Like finding the perfect pair of jeans, finding the best trousers to suit you can be equally challenging. So much so, a lot of us tend to avoid it all together. That is, until we called upon experts on the subject in the hope that they could share their wisdom and make trouser shopping a more successful endeavour for us all.
While individual styles will be down to preference (trial and error is often key to finding your favourites), looking to what other women who are similar to your shape can be incredible helpful. Which is why we thought it best to tap the knowledge of petite, tall and curve experts who love to wear trousers for their learnings. Enter influencers and friends of Who What Wear UK, Monikh Dale, Rachael Keegan and Karina Marriott who have shared their tips and tricks, along with their favourite trousers to shop. You’re welcome.
Also joining us on our best-trousers-for-women quest is Laura Pitharas, designer and founder of her own namesake luxury label, which boasts some of the finest tailoring on the Brit fashion scene. If anyone knows good trousers, it’s Pitharas.
Yorkshire-born, London-based designer, Laura Pitharas, founded her sustainable luxury womenswear label in 2021 after studying menswear tailoring at London College of Fashion.
When it comes to shopping for trousers online, it can be tricky to know which are going to fit without being able to put them up against you in person. Pitharas suggests, “Always check the model’s height, which is usually listed on the product information. Also look to see if the brand offers inside leg measurements on site so you can compare yours against it. This is particularly important if you’re tall to ensure the hem is sitting where you intend it to be.”
When it comes to knowing your measurements, Pitharas tells us it’s possible to do this yourself at home. “When measuring yourself at home, my top tip would be to find a template online to show exactly where the measurements need to be taken on the body, rather than guessing yourself. This will give you the most accurate reading against the size guide provided on most clothing websites.”
With so many trouser styles to choose from—including wide-leg, cropped, barrel and straight leg, to name a few—Pitharas suggests it’s best to try a few you like out to know what you’re looking for. “The best advice I can give is to try various shapes and silhouettes in person, then you know what in fact fits you, feels comfortable and what style flatters you the most.”
It’s also important to think about fabric, says Pitharas. “For tailoring, in particular, I always check the fabric compositions as I was always shopping for close to 100 per cent wool or natural fabrics so that the trousers keep their shape after wear.”
If you’re tall, petite or curve, our experts are here to help you uncover the best trousers for women.
With most “tall” sections catering to women who are 5’7″ and over, influencer Rachael Keegan (affectionately known as @bubblyaquarius) shares how you can still find trousers if you’re above this. “Standing tall at 5’11”, I’m always on the lookout for good trouser options that work for us tall gals.” Keegan’s first tip is to know you’re measurements. “It helps to know your inseam—when shopping online for trousers, I automatically know that anything less than 30″ won’t be long enough for me, so just be sure to always scan the product fit details section before adding to basket.” When it comes to the debate between online and in-store shopping, Keegan is team bricks and mortar. “I generally prefer to shop IRL for trousers, however, I can recommend a few brands that I can usually rely on to provide a good leg length if you do want to shop online. Arket, Cos and & Other Stories all generally fit me well, and I love that M&S offers petite, regular and long lengths in a lot of its trousers. Sézane trousers are usually made with longer leg so I’m a big fan of these, too. Me+Em trousers usually have a thick hem so you’re able to take them down if you’re on the taller side which is a great hack.”
“Such a classic tailored pair and it says in the description they’re shown on a 5ft 10in model, so I know they will be a good ankle-grazing length on me.”
“Love the flattering stripe of these Me+Em trousers. They also have a thick hem that can be let down if you need them to be longer.”
“I got some beige loose tailored trousers from Cos last year that are my absolute favourites. They also practically touch the floor (unheard of for us tall gals) and these ones look like this season’s version.”
“You can always rely on Sezane for a long length in trousers and these ones are such a classic style and shape that will see you through season after season.”
