We know it’s more fun to daydream about future vacation outfits you’ll be lounging and partying in. But if you’re looking for some retail therapy that can benefit you the other 50 weeks of the year, we’re here to help elevate your work wardrobe. While work pants can get a bad rap, we’re also determined to dispel rumors that they all must be stuffy, uncomfortable trousers you can’t wait to shed off once you get home. We’ve curated a list of the best work pants for women, from classic, wide-leg trousers to fashionable boot cuts, flares, and relaxed, cropped silhouettes. Who says your workwear can’t be as fun and stylish as your vacation looks?
Find the best work pants in various cuts, prints, colors, sizes, and price points. Of course, we didn’t forget to include some of our top travel-friendly picks from reader-favorite brands such as Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and Free People. You can confidently wear these super versatile styles from the office to dinner without looking too stuffy. There are even select figure-hugging styles you can pair with faux fur coats and pointed-toe boots for the weekend if you’re trying to nail the mob wife aesthetic. So get ready to grab your favorite work bag and shimmy into your new trousers. Take on the busy day ahead like the boss you are.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Free People Something About Elburg Trousers
These wide-leg slacks from Free People have a nonchalant menswear vibe with subtle eye-catching pleat details and an adjustable cinch band at the back.
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Free People Something About Elburg Trousers, $, available at Free People
Frame The Jetset Crop Mini Boot In Espresso Coated
Meet the ultra-stretchy crop boot jeans that have the glossy appearance of a leather pant — but breathable. At first glance, you wouldn’t know the pull-on bottoms are jeans, as they’re created without hardware or pockets for a sleek, office-ready look.
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Frame The Jetset Crop Mini Boot In Espresso Coated, $, available at Frame
Good American Scuba Bootcut Pants
Move aside, this look isn’t here to play. Look chic and exude confidence in a figure-hugging bootcut pant. The trousers are crafted from a double-knit stretch fabric for extra comfort that cinches at the waist.
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Good American Scuba Bootcut Pants, $, available at Good American
J.Crew Sydney Wide-Leg Pant In Bi-Stretch Cotton Blend
Cropped for our petite gals, these polished J.Crew pants hit right at the ankle. The bottoms are designed to withstand hours of sitting or moving around. It’s slim through the hip and thigh and has a wide-leg look.
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J.Crew Sydney Wide-Leg Pant In Bi-Stretch Cotton Blend, $, available at J.Crew
Alo Yoga High-Waist Pursuit Trouser
Lightweight and airy, Alo Yoga’s high-waisted pants are comfy with an elastic back, belt loops, and pleats for a look that says “business in the front, (couch) party in the back.”
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Alo Yoga High-Waist Pursuit Trouser, $, available at Alo Yoga
Anthropologie Maeve The Naomi Wide-Leg Flare Pants
Wide-leg and with a bit of flare, Anthropologie’s Naomi Pants allow you to have the best of both worlds. The trousers boast 4.7 stars with a growing number of happy reviews.
Shop Maeve At Anthropologie
Maeve The Naomi Wide-Leg Flare Pants, $, available at Anthropologie
Frame Cargo Pant In Sand
Bring a bit of casual fun to your work ‘fits with a cargo-styled pant. It starts with a high-rise waist that cascades into a drapey wide-leg silhouette. The two oversized pockets in the front and back bring the utilitarian trend to life. Did we also mention that it’s currently 50% off?
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Frame Cargo Pant In Sand, $, available at Frame
Everlane The Dream Pant
Pintuck detailing and an elastic waistband are perfect for more casual work settings. And we’re loving this Everlane option, which is available in several classic colorways.
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Everlane The Dream Pant, $, available at Everlane
Favorite Daughter The Favorite Pant Pleat Pants
Ultra-high-waisted trousers give legs an elongated look that’ll have you feeling super confident.
Shop Favorite Daughter At Nordstrom
Favorite Daughter The Favorite Pant Pleat Pants, $, available at Nordstrom
Bailey 44 Fabina Wide Leg Pant
Not your typical wide-leg trouser, this style is form-fitting before flaring out at the knee. We also love the pull-on waistband for extra comfort.
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Bailey 44 Fabina Wide Leg Pant, $, available at Bailey 44
Reformation Mason Pant
Find Reformation’s sleek, lightweight woven trousers in several neutral, work-appropriate colorways and polished prints that you can style with any blouse.
