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The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
I tried all the high street's linen trousers – only one pair won't reveal your bum
CELEBS love them – but are baggy bums, crinkled crotches and, worst of all, VPL the price you pay to wear linen trousers? Emma Lazenby puts six affordable pairs to the test with ratings out of five. 8 MANGO - BEST BUM COVERAGE STRAIGHT LINEN SUIT TROUSERS, (100% linen), £49.99 8 Fit: The chicest ones, with a nicely tailored waistband and a snug fit on the hips and legs. But the bum became baggy almost instantly. Cool feel: The fabric felt breathable but, for me, the close fit negated any cooling effect. See-through factor: A thicker trouser, this pair offered more coverage than most, with just a faint VPL in sunlight. Creasing: One of the worst culprits. Even bending down to put my shoes on resulted in the start of that crease line across the tops of the legs. Washability: This pair washed well and snapped back into shape. They loosened up a bit too much at the hips. Rating: 3/5 8 Fit: Good if you want to avoid bright white and prefer a cropped style, but these were a bit shapeless, with the thin waistband, low crotch and no structure at the hips. Cool feel: The floaty, cropped fit was cooling, but the soft fabric was on the thicker side, so they weren't as breathable as I'd have liked. Fashion fans 'need' Primark's new £14 linen trousers - there's two colours to choose from and they're great for spring See-through factor: The darker shade and generous fit around the bum helped protect my modesty, with just a hint of VPL. Creasing: The legs and ankle hems crinkled up after a couple of hours, but the loose fit made this less obvious. Washability: The legs were a bit mis-shapen after washing and the hem didn't hang as evenly at the ankles. Rating: 2/5. 8 Fit: A drawstring, elasticated waist and wide leg made for easy wear – and the knees and bum held their shape. Cool feel: The light fabric and loose fit kept me cool and a breeze flowed through them, which was welcome on a balmy evening on the kids' cricket pitch. See-through factor: A flesh-coloured thong was a must. They were almost transparent. If they had a closer fit, I'd have been reluctant to wear them in public. Creasing: The gathered fit around the hips meant they didn't crease badly after a sit-down, just a few light ones on the legs. Washability: Despite emerging with crinkly legs after drying, they kept their size and shape well after a wash. Rating: 3/5. Hottest fashion trends of 2025 Fabulous' Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares the biggest trends from the high street. The East/West Bag Baguette bags have had a good run, after returning from the 1990s' shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker to modern-day fashion icons, like Hailey Bieber. In 2025, the East/West bag is a similar but elongated shape and has long, thin straps that are easy to throw over your shoulder. They've been on runway models' arms at nearly ever designer show - think Burberry, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta - and are hitting the high street now, too. Powder pink Bright fuchsia pink had its day after the release of Barbie in 2023 and now the more polished and expensive-looking pale shade is taking over for 2025. Pantone may say that it's the year of Mocha Mousse, but the catwalks say otherwise! From Prada to Erdem, the subtle look was all over the spring/summer catwalks, worn head-to-toe or on its own. If the sugary shade is too girly for you, then look to sharp suiting for a androgynous take on the colour. The shell jacket The '80s classic is back, but with a sleek and minimal new twist for 2025. We all know we're likely to see rain for most of spring, so your practical coat of choice should be a cagoule jacket. Depop revealed one of its big trend predictions for this year is retro sportswear, with surges already seen in '80s windbreakers'. Seen everywhere from the stylish streets of Copenhagen to the Miu Miu catwalk, now mums who have an emergency raincoat crumpled underneath their pushchair are very much in fashion! The turn-up jeans While the shape of jeans remains the same for this year and barrel-legs will still be everywhere, the way we're styling them is different. This season, transform your wide-leg, baggy denims into turn-ups. For this look, size doesn't matter, so while deep turn-ups are a hit from jean trend-leaders Citizens of Humanity, a slight fold is still just as good - but only as it's just one single fold. Peep-toe shoe Get your pedicures booked in sharpish, as this season your toes are the main event. After a long hiatus, the peep-toe has been welcomed back into the fashion fold, with brands like Hermes, Miu Miu and Tory Burch showing plain and embellished footwear in this style. From mules to pumps and clogs (yes, clogs will be around too!), there are lots of different styles that are set to sweep the high street. Sheer blouses See-through looks have always lived on the catwalk, but have rarely filtered into everyday life - until now. Designers Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford loved sheer looks on their