Let’s Find This Reader Work Pants!

Uniqlo’s pleated wide leg pants! They’re comfortable, look great, have some give, come in a wide array of colours, look professional, don’t wrinkle, no dry cleaning required, are affordable – even more so when on sale!

So many good suggestions! Check out Alison Gary’s “Wardrobe Oxygen” blog for suggestions on clothing for all body types and sizes! https://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/

AYR High Hopes! A higher price point, but SO classic, SO easy, SO comfortable, and SO long lasting. A smooth but elastic waistband, soft material, and thick enough to drape nicely and look dressy, but very matte and hard to wrinkle. I also sometimes wear them with sneakers and a tee as more of a wide leg casual pant, but they are beautiful with work shirts, sweaters, sandals, dress boots, heels, you name it. Good pockets, too. I love it that I never think about them while they are on – that is a big criterion for me. I eventually bought a second pair so that I could rotate and only wear another kind of pants once a week or so. https://www.ayr.com/products/the-high-hopes?variant=40372038172751

I’m an archivist, so I do a lot of the same type of motions (although perhaps moving boxes or art or rare books more than anything).

For a budget, Old Navy is really great. If you have some budget wiggle room, you might try Lululemon trousers. They have some good options that hold up pretty well. They used to have these awesome commuter pants designed for biking to work and still looking professional. I think their ABC pants still fit that bill, although they’re technically in the men’s section. I’m not too fussed about that, and they offer hemming with a purchase, so I’ve made it work.

Another perhaps odd recommendation, but golf pants are really flexible, and usually have darker color options. I have a couple of pairs of golf shorts that I mix into my work wardrobe in the summer. Do I golf? Nope!

Welcome new librarian! I’m an old librarian. LOL I wear Old Navy chinos in every color. They are flexible and durable. Going to check out some of the recommendations though.

As a librarian with a librarian’s salary, I second Old Navy. As do many of my coworkers! Their trousers are all pretty great, as are the pixie pants. I have a nice gray pair of slacks from them, plus a few elastic type pairs. And I just rotate different shirts. With a nice pair of pants, depending on your library, you can even get away with a tshirt here and there! Also, while not pants, may I recommend some jumpsuits? Old Navy also does great with those, and many are built for moving about and can be dressed up and down. Also, ditch the flats (unless you’re at an office type desk) for a shoe with good support. We move around A LOT more than folks realize. Congrats on the job!

Also wanted to add HOORAY FOR LIBRARIANS!!! You guys don’t get enough recognition for all that you do. Thank you for everything!

This jumpsuit looks promising! https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=404269032&vid=1&tid=onpl000078&kwid=1&ap=7&ds_agid=17394539939-&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17394539732&gbraid=0AAAAAD_AT8sxWC_WTGtJCour-zjRmPIvL&gclid=CjwKCAjw_-3GBhAYEiwAjh9fUNDJdfXhQ56xhHr5Q-aon4BY-Sp-aZ9tsvefzDoJXSfGVq-KfKBahhoCYjgQAvD_BwE

These are sneaky work pants! They look great, stylish even, but I could totally lounge and nap in them! Cute with some red striped adidas sneakers or loafers. https://www.ae.com/us/en/p/aerie/bottoms/pants/offline-by-aerie-chillup-trouser/1703_1803_890?menu=cat1090003&ip=off&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_content=aerie&utm_campaign=nogender_bottoms_general&utm_term=nonbrand&utm_id=20001158336&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20001158336&gbraid=0AAAAADovoqJLQ1U2DIclEk2KJTazGJ-8v&gclid=CjwKCAjw_-3GBhAYEiwAjh9fUHtMMY-O6rUvE_TtHsq_6fuCrc4fxCqHTWtDM6zb7asjIHWm4npvHBoCnaEQAvD_BwE

Stalk the Boden sale pages for their ponte pants. They are exceedingly comfortable, let you bend and stretch without losing shape and look so polished. I have a pair in black and navy and swap them out with a different top.

Boden also has ample sales around the country.

Lol that all of these pants are basically the same, but also, I agree! That’s my favorite shape of hyper-casual work pants for moving and sitting.

But the best answer here is the Colette pant, from Anthropologie. My friend and I call them the magic pants, because they are SO flattering on even the most opposite body shapes.

truly, truly. Go to a thrift store- try on every pair in your size. I exclusively wear Ann Taylor Loft black slacks to work. I like them so much. And they are always at the thrift. I have just memorized the size I wear in that brand and I go to another thridt store every time I want another- and bam! there is a pair. Its because people buy multiple sizes online and then are too lazy to return- and end up donating them. and the cool 20 somethings that comb through and resell cool clothes- they are not looking for women’s work slacks.

Palmer Wide Leg Pants in brushed corduroy from Loft! 40-60 $ on sale. The fit is sublime. 78% cotton. And as someone who spends a lot of time in libraries for work I highly recommend!! (After reading for 15 years, hilariously this is my first comment! Though I love reading them! 💖)