable. None of her trousers fit her, and her dresses are getting uncomfortable too.

She’s desperately unhappy with the weight gain, but the steroids are making such a difference to her energy, her mental processing, and her cognitive function.

I’m looking for navy, slim leg trousers in size 14 that will fit over her large tummy, but I’m really struggling. She’s always been very particular about clothes, and everything has to be just right. I’ve managed to convince her that she needs a maternity style trouser, and I did get a pair on the Next website (Jojo Maman Bebe slim leg) but she didn’t like the material. I’ve got so desperate that I’ve just reordered them, as she has nothing to wear.

She normally wears Seasalt, Hobbs, Robell(?), M&S. They need to be slim leg for safety - her mobility isn’t great and she’ll get tangled up in them if they are wide legged.

I wondered about Seraphine, but looks like they’ve recently gone into administration.

If be so grateful for any help in finding something suitable. Budget up to £100 per pair.

Thanks

your poor mum, that sounds tough.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1116195001.html

maybe something like this?

What fabric does she like?

She’d wear cord trousers (slim cord), dark denim. I’m not by good with materials, but a heavy-ish weight, good quality ‘work trouser’ material.

It’s really navy that she’s looking for, but thanks. Will bear those in mind.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/slim-fit-ankle-grazer-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506664?color=DARKNAVY#intid=pid_pg1pip40g2r1c2

I've got these. They cover my large steroid belly well. It's a sort of thick work trouser material. They're comfortable and wash well.

It's worth going to a big M and S and having a look though. They do a fair few.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-rich-drawstring-tapered-trousers/p/clp60712548?color=NAVY

Tapered
Linen
Navy
Elasticated waist

Sorry to hear you have the same issue.

I think these are the ones she’s had most recently, which did her for a while, but even these are cutting her in half now ☹️.

No big M&S anywhere near us. Have exhausted the Aberdeen branch.

The drawstring makes her stomach look even more pronounced.

Those ones have just reminded me that the Next ones I’ve reordered also have a drawstring, although being maternity, the drawstring sits slightly lower, with the panel above it. I’m going to have to get the sewing machine out when they arrive.

Thank you. Oh poor thing, that sounds awful. I wonder if somewhere like Cotton Traders might have something more comfortable.

I’m even now considering taking her to a dressmaker/tailor and getting them to make her a few pairs.

Would she wear something like this? https://www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Starfish_Slim_Leg_Stretch_Jersey_Trousers_/pp/P_29712.html?dwvar_P__29712_sizeVariation=59&dwvar_P__29712_color=BLA&pageType=search

I'm an extreme apple, my waist and my hips are the same circumference and these have plenty of give in them but don't look baggy on the hips.

Will take a look. She’s not very easy to please, in general, when it comes to clothes (or anything she buys 🤣). So this makes it even more difficult. I’ve told her that beggars can’t be choosers 😁

These might work! Great that they come in tall, as this is another potential issue. I’ll order a pair of these and see how they go. Thanks!

These seem to be the narrowest that Beyond Nine make, and they’re casual rather than smart, but they are made for expanded middles so should work from a functional point of view:

https://beyondnine.co.uk/collections/trousers/products/callie-ink-twill-trousers

Isabella Oliver would be worth a look - they have standard trousers as well as leggings and jeans. They're on the pricey side, but decent quality.

Your poor mum… quite a few here that might still work? I still wear mine and my youngest is 4 !

https://isabellaoliver.com/collections/maternity-leggings-trousers?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1870268791&gbraid=0AAAAACzTc5AMGtq6yQwxqpB-yx__KNVLg&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIurOP3IP3jgMVgpdQBh2AczOsEAAYASAAEgJp6vD_BwE&page=1

Would Beyond Nine be suitable? Their trousers are really comfortable with elasticated waistband but they are often a balloon cut. There are some lovely jeans in the Remi style and Mabel in linen or poplin.

beyondnine.co.uk/collections/trousers/products/remi-rust-hickory-stripe-denim-jeans

These look lovely, and I think they’d be a nice fit for her. But green ☹️. Pretty much ALL her clothes are navy…

Saw a lovely pair in there that I thought would work, then saw they were under-bump. And she definitely doesn’t want that😁😁

Too wide I’m afraid, but thanks.

I took her to the style person in John Lewis last year (pre-steroids) and the assistant couldn’t find one pair of trousers in the entire shop that my mum found acceptable.

i think she’s going to have to be less choosy.

I’ve ordered the Lands End ones in 2 sizes, so we’ll see how they go.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your efforts.

What about these from Toast? Gabi's are very popular trousers, they're lovely quality, wash well and they're generous in size.

Gabi Cotton Pull On Trousers | Storm Blue | TOAST

Thanks. Will bookmark those in case the others are no good.