My friend, why is it so hard to find decent work pants?
I did the math recently and realized it’s been 15 or so years since I’ve had to buy a pair of work pants, and you know what? Right now it’s very challenging!
I don’t feel like it’s too much to ask for pants that are comfy, not-too-tight, professional looking and have fabric that feels good against one’s skin.
Oh, and as a petite person, I also have the additional challenge of finding pants that aren’t too long. Side note, I know from experience that if I need to get pants hemmed, I will never, ever take them to the tailor, and they’ll stay that length for years and will never get worn. Sigh.
How about pockets? Normally, they’d be a prerequisite for me, too, but I’m at the point where I’m willing to let it go because it’s been that hard finding a pair of pants that I don’t hate! LOL.
(By the way, I start my new job next week.)
Anywho, a while back I ordered a bunch of seemingly cute petite pants from a few different places (GAP, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and some random brands from Nordstrom), but I returned them all because they were either too short or too long, had itchy fabric and/or had funky pockets.
I ended up ordering a few pairs of trousers and dark jeans online from Madewell and am going to keep my fingers crossed in the hopes that they fit okay.
I bought a pair of jeans from them about 6 months ago, and they’ve been the only pair of pants I’ve tried in the last few years that fit me perefectly.
I purchased the Madewell pants below in petite sizing, but FYI, most of their cuts are also available in standard, plus and tall sizes, too, in case you’re interested.
- The Petite Harlow Wide Leg Pant – I like how these trousers look like I’ll be able to easily dress them up or down. They’re machine wash and dry (yay), and there’s a lot of colors to choose from. I opted for a dark navy and a dark grey plaid.
- The Petite Perfect Wide Leg Jean in Caronia Wash – Last time I worked in an office, dark jeans passed as work pants, just as long as you had a professional looking sweater, shirt or jacket on top. I like the color of these jeans, the loose fit and the wide leg.
- The Petite Perfect Vintage Jean – Another dark jean! I bought this mostly because a lot of comments mentioned how soft and comfortable they are.
I’m hoping something in this crop of work pants will fit decently and won’t look too weird on me. They should be coming in the mail soon, so fingers crossed that they work out. If they don’t I’m showing up on my first day in black stretchy pants and a blazer.
If you have any work pants suggestions, please help this currently pantless cat lady out!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Loft has petite sizes and their regular lengths always run a little short. And they have sales ALL THE TIME. I also recently bought some great travel pants from Quince, but they would be great for the office — ponte straight leg pant. I don’t think the Quince ones have pockets.
This is awful of me, but have you tried Amazon? I have gotten some awesome pants from them. https://www.amazon.com/LEE-Womens-Wrinkle-Relaxed-Straight/dp/B07R9G64R1/ref=sr_1_8?crid=1ZSQHJEZU6AE0&keywords=work+pants+women+petite&qid=1704312167&sprefix=work+pants+women+pe%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-8
I’m petite and highly recommend checking out Athleta for work pants. They have petite sizing, the fabrics are comfortable and don’t require ironing, and many of the styles are work-appropriate unless you work in a very formal environment.
I feel your pain on work pants. I find the best ones from LOFT, as others have mentioned. I’ve also lucked out recently with some petite finds at TJMax.
When I bought dress pants…I always loved Express pants. The Editor and the Columnist were my favorite styles. They come in several lengths and petite. My office has switched to a more casual dress code and I rarely dress up more than dark jeans or a dress now.
Good luck at your new job!
I second the Quince recommendation – the stretch crepe ankle pants are my go to work pants. They have a good amount of stretch in the waist without being frumpy, have pockets, very breathable, and are the perfect length for me (5’1″) – I own every color.
During the Nordstrom anniversary sale I bought some pants from Wit & Wisdom and from Vince Camuto that came in petite sizes and fit right off the rack without having to ask for Nordstrom’s awesome alterations.
I also follow this woman on Insta and her blog. She gives amazing advice for petite dressers. Some of her recs are high end and others are affordable. I think she even has one post on the best trousers/pants for work for petite woman. If you comment “Link” on any of her posts she will send links to where she purchase the items.
https://www.instagram.com/jeanwang/
Good luck finding pants you like. And much success in the new job! You’ve got this!
Here’s the link to the best affordable work pants.
https://www.extrapetite.com/2023/06/best-budget-petite-trouser-pants-amazon-bodysuit.html
I feel this, strongly, as a person barely five feet two.
