Stylists Say These Work Pants Are Comfortable Enough To Wear All Day

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For those days when you have to head into the office and can't get away with a more casual WFH look, the right pair of work pants can make a huge difference in the way you feel throughout the day. "Most women who have to navigate physically demanding, meeting-intensive, or people-facing jobs will admit that wearing well-fitting work pants makes their workday a tad more comfortable and even productive," says Lerit Nifesi, a Vancouver-based personal stylist.

You don't have to sacrifice your personal style either. Shopping for—and wearing—the best work pants (the ones with the right material, cut, and functionality) can actually help you show portray your personal brand in a stylish, meaningful, and memorable way, says Nifesi.

Best Work Pants For Women

What to consider

Material

Considering how often we have to be at the office, work pants are some of the most oft-worn garments in our wardrobes. That means you want to make sure they're made of comfortable and durable materials. Cotton twill and linen are two great options, says Nifesi. "Cotton twill is a very common, strong, and durable fabric," she explains. "Linen is also long-lasting, durable, and perfect for everyday wear, especially in the hot summer months." Nina Vargas, an entrepreneur in the fashion industry, also recommends sleek, stretchy fabric blends because they move with you, allowing you to be more comfortable sitting in meetings or going out to a client lunch.

Cut

Just like our favorite jeans, work pants come in different cuts—straight, tapered, high-waisted, wide-leg, and palazzo, for example—and it's important to know which ones complement your style. Try a few things on to get a better feel for what you like. "If you're not sure where to start, consider wearing wide-leg pants, as these pants are flattering and give you a chic look," says Nifesi. For a more polished, conservative vibe, opt for high-waisted trousers, says Vargas.

Functionality

"Your work pants need to be practical and functional, so you can move, sit, and walk without any discomfort or hesitation," says Nifesi. Consider buying work pants made of wrinkle-resistant materials that can withstand long hours of wear, frequent washing, and various workplace conditions without losing their shape or durability. Pockets are also nice to have, so you can have your phone and essentials on hand.

How we selected

To find the best work pants for women, the WH team consulted two fashion pros, plus asked our team of anonymous testers and our in-house editors for feedback on the pants they wear and love. This final list includes something for everyone—from athtleisure brands for more casual dress codes to polished options for conservative offices. Read on to shop the best work pants for women, all approved by fashion experts.

Kate Straight-Leg Pant

J.Crew has long been our go-to for workwear, thanks to the brand's dedication to manufacturing trendy yet classic styles at relatively accessible price points. The label's pants are also known to be exceptionally durable garments, with testers telling WH they've had some of the same J.Crew styles in their closets for years. In fact, based on our year of testing work pants, J.Crew's Kate Straight-Leg Pant came out on top for its universally flattering cut, comfortable fabric, and wide range of colors.

We love this straight-leg pant because it works for all kinds of women, including those who haven't yet embraced the wide leg trend. Perhaps even more alluring is the four-season stretch material, which gently hugs the body but, more importantly, makes sitting for long periods of time more comfortable. We love that the pant comes in a range of colors—both neutrals and poppy shades—plus petite and tall sizes. It's also machine-washable, which is a huge convenience factor.

Read more: Best Work Sneakers For Women

Wide Leg Pant

If you're not ready to commit to a pricier pair, you can still find great work pants for women at budget-friendly prices—especially if you head to Amazon. This bestselling pair is on the more casual side, but that's part of why we love it so much. It can easily be dressed up or down, making it an extremely versatile piece for your wardrobe.

It comes in a whopping 28 different colors, so you can scoop up more than one pair and still look fresh each day. Beyond the color and size selection, wearers praise the pants for being exceptionally comfortable. And, we found that its polyester fabric is lightweight and flowy enough to wear on a hot summer day. Though take note: it tends to run long, so you may want to take this to a tailor before wearing to the office.

