/26 Office-Ready Pants That’ll Spice Up Your Work Wardrobe

26 Office-Ready Pants That’ll Spice Up Your Work Wardrobe

Last week on Instagram, our pal John Mayer unveiled his new philosophy for dressing well: always start with your pants. That’s especially wise advice when it comes to getting dressed for the office. It’s pretty tough to get a fit off, after all, when you’re half-heartedly pulling on the same fusty charcoal flannels and plain jane khakis five days a week. If you’re looking to level up your workplace drip, you’re gonna need to diversify the portfolio: we’re talking wide-wale cords, big-mood tartans, and far-out colors—the kind of trousers that’ll make your bosses stop and think, “By George, now there’s a young man with direction.” Here are 26 style-raising, promotion-worthy pairs for every dress code and budget.


Tried-and-True Patterns

Before you go buck wild on hypnotic paisleys and blinding neons, maybe give these classics a whirl first.

Topman windowpane skinny pants

Plaid for minimalists.

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Sandro straight-cut pinstripe trouser (was $370, 60% off)

Dress these down with a thick knit sweater or beat-to-hell denim jacket, and they’ll read more art school professor than finance bro.

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Sid Mashburn straight leg trouser

Yes, camo qualifies as a bonafide classic these days. Rock an oxford shirt and tweedy blazer up top, and you’ll still look every inch the consummate professional.

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Wacko Maria Type 2 skate pants

Your grandpa’s go-to trousers are way swaggier than you’ve ever given him credit for.

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Polo Ralph Lauren herringbone wool suit trousers

Herringbone pants this hefty and immaculately tailored are as rare as they are versatile—which is to say, extremely.

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Five-Tool Cords

Elegant like velvet but tough like denim, corduroy is as adaptable and reliable as it gets.

Todd Snyder 5-pocket stretch Italian cord

Cut like your fave jeans, only smarter, warmer, and less expected in every way.

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Suitsupply “Ames” trousers

Rakish Italian playboy vibes—Vespa and hand-rolled cigarettes not included.

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Rowing Blazers corduroy trousers

Royal blue corde du roi, doubly fit for a king.

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Bigger, Better Chinos

Chinos are the latest menswear staple to get the dad-style treatment: after a decade of slim-fits leading the way, roomier pleated silhouettes are back to stay.

Uniqlo U wide-fit pleated tapered chino

Clocking in at just $40, Christophe Lemaire’s crisp khakis are the safest way to wade back into pleated waters.

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Entireworld Type B trousers

Until you can afford a vintage Jaguar E-Type, British racing green pants will have to do.

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Acne Studios “Pierre” cropped trouser

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Stripes of a Different Stripe

Brash, beefy stripes deliver a ‘60s mod vibe that’d make Paul Weller proud.

Asos Design tapered pants

Tuck a dark turtleneck or buttoned-up polo into these for an easy, office-ready big fit.

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Stussy “Bryan” pant

Pinstripes on steroids.

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Martin Grant striped twill slim trousers

Locked down with a navy blazer, these joints will bring a touch of in-his-prime Mick Jagger swagger to your otherwise sad-sack cubicle.

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Undercover Sweats

Comfy weekend pants you don’t have to give up come Monday.

Club Monaco elastic pintuck pant (was $170, 38% off)

Looks like the gray flannel trousers you wear to every big meeting, feels like the heather gray sweatpants you rub Cheeto dust on while watching the playoffs.

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Suitsupply “Ames” pleat trousers

An elasticized waist and drawstring closure can help make even chalkstriped charcoal wool—the banker-iest fabric of them all—feel downright laidback and casual.

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Barena Venezia “Arenga” trousers

Come summertime, you’ll be mighty grateful to have this airy flax linen in your arsenal.

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Tripped-Out Tartans

Because plaid dress shirts are so 2010.

Zara colorful plaid pants

Your boss is always bugging you to be bolder at work. This isn’t what they meant, exactly, but it’s a start.

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Reiss “Jig” check trousers

Gun check was originally worn by
hunting parties; you’ll just look fly in it while chasing paper.

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Burberry tartan check wool trousers

After more than 160 years in the game, Burberry’s got this whole tartan thing down to a science.

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(Actual) Work Pants

The tough-as-nails trouser of the moment is the new king of Casual Fridays.

Dickies cutoff 874 work pant

Pre-chopped to the
perfect ankle length, because cutting a straight line through fabric is way harder than it looks.

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Saturdays NYC Decatur Bellow pant (was $185, 50% off)

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Deveaux twill cuffed work pant

Mo’ pockets, mo’ drip.

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Corner Office Swerves

If you’ve scaled the corporate mountain and can pretty much show up in whatever the hell you want, here are three big swings worth taking.

Noah disordered trouser

Why choose one tweed when you can wear ‘em all?

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Paul Smith lilac wool trousers

Easter goes electric.

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Dries Van Noten “Piene” trouser

Everything about these screams pure, unadulterated wealth.

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