S/S '25 catwalks and M&S even had sellout success with its black sheer pencil skirt last season. Expect to see more sheer looks lining supermarket aisles and high street shops in the form of skirts, tops and frocks. PRIMARK THE EDIT LINEN TROUSERS (100% linen), £28 8 Fit: An extra-wide leg gave this pair a floaty feel and initially they fit nicely on the hip, until I got a baggy bum after an hour or so. Cool feel: They were light and breezy and the coolest of the bunch, even in heat of the midday sun. See-through factor: The white colourway did me no favours when it came to transparency. These trousers were crying out for bum pockets to add an extra layer of VPL coverage. Creasing: The fabric was almost crisp and incredibly creasy. They were crinkly around the thighs and hips in no time at all. Washability: They needed some serious ironing after washing! But they kept their shape well and didn't shrink. Rating: 2/5. NEUTRAL LINEN BLEND BARREL-LEG TROUSERS (5% linen), £22 8 Fit: I loved this barrel-leg, ankle-grazer style, and the thicker fabric and front leg seam helped the trousers to hold their shape throughout the day. Cool feel: Despite the loose fit, this was one of the warmer, less breathable pairs of the bunch. See-through factor: I thought the darker cream shade and heavier fabric would save me, but my pants were on display. The front pocket-lining was also visible. Creasing: They fared well after a long sit-down at my laptop and two school runs, with a light crease across the tops of my thighs and some faint crinkles in the legs. Washability: This pair washed really nicely, with zero shrinkage or change in structure and shape. Rating: 3/5. 8 Fit: I loved this pair's heavier structure, with its sturdy hip pockets and robust stitching. Despite slight bagging around the bum, they held their shape well. Cool feel: The wide leg helped to keep me cool but the fabric wasn't breathable enough to keep me sweat-free. See-through factor: Bum pockets saved my modesty here, hiding any VPL well. Creasing: A horizontal crease line crept in across the tops of the thighs after driving, but overall they fared pretty well. The deep ankle hem helped to weigh down the legs and soften kinks. Washability: A high-temperature iron after hang-drying was essential, but the trousers' shape emerged intact.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
The £3 ‘Ozempic tan' which will take 5lbs off your thighs this summer… Four mums put budget options to test
IF your pasty pins are feeling camera shy after winter, but fake tan feels too extreme, could gradual tan be the easiest way to add a subtle glow? Alex Lloyd asked four mums to try budget versions for two weeks – on one leg only – and compared the results. 10 Could gradual tan be the easiest way to add a subtle glow for the summer? Credit: David Cummings 10 We asked four mums to try budget versions for two weeks Credit: David Cummings Garnier Summer Body Hydrating Gradual Tan, £5.99 for 400ml (reduced from £11.99), Superdrug Tested by writer Emma Lazenby, 46, from Brighton, East Sussex 10 Writer Emma Lazenby, 46, reveals she's had a few compliments when wearing Garnier's gradual tan and has definitely been converted to the product Credit: David Cummings 10 Garnier Summer Body Hydrating Gradual Tan, £5.99 for 400ml (reduced from £11.99), Superdrug Credit: Garnier I WAS a total fake tan newbie when I embarked on this test, put off by horror stories of people turning their legs orange. Gradual tan seemed a good starting point, although I opted for the Deep Sun-Kissed Glow version to get more bang for my buck. Garnier also has a Light one. I applied it before bed after exfoliating and could see the change within one day. I was impressed – although not so much with my orange hands. I quickly learned to give them a thorough wash after slathering it on. Luckily it didn't come off on the bed sheets and dried on my legs quickly. The lotion felt really rich, like a good moisturiser, and the smell was pleasant. However, the colour was so rich, I had to reduce my daily applications towards the end, because the colour was too dark for me. At no point did it get streaky or patchy, though. I'm definitely a convert – especially as I've had a few compliments. I'd use this again in the darker shade, but apply less frequently. And I think the lighter one would be better for naturally paler skin tones, or anyone who wants to apply it daily as part of their moisturising routine. SCORE: 9/10 This Morning pro reveals the best fake tans for a streak-free glow & all the mistakes to avoid Nivea Q10 Gradual Tan Body Lotion, £5.99 for 400ml, Superdrug Tested by writer Alison Perry, 46, from Bromley, Kent 10 Alison Perry, 46, says Nivea's gradual tan has a nice smell and applies really easily Credit: David Cummings 10 Nivea Q10 Gradual Tan Body Lotion, £5.99 for 400ml, Superdrug Credit: Nivea I'M NATURALLY quite pale, but as there's a history of skin cancer in my family, I try not to expose my legs to the sun too much. If I'm going on holiday, I'll slather on fake tan instead – usually whatever I can buy on offer. This Nivea gradual tan has a nice smell and went on really easily, although the texture was runnier than