One option- this blog has great reviews. You can type pants in the search box:
https://caphillstyle.com/
Another option- Look for 7/8 leggings- better for petites. Regardless if 7/8 leggings or regular leggings- look for professional prints that could pass for pants- like houndstooth, animal print, etc- like:
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/style-co-womens-printed-high-rise-ponte-knit-pants-created-for-macys?ID=16086372
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/i.n.c.-international-concepts-womens-tummy-control-mid-rise-skinny-pants-regular-long-short-lengths-created-for-macys?ID=17301810
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/style-co-womens-printed-high-rise-leggings-created-for-macys?ID=15927487
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/i.n.c.-international-concepts-petite-mid-rise-pull-on-jacquard-bengaline-skinny-pants-created-for-macys?ID=16072944
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/i.n.c.-international-concepts-womens-mid-rise-printed-pull-on-pants-created-for-macys?ID=16081357
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/i.n.c.-international-concepts-snake-print-skinny-pants-created-for-macys?ID=9279582
You may like to check out Nina Leonard pants (they are available on TV shopping networks and department stores). They come in petite and regular lengths and fabrics range from their patented jersey to bengaline. A huge range of colours are available as well in addition to jackets, tops, tunics etc.
Thanks for the info! I’m tall, 5 8″ but I have really short legs (my brother used to call me “hamster legs” when we were kids). Petites are too short but most regular pants are too long.
Here’s a budget recommendation. I bought pants from Target called A New Day Women’s High Rise Slim Pull-On Ankle pants. I think they were $25 at the time (2022). They are sooooo comfortable, go right to my ankle (I’m 5’1”) and are really versatile. They are elastic waist come in a variety of prints like pinstripes and houndstooth. I don’t know if Target still had this exact pant, but it’s worth checking out! Best wishes, Karen!
Eileen Fisher! Once you know your size from the brand, you can get really good deals on Poshmark or Thredup!
Old Navy. Can’t recommend enough. Cheap, good colors, good front pockets, comfortable. I used to do Banana but these are just better and more affordable! Petite too! https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=737472292&cid=5475&pcid=5475&vid=1&nav=hamnav%3AWomen%3AShop%20Women%27s%20Categories%3APants&cpos=9&cexp=2926&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D5475&ctype=Listing&cpid=res24010315608685002945682&ccam=29140#pdp-page-content
J. Crew works for me.
Thank you everyone for these awesome suggestions!
I, too, have a problem with getting pants that are too long and never getting around to hemming them myself, or taking them to a tailor. I have at least 3 pairs like that. For a long time, a lot of women’s pants manufacturers were putting out “average” length pants that you’d need to be about 5′ 9″ to wear. I now usually buy from a catalog/internet company that has three different inseam lengths to choose from. Also, I know every thin person hates on elastic waists, but if you want to be comfortable, I think that’s a must-have. I was stunned how many people during the pandemic said they were so thrilled to not wear pants (because they weren’t leaving their houses). There’s no need to wear uncomfortable clothes, but people need to get off that “I’m superior to you because I can stand to wear pants with no elastic in the waist” mentality.
By the way, you know that American clothing pricing has gone crazy when a pair of pants is so expensive a lot of people would have to pay it off in installments (as they offer), like that Madewell wide-leg pair.
I like Dalia brand pants, I got mine at Costco of all places, I wear them everyday to work, and they have pockets! Halara pants are comfy too.
From another petite person – Talbots is the way to go, especially when they have sales. Their pants are great and very professional.
I recommend the Endless pant from Athleta and the dream pant from Everlane.
I share your woe about finding work pants. I usually like to shop for pants in the stores so that I can try them on. Lately, I have been buying dress pants at Kohl’s. I got a couple of pairs from the Croft & Barrow brand. It’s elastic waist with pockets. I’m in the dreaded in between sizes so one pair fits a tad snug, and the other is looser. Personally, I find elastic waist pants more convenient and comfortable and the tops I wear cover the elastic anyways. I used to find work pants at JCPenney’s too.
Pants just all around totally suck. I’m always on the hunt, but want to do it as minimally as possible, so I order from Kohls. Or search stores on line and then hem and haw over it and can’t decided. I still love skinny jean’s because I think they look good on me. I spent much time over eating with Covid that I’ve put on some weight, so fit is in issue, plus I don’t have a defined waist and so I have trouble with pants fitting right. A great website I like is-“Putting me together” blog for advice.
I did find a very casual, so this isn’t in line with you needing work pants, but a high rise pintuck knit wide leg Lauren Conrad brand from Kohls with pockets.
I want to delve into the wide leg thing, but don’t want to take the time to search for the right fit.
Good luck! This pants you bought look like great options.
I too needed work pants. Went the same route as you and finally found thee best pair at Walmart. Straight, slightly tapered leg. Side pork chop pockets. In petite. Toss in the wash. Athletic Works. $9.00. These aren’t leggings, but a nice 95 percent cotton weight. Grey, navy, black and khaki colors. Will they last years ? No, but I’m comfortable in them and can wear with a sweater or blazer. I bought four pair. Love them.