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What is this style of trousers called and how do I find something similar for 5% of the price

41 replies

pomeglamate · 27/02/2026 20:59

I need a pair of smart black work trousers. I’ve never owned smart black trousers before. Post pregnancy and massive weight loss I’ve been living in jeggings and one pair of black jeans and it has to stop. I really like the barrel jean trend but lots of my tops are cut baggier so I need a pair of bottoms that are tighter fitting. I’m not in the market for a £650 pair of dry clean only Margaret Howell trousers but this picture is basically my dream trouser. But what is it? How do I google it and find cheap versions? All the web page says is that it’s “relaxed fit”. Is it high rise? What is the name for the thing it’s doing over the lower leg and the shoe? Any advice from wise trouser wearers gratefully received.

What is this style of trousers called and how do I find something similar for 5% of the price
OP posts:
Notsosweetcaroline · 27/02/2026 21:03

They are just pleat front wide leg trousers and you need to get them long enough to drape on your shoe.

mrschocolatte · 27/02/2026 21:07

The ones you posted OP reminded me of these that I have from Cos. Very comfortable trousers and I wear these for work all the time.

Cos

Edited as reread your post and these are probably not what you wanted budget wise. Apologies!

pomeglamate · 27/02/2026 21:58

“Pleat front wide leg trousers”… thank you @Notsosweetcaroline i will try that magic combo of words… those M&S ones do look similar, I lack the imagination sometimes to see past the way the model is styled

@mrschocolatte i absolutely would go up to £120 for the right pair tbh, it’s my upper limit but i do consider it valid for trousers! Just not £650!!!

OP posts:
mauditsoitils · 27/02/2026 22:01

https://www.sezane.com/fr-fr/product/pantalon-aldo/gris-chine#size-34

Sezane have a few that could fit the bill.

Koulibiak · 27/02/2026 22:04

I have a pair of black ponte trousers from Boden that look very similar. They are supremely comfortable and because ponte has a lot of body, they hang really nicely. And they are machine washable. And cost a tiny fraction of that price. Just wait for the sales, they have one every few weeks

Veronicasharmonica · 27/02/2026 22:27

Primark Edit

PagesAndTea · 27/02/2026 22:29

Have a look at Uniqlo, their trousers are excellent. I love the jersey barrel leg ones but there are loads.

GoldenCupsatHarvestTime · 27/02/2026 22:30

Try the Abercrombie Sloane trousers - they look similar for £35.

MsAmerica · 27/02/2026 22:40

Looks to me just like high-waisted pants with front pleats.

These are a perfectly, classic, flattering style - but unfortunately hard to find.

SoftLass · 28/02/2026 07:09

I have these from Stradivarius which are a bit wider leg but so comfortable.
And several pairs from Phase eight in various colours/styles which tend to be around the £80 mark.

TheApocalypticiansApprentice · 28/02/2026 07:43

I would definitely take a look at all the current Cos trousers, @pomeglamate. It’s absolutely the go to place for anyone wanting something approaching MH cut and quality.

(And you’re right to acknowledge that you don’t find decent tailored trousers in good fabric for less than Cos prices.)

BTW, it’s worthwhile signing up to the MH mailing list - that way you’ll have advance warning of sample sales, and regular sales (where MHL, as opposed to main line clothes, take on High St prices). Also try pre-owned sources: Vestiaire generally has a good supply of MH. If genuine and in good condition it isn’t cheap, but it will be more affordable than straight out of the shop.

Oh, another brilliant place for well cut trousers - less expensive than MH, more expensive than Cos, is:

Studio Nicholson.

Excellent quality, cool, innovative cuts and interesting fabrics.

You could also look at

Rohe
Aime London
Acne Studios (just the best cutting and fabrics)

& Other Stories

is in a period of wonderful design - but you can’t expect the same level of quality there.

LottieMary · 28/02/2026 07:45

Don’t they just get wrecked on the floor?

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 28/02/2026 08:02

I googled Northern Soul Trousers and got lots of sponsored link ones come up.

Livingthedream1978 · 28/02/2026 08:07

These are very similar to the Abercrombie Sloane trousers which are £65. I love mine and wear them all the time.

Thebeehiveflys · 28/02/2026 08:24

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su343344/n27222

I bought these last week as an alternative to jeans to wear all around London, could not be happier with them and they seem to match your brief.

Goldendaffodils01 · 28/02/2026 08:30

I bought a Next pair too and they are excellent for work type trousers.

UglyJumper · 28/02/2026 08:37

I came to suggest Abercrombie Sloane also.

WhatAPavalova · 28/02/2026 09:51

Haldara above amazingly comfortable stretch but not tight, never crinkle.

I was stuck with several formal trousers but just wore the most comfortable pair all the time.

Over the past year I’ve got 4 pairs of Haldara in different colours and it’s all I wear to work.

Oceangrey · 28/02/2026 09:56

I have several similar pairs from Primark, including one which is 100% wool and excellent quality. They are very flattering and comfortable.

SirChenjins · 28/02/2026 10:04

Tu have these at the moment - can't remember how much, £25-odd, something like that. I had been looking at them when I was doing the weekly shop but they didn't have them in my size.

Floisme · 28/02/2026 11:41

Ha! Op, I've spent the last 10 years trying to capture the Margaret Howell look at affordable prices and I'm sorry to tell you that I've never found that slouchy but precise cut combined with rigorous attention to fabric, quality and detail anywhere else. Even their sales are mostly out of my league now but they're the price they are for a reason.

I've concluded that I can try and replicate the style or the quality but I'm unlikely to find both.

So on that basis, I've been looking at trousers from the Uniqlo C range. These aren't in black (nearest is navy or dark brown) or pleated but they're wide and look nicely slouchy (plus I've bought Uniqlo C trousers before and been pleased with them).
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E483041-000/00?colorDisplayCode=32&sizeDisplayCode=003

Or these, from the same range, are pleated and come in black but have a more tapered shape:
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E484662-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=004

Sometimes Toast trousers come close but their prices are also getting silly (with less justification in my opinion) plus they're very into cropped length and rarely do black.

I agree Cos is worth a look.

If it's more the fabric and quality you're after, then you could try looking for vintage labels like Jaeger and Aquascutum.

Margaret Howell is sometimes priced surprisingly reasonably on Vinted.

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