Finding the Right Trousers for Workwear, Smart Casual, Evening Wear and Casual Wear

Trousers are more than just a wardrobe staple — they’re the foundation of your outfit. But with styles, materials, and cuts varying wildly across brands, shopping for trousers can be a frustrating experience. Whether you’re looking to dress sharp for work, refine your smart casual wardrobe, or build a stylish yet comfortable look for evenings and weekends, the challenge often lies in fit.

That’s where tellar.co.uk comes in — UK's Leading Free Sizing Tool. Tellar helps you find your perfect trouser size across 1,500+ brands in seconds. Whether you’re a fan of Reiss tailoring or COS minimalism, Tellar ensures the size you choose actually fits — no more guesswork.

In this guide, we’ll break down what trousers to wear for:

Professional Workwear
Smart Casual Settings
Evening Wear
Everyday Casual Outfits

And we’ll give you practical brand suggestions, styling tips, and links to Tellar.co.uk to get your perfect size in each.

1. Workwear Trousers: Polished, Professional and Comfortable

Workwear trousers need to balance structure with all-day comfort. Whether you’re back in the office full-time or navigating hybrid meetings, structured trousers signal professionalism without sacrificing movement.

Recommended Styles

Tailored cigarette trousers (ankle-length, slim fit)
High-waisted wide-leg trousers
Straight-leg crepe trousers

What to Look For

Fabric: Opt for breathable blends like viscose, wool-mix or stretch crepe.
Fit: A mid-to-high waist flatters most shapes, especially with a slight taper.
Length: Slightly cropped trousers work well with heels or loafers, elongating the leg.

Tellar Tip

Use tellar.co.uk to store your waist and hip measurements — you’ll get instant size recommendations for brands like ME+EM, Jigsaw, and Theory.

Best Workwear Brands

ME+EM – Tailored trousers with stretch, perfect for desk-to-dinner.
Arket – Minimalist trousers with Scandinavian structure.
Boden – Inclusive sizing and tailored options with subtle detailing.
Reiss – Sleek, city-ready trousers that transition to after-hours.

Avoid: overly tight trousers that crease easily or low-rise fits that ride down when sitting.

2. Smart Casual Trousers: Effortlessly Polished

Smart casual trousers are the backbone of versatile dressing. Ideal for work-from-home days, dinners, or drinks, they allow room for creativity without compromising neatness.

Recommended Styles

Tapered joggers with zip detailing
Slim-fit chinos or tailored cargo trousers
Soft twill or ponte trousers with elasticated waists

What to Look For

Fit: Tapered fits that are looser at the thigh and narrower at the ankle.
Fabric: Ponte, brushed cotton, or stretch twill for day-to-night comfort.
Details: Subtle pleats, stitched seams or side stripes add elevation.

Best Smart Casual Brands

COS – Known for structured silhouettes and deep colour palettes.
Whistles – A go-to for ponte trousers with polished stretch.
Massimo Dutti – Refined with a European feel, perfect for off-duty polish.
M&S Autograph – Great for affordable quality and inclusive sizing.

Use the tellar.co.uk before you order — you'll see exactly what size to pick based on your largest measurement.

3. Evening Trousers: Elegant and Elevated

For dinners, drinks, or evening events, trousers can create a more unexpected and sophisticated look than dresses. The key is balancing elegance with edge.

Recommended Styles

Satin or silk wide-leg trousers
High-waisted tailored trousers in bold colours
Slim-leg tuxedo trousers with contrast side stripes

What to Look For

Drape: Luxe fabrics like silk, satin, or crepe enhance movement.
Waistline: High-rise styles paired with cropped tops or tucked-in blouses define your silhouette.
Details: Side splits, metallics, or embellishments elevate the look.

Best Eveningwear Brands

Zara – Affordable on-trend options for evening events.
Karen Millen – Luxe-feel trousers in shimmering or structured fabrics.
The Fold – Investment pieces for sharp tailoring and fluid lines.
Phase Eight – Sophisticated evening silhouettes that suit a range of sizes.

With tellar.co.uk, you can compare evening trouser sizes across high street and premium brands instantly — no more second-guessing.

Tip: Evening trousers often fit differently due to fabric (e.g. satin is less forgiving). Always check the hip measurement — Tellar.co.uk automatically factors this in.

4. Casual Trousers: Style Meets Comfort

Casual trousers shouldn’t mean compromise. With the right pair, you can look put-together even in your off-duty looks.

Recommended Styles

Loose-fit linen trousers
Pull-on jersey or ribbed knit trousers
Cargo or utility styles
Denim alternatives in soft cotton

What to Look For

Waistbands: Elasticated or drawstring waists for flexibility.
Shape: Wide-leg or relaxed straight-leg fits are universally flattering.
Materials: Jersey, linen, soft cotton, and corduroy are all breathable.

Best Casualwear Brands

H&M Conscious – Budget-friendly and sustainable basics.
Uniqlo – Great linen and jersey trousers in clean cuts.
White Stuff – Relaxed-fit trousers with comfort waistbands.
Sezane – Parisian flair for effortless casual tailoring.

Use tellar.co.uk to ensure your relaxed trousers fit well through the waist and hips — especially when shopping brands that size small.

Avoid: Overly slouchy or oversized trousers that drown your shape — use Tellar’s profile system to get recommendations based on your personal measurements.

Why Fit Matters More Than Style

The best-looking trousers fall flat if they don’t fit correctly. Across all categories — from formal tailoring to joggers — brands use wildly different size charts. That’s where Tellar.co.uk stands out.

With Tellar.co.uk You Can:

✅ Enter your chest, waist, and hip measurements once

✅ Get instant size recommendations across 1,500+ brands

✅ Switch between inches and centimetres

✅ Store your profile for quick use every time you shop

✅ Access your best sizes via web or mobile (app coming soon)

How to Measure Yourself for the Perfect Fit

Before shopping trousers, take 2 minutes to measure yourself correctly:

Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button.
Hips: Measure the fullest part of your hips and bum, feet together.
Inseam: Measure from crotch to ankle for ideal length (especially useful for wide-leg or formal trousers).

Want a visual guide? Visit our blog: How to Measure Yourself for Trousers — complete with visuals, tips, and sizing tricks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Trousers

❌ Ignoring brand-specific sizing (a Zara size 12 is very different from a ME+EM 12)

❌ Only checking waist size — hips often determine fit

❌ Assuming “medium” means the same across all brands

❌ Forgetting that trouser length and rise impact appearance and comfort

Let tellar.co.uk do the work for you — we standardise sizes so you don’t have to.

Find Your Perfect Trousers Today

Whether you’re dressing for the boardroom, brunch, or a black-tie dinner, trousers can be your best asset — if they fit properly. Use Tellar.co.uk to take the guesswork out of sizing and feel confident in every pair you buy.

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