13 Best Work Pants for Women That Are Comfortable and Professional

When it comes to work pants for women, it's hard to go wrong with Banana Republic. For years, the brand has been a trusted source of workwear, including trousers. The silhouettes are clean and crisp, the colors are plentiful and the styles come in a range of sizes including petite and tall women.

Reviewers have largely positive things to say about the wool pants, in particular, but do note they are unlined, which makes them slightly itchy for those with more sensitive skin. Overall, though, our experts venture to say the brand's pants offer one of the best values around, expertly marrying quality with a comparatively moderate price point.

Good Housekeeping staffers love these work pants — and not just for their unbeatable price. The pants, which are available in sizes XS to XL, come in four different lengths to suit your height. They're also made in seven colors so you. can mix and match them with a ton of outfits.

But what really sells them is how soft and lightweight the four-way stretch fabric is. They may look like classic straight-leg pants, but they feel more like yoga pants, which is great if you move around a lot at work but still have to look put together. As a nice bonus, they're easy to care for. Simply toss the wrinkle-resistant pair in the washing machine. Our one hangup? Both the front and back pockets are faux.

The Effortless Pant is one of the brand’s best-sellers, and it's easy to see why. The relaxed high-rise pants are easy-breezy, but still maintain tailored features, like front knife pleats and a darted back for shaping. All that means you'll look put together and stay comfy. And while they may be entirely made of polyester, the crepey fabric not only drapes beautifully, but it's also nice and lightweight — perfect for those summer months. They're also machine-washable. On the downside, sizing is limited in this style.

Though we haven't tried this particular pair of pants yet, they're a TikTok favorite, and our experts have tested plenty of Madewell styles in the past and stand behind the brand. Our testers have overwhelmingly positive things to say about Madewell's workwear — pants included — and are loyal to the brand for its stylish designs and durability.

This particular pair comes in petite, standard, plus and tall sizes and nine colors. The neutrals are a no-brainer, but it's hard to resist the modern hues like Woodrose, a gentle pink, and Smokey Grape, a soft purple. Before you reach for this particular pair, know they're definitely on the roomy side — trendy, but not for everyone.

Abercrombie & Fitch is back in a big way. We especially love the brand's Curve Love line, which has an extra 2 inches in the hips and butt to help eliminate any gaping at the waist or tightness in the hips in women with more of a curvy, hourglass figure.

The contemporary style features pleated details, a functional fly and pockets and a partially elasticated waistband for adjustability. We love that the everyday menswear fabric can be dressed up or down, too. Did we mention the pair is machine-washable? Act fast, though — these sell out really quickly.

J.Crew has been another go-to for women's workwear for years, thanks to the brand's modern silhouettes, comfortable fabrics and a wide range of available colors. They come in petite, classic and tall sizes. Our tester, a taller woman, said the pair she ordered fit perfectly. "It literally looked like they were tailored for me," she said. The material is nice and substantial, too — and it's machine-washable.

You know pants are bound to be comfortable when they're manufactured by a yoga brand, and our testers say they live up to the hype. The pants, made from a polyester and spandex blend, are both lightweight and comfortable but look structured enough to truly pass as work pants.

Our tester said she wore them with a cropped jacket and chunky sneakers, but would also wear them with an oversized blazer and heels. "I feel like I'm not wearing anything at all," said our tester. While that might be great for steamy summers in the city, you may want to opt for something with more bulk come winter.

Athleta's version of the modern work pant is easy to wear and highly versatile — dress them up or down without fail. Our tester was immediately drawn to the silhouette. "I loved the look of the pant — the style and structure and how they came right to my ankle."

But what really sold her was the nice stretch of the polyester and spandex blend — key for all-day comfort at the office. On the downside, the elastic waistband gaped slightly. "I would have preferred a button front and elastic black," she said. On the upside, the pants come in a wide range of sizes, including tall and petite, so you can get as close to perfect as can be. They also come in six shades to suit your style.

Our editors and analysts are consistently impressed by Everlane's styles. The brand is steadfast, thanks to its offering of classic, reliable silhouettes, and this pair is no exception. The elongating pants boast an extra-high-rise waist and flattering pleat details, as well as two fully functional side pockets.

The soft, lightweight pants are made from Tencel, which is a more sustainable regenerated cellulose material compared to rayon because it uses a closed-loop process to reduce waste. The end result is a material that feels soft and silky. Unfortunately, sizes are more limited than others, capping out at 16.

They're not the most formal of the bunch, but these Lululemon pants sure are sleek and comfortable. Our tester raved about the fit and style of these pants, noting that they have a baggy mid-rise fit that sat comfortably at her hips and a flattering wide-leg look. The performance fabric feels like a second skin, too.

It's stretchy, lightweight and comfortable albeit a little too thin for harsh winter months. For work, our tester styled the pants with a zippered jacket over a cropped sweater tank and chunky loafers and said she'd wear these anywhere and everywhere.

For those who need something more formal, it's hard to beat Theory. The designer brand's pants are on the pricier side, but our textile experts say they're well worth the investment. One tester who owns these says they're made with a sturdy material that's very flattering. And while they do require the TLC of more expensive garments — like dry cleaning — consider them an investment piece you can rely on every time you need to step up your outfit. They look very professional while still feeling stylish, says our tester.

Our tester loved these pants because they felt like a thicker yoga pant but looked stylish enough for business-casual or more formal office settings. They also transition expertly from day to night with a few simple swaps (top, makeup or jewelry, for example). "I felt like they held me in in the right places, so I was able to walk around confidently," said our tester. They were, however, on the long side, so don't hesitate to go for the petite style if you're shorter.

Our Lab experts and editors alike have come to love Universal Standard for its impressive size range and trendy styles. We have tested a variety of clothes from the brand over the years and stand behind the fit, style and overall quality.

These pants — available in sizes 00-40 — are made from a wrinkle-resistant ponte fabric that glides over the body. They also have a flattering and stylish tailored fit and tapered leg complete with traditional trouser details including a zip fly and button closure. The secret for that perfect fit? An encased elastic at the back waist. These tend to sell out quickly, so snag them while you can!