Hollywood Trousers – Liesl & Co

These are the Hollywood Trousers by Liesl & Co.

I love them! Worn with my recently completely Byrdie Button Up pin-tucked blouse.

Having dropped some weight over the last 6 months my previous well loved, well worn Closet Core Sasha Pants and Fibremood Billie trousers work trousers no longer fit and I fancied a style change.

Anyone else spend weeks procrastinating, putting off making trousers? Give these a go.

Made up in some very reasonable trouser fabric ( no idea of the fabric but they are warm and don’t seem to crease) from bricks and mortar shop only, Waltons Fabrics in Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire specialising in dead stock, surplus, old lines, often ex-designer fabric..

The Hollywood Trousers are described as very fitted, moderately high-rise, wide-legged trousers. The pattern includes a traditional zipper fly with fly shield, back darts for shaping, and optional front pockets with menswear-style pocket stays for a smooth front without gaping or bulging. There’s also an optional lining. But I didn’t use it this time. 

Due to the in-seam pockets, I knew these would be impossible to adjust once made up so I had to make a toile. I made a simple knee length toile with just the front and back pieces all sewn together, including the front seam, where the zip goes, except for a gap on one hip. I stay stitched around the waist and completely omitted the fly. So the toile took less than an hour.

I’m always a combination of sizes in trousers, usually a size larger around the waist.

Size 4 was 27” waist, 37” hip.

Size 6 was a 28” waist, 38” hip

The pattern advises you to try the size according to your hip measurement and play with the darts to adjust.

My measurements are 29” waist, 37” hip and for my first toile I made up a size 4 on the hip, but graded up to a size 6 on the waist just to give me a little more room to play with.

They were way too tight, both on the hip and waist. Well, I could pin them up but not sit down. I let them out to a size 6 hip, size 8 waist. They were perfect but still fairly fitted.

Amazingly I made no further changes to achieve this great fit.

I did take 2 inches of the leg at the shorten/lengthen line and then another inch off the bottom once complete.

I’m always incredibly surprised when a front fly works out. I just can’t seem to get my head around it and just blindly follow the instructions and hope for the best. This was one of the easiest, no squabble flies I’ve done.

I love the extended waist band and button. It helps to take the strain off the zip. The extended pockets that continue into the fly, helps to keep everything in place!

There are no rear pockets, so the trousers are surprisingly quick to sew up. However, now I’ve cracked the pattern I’d like to include some welt pockets next time.

The Liesl & Co brand falls under the Oliver & Co parent company. There’s a really good sew-a-long with good photos on the Oliver & S blog

These wide leg trousers are right on trend but there are also instructions to narrow the leg too.

Now to go back and make a second pair!

Love, Lucie xx