My favorite comfortable pants suitable for the office
When my employer made the announcement that our D.C. offices were reopening after being closed for nearly two years, I experienced mixed emotions. My excitement of seeing my coworkers, friends, and using two screens quickly faded taken over by the harsh real fear of whether any of my workwear still (ahem) fit. And even if they did fit, I had grown accustomed to comfortable work-from-home styles and athleisure. When was the last time I actually wore pants that zipped or high heels? Queue the “hard pants” memes.
That got me thinking… what on earth am I going to wear? Even though I only venture into the office once or twice a week, I have definitey adjusted my style to be a bit more forgiving as I ease back into office life. I have seen a shift in offerings from classic, main-stay retailers like Ann Taylor, JCrew and Everlane with more luxury retailers following suit. Similar to the shift we have seen in footwear that I explore in my recent shearling post, slides, loafers and flat boots are all the most popular styles.
In this post, I share some pants that are appropriate for the office but actually feel good to wear. Comfort was the first factor in making this list, followed by wearability. These are all timeless, work-friendly pants that honestly flatter any body type or age.
Comfort doesn’t have to look messy
I find that there are two main factors when finding comfortable pants for the office: 1) elastic waistbands and 2) relaxed yet tailored silhouette. Case-in-point, these Ann Taylor Easy Wide Leg Crop Pants. I actually own these and they are divine. I own several Ann Taylor pants and although they have many go-to styles, I wasn’t exactly ready for some of the more restrictive suit-like cuts. This pair feels like butter.
My favorite part about the Easy Wide Leg Crop is that despite being a pull-on style, they do not have a visable ruched waistband. Instead, the waistband is flush, giving the illusion that the pants have a side or back zip which seems more professional or upscale. The cut is relaxed without feeling baggy or overwhelming. What’s even better is the style comes in multiple lengths–I have a petite.
I personally find that this cropped style looks best with loafers or a chic ballet flat. I would also pair these with a killer heel but after twisting my ankle a couple weeks ago I’m sticking to my favorite flat styles.
My favorite office-friendly pants
Below are a few of my favorites that are super comfortable to help us all transition back to the workplace without sacrificing style. In fact, I think I’ll be wearing these pants for seasons to come.
Pants for the Office
Have you changed your style to be more comfortable after working from home? What styles of pants do you like the most and why? Share your favorites in the comments below and don’t forget to tag me on socials!