The best women’s work pants for any office dress code

Best overall: Spanx Supersmooth Stretch Twill Pant

These stretchy twill Spanx work pants have quickly become one of my most-worn pairs. They strike that rare balance between comfortable and flattering. The fabric is buttery smooth with plenty of stretch, and the extra-high waist hits at just the right spot without digging in. They have a sleek, tailored look that can easily go from office-appropriate with loafers to casual with sneakers. I have them in olive green, which feels more laid-back, but the black color would definitely pass for dressier occasions.

The details are thoughtfully designed, though not without quirks. The front zip pockets are secure and functional (a rarity in women’s pants), but the white lining peeks out if you forget to zip them closed. The faux back pockets keep the silhouette smooth, though I wouldn’t have minded the real thing. According to the brand, they run a little small, but I found them perfectly true-to-size. I also appreciate the wide size range with various lengths.

Overall, these are the kind of pants you can wear on repeat to all sorts of occasions and still feel put-together. The flattering cut, smoothing waistband, and soft stretch twill make them worth the investment. I’m already considering a second pair in a different color.

Best budget: Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant

We’re big fans of Quince’s affordable selection of high-quality wardrobe basics. At just $40, these Ponte pants are a solid option if you’re in the office daily and need to stock up on a few pairs.

What makes these some of the best work pants for women is that they feel like a yoga pant, yet they manage to look sophisticated enough for the office — meaning you won’t be dying to change into your sweatpants the second you get home.

The stretch also helps make them tuckable, so you can smoothly tuck in a blouse without added bulge. In fact, check out our picks for the best white button-downs for women if you want to find the perfect tuckable blouse.

The only downsides of these is that their pockets are just for show, and they rayon-nylon-Spandex fabric is not totally wrinkle-resistant. The straight-leg style comes in nine colors — from a classic black to an eye-catching burgundy — and is available in sizes XS-XL. Some colors also have 26, 28, 30, and 32-inch inseam options for different heights. They also come in a 1X-3X, though disappointingly, Quince charges more for the plus size version.

Read our full Quince review to see everything else we’ve tested from the brand.

Best pull-on: Athleta Endless High Rise Pant

If you want the best work pants that also feel like sweatpants, look no further. Athleta’s buttery-soft, semi-fitted bottoms are genius: They’re an ultra-comfy and modern alternative to traditional office wear. They’re also commute friendly with functional and secure zip pockets and a wrinkle-resistant poly-Spandex blend. Four colors are available in sizes 0-26 in regular, tall, and petite inseams.

But what makes this truly one of the most comfortable work pants for women is how versatile they are. Since they’re as comfortable as loungewear, feel free to wear them as an elevated travel pant. Or, throw them on for light physical activity such as an easy bike ride or hike. They’ll just as easily pair with some dress shoes at the office.

Best barrel leg: Everlane Everywhere Pant

Barrel-leg pants are an easy way to tap into one of the biggest trends and still look ready for work. The silhouette feels modern and fashion-forward, but still totally wearable for everyday or a casual office setting. Made from a soft cotton-linen blend, they’re lightweight and breathable (perfect for spring and summer) yet structured enough to look refined. The fabric feels high-quality with a slightly textured finish.

I love how the Everywhere Pants hit right at the ankle, which makes them easy to style with everything from dress sneakers to block heels. They’re definitely on the more relaxed end of work pants, but give them a crisp button-down or fitted top and they look instantly elevated. The high rise and darted shape are flattering, and the fit feels easy without being slouchy.

Best wide-leg: Aritzia The Effortless Pant

These wrinkle-proof crepe trousers may not be super stretchy around the waist, but the drapey fabric and wide-leg silhouette makes them comfortable to sit in for hours.

Initially, I sampled the non-curve silhouette and didn’t find it flattering on my pear-shaped figure. I then tested the curve version, which has an additional 2 inches in the low hip and 1.5 inches in the thigh, and those fit me perfectly. The only downside to the curve version is that there are fewer colors and only one length option available (Aritzia, please make more!). The original version comes in 22 colors and has four length options, with the Regular inseam just hitting the floor on my 5-foot-7 frame.

