There are so many black pants out there, it can be hard to separate the run-of-the-mill from the truly special. The best black work pants—including our top picks from Aritzia, J.Crew and Spanx—offer an impeccable fit, luxe fabrics and comfortable designs for long days at the office, travel days, work events and everything in between.
The best black work pants for women come in a variety of stylish silhouettes, they feature flawless … [+] tailoring and they’re comfortable for long hours at work.
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One key rule to follow when shopping: Just because your pants are work appropriate doesn’t mean they have to be frumpy or basic. From wide leg pairs to flares to cropped styles, here are all the best black work pants that we highly recommend.
Editor’s Picks, At A Glance
Cut from a crepe fabric that’s flowy and basically wrinkle-proof, the Aritzia Effortless Pant looks stylish and professional even after a long day at the office. With structured front knife pleats and an elastic back waistband, these are your quintessential business-comfort pair. They come in three lengths so you don’t have to invest in an extra trip to the tailor. In addition to black, this pair comes in four other easy to wear neutrals, so you can have a color for every day of the week.
Several key details will make this pant your next office all-star: The front seaming will make legs look a mile long, it has a high rise that’s both flattering and comfy, and the fabric has stretch with great snapback, so it never loses its shape. These also come in classic, petite and tall lengths.
This pull-on, 4-way stretch style is notorious for its compression fit, comfort and contouring. The kick flare style looks great with ballet or pointy toe flats and just about any top or fitted sweater. Note, however, that these don’t have pockets to maintain the streamlined silhouette. They come in regular, petite and tall length as well as sizes from XS to 3X.
Veronica Beard’s scuba fabric is notoriously luxe and wears well throughout your workday. The lightweight nylon elastane blend is stretchy for comfort, but note that these fit best on taller frames and given their extended length are best worn with a heel.
Me+Em’s pants are sought out for their tailoring and fit, and this style is a top pick for its thoughtful details. It features front seaming to elevate and elongate, pockets are placed slightly to the front for a more flattering effect, and it has discreet detailing at the waistband and side seams to add low key but impactful fashion elements.
These pants are so comfortable, it almost feels like cheating to call them a work pant. They feature a rayon and nylon double knit ponte fabric with four-way stretch and an elastic waistband so you can feel just as cozy during your 9 to 5 as you would on your couch. This pair is cropped but pintuck seaming elongates the leg. We love this style with an understated flat so the pants can take center stage.
The term “work pant” can sometimes imply boring and safe, and while these are certainly work appropriate, we consider them more of a fashion pant. A fluid fabric, high waist and front pleats make these boardroom friendly while still maintaining your chic style reputation. These have a 34-inch inseam so they’re great for taller frames or if you want to wear a heel.
A straight leg cropped pant is incredibly versatile because it can be worn with flats or heels, and this capri is made even more special by its turned-up cuffs. The high waist and pockets are office friendly, too. Note that this pair runs a little big as that’s part of the look, so if you want a closer-to-the-body fit you should try sizing down.
These stylish wide-leg pants can be worn at your natural waist—there are adjustable tabs inside the waistband—or low slung on your hips depending on your vibe. Front pleats, back darts and a flowy drape make these an effortless and stylish fashion item that will be a foundational piece in your work wardrobe.
Cut from cotton twill in the silhouette of the season, this pant is on the casual side, but the fit is forever flattering. Cool design details include a curved leg, slight taper, patch pockets and accent stitching. It comes in both regular and tall inseams, but some say this style runs large so bear that in mind when shopping.
ALC is known for classic pieces reinvented with modern tailoring. This flare style is a fresh take on a staid black pant—the cut is leg lengthening, it has slash pockets adding practicality to its polish and it looks great with a timeless pointy-toe pump.
The slim and straight Theory Treeca pant has long been a cult favorite for the workplace. This iteration comes in a lightweight, stretchy wool that’s breathable, moisture wicking and anti-odor. And if you want it in something other than black, you’ve got seven other sleek neutrals to choose from.
