https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:26:55 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879569 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 23:05:04 +0000 LaPed 1879569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>mtnsofthemoon -- I've largely given up on sizing up and altering pants at the waist, because I always end up with crotch poof or crotch sag. Every time I've had the waist taken in it turns out to be an expensive mistake. There might be a way to avoid it, by taking material out down the entire back seam, but I don't have access to a tailor with that ability, and I'm certainly not good enough to DIY.&nbsp;</p> <p>lisa p -- I would recommend Boden, because I think their fit and construction is miles above most of what's available at that price point, but I know it's a pain to order from them in Canada.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879565 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 22:59:04 +0000 Anonymous 1879565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, I will! Thanks Gaylene! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879547 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 22:14:13 +0000 Gaylene 1879547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa, why not try ordering a bunch of pants from Simon’s website. Free shipping AND RETURNS in Canada!<br /> <a href="https://www.simons.ca/en/women-clothing/workwear--8618" rel="nofollow">https://www.simons.ca/en/women.....wear--8618</a></p> <p>Unless you are near a Nordstrom or Tabot’s in Canada, the prices for their online stuff is nuts once duty, exchange, returns, and sales taxes get added into the total. A pair of Talbot’s pants I can buy in our local store might be in the $75CAN range once I use one of the frequent discount coupons. Online price for exactly the same pant might end up costing me in the the over $175CAN range.</p> <p>In my opinion, the quality of Simon’s CONTEMPORAINE in-house line is comparable (or even better) than Nordstrom’s house brands, and Simon’s styles have considerably more verve than what I’ve seen in BR these days. The CONTEMPORAINE department also includes designer wear like Hugo and Judith and Charles if you want to go higher-end. Maybe order a couple of dozen styles and sizes at different price points to see if anything works since returns won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Faster shipping is a bonus. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879530 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 21:25:51 +0000 Anonymous 1879530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deborah - thank you! Not familiar with this company. I took a quick look and their pieces do look good .&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879529 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 21:24:39 +0000 Anonymous 1879529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Viva - no Rack. &nbsp;Sadly. &nbsp;We do have Saks Off Fifth though , which I should have a walk through one day. &nbsp;</p> <p>mtnsofthemoon - same thing happens to me with sizing up in order to tailor - in other words, it rarely works. &nbsp;</p> <p>sydney - no, I live in Winnipeg, but travel to Toronto for work.&nbsp;</p> <p>gryffin - I want your wardrobe - and your slim size 2 figure too &nbsp;I had a pair of EF pants a few years ago. No real opinion of them other than they were expensive and not necessarily worth it. &nbsp;I love my Vince strapping pants too, and should probably just duplicate in a heavier wool. Mine are some kind of blend that is too thin for winter wear. &nbsp;Also - what I paid for them say 5 years ago is nothing compared to what they retail for now . Ugh.</p> <p>Carla - thanks for the tips, but sadly, I'm stuck out at the airport and tied up all day, every day, and into most evenings too. It's not a trip with any personal time - which is not a bad thing ;)</p> <p>krishnidoux - never seen these...this is the higher-priced label from Guess, correct?</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879511 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 20:29:35 +0000 viva 1879511@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Reading/watching with interest. Of course, the suggestions I love the most are Vince. Do you have Nordstrom Rack? Mine carries Vince. I may need to start stalking. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879477 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:36:22 +0000 mtnsofthemoon 1879477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a little behind but reading this post with great interest!&nbsp; Janet we have similar shape/issues, your insight about the extra material in the crotch when sizing up validates my recent struggles with pants and fit!&nbsp; Although my issue is a very full/round bottom and not so much the thighs, but nevertheless I need to size up too and have crotch/fit issues.&nbsp; Thank you for your wisdom.&nbsp; I don't have suggestions for you Lisap but hope you have some luck with the information shared.&nbsp; I will be using the valuable info here to&nbsp; investigate the other brands/suggested.