Best plus-size: Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love Sloane Tailored Wide Leg Pant

“These pants fit beautifully, with a cut that is modern and versatile enough to wear casually as well,” writes freelance writer and fat fashion expert Sarah Chiwaya. “I really appreciate that they are available in a variety of lengths and body fits. I personally prefer the Curve Love fit (which has a more pronounced waist-to-hip ratio), and I’ve heard great things about the classic fit from friends with a less curvy build. At 5’4″ and a half, the short length of the Sloane pants is perfect for wearing with flats, and the regular length is my go-to if I’m wearing heels or a platform.”

Read more in our guide to the best plus-size work clothes.

Best pleated: Lilysilk Front-Pleated Silk-Wool Blend Trousers

“These Lilysilk wide-leg trousers have a beautiful flowy drape, though the high-rise waistband and refined pleats balance them out with some structure. Its wool-silk blend fabric has cool, low saturated brown tone that pairs well with brushed cashmere and some loafers.

I have a 27-inch waist and 38-inch hip, and the size 4 left a little gap around the waistband. I stand 5-foot-9 and these pool around my ankles perfectly, so if you’re petite, these will be best worn with heels.

I wore these to our office, where I spend most of my day seated. They served me well throughout the day with extra wide pockets and plenty of room in the seat. The silk-wool blend is very soft, but wrinkles easily, and the wide legs means a lot of air comes through. I’ll be wearing these with leggings underneath if it’s cold out.” — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, Insider Reviews

Best flare: SPANXsupersmooth PerfectFit Ponte Flare Pant

Another of our favorites from the Spanx Perfect Pant collection is their high-waisted flared pants. They come in tall and petite sizes, so those who have had trouble finding the sweet spot where the flare drapes over your shoes finally have an option. Insider Reviews’ executive editor Sally Kaplan is five-foot-two and was impressed with their fit and function.

“The waist on the wide-leg pair was smoothing but not uncomfortably tight. I loved that they just slipped right on (good for busy mornings) and that the weight of the pants keeps the legs from blowing around too much. They’re also easy to dress up or down — I can wear them for work with a cute blazer or keep it casual with sneakers and a shirt jacket,” says Kaplan.

Best casual: Vuori Elevation Trouser

If you value comfort above all else, these Vuori bottoms are a near-perfect pick. They are about as close as it gets to wearing sweatpants to work — in the best way possible. The fabric feels identical to my favorite Vuori joggers: soft, stretchy, and perfectly cozy. Despite that, they still manage to look put-together thanks to the tailored silhouette and hook-and-eye closure. I was a little skeptical about the heathered color options (I usually associate heathered fabric with loungewear), but the Ecru shade surprised me with how sleek it looked. The texture is barely visible and looks much more polished in person.

That said, these lean more toward casual offices than business formal settings. I wouldn’t reach for them in a setting that requires suits or blazers. They’re especially well-suited for business travel (or any travel, for that matter) since they’re comfortable enough to snooze in but polished enough to head to the office straight from the plane. They are fairly wrinkle-resistant, too. I had them shoved at the bottom of my (clean) laundry hamper for a couple of days, and was able to shake them off and wear them without ironing. The only real downside is that popular sizes and colors tend to sell out fast.

Best corduroy: Tuckernuck Wide Wale Corduroy Hunter Pants

These corduroy pants are everything I want in a pair of fall trousers: warmth, comfort, and effortless style. The soft corduroy fabric feels cozy without being bulky, and the wide-leg silhouette gives them an elevated look that’s perfect for chilly weather. The pants are an easy way to add texture and color (choose from five fall-ready hues) to your cold-weather wardrobe.

