Pull On Trousers for Women: Comfortable Styles That Still Look Smart
Pull on trousers for women used to mean shapeless elasticated basics. The good ones now look as sharp as anything with a zip, and you would never know from the outside. Choose a fabric with some structure, get the leg length right and they will see you from the school run to a dinner out.
Once you have spent a day in a comfortable waist, a stiff waistband feels like hard work. Good pull on trousers for women should pass for tailoring at a glance.
- Why pull on trousers work
- Styles to look for
- Getting the length right
- What to wear with wide leg trousers
- Brown and cord this autumn
- Frequently asked questions
Why pull on trousers work
An elasticated or drawstring waist moves with you. It stays comfortable through a long drive, a day at a desk or a three-course lunch, and it allows for the small changes in shape every woman has through the month.
- No zip or button to dig in when you sit down
- A smooth front with nothing to bulk out under a tucked top
- Easier to get the fit right across the hip and waist
- Often softer fabrics with a bit of stretch
The trick is fabric. A cord, a heavier jersey or a crepe with some weight will hang properly. Thin, clingy fabrics are what gave pull on trousers their old reputation.
Pull on trouser styles to look for
Shape changes how a trouser reads more than the waistband ever will.
- Balloon or tapered, fuller through the leg and narrower at the ankle, good with boots and ankle trainers
- Straight leg, the easiest everyday shape, smart with a knit or a shirt
- Wide leg, long and fluid, best with a heel or a flatform
- Cropped, sitting just above the ankle to show off a good shoe
Naya does this particularly well. Its cord pull up trousers come in a balloon shape and a straight leg with a bound hem, both with an elasticated waist. See the full range in our Naya collection.
Getting the length right
Length makes or breaks a trouser. Too long and the hem gathers on your shoes. Too short and it looks like you have shrunk them in the wash.
As a guide:
- Wide leg: the hem should almost brush the floor in the shoes you plan to wear
- Straight leg: the hem touches the top of your shoe at the front
- Tapered and balloon: the hem sits on or just above the ankle bone
Bring the shoes you wear most when you try trousers on. It is far easier to judge in the right shoes, and our team will tell you honestly if a pair needs taking up.
What to wear with wide leg trousers
Wide leg trousers need balance on top. Keep the top half neater and a little shorter, so the leg does the talking.
- A fitted knit tucked in at the front
- A cropped jacket that finishes at the waist
- A shirt half-tucked, with the sleeves pushed up
- A heeled boot or loafer, rather than a flat ballet pump
If you prefer a tailored finish, the Bariloche Sineu is cut from a weighty crepe with a high waist and belt loops. It is a button-tab trouser rather than a pull on, but it shows how much difference a fabric with some body makes. Our Bariloche collection has more.
Brown and cord this autumn
Chocolate brown is the colour of the season, and it is softer against the face than black. It works with camel, cream, rust and denim blue.
With brown trousers, try a cream knit for daytime or a burnt orange top for a bit more colour. A brown cord with a navy jumper is a combination people forget, and it looks very good in the Highland light.
You will find cord, crepe and stretch styles across our trousers and jeans, alongside the rest of our everyday fashion.
Frequently asked questions
Are pull on trousers for women smart enough for work?
Yes, as long as the fabric has some structure. A pull on trouser in a cord, crepe or heavier jersey looks just as polished as one with a zip, and from the outside nobody can tell the difference. Choose a straight or wide leg, keep the length right for your shoes and pair it with a fitted knit or a shirt. Avoid thin, clingy fabrics if you want the trousers to look tailored.
What length should women's trousers be?
It depends on the leg shape. Wide leg trousers should almost brush the floor in the shoes you will wear with them. Straight leg trousers should just touch the top of your shoe at the front. Tapered and balloon shapes look best finishing on or just above the ankle bone. Always try trousers on with your usual shoes, and ask about having them taken up if the length is not quite right.
What is a regular leg length for women's trousers?
A regular leg length in the UK is usually around 29 to 31 inches inside leg, with short and long fittings either side. Sizing varies between brands, so the inside leg on the label is a better guide than the word regular. If you are between lengths, buy the longer one: a hem can be taken up, but it cannot be let down very far.
What do you wear with wide leg trousers?
Keep the top half neat and slightly shorter, so the trouser leg has room to move. A fitted knit tucked in at the front, a cropped jacket or a half-tucked shirt all work well. A small heel, heeled boot or loafer stops the hem dragging and lengthens the leg. If you prefer flats, choose a slightly cropped wide leg that sits just above the ankle.
Where can I buy women's trousers in Inverness?
Rouge Boutique at 71 Castle Street, Inverness, stocks women's trousers from labels including Naya, Bariloche and Alison Sheri, in pull on, wide leg and straight styles. You can browse our trousers and jeans online or come into the shop to try them on. Our team can help with fit and length, and suggest tops and knitwear to wear with them.
Written by Tania Korad-Kennedy
Tania Korad-Kennedy opened Rouge Boutique on Castle Street in Inverness in 2014. She and her team dress women across the Highlands for weddings and special occasions, and offer bra fitting in store.
