Work means different things for different people, particularly at the moment, but if you are someone who is still required to dress up and look smart when they go to the workplace, then you are going to want a trusty selection of work trousers. As they're an item of clothing that you end up spending a huge amount of time in, they must strike a careful balance between being comfortable enough but also smart enough.
To find the sweet spot where these two meet, we've looked at options that have everything you might need, whether that's a specific colour like grey or navy, or perhaps pockets, a high waist, or a stretchy fit are a must. We've scoured Amazon, ASOS and more to find the best choices so you can concentrate on killing it at work.
Quick List - Top Women's Work Trousers
ASOS DESIGN
Chic Simplicity Comes With These High-Waisted Trousers
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With women's workwear, there is an exciting amount of flexibility, seen from the huge choice of shapes and fits. However, lots of smarter trousers come in a slimmer fit as this avoids any fears of looking sloppy. They are also easy to dress up or down depending on the formality required. If you are seeking a tighter fit, look out for 'cigarette' and 'skinny' styles.
At the other end of the style spectrum, you'll find trousers with a looser fit. Less clingy and more spacious, these are a good choice if you want more room to move. Wider styles are sometimes simply called 'wide leg trousers', but descriptions like 'tapered' and 'paperbag' also suggest a looser fit. There is some variation, though, and people like different styles to fit differently.
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You probably spend a lot of time in your work clothes, so it's important that they look and feel great. There are many different materials for work trousers, and choosing the right one for you will depend on what you want from your office wear.
If you're keen on comfort and want a life relief from the stuffy office air, a breathable fabric can be a great option. Cotton and Viscose fabrics are wonderful at providing that extra level of breathability while still looking the part!
If the look is what's most important to you, we recommend shopping for trousers that are made from Polyester. This material is great for avoiding unsightly creases, as it's naturally wrinkle-resistant, so you don't have to stress about rushing through the ironing before your morning commute.
Whilst it is widely accepted that trousers are defined as an item of clothing that covers both legs, that doesn't mean that there can't be some variation as to how far down your leg these trousers come. Cropped and full-length trousers can both be equally stylish in their own unique way.
Full-length trousers are a safe option that you know are always going to do the job. During the winter months, they will keep you and your ankles warmer, but looser fits combined with a longer length can also be a winner when it gets a bit hotter.
Cropped designs are extremely popular right now, and with good reason, as they can add an exciting edge to any outfit. Plus, shorter trousers come in very handy over the warm summer months. However, trousers can be cropped to different lengths. If they are only slightly cropped, usually the preferred length for work, it is called an 'ankle grazer'. If it is any higher than that, it is normally just referred to as cropped.
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Spending all day in smart trousers can be tough, particularly if they don't have much give. Without any stretch, it is less likely that your trousers will fit or adapt to the various positions that you might assume throughout a long day.
For these reasons, stretchiness is a big plus. To detect how stretchy a pair of trousers might be, it is best to look at the percentage of elastane they contain. Any amount of elastane means stretchy trousers, none at all means the trousers will stay in a fixed shape.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Miss Selfridge Scuba Paperbag Trouser | ![]() | A Pair of Work Trousers That Will Suit Everyone | |
2 | ASOS DESIGN Tailored Smart Cigarette Trouser | ![]() | Liven Up Your Work Wardrobe With Patterned Checks | |
3 | ASOS DESIGN Tailored Smart Mix & Match Cigarette Suit Trousers | ![]() | Chic Simplicity Comes With These High-Waisted Trousers | |
4 | Tu Black Bootcut Trousers With Stretch | ![]() | An Affordable Option That's Perfect for a Formal Workplace | |
5 | Whistles Super Stretch Trousers | ![]() | Super-Versatile Tight-Fitting Khaki Trousers | |
6 | Chums Ladies Women's Comfort Plus Trouser | ![]() | A Stylish Trouser That's Mega Comfortable | |
7 | River Island Tailored Pleated Tapered Trouser | ![]() | Breathable and Laid-Back Yet Smart | |
8 | ASOS DESIGN Exagerated Mom Trouser | ![]() | A Flattering Waist Combined With a Comfy, Looser Fit | |
9 | Phase Eight Cadie Wide Leg Suit Trousers | ![]() | Subtle and Summery Wide-Legged Trousers | |
10 | Monki Recycled Polyester Co-ord Tapered Trousers | ![]() | A Pinstripe Design With a Classic Cut |
This trouser style is flattering on all body shapes. Black is a universally popular colour when it comes to work trousers, and the ankle-grazer length is fun without making them any less sophisticated.