I was surprised by how comfortable Tuckernuck pants are despite the lack of stretch; they fit really well and don’t feel restrictive at all. The hook-and-eye front closure does make them lean a little more formal, which means I probably wouldn’t wear them for super casual days, but that same detail makes them ideal for the office or a dinner out. I love styling these with a chunky sweater and ankle boots, though they look great with a crisp button-down shirt tucked in, too. I have a feeling I’ll be living in them all season long.

Best fleece-lined: L.L. Bean Perfect Fit Pants

L.L. Bean’s Perfect Fit Pant collection has trousers for just about every occasion, but the super soft fleece-lined version are our favorites for wearing in winter or drafty office spaces. The three colors come in a wide range of sizes including regular, petite, plus, and tall. Since the thick jersey knit fabric is yarn-dyed, they’ll retain their true color even after going through the washing machine.

Best office leggings: Carbon38 Split Bootcut Legging

I love the high-waisted cut on these pants, which was tummy-smoothing and figure-flattering. It also helps elongate the look of your legs. The light support was comfortable but not compressing, which is better for travel and long hours spent sitting. That’s chiefly why I consider these some of the best leggings for work.

Even though they look elegant enough to wear out, I love that these versatile leggings still have everything you’d want in workout pants. I wore them to a workout class and they didn’t budge through squats and kicks.

Best black work pants: SPANXsupersmooth PerfectFit Ponte Slim Straight Pant

Spanx makes some of our favorite work pants. In fact, we tried their aptly named “Perfect Pant” and loved almost everything about it — making it one of the best black work pants for women to wear with anything and everything. To make things even more “perfect,” Spanx has recently rebranded it the “PerfectFit” collection with a few upgrades. We loved how the first iteration felt smoothing and sculpting.

“The Perfect Black Pant borrows from the trademarks Spanx is renowned for, such as a smoothing, elongating effect. But unlike its shapewear, you won’t feel constricted. The Ponte material has four-way stretch and a pull-on band that’s easy to get on. In other words, it’s a really well-made iteration of the black work pant,” writes executive editor Sally Kaplan in her review of the original collection.

With the newest version, we love that the Ponte material is still comfortable, versatile, machine-washable, and smoothing, but not compressing. Another selling point of the sleek pull-on pant is that it comes in a wide range of sizes, including petite, regular, and tall inseams in XS-3X.

“The PerfectFit Flare pants are what I reach for when I know I’m going have a long work day. I wore mine to the office and later to an after-work press event, which added up to an eleven-hour workday. But I may as well have been wearing yoga pants with how comfortable I felt in them,” writes associate style editor Gabrielle Chase. “They also pass the wrinkle test — I can roll them up in a bundle in my work bag and they still look smooth when I pull them out.”

Learn more in our full Spanx Perfect Black Work Pants review.

Best tall: Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Super Wide Leg Pant

“Another winner from the Quince Ponte collection is this billowy wide-leg pair. These stretchy work pants feel like sweatpants, but have the polished appearance of slacks. They pull on effortlessly with a concealed zipper and clasp at the hip, and the extra high-rise waistband is comfortable enough to sit in all day. These come in 30 and 32 inch inseams. Mine shrank after going through the wash, so I’d size up if you want an oversized fit.

I also found that the lightweight fabric actually isn’t all that wrinkleproof. But they’re still extremely comfortable work pants, so I still recommend them to anyone who’s looking for professional slacks they can lounge in.” — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor

Best lightweight: Everlane The Linen Way-High Drape Pant

For a cooling summer fabric that maintains a professional look, linen is a solid bet. This Everlane pair also has a relaxed fit to keep you extra comfy in the warmer months. These are slightly sheer, so you may want to choose your undergarments carefully, especially for the lighter colors such as canvas and light blue.

They have a high-rise fit and are intentionally slouchy and floor skimming with a 30-inch inseam. Pair them with Everlane’s matching relaxed linen shirt ($88) for a sophisticated coordinated look. P.S. We’ve tried dozens of Everlane styles over the years, and we’re always impressed with the quality.