At 5′ 1″, Monikh Dale (who you probably already follow under the handle @monikh) is an expert at finding pieces that work for her petite frame. Her top tip? It’s all about knowing your proportions. “I always say that petite girls can do any trend or style—it’s just about getting the right proportions for your shape. If you love something, there’s always a way with clever tailoring or styling.” Another hack to getting the right fit is to learn the basics of alternations, or have a great tailor on speed dial. “For tailoring I often alter myself, but if it’s something a little more complicated or delicate, I’ll take them to Scobies in Wandsworth. I’ve worked with Diana for years now and she know exactly how I like things to sit and feel.”
“Recently I had a pair like this altered, taking them in on the waist so they sat higher. Then I got them taken up slightly at the bottom, still keeping a little length so they would puddle on my shoe.”
“Cargo pants are a huge trend this season and a pair like this with the elastic bottom are great. Pull the cord tight and roll the bottom under until they’re the best length for you.”
“Elasticated waists are also an easy tailoring option. I tend to do an easy side seam on these so I can unpick at a later date if needed. Also with the bottom, as they are slightly tapered in at the ankle, make that seam more exaggerated, so that when the trousers puddle, the hem stays tighter to your foot and the trousers will hopefully then sit on your shoe and not drag on the floor.”
“With denim, I would go for a good quality, slightly rigid denim that will hold its shape in order of you to do a simple roll hem. Keep it large.”
Karina Marriott (more commonly known as @styleidealist) tells us: “In a world that seems increasingly tailored to straight up-and-down type figures, it can be hard to find the right fitting trousers when you’re curvy with a smaller waist and bigger thighs.” When it comes to choosing the perfect pair, Marriott is the queen of helpful try-on Reels to suggest styles to other women with curves. “I mean I love a wide-leg, cropped culotte as much as the next person. But as Peggy Lee once sang, ‘Is that all there is?’. If you’ve ever struggled with waist gaping or fabric bunching in the crotch area (a personal re-occurring nightmare of mine) then my advice is to look for trousers that are elasticated at the back to avoid this. To help you find the perfect fit for your curves, I’ve stepped in to minimise your search.”
“My obsession with Australian brands has reached a new level since trying Dissh. I’m really impressed with the quality of the pieces and think it makes great basics and capsule pieces for an all-season wardrobe. The Norah linen trousers are a personal favourite of mine —they’re true to size and have such an amazing fit without needing any tailoring.”
“The tailoring of River Island trousers are truly unmatched if you have a smaller waist, bigger hips and bum. With plenty of room across the hips (the widest part of me) and an elasticated waist so there’s zero gaping make this a winner for me.”
“I know what you’re thinking, Zara for curves? Really? I’m here to tell you that the linen palazzo trousers are a super soft, comfortable and flowy linen that fit my curves perfectly. They have a drawstring waist and even come up slightly oversized making them a super cool summer outfit for work, a lunch date or evening event.”
“If you like your jeans super high-waisted and struggle to find a good fit for your curves, Everlane Way High jeans are incredible! They come in a curve range specifically catered to women with a smaller waist and bigger hips/bum—jackpot.”
Laura says: “Our hipster trouser are a more relaxed but still tailored fit. They sit on the hips and feature pleated fronts which are known for creating more space for comfort and extend the look of the leg.”
“Our wide-leg high-waisted trouser is the best fit for many different shapes, sizes and heights. The style is particularly good for women who are curvy as it highlights their waist and drapes nicely into a wide leg silhouette which is incredibly flattering as it makes the legs look longer. We have made our wide-leg trouser long in length allowing taller woman to be able to purchase too. We leave a 5cm trouser hem allowing even further amendments to increase length if needed and with of course the possibility to also shorten them.”
“Our tailored cigarette shape sits on the mid waist, it features a hem split detail at the centre back hem and slanted entry pockets at the front which tend to be more flattering than side entry pockets. Cigarette style trousers are complimentary on female forms with less curves and who are more straight up and down, as the narrowing shape towards the hem of the leg creates an illusion of curve. Cigarette trousers tend to finish around the ankle.”
