The Ultimate Guide to Trousers: Every Style, What Suits Your Body Shape & Best Brands (UK & USA)

Trousers are the backbone of every wardrobe—worn across offices, brunch tables, airports and high streets. Yet finding the perfect pair can be surprisingly difficult. Between inconsistent sizing, body shape considerations, and endless style variations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide demystifies every major trouser style, explains which shapes suit which bodies, and highlights the best high street and designer options in the UK and USA.

Plus, we’ll show you how Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool, helps you get the right size in real-time—no returns, no guesswork. With access to 1,500+ brands and a free fashion hub filled with honest, unbiased style advice, Tellar is your essential trousers shopping companion.

👖 The Core Trouser Styles You Need to Know

1. Straight-Leg Trousers

Overview: Timeless and flattering, straight-leg trousers run the same width from thigh to hem. They’re the most universally wearable silhouette.

Best For: Most body shapes

Style Tip: Great for both work and casual looks—pair with fitted knits, tucked shirts or cropped jackets.

2. Wide-Leg Trousers

Overview: Dramatic and flowy, these elongate the leg and are ideal for taller frames or hourglass shapes.

Best For: Pear, hourglass, athletic builds

Avoid If: You’re petite without heels—it can overwhelm your frame unless tailored.

Pair With: Fitted tops or tucked blouses to create proportion.

3. Bootcut Trousers

Overview: Slight flare from the knee down balances hips and elongates legs.

Best For: Pear and curvy shapes

Ideal Fabric: Stretch crepe, heavy jersey or midweight denim

Styling Tip: Add pointed-toe boots or heels to enhance the leg-lengthening effect.

4. Tapered or Cigarette Trousers

Overview: Narrower at the ankle, these offer a clean, modern finish.

Best For: Rectangle, hourglass, petite shapes

Avoid If: You want to conceal calves or prefer room around the ankle

Perfect For: Workwear when paired with loafers, blazers, or smart knits.

5. High-Waisted Trousers

Overview: Rise sits at or above your natural waist, offering a sculpted fit.

Best For: Apple, hourglass, petite

Flatters: Midsection and waistline, especially with tucked tops

Look For: Soft tailoring in wool blends, gabardine, or structured cotton.

6. Pleated Trousers

Overview: Pleats add volume around the waist and hips, making them ideal for leaner or athletic builds.

Best For: Rectangle and inverted triangle shapes

Avoid If: You have a very full midsection—pleats can exaggerate width.

Style With: Slim or structured tops to balance out the volume.

7. Paperbag Waist Trousers

Overview: Characterised by a gathered waist with a tie or belt. These create a cinched look while adding volume to the hips.

Best For: Rectangle and hourglass shapes

Style Tip: Tuck in a plain top to show off the waistline.

📏 Matching Trousers to Body Shape

Body Shape	Best Trouser Styles
Hourglass	High-waisted, wide-leg, tapered with stretch
Pear	Bootcut, wide-leg, dark structured fabrics
Apple	Straight-leg, mid-rise, elastic waistbands, darker tones
Rectangle	Pleated, paperbag, tapered trousers with cinched waist
Inverted Triangle	Wide-leg or flared to balance shoulders, soft waistlines
Petite	High-waisted, cropped ankle styles, vertical seams, front pleats
Tall	Wide-leg or bootcut, statement waistbands, patterns, bold prints

🛍️ High Street vs Designer: UK & USA Brands

🇬🇧 UK High Street

Brand	Notable Features
Marks & Spencer	Classic tailoring with stretch options, great size range (UK 6–24)
Hobbs & Whistles	Workwear and evening styles in structured fabrics
River Island	Trendy trousers, including flares and high-waist cuts
Next	Affordable everyday work trousers with petite, tall and curve sizing

See the full breakdown in What Size Am I in Next?

🇺🇸 USA High Street

Brand	Best For
Banana Republic	Refined office trousers and high-quality stretch
Everlane	Ethical cotton blends and wide-leg trousers
Old Navy	Affordable and inclusive sizing
J.Crew	Cropped styles, cigarette trousers, and suiting

💎 Designer Labels

Brand	Why It’s Great
The Row	Investment tailoring with impeccable fit
Victoria Beckham	Tailored wool and flannel trousers, often high-waisted
Max Mara	Italian suiting and elegant wide-leg cuts
Stella McCartney	Structured yet eco-conscious trousers

🧠 Fabric Choices Matter

Fabric	Best Use
Wool Blend	Ideal for tailoring and formal trousers
Cotton Twill	Best for structured everyday wear
Stretch Viscose	Great for tapered and high-rise cuts
Crepe or Ponte	Flattering, drapey, often used in workwear

For long-term value, explore Best Materials to Buy in Clothes

💡 Styling Tips by Occasion

Workwear: Choose mid-to-high rise, neutral tones, and minimal hardware.
Casual Wear: Cropped trousers, drawstring waists, or paperbag styles in cotton or jersey blends.
Evening Wear: Tailored flares or cigarette trousers in luxe fabrics like velvet or satin.
Holiday/Vacation: Wide-leg linen trousers, elasticated waists, relaxed silhouettes.

See The Ultimate Guide to Smart Casual Blazers for Women’s Body Types for layering ideas with trousers.

❌ Common Trouser Fit Mistakes

Waist gap at the back: Usually indicates the wrong rise or lack of contouring
Tight at the thighs: Opt for stretch fabrics or A-line cuts instead
Overwhelming wide-leg on petite frames: Get hems tailored and choose cropped styles
Creasing at hips or crotch: Often a sign of poor fabric recovery or incorrect size

🔍 Introducing Tellar.co.uk – The UK’s Leading Sizing Tool

Shopping for trousers online? Don’t guess. Tellar.co.uk matches your body measurements to the sizing data of over 1,500 brands.

How It Works:

Input your bust, waist and hip measurements, or your size in one brand.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in other brands.
Avoid poor fits, returns, or buying the wrong size ever again.

✅ No app needed

✅ Works instantly in-browser

✅ Always freeInstruction on Posts

➡️ Create your free Tellar profile

➡️ Download your printable measuring tape

➡️ Explore the full Sizing Guide

🆓 Tellar’s Free Fashion Hub – Always Honest, Always Independent

Tellar's Fashion Hub offers thousands of detailed guides, sizing breakdowns, and brand comparisons. No sponsored bias. Just honest advice.

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In Summary

From wide-leg wonders to smart cigarette cuts, trousers can transform your wardrobe—if they fit properly. Use this guide to find the best shapes for your body, shop smarter by occasion, and discover trusted brands across the UK and USA.

And with Tellar.co.uk, finding the right size is effortless.

Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

Get started today: www.tellar.co.uk