Trouble with M&S trousers!

I find M&S sizes have changed. I've been a size 14 for years too, and their size 14 doesn't fit me either. I've stopped shopping there. I like M & Co for trousers these days. I'm only 5' 3" and they do a pretty good petite range.

I have been a M and S size 16 for some time now (can just remember when I was a 12 sigh!), but now I'm finding I need asize 18 waist and still a 16 in the hips.

Yes. Definitely down to shape changing. I'm 77 and things have sunk downwards. But not as far as my hips. (thank goodness )

I was going to ask for trouser advice too.
The last time I tried any on in M&S they were too short! I'm 5'5" size 16
If you wear cropped trousers what do you wear below? They look ok with bare legs and sandals I suppose, but not with socks.
I'm looking for attractive, slimming clothes for every day wear that don't make me look too old ladyish but are not too young and bright either.
I looked at the toast site but please not those prices.
Are there any nice patterns/material?
Help!!

Tried on a pair of linen trousers. Perfect. So picked another identical pair, same size, off the rack and bought two.

Now have one pair that fits perfectly and one pair that is so tight I can’t do the zip up.

I should have tried the second pair on.......

If you wear cropped trousers what do you wear below? They look ok with bare legs and sandals I suppose, but not with socks

Converse trainers and trainer socks with casual cropped trousers.
Dressy cropped trousers don’t suit me I’ve decided!

I don’t know what’s going on with M&S trousers either and I hate these ‘ankle grazers’. My biggest beef is that whoever cuts their garments thinks that everyone rides horses because some of them are so bulgy on the thigh seam that they look like jodhpurs! I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve complained to Marks about this but they are still doing it! What topped it all off for me was that I was looking for a pair of chinos and couldn’t find the colour I wanted, so I tried on a pair in a different colour, which were fine, photographed the stock number and size on the label and ordered them on line. When they came, they didn’t fit! How does that happen?

And what is it with these bloody stripes they are putting down the sides of everything???

I gave up buying their trousers a couple of years ago and soon I will be going around in my night attire because I have zilch.

Earlier this year I bought a new anorak from Bonmarche. It looks beautiful- everything else I possess is a size 18 but to fit, but this is a 24! Again there is no way I could buy online.

Recently I had clothes in my wardrobe, that I wore regularly that ranged from sizes 8 to 18. I actually bought three tops in Sainsbury's on the same day, all tried on, so that I knew they fitted. One was size 8, another size 10 and the third size 12 . I always consider my self size 10 above and size 12 below.

A couple of years back I bought cotton trousers from M&S and M&Co. The quality of the M&S ones was shocking. I kept them because of the colour but at the end of one summer they were like dish rags, faded and without body. Three years later I am still wearing the M&Co ones.

Just had an email from M&S with all their new trousers. Rows and rows of either peg top or tapered and all ankle grazers! Nothing could be less flattering for an apple shape like me! Eventually found some straight ones but they were all "slim fitting" what happened to plain, straight legged trousers in decent lengths? And yes, you always have to try them on because the sizes are all over the place.

I recently bought a pair of stretch jeans from Sainsbury's. £9 in the sale and they are so comfortable and well cut.

Thank you for all your input. They are really interesting posts. I will be looking for an M & Co as that is one make I haven’t encountered. Yes, my shape is distorting by the day. Just seen a photo taken at a family Easter dinner and I look blooming awful.

Just looked online and I found a M & C store about five miles away. I think now I have encountered them when we have been on holiday. Their trousers, from what I can see will do me very nicely, especially the tie waisted ones! They remind me of the kind that Edinburgh Mill used to sell. Thank you for the recommendation.

I like Bon Marche for their trouser selection. They start at petite, 25" leg, and several sizes longer in various widths. Not too keen on their tops though as they are usually far too long for me.

I buy most of my clothes from Bonmarche. Their jeans and trousers fit me perfectly and the do different lengths and styles. I've just bought some lovely bright t-shirts and lovely summer pyjamas too.

Greyduster - yes! M&S trousers have been like jodpurs for the last few years.

I bought a pair of dressy trousers from M &Co last year, the fit was over generous and I couldn't keep them up, they are in the back of the wardrobe in case of a fat day.
I have found that M&S sizing is not consistent and even identical pairs of trousers can differ around the waist.
The best fit in trousers are usually to be found from the German manufacturers, generous arou d the hips.

I also found that exactly the same garment in a different colour did not fit like the original. When I commented on this to M & S, I was told that different colours were produced in different factories, hence the different sizing. Not good enough. I have also complained about the 'jodhpur' effect, and, being a well proportioned size 10 , ( in my opinion), I offered to be their template. No response. They obviously only welcome our positive feedback.

I’ve just bought two pairs of cotton trousers from Edinburgh Wool, navy and natural and they fit a treat. I’ve always been an in between size ie size 15 now 17, if u see what I mean !

Last summer I bought some linen trousers from M&S and also a pair from Matalan.

There's no comparison in the quality of cut, fabric and fit; Matalan's is far superior. The fabric weave of the M&S pair is more open and coarse and I can see where, after just a few weeks of wear last summer, they've started to "pill" and become threadbare along the inside seams. The Matalan pair are just an all round better quality garment altogether.

I have some M&S straight jeans that were a good fit when first bought, but after a number of washes they have shrunk upwards. So where they once sat on my foot they have now become ankle grazers.

Gave up on marks trousers years ago. Have a look at Uniqlo site, as they list the measurements on every pair of trousers as different styles have different measurements. I rarely have to return anything as they are so accurate. Reasonably priced and great quality.

I’m glad it’s just not me. I’ve always been a size 14 but the other day I had to buy a pair of trousers in a size 16 with DH rolling his eyes. Another lady looking at the same trousers said she’d tried her usual size on and they didn’t fit. I think it’s time to shop elsewhere now.

I like Dunelm for trousers and BonMarche for T shirts and blouses. They are both consistent with their sizing. I can't remember the last time I went into M&S.

I think that Bon Marche are great for trousers as they offer so many styles and lengths. Their tops however are huge, I buy two sizes down from my actual size. They tend to be rather shapeless too.

I find M & S disappointing and haven’t found anything I like enough to buy for at least two years.