I expected. It wasn't very moisturising, however. I expected my tanned leg to feel softer than the pale one, but the skin texture was pretty much the same. It took a couple of days before I noticed any change in colour, so you have to persist. I kept asking my kids if they could see a change and their reply at the start was a non-committal 'a little'. If you stick with it, the glow is a nice, delicate colour – ideal if you are a bit nervous about using these products. It stayed put, too, and didn't seem patchy, but it didn't really take to my feet. I'm not sure if that's because I wore socks on chilly days and that rubbed it off. I'd definitely use it again, but switch to another product if I needed a richer tan colour. SCORE: 6/10 Palmer's Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze Gradual Tanner, £4.65 for 250ml, Asda Tested by writer Sheryl Plant, 41, from Chelmsford, Essex 10 Sheryl Plant, 41, says she felt more confident putting on shorts or a short summer skirt after using Palmer's gradual tanner Credit: David Cummings 10 Palmer's Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze Gradual Tanner, £4.65 for 250ml, Asda Credit: Palmer's AS A pale redhead, I'm not a sunbather. And my only run-in with fake tan as a teen ended up with streaky orange legs. More than 25 years later, I approached this test with trepidation, fully expecting to have to hide under trousers for a fortnight. But I was pleasantly surprised by this gradual tanner. I've used Palmer's products before and was happy to find this had the same cocoa butter fragrance. The texture was thick, but felt light on my skin as I applied it to exfoliated legs after my morning shower. It did take a minute or so to sink in though. I liked the bottle's pump dispenser, as it reduced mess and wastage. I had plenty left once the fortnight finished. Within a couple of days of use, I could see a colour emerging, which felt very natural and didn't scream 'fake'. Two weeks of consistent use made it a little too dark for me and there were a couple of streaky patches. But I'd definitely use it again, applying every other day or so to reduce the intensity of the shade. I'm a convert and certainly felt more confident putting on shorts or a short summer skirt. SCORE: 7/10 Dove Visible Glow Self-Tan Lotion, £3.50 for 400ml (reduced from £7), Boots Tested by writer Helen Wright, 43, from Essex 10 Helen Wright, 43, says she can't fault Dove's offering Credit: David Cummings 10 Dove Visible Glow Self-Tan Lotion, £3.50 for 400ml (reduced from £7), Boots Credit: Dove NOW I'm in my forties, I care less about what people think about my legs in shorts. But if I'm going out for the night, I prefer a bit of colour to feel more dressed up. A gradual tan is perfect for me as it's low maintenance. I didn't even bother with skin prep – I just showered and slapped it on. This product comes in two shades, and I went for the darker option as I felt it would compliment my skin tone better. It was the right choice, as the colour was similar to my natural tan, with no hints of orange or yellow. The cream is lovely, just like a Dove body lotion. While it has a slight fake tan whiff, you can also smell the nice tropical fragrance. My skin felt really well moisturised after using it and it wasn't sticky. But I waited ten minutes before putting clothes on. The colour was impressive, too, like using full-strength fake tan without the streaks and faff. It developed within three hours or so. I think the tan also makes my left leg seem slimmer and more toned. But the strength meant applying daily was too much. I'm continuing to use it, but every other day instead. It's excellent value and a little goes a long way – I can't fault it. SCORE: 10/10
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The £3 ‘Ozempic tan' which will take 5lbs off your thighs this summer… Four mums put budget options to test
IF your pasty pins are feeling camera shy after winter, but fake tan feels too extreme, could gradual tan be the easiest way to add a subtle glow? Alex Lloyd asked four mums to try budget versions for two weeks – on one leg only – and compared the results. Garnier Summer Body Hydrating Gradual Tan, £5.99 for 400ml (reduced from £11.99), Superdrug Tested by writer Emma Lazenby, 46, from Brighton, East Sussex I WAS a total fake tan newbie when I embarked on this test, put off by horror stories of people turning their legs orange. Gradual tan seemed a good starting point, although I opted for the Deep Sun-Kissed Glow version to get more bang for my buck. Garnier also has a Light one. I applied it before bed after exfoliating and could see the change within one day. I was impressed – although not so much with my orange hands. I quickly learned to give them a thorough wash after slathering it on. Luckily it didn't come off on the bed sheets and dried on my legs quickly. The lotion felt really rich, like a good moisturiser, and the smell was pleasant. However, the colour was so rich, I had to reduce my daily applications towards the end, because the colour was too dark for me. At no point did it get streaky or patchy, though. I'm definitely a convert – especially as I've had a few compliments. I'd use this