Can balloon leg linen trousers be altered into a straighter shape?

[Helpnifoseeker]

Hi, has anyone any experience of having a pair of barrel/balloon leg linen trousers altered by a seamstress or tailor?
I found what I thought were a really well made pair of black, pure linen wide-leg trousers at a bargain price yesterday, only to find out once I got home and tried them on they were ballooning out at the sides which I don't think suits me at all. I know this type of trousers is fashionable at the moment but they're not for me, yet I'm hesitating to return them as they're very nearly exactly what I've been wanting for ages for a price I am prepared to pay i.e. not very much really so I have looked local seamstresses online. Before I contact any of them I just wondered if MNers had any experience of getting this type of trousers altered i.e. getting the "balloony" bit straightened out?
I'm not sure how to post a photo on MN but I will try and meantime if anyone has an experience or advice to share, I'd b grateful.
Thanks.

I think it would be tough because they are cut differently and would never hang properly after alteration.

They wouldn’t be wide legged or hang right if you removed the shaping. You very likely wouldn’t like the result and the alterations tailor (sorry, its what I do and I don’t like ‘seamstress’) wouldn’t be cheap enough to justify the risk when what you wanted from the trousers was not to pay very much…

Sell them on and buy trousers you actually like.

Thanks for replying @OhThePotential and @Gettingbysomehow .
I only bought them on Monday so I'll return them and see if there's another pair I like instead or get a refund.
It's a shame but I should have tried them on in the shop or at least had a proper look at them! That'll teach me! Ah well!

I think you should think again about keeping them! (Agree it would be a disaster to try altering them, they’d never hang right.)

Can you look for an online example of styling - footwear / tops and use that as an example when you try them on again. I say this because there’s something really joyful in wearing something fashionable and a little outside your comfort zone.

(Obviously don’t bother if they’re poorly made or otherwise unsatisfactory.)

Off topic but I agree with OP, I find the balloon shape unflattering on pretty much everyone!

Yes, so do I, and at less than five feet tall I cannot imagine they would suit me.

To me, they make even willowy models look bandy legged.

I agree. I often try something on and even before it's on I think NO. Then I sometimes go back to it, try with a different top/footwear and realise it looks good. I have a thing with trousers - they often look better if I roll them or take them up. Most things look better with a belt on me.

Yes with barrel shape, I fiddle endlessly with the length before I'm happy. I normally find either the top of the ankle bone or immediately above it works best for me. I'm fussy and don't mind the faff but, if you want trousers you can just buy and go, then I can understand not getting on with them.

The other thing is I've found that very often linen, unless it's a very tight weave, doesn't hold this shape very well and that the trousers start to droop after a few wears. I think fabrics like denim, a reasonably heavy cotton twill or a decent wool work better.

And I agree with everyone else about not altering them.

I know I’ve already posted but just wanted to add that I’m very short, a size 14 and 55 years of age….and I feel fabulous in my M&S canvas barrel legs. Also very wide legs, I don’t worry about what ‘suits’ me. As @Floisme said, softer fabrics don’t work and they have to be on the ankle bone to hang properly.

I’m a ‘romantic’ dresser given half a chance but for everyday I like to wear something current on my bottom half that is not skinny/straight leg jeans. I never liked jeans even in my teens and twenties.