Best dress pant: Gap High Rise BiStretch Flare Pants

Sometimes the occasion calls for a slightly dressier option. If your office dress code requires dress pants, Gap’s high-rise flair version is a one of the best dress pants for women. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice any comfort. The soft cotton-spandex fabric has stretch to keep you from feeling constrained.

These will look best with a buttoned slim-fit blazer and some pointed-toe heels or flats. They’re available in navy or black in sizes 00-20 in regular, tall, and petite inseams.

Best plus-size Ponte: Universal Standard Stephanie Wide Leg Pants

We love that these plus size wide-leg Ponte pants, in sizes 4XS-4XL, offer fun color options besides the standard black or navy. There’s also a version with a sporty side stripe for an extra statement. They pull on easily, sit comfortably thanks to an elastic waist, are fitted at the hips, and relaxed through the knee.

These are one of the best work pants for women when it comes to size inclusivity. We love that, with Universal Standard, the sample size is an 18, and every single size is engineered from there to ensure the perfect fit for a wider range of body types than many brands. The brand has long been one of our favorite places to shop for work clothes.

Best paperbag: Petal & Pup Kieran Pants

For a bit of a statement look that remains elegant, try adding a paperbag waist pant to your work wardrobe. On a paperbag pant, the focus is all on the waist. This Petal & Pup pair has a tie waist with just a bit of ruffling at the top. We recommend selecting a top that can be tucked in for the full effect — or, if you’re wearing them for a more casual event, they look good paired with crop tops as well.

These come in five punchy and neutral colors — including sage green, tan, emerald green, black and beige — in sizes 0-16.

Best Amazon: Lee Ultra Lux Comfort Trouser Pant

Lee is best known for their classic denim, but their Amazon storefront also includes some of the best work pants for women if you need a pair in a pinch. This pair has over 10,000 five-star ratings, and many reviewers report that they were so pleased with their first pair, they’ve since re-ordered more in multiple colors. They’re available in long and short sizes, and come in five neutral colorways. Their flexible cotton-Spandex blend and stretchy waistband ensures you can sit comfortably in these machine-washable work pants all day. They have a simple straight-leg fit, so you can easily pair them with a statement top or colorful blazer.

Best luxury: Alice + Olivia Dylan High Waisted Wide Leg Pant

Alice + Olivia’s sophisticated wide-leg style has a leg-elongating pintuck down the front and a flattering, thick high waistband. Though the pants are pricier than most of the picks on our list, they also command attention with an over-the-shoe silhouette (that’s thanks to a 35.25-inch inseam, which is extra long compared to standard inseam).

There are side slit pockets and a front zipper with hook closure. The polyester bottoms come in black and white in sizes 0-14. These fit true to size, so pick your usual size. They’re dry clean only.

FAQs on the best work pants for women

How do I choose the right fit?

Know your measurements to a tee before buying work pants. You’re more likely to achieve the perfect fit when you can compare your hip, waist, and inseam length to a brand’s size chart. We recommend Petite Studio if you’re below 5-foot-5, and suggest Abercrombie’s Curve Love trousers if you’re searching for plus-size work clothes.

What inseam length should I wear?

Unless you want a cropped kick flare, the best work pants will drape past your shoes and puddle around the ankles. 28 inches is considered a short inseam, while 32 inches works better for tall people. Remember to factor in the height of your shoes before choosing the inseam.

What are the best materials for women’s work pants?

We all know how sitting for hours at a desk and the occasional bloat can cause discomfort from the waist down. Look for fabrics that strike a balance between stretchy and structured. For example, a Ponte knit blended with Spandex (AKA elastane) will feel durable but still flexible. This way, you can wear them between washes without them losing their shape. Depending on the weather, you may also want to consider wool or silk blends.

How should my work pants fit around my hips and thighs?

If you feel bunching around the crotch when you sit, your work pants might be a size too small. Try sizing up and pairing them with a belt in order to close any waist gaps. See our guide to the best stretchy work pants for more forgiving waistbands.