All trousers are weird and terrible now!

[theministerscat]

I really need some new trousers. I haven’t bought any for about 10 years - the last ones I bought were in a Gap shop, which haven’t existed for quite some time now, so really ages ago. Today I bit the bullet and went into town with the express purpose of finding some trousers. I was really determined to - how hard could it be, right? Well, apparently very hard. I went to Uniqlo, Zara, Cos, & Other Stories, Reiss, and John Lewis. Everything was either massive legs, weird horrible fabrics, or both. I’m a 56-year-old woman, size 10-12, used to be reasonably stylish. Can’t believe I could not find one single pair and have the fear that I will never be able to find trousers again. Where the hell else do I look?

Another vote for mango. Straight legs.
I also have some Hobbs, more expensive but excellent.

I'm really surprised at the M&S trousers being too long comment. I'm only 5'1 and the short is perfect for me, ankle length trousers hitting exactly at ankle length. I had to go for regular for a wide leg as the short length was flapping around my ankles which was too short with a shoe with any height.

You have described my attitude to clothing so well! It’s so instinctive that I cannot fathom how someone would be so opposite. (Obviously I know we are all different but still…)

I would give anything to have tried on so many Jean Muir outfits 🥰

I was about to suggest Me & Em too. Just bought two absolutely perfect pairs. I LOVE them

I'm autistic. Clothes are another form of social messaging for me to fail to understand. Plus, lots of garments are plain uncomfortable.

AKA being a fashion victim.

A lot of women are looking quite tragic in their trousers atm. I agree with you OP.

Another lover of the Uniqlo barrel here.

The jersey ones are lovely and I don’t think they make my legs look like barrels.

I find petite are too long 🙄I have just found the dream trousers that fit perfectly after years of ill fitting trousers though. M&S chinos in extra short. They're super soft and smart. I love them.

I don’t want to ‘signal’. I just want trousers that aren’t a weird and unflattering shape.

I don't think they are unflattering though, plus balloon trousers are set to be a thing this spring.
I love barrel and balloon trousers, I really like the shape they give. But I don't think they are that flattering if you are apple shaped though, also you can look shapeless if you don't wear something that comes in at the waist (I think alot of us aren't comfortable showing off our waists which doesn't help!).

'Normal' straight legged trousers just look abit dated to me.

Nothing whatsoever to do with trousers but why do some people insert random upper case letters into words like this?

Try Brakeburn. I've recently bought 2 pairs from there. But, with this wide leg madness, you have to try before you buy.

Barrel leg trousers make everyone look like they're bow-legged, to me 🙈 Or like cowboys who have spent far too long on a horse. I've learnt what suits my shape and I stick to it, regardless of trends that come and go (although some trends have suited me).

I can't help with trousers, but I have discovered that as a 5'8, slim woman, sometimes (not always) men's jeans are a surprisingly good fit on me. Straight cut men's jeans often have a really good medium rise, a properly straight leg, and usually thicker, more quality feeling denim than the women's equivalent, especially in the cheaper brands. So if you're looking for jeans, it can be worth trying the men's on!

There seems to be almost universal hatred for barrel legs (and alot of dislike for wide legs!).
I find that very strange given the runways and shops are chocka with big floaty trews!

Personally I couldn't get on board with skinnies when they were the big thing. I thought they looked terrible on most women and hideous on me....but that's a me issue!

If you're typing on a physical keyboard, it's really easy to hit shift or shift-lock when aiming for one of the keys near the edge. I'm forever finding I've just typed half a word in caps because I meant A but got Shift Lock!

@WingBingo Those are the ones I specifically went to try - but looked ridiculous on me, sadly. Look fab on you though!

ME + EM look fab but sadly out of my budget…

Uniqlo do have lots of straight and slim leg trousers. They won’t be at the forefront of the store as it’s not a current trend but they’re online/ further back in store and they’re very good.

It’s interesting reading the range of comments on this subject. I think it also ties into the idea of ‘fashion’ vs ‘style’. I’ve never been a big follower of fashion but I have enjoyed trying out different styles over the years, often being part of subcultures. As I fruitlessly searched for trousers at the weekend, I also found myself remembering an occasion as an 11-year-old where I desperately longed for a particular style of jeans that all the girls at school had, and my parents wouldn’t buy for me. By the time they finally relented, the jeans were on the way out and no longer cool or trendy and I didn’t wear them for long. I feel like I learned some kind of life lesson that day!

Im 5 foot 5 and bought some lovely joggers regular length from Marks.
I had to take them up 4 inches and they are still a bit too long.
Im wondering if they mislabelled them.

For summer, some of the wide leg drawstring/elasticated trousers look good. Wide legs trousers in lighter materials are more flattering and easier to wear (in my opinion!). Much more comfortable and breezy in the heat.

I saw a couple of women wearing drawstring/elasticated wide legs in cotton/linen this weekend rocking the look. One was tall, the other short. I wouldn't rule out wide leg trousers completely - it's just finding the right material and style which is the tricky part!

Maybe have a look at some treggings for smarter/work wear. A cross between leggings and trousers, slim fit, stretchy, comfortable, easy on/off.
They're my go-to on days when I'm wearing a longer shirt or tunic (other days I'm mostly in wide-legged pants, doing my bit to try to keep up with fashion in my 50s).

I’m not keen on fat face generally bit have 2 pairs of tailored work trousers from there that fit really well and got a slight nod of approval from the fashion girls in the office. I’m 57.

Next is good for all different leg styles!

But op, you might have had a point from around 2005-2016 when skinnies had a stranglehold over the high street, but there has been a huge range of trouser styles around for the last 10 years: wide, slim, tapered and pleated, barrel, straight, skinny, flared, palazzo, bootcut etc etc all for sale round here (and I don't live anywhere high fashion) or online. I'm sorry you're frustrated - finding the right trousers is never easy - but I really do not recognise this picture you and other posters are painting.