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The 20 Best Pairs of Pants for an Effortlessly Stylish Return to the Office

How to instantly look put-together.

Headshot of Meg DonohueBy Meg Donohue
a variety of work pants
Courtesy

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.

BEST UTILITY PANTS

Dickies UO Exclusive High-Waisted Ankle Pant

UO Exclusive High-Waisted Ankle Pant
BEST UTILITY PANTS

Dickies UO Exclusive High-Waisted Ankle Pant

$59 at Urban Outfitters

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.

BEST VEGAN LEATHER

Wilfred The Melina Pant

The Melina Pant
BEST VEGAN LEATHER

Wilfred The Melina Pant

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.

BEST FOR COMFORT

Everlane The Easy Pant

The Easy Pant
BEST FOR COMFORT

Everlane The Easy Pant

Now 32% Off

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.

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BEST HIGH-RISE

Reformation Montauk Pant

Montauk Pant
BEST HIGH-RISE

Reformation Montauk Pant

These polished slacks will make you look like the HBIC, even if you’re the one making group coffee runs.

BEST PRINT

Express Super High Waisted Printed Wide Leg Pant

Super High Waisted Printed Wide Leg Pant
BEST PRINT

Express Super High Waisted Printed Wide Leg Pant

Now 13% Off

A sweet toile print looks good on any garment. Consider these an office-ready purchase that you’ll be equally excited to sport to Sunday brunch.

BEST WIDE-LEG

Tronjori High Waist Casual Wide Leg Long Palazzo Pants Trousers

High Waist Casual Wide Leg Long Palazzo Pants Trousers
BEST WIDE-LEG

Tronjori High Waist Casual Wide Leg Long Palazzo Pants Trousers

I’ll take my pant legs wide and my wage gap narrow, thank you very much.

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BEST MATERNITY PANTS

MissGuided Black Tailored Over Bump Maternity Cigarette Pants

Black Tailored Over Bump Maternity Cigarette Pants
BEST MATERNITY PANTS

MissGuided Black Tailored Over Bump Maternity Cigarette Pants

Now 40% Off

Three cheers for all the working mamas out there. May your pants be comfortable, and your maternity leave lengthy.

BEST DETAILING

Shinestar Adjustable Ankle Tie Trousers

Adjustable Ankle Tie Trousers
BEST DETAILING

Shinestar Adjustable Ankle Tie Trousers

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.

BEST RELAXED FIT

J.Crew Slouchy Boyfriend Chino Pant

Slouchy Boyfriend Chino Pant
BEST RELAXED FIT

J.Crew Slouchy Boyfriend Chino Pant

You’re a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need a man. You do, however, need these menswear-inspired boyfriend pants.

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BEST BOLD COLOR

Alice + Olivia Dylan High-Waisted Wide-Leg Pants

Dylan High-Waisted Wide-Leg Pants
BEST BOLD COLOR

Alice + Olivia Dylan High-Waisted Wide-Leg Pants

A pair of statement pants is the perfect way to inject a dose of personality into your workday attire.

BEST STRETCH

Spanx The Perfect Black Pant Back Seam Skinny Pants

The Perfect Black Pant Back Seam Skinny Pants
BEST STRETCH

Spanx The Perfect Black Pant Back Seam Skinny Pants

“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.

BEST ON-TREND PANTS

Zara Full Length Asymmetrical Waist Pants

Full Length Asymmetrical Waist Pants
BEST ON-TREND PANTS

Zara Full Length Asymmetrical Waist Pants

Step into these trendy bottoms and claim your rightful place as the office fashionista.

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BEST BELTED PANTS

Zara Pants with Fabric-Covered Belt

Pants with Fabric-Covered Belt
BEST BELTED PANTS

Zara Pants with Fabric-Covered Belt

Pair these with a matching blazer and heels for a power suit moment, or opt for a tucked in graphic tee and chunky sneakers for a more laidback look.

BEST BUDGET BUY

Grace Karin Vintage Solid Casual Pants Outdoor Slim Fit Pencil Trousers High Waist

Vintage Solid Casual Pants Outdoor Slim Fit Pencil Trousers High Waist
BEST BUDGET BUY

Grace Karin Vintage Solid Casual Pants Outdoor Slim Fit Pencil Trousers High Waist

Come for the affordability, stay for the ultra-flattering paper bag waist.

BEST STANDARD CUT

Good American The Boss Trousers 2.0

The Boss Trousers 2.0
BEST STANDARD CUT

Good American The Boss Trousers 2.0

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.

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BEST SLIM FIT

Stradivarius Slim Tailored Pants

Slim Tailored Pants
BEST SLIM FIT

Stradivarius Slim Tailored Pants

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

Women’s Casual High Waist Skinny Leggings Stretchy Work Pants
BEST PLAID

SweatyRocks Women’s Casual High Waist Skinny Leggings Stretchy Work Pants

Give yourself a break from the monochromatic monotony with a fun print (even if that print is still neutral-toned).

BEST CORDS

Princess Polly Uptown Cord Pant Beige

Uptown Cord Pant Beige
BEST CORDS

Princess Polly Uptown Cord Pant Beige

Soft corduroy contrasted by a moto pant buckle makes for the coolest combination.

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BEST CROP

M.M.LaFleur Anderson Wide Leg Ankle Pants

Anderson Wide Leg Ankle Pants
BEST CROP

M.M.LaFleur Anderson Wide Leg Ankle Pants

Go on, show a little ankle in this powder blue pleated option.

BEST FLARE

Vero Moda Curve Flared Pants

Curve Flared Pants
BEST FLARE

Vero Moda Curve Flared Pants

Two trends I can’t get enough of: checkered print and flared pants. Unsurprisingly, these two are better together.

Headshot of Meg Donohue
Meg Donohue
Associate Fashion Commerce Editor

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.

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