They have a comfortable elasticated waist with a belt to help cinch and secure the waistline. This belt can be tied how you please and only helps in tailoring the trousers to you, both in size and in style. In short, these are work trousers that work for everyone.
Block colours are a convenient choice for work, but that doesn't mean you can't add a pattern to your trousers to make things more interesting. This is exactly what this choice does. They use a black as the main colouring and add a white checkered pattern, making them smart and stylish with a hint of individuality.
Although they don't look like it, they do in fact have a slight stretch, with the viscose and elastane blend providing the ultimate middle ground between tailored finish and comfortable feel.
These trousers are what most people would imagine when they think of work trousers. They are black, and therefore go with all sorts of other colours and patterns. They are slim-fitting, but not too tight.
In addition to this, they have the extras you might require like pockets, and the cigarette cut is incredibly flattering. Starting at a size 4 allows those with a petite frame to find the perfect fit, but these trousers don't exclude those who require a larger size as they go up to an 12.
If you work somewhere with a strict dress code that requires you to wear simple, black, full-length trousers, then these are a brilliant choice. They are very stretchy so will be comfortable throughout a long work day.
Whilst they aren't the most fashionable item of clothing, their no-frills design makes them great for work. There is even a choice of lengths if you are shorter or taller than average. And, to add to this, they are extremely affordable.
Trousers this simple are great when it comes to pairing them with other items. Whether you go for khaki, navy or even the stone-coloured option, they can look great in winter and summer with their ankle-grazer length and suit a formal and casual look.
Plenty of sizes and two other colours are on offer, and the high level of stretch to the material means that whilst these trousers do undoubtedly have a very figure-hugging fit, this doesn't make them any less comfortable.
If you want want to keep things simple in the morning before work, then these elasticated trousers are going to be your friend. They are easy to slip on and will be mega comfortable once you do. They go up to a size 22, meaning many different shapes and sizes can enjoy the comfort that these trousers provide.
The only concern with this style of trousers is that the high level of elasticity might affect how smart they look. While they do come in several smart colours including this chocolate brown, it can be hard for trousers like this to avoid looking like jogging bottoms.
These trousers are the kind that you can just as easily wear out and about as you can while in the office. They have a relaxed look with the loose fit and cropped bottom, but not to the detriment of the smartness of the trousers.
They are loose and will be nice and breathable for the warmer months, but they don't have any stretch, so make sure you get the right size. They also don't come in particularly big sizes, either, as they finish at a 14.
Although these are, in certain ways, quite similar to other wide-leg options, these smart trousers have the upper hand thanks to their breathability. With 100% polyester material, these trousers are not only loose-fitting but every part will shape to you, as will the flattering slightly higher waist.
The sizing of these trousers ranges from 4 to 14, so it's a relatively wide range and it's sure to flatter all body shapes. Also, the grey colour, whilst subtle, might be less popular than a dark shade.
The pink hue of these trousers and their floaty design make them much more delicate than most items of sombre workwear. They also have pockets for all those extra things you find yourself carrying around with you, whilst still avoiding looking bulky.
Without any elastane, these trousers don't have any stretch, and because they only come in a small range of sizes, they won't work for all. Though beautiful, they are also one of the more expensive options on this list.
Pinstripes have long been a staple pattern in office wear. They add pattern and style to a garment, but still look smart, subtle and flattering. These trousers are also slightly stretchy, which will mean they fit nicely despite their close tailored waist.
They come in a range of sizes from 4 to 24 and they re made from recycled materials so they're great for the office eco-warriors out there! However, although it's a classic suit trouser fit, the style is more masculine, so may not be an instant favourite for some women!
Written and researched by Emma Cramp
No. 1: Miss Selfridge|Scuba Paperbag Trouser
No. 2: ASOS DESIGN|Tailored Smart Cigarette Trouser
No. 3: ASOS DESIGN|Tailored Smart Mix & Match Cigarette Suit Trousers
No. 4: Tu |Black Bootcut Trousers With Stretch
No. 5: Whistles|Super Stretch Trousers
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