again in the darker shade, but apply less frequently. And I think the lighter one would be better for naturally paler skin tones, or anyone who wants to apply it daily as part of their moisturising routine. SCORE: 9/10 This Morning pro reveals the best fake tans for a streak-free glow & all the mistakes to avoid Nivea Q10 Gradual Tan Body Lotion, £5.99 for 400ml, Superdrug Tested by writer Alison Perry, 46, from Bromley, Kent I'M NATURALLY quite pale, but as there's a history of skin cancer in my family, I try not to expose my legs to the sun too much. If I'm going on holiday, I'll slather on fake tan instead – usually whatever I can buy on offer. This Nivea gradual tan has a nice smell and went on really easily, although the texture was runnier than I expected. It wasn't very moisturising, however. I expected my tanned leg to feel softer than the pale one, but the skin texture was pretty much the same. It took a couple of days before I noticed any change in colour, so you have to persist. I kept asking my kids if they could see a change and their reply at the start was a non-committal 'a little'. If you stick with it, the glow is a nice, delicate colour – ideal if you are a bit nervous about using these products. It stayed put, too, and didn't seem patchy, but it didn't really take to my feet. I'm not sure if that's because I wore socks on chilly days and that rubbed it off. I'd definitely use it again, but switch to another product if I needed a richer tan colour. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze Gradual Tanner, £4.65 for 250ml, Asda Tested by writer Sheryl Plant, 41, from Chelmsford, Essex AS A pale redhead, I'm not a sunbather. And my only run-in with fake tan as a teen ended up with streaky orange legs. More than 25 years later, I approached this test with trepidation, fully expecting to have to hide under trousers for a fortnight. But I was pleasantly surprised by this gradual tanner. I've used Palmer's products before and was happy to find this had the same cocoa butter fragrance. The texture was thick, but felt light on my skin as I applied it to exfoliated legs after my morning shower. It did take a minute or so to sink in though. I liked the bottle's pump dispenser, as it reduced mess and wastage. I had plenty left once the fortnight finished. Within a couple of days of use, I could see a colour emerging, which felt very natural and didn't scream 'fake'. Two weeks of consistent use made it a little too dark for me and there were a couple of streaky patches. But I'd definitely use it again, applying every other day or so to reduce the intensity of the shade. I'm a convert and certainly felt more confident putting on shorts or a short summer skirt. Dove Visible Glow Self-Tan Lotion, £3.50 for 400ml (reduced from £7), Boots Tested by writer Helen Wright, 43, from Essex NOW I'm in my forties, I care less about what people think about my legs in shorts. But if I'm going out for the night, I prefer a bit of colour to feel more dressed up. A gradual tan is perfect for me as it's low maintenance. I didn't even bother with skin prep – I just showered and slapped it on. This product comes in two shades, and I went for the darker option as I felt it would compliment my skin tone better. It was the right choice, as the colour was similar to my natural tan, with no hints of orange or yellow. The cream is lovely, just like a Dove body lotion. While it has a slight fake tan whiff, you can also smell the nice tropical fragrance. My skin felt really well moisturised after using it and it wasn't sticky. But I waited ten minutes before putting clothes on. The colour was impressive, too, like using full-strength fake tan without the streaks and faff. It developed within three hours or so. I think the tan also makes my left leg seem slimmer and more toned. But the strength meant applying daily was too much. I'm continuing to use it, but every other day instead. It's excellent value and a little goes a long way – I can't fault it. FABULOUS BEAUTY EDITOR TARA LEDDEN SAYS: PREPARATION is key with fake tans – and gradual tans. To avoid 'strawberry leg' dark spots, shave and exfoliate with an oil-free scrub 24 hours before your first application. It will stop the tan collecting in your hair follicles, and get rid of dry spots on knees, heels and elbows to stop them darkening more. After the prep, gradual tanners are far more low-maintenance than mousses or sprays. You can apply them with bare hands – rather than needing a mitt or a glove – but wash them after to avoid orange palms. And they won't stain your bedsheets. Gradual tans are often formulated with hydrating ingredients used in body lotions and creams, that slow down the colour change so you can manage it over time. The moisturising formulas also help prevent 'tiger bread' striping as your tan breaks down. Because the colour is built up in layers, it's less likely to transfer on to clothes, or disappear after swimming. And you can reapply every few days, for weeks, before stripping it off with fake tan remover if you choose. So they are brilliant for summer holidays. Whether you're a tan newbie, as pale as a ghost (like me) or time poor, they're completely foolproof.