Straight Tailored Pant

Abercrombie & Fitch is back and better than ever—and the brand has a great selection of work-friendly attire, including this straight-leg pant. The tailored style looks great with both fitted shirts and more billowy blouses. It also comes in three colors: gray, taupe, and a beautifully brilliant navy. We love that the pant comes in three lengths, too: short, regular, and long. That means more options for women of all heights.

We found that the the pant is thin and stretchy, which makes it very comfortable to wear for hours on end. "It's professional yet trendy, and it hits both my waist and my legs at just the right spots," one shopper said. Unfortunately, it doesn't have any pockets.

The Perfect Pant, Kick Flare

Spanx may be your go-to for the garments you wear under your work clothes, but let us introduce you to the brand's aptly-named "Perfect Pant." Like their signature shapewear, this pant is made out of special smoothing ponte fabric to deliver a sleek look.

We found that the pull-on style feels more like leggings than your everyday work pant, but looks just as professional thanks to darts and a flared leg. And even though it uses compression technology, the stretchy waistband makes the pant comfortable enough for all-day wear. We love that it comes in sizes up to 3X, too.

Suit Pants With Decorative Stitching

Though suit pants generally err on the more formal side, we love this option from Mango because it's sleek, without being stuffy. The lightweight pair has a wide leg style that's right on trend and super flattering. In fact, Nifesi calls these pants "the modern woman's work pants."

There's no shortage of details on this pant, either. Darts add a tailored look, while a concealed button and hook and loop fastener secures the pants without adding bulk. We love that you can get a matching blazer to complete the look, but on the downside, the sizing is rather limited. The pants only come in sizes two through 10.

High-Waist Dreamscape Trouser

"This is one of my favorites," says Vargas. "It offers a sleek fit, and is so comfortable." It's all thanks to Alo Yoga's crinkle woven fabric. Still, it boasts details like front pleating that make the pair business casual and office-appropriate, so you can rock this and still adhere to a dress code.

We love the added functionality of front pockets, plus the fact that the pant is machine-washable. Based on our testing, we did find that it runs big, but we love how easy-breezy the style is. A definite wardrobe staple, you'll find yourself wearing these to the office and far beyond.

The Palazzo Pant in Linen Blend

Ann Taylor's wide leg pant is timeless and tailored look, despite its wide leg, says Vargas. We love the fun, fiery red shade. (The pants also come in a more muted brown, if you prefer.)

It comes s in both regular and petite sizes, so everyone can find the best fit. And even though it looks very tailored, the pant has an elasticized waistband to keep you comfortable, whether sitting or standing. It also has pockets for convenience. Wearers say it's the best of both worlds—comfortable and flattering. We just wish it was machine-washable.

The Linen Way-High Drape Pant

Everlane offers some of the most chic work pants in classic colors for all seasons, says Vargas, who points to this linen pair. The natural fabric and wide leg style makes it the perfect pick for hot summer days commuting to the office.

We love that you can dress it up with a blouse and a blazer (the brand sells a coordinating option), or dress it down with a fitted tee or tank when you're on vacation mode. Wearers of all body types say it's ultra-flattering, and perhaps even more important, exceptionally flowy and comfortable for all-day wear.

Meet the Experts

• Lerit Nifesi is a Vancouver-based personal stylist.

• Nina Vargas is an entrepreneur in the fashion industry.

What pants are appropriate for work?

It largely depends on your office environment. Casual wide leg pants with the right topper may be perfectly suitable for some jobs, while others may have dress codes that require suit pants. In general, experts say it's best to lean towards the conservative side when dressing for work. Thankfully, today's options are plentiful, even on the more formal side. You can find suit pants in more trendy wide-leg styles, if you're looking for something formal but not stuffy.

What work pants are the most flattering?

Wide leg pants are not only the most comfortable type of work pants, but they're also the most flattering for all body types, says Nifesi. "They are practical, fit every body type, and are great if you want to make a statement as you walk into a room." She also recommends flared pants, calling them a timeless yet modern approach to traditional office attire. "They are also ideal for certain body types, like round, triangle, and hourglass figures."

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