Work trousers in a women's cut.

Three things: the rise is cut for a different body shape, the hip-to-waist ratio is wider, and the knee-pad pockets are positioned higher up the leg. That last one is the practical giveaway — a men's trouser in a small size puts the pad below the knee, where it protects nothing.

Some do and some do not, and it is worth checking before you order rather than after. If anyone on the team kneels for a living, specify the pocket version and buy insert pads with it — a strap-on pad over a trouser without pockets slides round the leg and ends up in the van.

Size on the waist in inches and check the leg length separately — most ranges offer a regular and a short, and a long on some. A trouser that fits the waist but drags at the hem is a trip hazard on site and the hem goes within weeks.

For anyone climbing, kneeling or getting in and out of a van all day, yes — it is the single change most likely to stop people quietly wearing their own clothes instead. For static or counter work it is a comfort upgrade rather than a necessity.

Yes, and it is usually cheaper than re-ordering. Buy the next leg length up and have them taken up locally if the range does not do a short. Be careful with hi-vis trousers though: cutting into a certified garment can remove reflective area and take it out of its class.

The women's ranges generally stop at 2XL where the men's go to 5XL, so for anyone beyond that the honest answer is a men's trouser in a short leg, or a unisex cut. Tell us the sizes you actually need and we will say what exists rather than taking an order we cannot fill.