Remind me, how does that saying go? “Behind every successful woman is a…” Oh, that’s right, behind every successful woman is: a great pair of pants. Workwear has never been easy to master, and it’s even less so now that we’ve collectively taken a two-year hiatus from office attire. If you’re revamping your wardrobe in preparation for the return to ye olde cubicle, you’ve come to the right place.
Pants are...pretty important. In the obvious ways, sure—show up without them and you’ll quickly find yourself in need of a new job. Oops! But beyond that, the right pair of pants can have a major impact on the way you look and feel. Really good pairs can have a transformative effect. There’s no stopping a woman wearing great pants. After all, did any other garment of clothing have a traveling sisterhood devoted to it? Methinks not.
When it comes to work pants, you want comfort, style, and versatility wrapped up in one item that simultaneously adheres to office dress codes. Fret not. Below, find 20 styles that do just that.
Product photos simply don’t do these do-it-all pants justice. Versatility, durability, and an unbelievably flattering fit have made these one of my personal go-tos for dressing up or down. I will rave about them forevermore.
If you’re on Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest, you’ve seen this viral pair of trousers. The vegan leather cut, which famously looks good on almost everyone, has generated a ton of buzz and is available in additional cropped, low-rise, and super high-rise styles, plus a myriad of color options, so you can find the pair that best suits you.
A pant that feels like your favorite sweats while qualifying as office-appropriate is a surefire winner. Bringing elastic waistbands to the boardroom never looked so good.
Dressing for work can start to feel drab after a while. Small details like the bows on this pleated pair of wide-leg trousers help add subtle flair without turning you into the kooky office dresser.
“Leggings aren’t work pants.” Sorry, there’s no room for that kind of negativity here. Say hello to these comfortable yet compressive pants from Spanx that will make you feel more than ready to take on that quarterly meeting.
Close your eyes and conjure the image of a pair of workwear pants, and you’ll probably come up with something pretty darn close to this pair from Good American. Hey, don’t mess with a classic.
Quality tailoring is one of the easiest ways to look put-together without requiring too much effort. The fit of these slim trousers give that made-for-me effect without a bespoke price tag.
BEST PLAID
SweatyRocks Women’s Casual High Waist Skinny Leggings Stretchy Work Pants
BEST PLAID
SweatyRocks Women’s Casual High Waist Skinny Leggings Stretchy Work Pants
Meg is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com where she researches trends, tests products, and looks for answers to all your burning questions. She also co-writes a monthly column, Same Same But Different. Meg has previously written for Cosmopolitan and Town & Country. Her passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and sustainability. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.