The 10 Best Comfortable Pants for Work

Do you have a go-to pair of trousers for the office? The best kind of work pants are the ones that make getting ready a no-brainer. I swear by these straight-leg pants, which have a teeny bit of drape and a high enough rise to tuck in a boxy button-up, but I’m on a hunt to build up my collection. In the spirit of making the search for these wardrobe gems a little easier, we asked 10 women to share their office-friendly favorites (with most options under $100)…

The bestsellers:

“I’m really impressed by Eloquii’s Kady Pant, even though I’m not usually a pants kind of gal. The style comes in tons of prints and fabrics, and they offer fits for various body shapes (up to size 28), as well as three different lengths. They just make you look put together, but they’re super low-maintenance. Basically, they look like fancy pants.” — Kelsey, writer

“I have J. Crew’s Cameron Pant in three colors! It’s as close to perfection as I’ve found — a slim pant with great fabric at an awesome price point. They also come in tall sizes and have enough of a hem to extend the length further if you need to, like me. ” — Kate, event planner

The $50 and under champions:

Uniqlo’s EZY Pants are soft, have an elastic waistband disguised in the back and are machine washable. They look dressed up, but they’re essentially my office sweatpants.” — Lilly, electrical engineer

“I recently transitioned positions at my company, and in my new role I interact with more senior-level people, so I need to dress up. I tried on Everlane’s Work Pant because they were $50, and I ended up loving them. They stretch like leggings, but they look professional.” — Erin, publicity assistant

The ethically made pant that lasts for years:

“My goal is to purchase mostly sustainable fashion, and I LOVE my Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Pants. The high waist is flattering, and the legs are roomy enough to not feel restrictive. But the best part is the pockets — they’re huge and can fit so much without bulking out.” — Melissa, neuroscientist

The low-key trousers you can wear with anything:

“These Aritzia Cohen Pants are a staple in my wardrobe. I have them in black and pink. I love how versatile they are — I wear them to work with a sweater and flats, wear them out to drinks with heels, or wear them on the weekends with a T-shirt and sneakers. They’ve also survived my washing machine for two years.” — Eve, SEO coordinator

Ann Taylor’s Ankle Pant gives you a nice, clean silhouette. Since they’re so slim, I like to wear them with a little more volume on top, with either an oversized button-down or a turtleneck during the fall.” — Nicole, law firm communications specialist

The wrinkle-resistant warrior:

“I like Banana Republic’s Ryan Pant when I have a lot of meetings because they’re wrinkle resistant, so they look good even after sitting all day. They’re wool, but are lined with a silky material that is sooooo comfortable. I also love the length — they hit right at the top of the foot so they aren’t too long, but they look perfect with heels.” — Merry, account executive

The casual office heroes:

Everlane’s Wide-Leg Crop Pants are made of a thick denim, but still feel soft because they have a tiny amount of stretch in them. Since the denim stitch can look little casual, I pair them with a crisp white blouse and a black patent leather loafer. I pretty much wear this exact outfit once or twice a week, ha!” — Bettina, director’s assistant

“My go-to work pants are actually black skinny jeans. I wear AG’s Farrah — hemmed to the ankle length — on repeat. Jeans are par for the course in the tech companies where I’m making client pitches — anything fancier would feel out of place. Bonus: they’re comfortable (aka just enough stretch) and flattering!” — Christine, account executive

What pants do you wear to work?

P.S. 10 best shoes for work, and six readers share their office outfits.

(Photo by FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images.)