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Reformation Mason Pant, $, available at Reformation
Summersalt The Softest French Terry Tie-Waist Pant
With a unique belted tie waist, the French Terry Tie-Waist Pant is a bit more fun and out of the ordinary than standard work bottoms, making them great for dinner and drinks too.
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Summersalt The Softest French Terry Tie-Waist Pant, $, available at Summersalt
Madewell The Harlow Wide-Leg Pant
Madewell’s Harlow pants are a best-seller for multiple reasons. The flattering cut comes in a drapey, comfortable material, and they’re available in many colors in standard, petite, tall, and plus sizes.
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Madewell The Harlow Wide-Leg Pant, $, available at Madewell
Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant
With over 3.4K positive reviews, Quince’s pants are so stretchy and comfy that they feel like yoga pants but look so polished that they’re perfect for work.
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Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant, $, available at Quince
Cotidié Larissa Perfect Length Trousers
Choose between three different inseam lengths with these pants. Then go on and wear the comfortable style to work, a date night, or even on a long-haul flight.
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Cotidie Larissa Perfect Length Trousers, $, available at Cotidie
Uniqlo Wide-Fit Pleated Pants
Affordable, tried-and-true work pants in a range of color options are the business casual Holy Grail. Bonus points that these can be worn throughout the year for a polished office look.
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Uniqlo Wide-Fit Pleated Pants, $, available at Uniqlo
Lululemon City Sleek 5 Pocket Wide-Leg Pant
Lululemon sells more than your just favorite leggings — if you’re looking for a casual yet polished work pant, the brand has that too.
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Lululemon City Sleek 5 Pocket High-Rise Wide-Leg Pant, $, available at Lululemon
Adidas Pull-On Ankle Pants
Sure, these are technically marketed as golf pants, but we’d happily wear this slip on style with front and back pockets to work.
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Adidas Pull-On Ankle Pants, $, available at Adidas
J.Crew Kate Straight-Leg Pant
J.Crew’s best-selling trouser is a tried-and-true work pant. The classic straight-leg cut is flattering on most people, plus, they’re available in petite and tall sizing for the perfect fit.
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J.Crew Kate Straight-Leg Pant, $, available at J.Crew
Vince Camuto Wide Leg Trousers
Yet another clean and simple wide leg pant that’s bound to be flattering and effortlessly fit into your wardrobe.
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Vince Camuto Wide Leg Trousers, $, available at Nordstrom
Maeve The Colette Cropped Wide-Leg Pants
Get to work feeling comfortable and confident in this style thanks to the “magic fabric,” which sculpts as it stretches. Find it in neutral and bright colors in standard, petite, tall, and plus sizing.
Shop Anthropologie
Maeve The Colette Cropped Wide-Leg Pants, $, available at Anthropologie
Banana Republic Sculpted Straight Pant
Structured work pants are the ultimate in confidence dressing. The sleek waistband and front creases in this pair are classic, but the bold olive color is fresh.
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Banana Republic Sculpted Straight Pant, $, available at Banana Republic
Amazon Aware Ponte Knit Slim Pant
Yes, Amazon of course sells work pants for women, and these affordable cropped trousers are thankfully available in sizes XXS through 7X.
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Amazon Aware Ponte Knit Slim Pant, $, available at Amazon
Abercrombie & Fitch Tailored Relaxed Straight Pant
These trousers are going fast, with several colorways selling out because of the style’s classic, tailored cut.
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Abercrombie & Fitch Tailored Relaxed Straight Pant, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Nordstrom High Waist Wide Leg Pants
Leave it to Nordstrom to make slip-on trousers that are a desk-to-dinner essential. It’s business in the front with the pleats and party in the back with the elastic waist.
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Nordstrom High Waist Wide Leg Pants, $, available at Nordstrom
Anthropologie Pleated Poplin Trousers
These versatile cotton Anthropologie pants are available in standard, petite, tall, and plus sizes, so we can all add them to our wardrobes.
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Anthropologie Pleated Poplin Trousers, $, available at Anthropologie
Free People Calla Pleated Trousers
These slouchy pants with exaggerated pleating are not-so-basic and a great business casual option. They’re available in several colorways, but since this style is so popular, many sizes are low in stock. Act fast!
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Free People Calla Pleated Trousers, $, available at Free People
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