The fit of these Derek Lam pants has made them an office crowd favorite. They’re slimming on everyone, the stretchy cotton twill is structured and substantial, and the sailor button detailing adds visual interest without being over the top.
Reformation’s beloved pant is cut from lightweight Tencel lyocell, which makes it look and feel effortless while still being elevated. The draping lies flat and side pockets make these functional for the office. The Mason pant is also washable so it won’t add to your weekly work clothes dry cleaning bill.
Think of these as a black work pant with all the technical elements of a workout pant. They’re made with a sweat-wicking modal blend fabric that has a pretty drape, they have a comfy, relaxed (read: roomy) fit and they’re machine washable. These also come in two lengths—29 inches and 32 inches—so you won’t need to make an extra trip to the tailor.
Don’t forget about black work pants in leather for certain workplaces. This leather legging—it has elastic panels in the back—looks chic paired with a long blazer or chunky sweater. Wear it with a fashion sneaker, flats or heels.
Banana Republic has a variety of chic office styles at palatable prices. This pant is high waisted, so it may look best paired with a fitted or tucked top. Some say this style runs large, so you may want to size down if you want a less voluminous fit. It comes in regular, tall and petite lengths.
Made from a viscose poly blend with stretch, this easy to wear mid-rise style is for days you want to be comfortable and polished. We like this pair styled with penny loafers or brogues. It’s available in petite, regular and long lengths and in sizes from 0 to 22.
This polyester rayon pant has stretch to move with you, and it’s cut so that it flares ever-so-slightly at the bottom, which visually extends the length of your leg. Pair this 31.5-inch inseam pant with heels, a kitten heel or flats depending on your height. These also come in a curvy fit, and they’re available in classic or petite lengths.
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How To Pick The Best Black Work Pants
Fit And Silhouette
Clearly you want a well-fitting pant, but different fits and silhouettes hit differently on different body types. Cropped styles work well for petite frames or for those who want to wear their pants with flats. If you’re looking for a pant that sits at your natural waist, high waisted, wide-leg styles with pleats can be a great option that visually elongates the leg. Another popular fit for work pants are flare styles because they look elevated, they’re slimming and they fit a lot of body types well.
Length
The length you choose in a pant has a lot to do with the shoes you’ll wear them with. Cropped styles or those that hit at the ankle tend to look best with flats. Pants with longer inseams should be worn with a heel. It’s especially helpful when pants come in multiple lengths—such as Aritzia’s The Effortless Pant Flex and the Spanx Smooth PerfectFit Ponte Kick Flare Pant and —so you don’t have to have them hemmed, which can be a pain as well as an additional expense.
Material
Different fabrics are appropriate for different seasons. In warmer temperatures, pants in cotton, linen, all-season wool and some polyester blends are appropriate. During cooler months, pants in wool, polyester and thick cottons are a better bet.
Fabric also impacts the structure of the pant. Material composed of things like tencel lyocell and some other polyester blends tend to have the most flowiness. Lightweight wools, too, can have a pretty drape. Ponte knits with stretch and thick cottons have a bit more weight and structure.
Care
Always consider the garment’s care when buying black work pants. Some styles are washable, such as Reformation’s Mason Pant and Aritzia’s The Effortless Pant Flex, but you’ll often have to take care to hang them to dry and even do some ironing. Many pants, especially those in wool, are dry clean only, which can impact your weekly dry cleaning bill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Black Pants Business Casual?
Yes. Part of the beauty of black pants is they can be dressed up or down, they work for both fashion-forward and casual workplaces, and they can even be considered formal in some instances. They’re a great foundation for a wide variety of tops, so they simplify getting dressed.
How Should You Style Black Work Pants?
Do I Need To Dry Clean Black Work Pants?
It depends. You should always check the care label first. Wool pants are generally dry clean only. Certain styles, like theReformation Mason Pant, are washable. If you hand or machine wash cotton styles, you’ll typically need to iron them afterward. If a pant has stretch, you have to be careful when ironing because too hot of a temperature can burn the fibers in the fabric and give the pant an unattractive sheen.
