The Anti-Work-Pants Trend That Still Looks Office-Appropriate

Donni is the cult favorite of soft pants for moms on the go and other busy but polished folk. These butter-yellow linens are exactly what the people come to the line for. With a very thin elastic waist, these pull-ons are the perfect mix of slouchy and sturdy, working for the beach with an oversized button-down or a loose (but high-quality) cashmere knit in a neutral, making these pants work in the fall and spring too.

This super wide-leg palazzo pant in a breathable linen blend features functional cargo pockets and brings as much style as it does comfort to the table. From the size-inclusive line Universal Standard, these range from 00-40 and feature a wide elastic waistband for a comfortable fit. These will look great with a heeled sandal or a point-toe flat, now, and over a calf-height boot in the cooler months.

The OG of pleated pull-on pants in IYKYK fashion circles is indisputably Issey Miyake. The famed Japanese designer’s innovative treatment of fabrics bloomed a whole line dedicated to pleats called Pleats Please. The understated chic of these pants works well in a coordinating set with a matching top or with a simple tee or sweater for contrasting texture.

Poplin drawstring pants are now ubiquitous with relaxed trouser dressing, especially in warm weather. The crispness of the poplin is breezy but looks very pulled together. This cheery pop of red pair from the Gap works as a neutral to be paired with just about any color, but a simple black tank or oversized white button-down is a very effective partners for a clean, minimalist vibe.

Chelsea Mak designs silhouettes for women who aren’t afraid of volume and details in everyday wear. These balloon jogger trousers in cotton are just as easy to throw on as jeans but elevate even just an easy fitted tee to completely new heights.

Leset is known for easy-to-wear, travel-friendly separates, and its drawstring wool carpenter pants are an excellent addition to a cool-weather wardrobe. The lightweight wool with carpenter stitching detail in a carrot shape is effortlessly cool with a cozy sweater or a solid flannel “shacket”.

Ponte is a great material that maintains its shape, is super comfortable, and looks very put-together. Often used in more fitted pant shapes like a capri or a tighter kick flare, Aligne’s loose barrel-leg pair looks polished enough for work but is as comfy as leggings. The oxblood hue is a refreshing alternative to black or navy and would look great paired with either of those colors as well.

A striped pant is always a fun graphic element to include in your wardrobe rotation, and these cotton ones are easy to wear and easy to wash—no dry cleaning necessary. This pair would look particularly great with a blazer and a high-quality T-shirt underneath, or with an oversized neutral-colored turtleneck sweater, paired with loafers.

Cool-girl favorite Frankie Shop is constantly reinventing baggy tailoring, and these wool pants with a double waistband and parachute pant drawstring hems are exactly the unique take an unconventional work pant needs. Wear them with the matching jacket and a ballet flat for work and sturdy flip-flops and an oversized sweater on the weekend.

Uniqlo’s take on the poplin pant trend is completely on brand for them: design-forward with a voluminous shape, a quality crisp cotton material, and very practical with a hidden drawstring inside the elastic waist to ensure a perfect fit. All three things that Uniqlo does best and, of course, at a price that doesn't feel like a huge commitment if you’re just trying on a new silhouette.

A pair of dressy, silky trousers is as easy as throwing on a slip dress, but more comfortable and covered, making the case for a strong cocktail-attire alternative. This pair from Reformation has lace trim at the end of its cropped hem, which ups the ante and strongly distracts from the fact that these have a very subtle elastic waistband.

While this wool pair from COS does have a proper waistband, the oversized cut and generous pleats make the pants far from restrictive. Wear this pair with sneakers and a crewneck sweatshirt for running weekend errands, then pop on heeled sandals and a fitted tank for later that night.

Ok, ok, I know we said no track pants earlier, but I'm making an exception for this pair from Tradlands. Being a stiff Tencel-and-cotton blend that just so happens to have racing stripes on the side, they're a bit more polished than their nylon counterpart. If your office is casual, you can definitely get away with wearing them with a crisp, oversized button-down or a high-quality, thick-knit sweater, and make sure the shoe is a polished loafer or a mid-heeled pointed-toe to keep the whole thing elevated.

Eileen Fisher is the authority on easy, soft pants made from beautiful, sustainable fabrics. These organic cotton twill wide-leg pull-ons mimic the look of dark denim without the stiffness of hard pants. Pair them with the matching top for a breezier take on a Canadian Tuxedo or with an oversized navy sweater in chillier weather for another chic monochromatic vibe.

Banish sweatpants forever and replace them with this incredibly stylish, yet shockingly comfortable alternative from Sold Out NYC. The thick-knit cotton with subtle pleating and a bold-contrast waistband is incredibly stylish, and, as their name suggests, you’ll want to wear them everywhere.

J Crew’s cropped drawstring cords are the easy, cool-girl pants that will serve you well from late summer well into the spring. The retro ’70s vibe of corduroy meets a beachy silhouette that looks cool with vintage-inspired tennis sneakers and a Chelsea boot when the season changes.

For something that’s a little more bohemian and less suit-like, try out Free People’s pull-on cargo pants. In a utility-weight cotton and a swishy, baggy carrot shape, they look just as cool in the city with an oversized blazer and sleek flats as they do in the great outdoors with flannel and sneakers.

A sturdy hemp twill from Jungmaven gives this slouchy, wide-leg style with a cozy elastic waist and hidden drawstring a little more substance than a softer beachy pant, so you can wear it a little less causally and for several seasons. They offer these in several earth-toned shades that work for pretty much every season.

Lululemon is known for its workout pants but has gained some clout recently for its workwear pants as well. Engineered with the same athleisure tech, these trousers have a faux fly and inner drawstring so they look the part without feeling uncomfortable. This pair also has subtle weaving that mimics a wool trouser but in an easy-to-wash nylon blend. A good in-between for moms (or anyone, really) who want to pull themselves together without multiple trips to the dry cleaners.

Alex Mill, purveyor of super-smart and well-designed basics, offers the "not-a-sweatpant" sweatpant in their Coco Sport Pant. The substantial weight of the cotton, slant pocket, and tiny vent at the hem make it a polished pant for morning drop-off, weekend errands, or even a casual lunch, especially when worn with the coordinating cardigan.

Washable silk? Say less. Quince's easy, drawstring silk pants are incredibly chic but can also double as jammies (and look that way) if the styling isn't right. You can lean into that vibe, but keep it elevated with a coordinating silk blouse, untucked, heeled sandals, and some bold jewelry. It will also look chic with an oversized sweater in a thick knit or a slouchy blazer in a high-quality fabric.