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Flexible work arrangements are more common than ever. So, the best work pants for women needs to do a lot more, well, work in order to be a practical and stylish option for home and the office.
The first order of business is that work pants must appear polished. Look for clean lines, a bit of structure, and fabrics that aren't flimsy. Comfort is a top priority as well — and stretchy material or roomy silhouettes help make work pants much more bearable. One pant that exceeds my expectations in both these categories is the Athleta Endless Pant (pictured above in grey), which looks exactly like a great pair of slacks but feel like sweatpants.
Another favorite of ours that's a bit more affordable is the Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Super Wide Leg Pant. With an elastic waistband and wrinkle-resistant fabric, these are the perfect pants for feeling like you're working from home — even when you're in the office.
Ahead, we've collected 21 of the best work pants for women that check all the boxes in a variety of classic and trendy silhouettes. And if you need more than just pants, check out our picks for the best places to shop for women's workwear.
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If you want the best work pants that also feel like sweatpants, look no further. Athleta's buttery-soft semi-fitted polyester-spandex blend 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 fabric. 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 version. Or, throw them on for light physical activity such as an easy bike ride or hike.
Spanx
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.
"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 some of the line's other styles.
In this version, we love that the Ponte material is 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.
Learn more in our full Spanx Perfect Black Work Pants review.
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We're big fans of Quince's affordable selection of high-quality basics, and these stretchy ponte pants are another budget-friendly closet workhorse to wear on repeat. What makes these some of the best work pants for women is that while they feel like a yoga pant, they manage to look sophisticated enough for the office — all 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 rayon-nylon-spandex pant is wrinkle resistant, but the pockets are just for show (which is the only downside we found). The straight-leg style comes in seven colors — from a classic black to an eye-catching burgundy — and is available in sizes XS-XL. Some colors also have 28, 30, and 32-inch inseam options for different heights.
Read our full Quince review to see more pieces from the brand we love.
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If you want a pant that wears like a legging but looks like a dress pant, Lululemon created the best work pants for you. These moisture-wicking bottoms with two zip pockets have lots of stretch, so they're about as comfortable as it gets. Still, with a high waist and subtly flared hem, they're polished enough to don in a business setting. Wear them with a silky button-down shirt tucked in or throw over an oversized blazer in a contrasting hue.
They will feel a bit snug as you pull them up, but don't let that deter you — once they're on, the pants are made to perfectly hug your curves without digging in. There are four neutral hues to choose from in sizes 0-20.
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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.
I'm five-foot-nine, so I was pleased to learn these come in a 32-inch inseam that falls past my ankles. The wrinkle-resistant material is relatively thin, so in the winter I wear leggings underneath to stay warm. I highly recommend them to anyone who's looking for a solid pair of black work pants they can lounge in.
Amazon
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.
Gap
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.
Boden.
Where workwear is concerned, a ponte pant is always a solid pick because the thicker weight fabric with a subtle sheen looks sharp but remains comfortable. This wideleg version from Boden is designed with a bit of extra length so it wears well in heels (and it comes in three inseam options in sizes 0P-20/22). It sits at the natural waist and has faux back pockets and true side pockets.
These can be worn with a t-shirt and sneakers for a more casual occasion. Or, for a fun twist on a classic workwear look, try wearing a knit sweater vest (with nothing underneath) as a top.
Banana Republic
Whether these pinstripe bootcut pants are worn with the matching blazer or a classic white button down shirt, it's a look that means business. Still, you can sit in them all day without hassle thanks to polyester-spandex fabric, which offers a bit of stretch and makes these a comfortable wear.
Additional features include hook-and-bar front closure with zip fly, belt loops, front and back pockets, flattering waist darts and a trouser crease. They come in sizes 0-20 in regular, tall, and petite inseams. Styling suggestion: Pair them with heels or a loafer mule.
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This taper pant is part of Everlane's workwear capsule collection, which we love for its comfort and mix-and-matchability. See our full review of Everlane's workwear to see our favorite pieces, including these great pants.
There are three solid hues and two patterned styles to choose from. We found the high-waist pants (available in sizes 00-16) to be flattering on a variety of body types, but it's worth noting that if you're on the petite side, they might fit more like full-length pants.
While the pants look great with the matching blazer, we loved that they looked equally good with a sweater or basic t-shirt, which will help make the overall look a bit more casual if that's what you're going for. And if you love the matching pants and blazer look, check out our picks for the best suits for women.
Meshki
A white pant can feel intimidating (what about stains, am I right?), but if you're willing to go for it, the resulting ensemble is timelessly chic that's equally sophisticated and stylish. (Plus, you can toss these in the wash if you do get them a little dirty.)
Furthermore, these ultra high-waisted pants (in white or black, sizes XXS-XXL) have some flare at the bottom for added appeal and a button and zip closure. The lightweight jersey fabric will keep you cool, even in the summer. The Zendaya pants look great worn over a bodysuit or with a matching blazer.
Universal Standard
Who says work pants can't have a bit of added flair? We love that these wide-leg 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.
