M&S’s £39.50 ‘hang beautifully’ trousers 2,300 reviews, 4.6/5: will you buy before they sell out?

One high-street pair keeps popping up on commutes and coffee runs, promising sharp lines, soft movement and zero morning stress.

Shoppers are flocking to Marks & Spencer’s crepe tab-detail wide-leg trousers, a £39.50 staple that blends polish with comfort. With more than 2,300 customer reviews and a 4.6 out of 5 rating, the style keeps vanishing from virtual baskets as sizes disappear. So what is driving the frenzy—and should you act fast?

Why this £39.50 pair has struck a nerve

The wide-leg cut flatters without clinging, skimming over the hips and thigh to create a long, clean line. A softly weighted crepe gives structure and flow at the same time. The fabric moves when you move, which means no stiff sauntering or awkward tugging after you sit down. A neat tab detail at the waist introduces a tailored note, drawing the eye to the narrowest part of the body.

Shoppers also point to practicality. The trousers resist creasing, hold their shape and cope well with busy days spent walking, sitting and dashing between meetings. They’re machine washable, which reduces faff and dry-clean bills. The colour line-up centres on black, with seasonal shades rotating in, and they come in multiple lengths to suit different heights.

£39.50, 2,300+ reviews, 4.6/5 rating. Machine washable, crease-resistant and repeatedly selling out online.

Fabric, fit and feel

• Cut: wide leg with a gentle drape that “hangs beautifully”.
• Waist: tab detail creates a smarter, pulled-together finish.
• Fabric: crepe with subtle stretch for movement and comfort.
• Care: machine washable; resists creasing during long wear.
• Colours: black plus rotating seasonal shades to refresh outfits.
• Lengths: multiple leg lengths to better match your height and shoes.

The drape is the clincher. Many wide-leg trousers either collapse and crease or feel bulky. This pair strikes a middle path: enough weight to keep the line crisp, enough fluidity to avoid a rigid look. The result reads smart rather than severe, which explains why so many people wear them during the week and at the weekend.

How people are wearing them

These trousers slide into several roles. For work, pair with a crisp shirt or a silk-feel blouse and loafers or block-heel courts. For a smart-casual brief, add a blazer over a fine knit and finish with leather trainers. Off-duty, a neat T‑shirt and light cardigan look relaxed without feeling sloppy. The tab at the waist rewards a tuck: try a fitted top or a cropped knit to keep the volume in balance.

Footwear makes a difference. The wide leg partners well with ankle boots or heeled sandals, which visually lengthen the leg. Trainers deliver a clean, modern line—just keep the profile slim. If you prefer flats, aim for a pointed toe to keep the silhouette sharp.

Style tip: tuck or half‑tuck to frame the waist tab; add a blazer to elevate from errands to evening in seconds.

Value you can measure

At £39.50, the cost-per-wear maths comes out sensibly. Wear them twice a week for six months (roughly 50 wears) and you’re looking at about 79p per wear. Stretch that through the year, mixing in evenings out and travel days, and the number dips further. The crease resistance also protects that cost, since you won’t need to budget for frequent pressing or dry-cleaning.

What to check before you add to basket

Fit varies between wide-leg cuts, so take a minute to measure your inside leg and compare against the length options. If you’re between lengths, consider your most-worn shoes. A slight break at the front works with flats, while a longer hem tends to suit a heeled boot. Check where the rise sits on you; the waist tab looks best when the waistband rests comfortably at or just above your natural waist.

Crepe blends can carry a touch of static in central-heated offices. An anti-static spray or a light slip short underneath can help. Always wash on a gentle cycle, reshape while damp and hang to dry to preserve that drape. Avoid overloading the machine; crepe prefers space to circulate.

Who they suit

Wide-leg trousers often favour those who want balance through the hip and thigh. If you carry weight at the tummy, the heavier crepe and flat front can smooth the area, especially with a tucked top that sits neatly under the waistband. If you’re petite, choose the shorter length and keep tops cropped or fitted to avoid swamping your frame. Taller shoppers tend to appreciate the long vertical line and the way the leg hangs over boots.

Why they keep selling out

Three factors keep driving demand. First, the price lands in the sweet spot: not bargain-bin cheap, but accessible for a piece that does weekday and weekend duty. Second, they behave well in real life. They endure sitting, standing, commuting and wrangling kids without collapsing into wrinkles. Third, the styling options are broad. You can wear them in any season with a rotation of shoes and layers, which reduces wardrobe dead-ends.

Stock tactics so you don’t miss your size

Popular sizes tend to vanish first during early mornings and late evenings when shoppers browse on phones. If your size shows low stock, check both the black core colour and any seasonal shade you’d genuinely wear; you may find better availability. Try in-store for a quick length check, as different shoes can change the decision. If you’re between two waist sizes, take both to compare the drape across the hip before committing.

If your usual size sells out, test the next size up with the tab cinched and a tuck—maintain the line while gaining comfort.

Extra pointers to get the most from them

Travel days: the crease-resistant fabric shines on long train or car journeys. Fold them along the existing press line, then hang them up as soon as you arrive. Evening switch: keep a satin cami and earrings in your tote; swap out your day knit and you’re bar-ready in under two minutes.

Care extras: wash inside out to protect the surface from abrasion; avoid heavy fabric softeners that can weigh down the drape. If you notice slight bobbling where bags rub, a gentle fabric comb tidies the texture. For longevity, rotate wear with another pair to give fibres time to recover between washes.

If you’re comparing alternatives, weigh up three points: drape, crease recovery and waistband finish. Many cheaper wide-leg options drape well on day one but bag at the knee by lunchtime. Others crease whenever you sit. The M&S tab-waist design anchors the waist visually and supports that clean line through the day, which explains why thousands of shoppers have put their money—and their reviews—behind it.