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We Tried the 25 Best (and Least Boring) Dress Pants for Work and Beyond
If you’re spending eight hours with ‘em, you might as well like ‘em.
Byrdie
As a self-proclaimed public transit enthusiast (and office outfit connoisseur), I know the struggle of finding pants that work for your 9-to-5 commute and office wardrobe. Striking the right balance between professional and comfortable is a lot of—ahem—work. Whether tall, petite, or curvy, we’ve all struggled with pants that are too long, too short, or pinch and gap in the wrong places. Trading in your beloved sweats for ill-fitted trousers on a Monday morning is what nightmares are made of.
That’s why we’re here to help you find cute, cozy alternatives that fit and feel just as good. I’ve tested several pairs across styles and brands by wearing them to my office and morning commute to find the best ones. No shade, but there’s nothing worse than an influencer who’s never had to endure the horrors of Outlook trying to sell you a pair, right?
Top Picks
Aritzia The Effortless Pant at Aritzia.com
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Everlane The Trouser at Everlane.com$128$74
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Abercrombie & Fitch High-Rise Boot Trouser at Abercrombie.com
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Best Wide-Leg
Aritzia The Effortless Pant
Size range: 00-16, short, tall | Materials: 61% Polyester, 26% viscose, 7% cotton, 6% elastane | Colors: 14
Would it be too on the nose to consider the Aritzia “Effortless” Pant, well, effortless? Well, it is—but mostly because it does a wide-leg, loose-fitted trouser so well. The thing that’s so great about having a billowing pant is they’re roomy enough to feel like sweats but tailored enough to wear in professional settings. Stylist and fashion blogger Kim Hancher recommends this pair, specifically for that reason. “These achieve the baggy look minus the sloppy feel,” says Hancher. “Plus, the ‘Bertie/Charcoal’ color is fun and fresh, yet professional.”
But why do I love these so much? Easy—they’re ridiculously versatile. Call them my go-to pants for work, which have seen me through everything from chilly mornings to packed, sweaty subway rides. (Plus, on weekends, paired with a tiny going-out top from the brand’s contour collection. Like I said, versatility!)
Best Straight Leg
Abercrombie & Fitch High-Rise Boot Trouser
Size range: 24-34, short, long | Materials: 81% Polyester, 16% viscose, 3% elastane | Colors: 4
A basic black pant is like a long weekend away from work—full of possibilities. But as much as we dream of being out of office, when we’re clocked in, most of us at Byrdie are reaching for our tried-and-true straight-leg pant. And that’s because they do have endless styling potential like this high-rise pair from Abercrombie & Fitch. Don’t let the name fool you—they fit more like a straight leg than a bootcut. These are slim, sleek, and extremely easy to style. And they’re currently packed away in my suitcase for vacation because they look just as good at a happy hour dinner as they do at a coffee run. Plus, they’re fashion-expert-approved. Stylist Joy Asibey-Gabriel tells Byrdie that she loves pants from A&F like these because their pants are “just so flattering.”
Best Flared
Halara High Waisted Back Side Pocket Slight Flare Work Pants
Size range: XS-3X, petite, tall | Materials: 66% Rayon, 30% nylon, 4% elastane | Colors: 21
As a girl with bigger hips and thighs, I loved that these still fit my waist without gaping and weren’t too tight. Not to mention a flare silhouette helps to balance out a curvy figure. I’m already thinking of getting a pair in the putty grey color (one of the 21colors), which is why fashion and beauty content creator Raquel Sewell says she loves them too: “They offer so many colors and sizes in every piece they have,” she says while adding that she owns quite a few pairs of pants from the brand.
Best Pleated
Old Navy Extra High-Waisted SleekTech Pleated Trousers
Size range: XS-4X, petite, tall | Materials: 77% Nylon, 23% spandex | Colors: Black, navy, grass
Perhaps the closest to that “sweatpant” feeling on our list, these pull-on trousers from Old Navy win the comfy award, but don’t let those refined-looking pleats fool you. Typically, a pleated pant will feature vertical folds sewn into the waistband. Well, it’s a good thing this waistband is elastic and stretchy, and the material is a spandex blend. You can totally fool a coworker into thinking you tried extra hard for your daily stand-up meeting by sporting these around the office. Thanks to the extra high waist (1 inch higher than the standard high-rise), they create an elongated shape, and they come in tall, regular, and petite inseams, meaning these will look made-to-order without having to spend the extra money for tailoring.
Best Shaping
Spanx SPANXsmooth PerfectFit Ponte Slim Straight Pant
Size range: XS-3X, petite, tall | Materials: 68% Rayon, 28% nylon, 4% elastane | Colors: Black, red
For a non-sad pair of shaping pants, opt for Spanx—the ultimate brand that is quite literally shorthand for shapewear itself. They’ve completely expanded into workwear but have kept the heart of the label with each piece, which is to create flattering, shaping styles. And these SPANXsmooth trousers? Light as air with a four-way stretch that feels like stirrup pants or leggings—just way more office-appropriate.
I loved pairing them with big, slouchy sweaters in the office, staying as comfy and cozy as one can at a desk buried under a never-ending to-do list. Bonus: They come in a petite option, which I grabbed for my 9-to-5—because short girls know the struggle of drapey pants on a NYC sidewalk. Thanks to these, I didn’t have to deal with that.
What to Look for in Dress Pants
- Material: The fabric of your trousers can make or break your look—and your comfort. Breathable materials like cotton and linen keep things airy, while wool and corduroy are pairs to grab when temps begin to drop. A little stretch (think elastane or spandex) ensures you can move without feeling restricted.
- Silhouette (Leg Shape and Rise): If you’re looking for the right silhouette when shopping for pants, know that straight-leg and tapered styles offer a polished look, while wide-leg options feel more laid back. And as it goes for rises, mid-to-high is your best bet for a polished, put-together look that still feels comfy, whether at your desk or stepping out for lunch with your work besties.
- Inseam: Everyone knows that length matters and the inseam determines where your pants hit—whether it’s a purposeful ankle-grazing cut or a full-length, billowing pant. So, if you’re going for a tailored, polished look, make sure your hem complements your shoes. (I bring my pointed-toe kittens to the tailor for every try-on with them.) However, if you aren’t looking to tailor, a general rule of thumb is just above the ground for heels or hitting right at the top of your shoe for flats. Most popular brands—and almost all on this list—include varied inseams.
Complete the Look
Here are some of my favorite pieces to wear with the the pleated dress pant from Old Navy.
Meet Our Experts
- Kim Hancher is a style coach that helps people create their ideal capsule wardrobes.
- Raquel Sewell is a fashion and beauty content creator.
- Joy Asibey-Gabriel is a stylist and founder of Black Lady of Leisure.
Why Trust Byrdie
Morgan Sullivan has previously been part of editorial teams for leading fashion, beauty, and wellness brands. While freelancing at Byrdie, she’s delved into her latest obsessions, from emerging designers and mid-tier luxury brands to proving that skinny jeans will always be in style. She also regularly attends exclusive industry events hosted by top beauty, fashion, and wellness brands to stay at the forefront of trends. As an expert product tester, Morgan consistently evaluates new beauty and fashion products, offering well-rounded, unbiased shopping recommendations.
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