The Best Women’s Dress Pants for Work: 10 Stylish, Comfortable Options for Every Budget

Of all the challenges that have come with the return to office—long commutes, shared office kitchens—one ranks particularly high. What the heck do you wear?! After years in loungewear, hard pants (i.e. anything with a button or zipper) can feel particularly constrictive. And with the skinny versus wide-leg debate raging on, it can seem impossible to know what’s on trend. So we tasked a team of stylists with finding picks that look and feel good. They circled back with tips on how to suit up.

Top women’s dress pants for work

How we chose the best women’s dress pants for work

We spoke with stylists and fashion experts to get their recommendations for the top women’s dress pants for work and learn the factors to consider when on the hunt. Then we researched picks from some of the most popular brands on the market based on reviews and key features.

What to look for in the best work pants for women

This tends to be a try-before-you-buy situation as that’s the best way to find a pair that’s flattering for your particular shape and will feel good all the way through your last Zoom-slash-IRL meeting. And while you’ll need to consider individual factors like how formal your office setting is (are jeans a no-go?) and how much you’re able to shell out, the experts agree that these are a few must-haves for any potential work pants candidate.

Silhouette

Again, this is a personal preference situation, though Los Angeles style expert Alison Deyette notes that “wide leg has been a strong trend for the last year.” A slim-fit cigarette trouser is also universally flattering, says New York City-based fashion stylist Britt Theodora, who calls the cut “a must for all body types.”

Material

Noting that linen tends to wrinkle quickly, Deyette recommends choosing a cotton blend with a touch of elastane for stretch “or polyester, nylon and spandex mixes.” For colder months, a wool blend will provide warmth, she says, though she cautions to “avoid scratchy wools unless the pants are fully lined. Some brands have cut corners and end the lining just above the knee.”

Stretch

Why, yes, work pants can feel as good as your favorite black leggings. “When I know I’ve found the right pants,” says Deyette, borrowing a line from Molly Shannon’s Saturday Night Live persona Sally O’Malley, “I can kick, stretch, and kick.” The sweet spot, says certified wardrobe stylist Breyana Wright, is two to five percent. “Typically, garments that have these percentages are flexible enough to move around in,” says the owner of Styled by Breyana, “yet, they’re fitted enough so you don’t have to keep pulling your pants up or keep a belt on.”

Care

Exactly how deep is your dry-cleaning budget? If the idea of paying up each time your pants are dirty feels particularly prohibitive, you’ll want to opt for machine-washable styles.

How to find the right work pants for your body type

To dress to impress, focus on highlighting your favorite features, recommends Theodora. “You always want to accentuate the areas you feel the most confident about,” she explains. “For example, if you have longer legs or want your legs to appear longer, I’d go for a more high-waisted style with a tapered silhouette.”

But if you’re feeling stumped, turn to the pros, recommends Wright. “A knowledgeable stylist will be able to assess your measurements,” she says, “and recommend pant options that highlight your body type and camouflage areas that you don’t feel confident about.”

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are considered dress pants for work?

While this varies depending on the formality of your office, generally, dress pants refer to pieces that are sleek and tailored in either a cotton, polyester, nylon, or wool blend.

What is the difference between work pants and slacks?

Pretty much the same as a distinction between a drink and a beverage. “There’s not much of a difference nowadays between work pants, slacks and let’s not forget trousers,” says Deyette. “The term slacks have become outdated, but they used to refer to a bottom that wasn’t part of a suit, was dressier than casual pants and were looser fitted.”

What type of women’s pants are best to wear for the office?

Anything that leaves you feeling comfortable and confident. Though, again, if you work in a suits-only environment you need to, well, follow suit. And since you’ll likely be logging a lot of time sitting at a desk, notes Theodora, “stretch or a little room on the waistband is always nice so you’re not too constricted.”

What type of dress pants are in style now?

Though it may mean investing in a steamer or quality iron, “linen is currently trending,” says Wright. “I believe a lot of people are gravitating towards this material because it’s lightweight, sustainable, quality, and overall very stylish.” Deyette, meanwhile, is “all for” the current wide-leg trend, though a slim fit is a timeless choice for a reason. Universally flattering, notes Theodora, the cigarette trouser works for body types across the board: “They might need tailoring to hit just at the ankle but with a ballet flat or a small heel—tres chic!”