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879225 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 03:28:22 +0000 Sydney 1879225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like you are in Toronto. There are Talbots stores at Yonge and Bloor, at Sherway and at Bayview Village. There is also a Judith and Charles and a Brooks Brothers at Bayview Village. Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879224 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 03:16:39 +0000 Deborah 1879224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa, it's not worth me recommending Australian brands so I am sharing a label I haven't tried (but I would like to) and might be of interest to you.&nbsp; Canadian label Obakki, here is the link to their wool pant&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.obakki.com/shop/us/new-arrivals/amala-pant.html">https://www.obakki.com/shop/us.....-pant.html</a></p> <p>A little about the brand&nbsp;&nbsp;"The Obakki Foundation, Obakki’s philanthropic counterpart, is a registered charity that focuses on providing clean water and education in Africa. Obakki, together with angel investors, absorbs all administrative fees for the charity, allowing 100% of the Obakki Foundation’s public donations to go directly to its charitable initiatives."</p> <p>I believe the range is made in Canada :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879199 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 01:38:16 +0000 gryffin 1879199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa - this is my entire collection of "good" pants.&nbsp; I fit theory perfectly except for the length.&nbsp; Had them hemmed.&nbsp; The Louise are slim and the Max C are boot cut.&nbsp; I wear them with the theory selata jacket for the louise and the bootscuts get the short gabe 2 jacket.&nbsp; Then I have the Vince strapping pants which I wear with my HL gala cropped tuxedo jacket.&nbsp; They were perfect off the rack.&nbsp; I'm lucky other than a hem I can usually find pants.&nbsp; Rise is the perfect midrise.&nbsp; They are all not lined....who even makes lined pants anymore but that's a minor quibble.&nbsp; They were last years addition to the suit capsule which needed total renovation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Lisa - one last thought.&nbsp; People rave about EF pants.&nbsp; Have you ever tried that brand.&nbsp; I have not tried many of her pants but her black waxed denim jeans are some of my favorite pants ever.&nbsp; I know a lot of bloggers have raved and I mean to try them.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879193 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 01:25:30 +0000 Carla 1879193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brooks Brothers is in the PATH just north of union station. I find they run narrow and in store one is depressingly sized out after size 6. Staff are pretty exclusive, and don't offer assistance to just anybody. </p> <p>Do you have time to pop in to the Nordie's in the Eaton Center? or have they got you in an airport hotel for the conference? There is an SA in lingerie named Michelle, who is lovely to work with. She was 17 years at Bikini Village before going to Nordstroms when they opened in Toronto. The restaurant on the 3rd floor is nice and it can be fun if you get a 'window' seat looking down into the mall concourse. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879184 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 00:54:11 +0000 krishnidoux 1879184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hands down Marciano classic cuts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879131 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 22:55:52 +0000 Greyscale 1879131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh those do look really great. Too bad I just bought lots of other dress pants - the charcoal version might be a perfect versatile option. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879123 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 22:41:47 +0000 Suz 1879123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry, Lisa -- my computer is still broken so I am either on phone or on Mark's (when I can get it). Here are the pants. I sized up (well, maybe not, considering weight gain, it's probably my real size now, if you know what I mean). They look different on me than on the model. They are slim, tapered at the bottom. Side zip. You have to play with the size to ensure the pockets don't "poof" -- I had sized up too much (believe it or not) and the SA told me to go down one and the pockets magically got flat, but I will say they are quite a slim fitting pant on me. However, I also know that they will "ease" a bit with wear. So far so good -- they are comfy. But not super warm, and it is very cold here right now!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879118 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 22:38:31 +0000 Angie 1879118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YES, <b>Lisa</b>. I get it. The same way another client can walk into Chicos &nbsp;and pick a piece that works perfectly for a very Un-Chicos look, IYKWIM. It's all about how the outfit is styled and carried by the wearer.&nbsp;</p> <p>Brook Bothers quality is gorgeous, btw.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879110 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 22:21:14 +0000 Anonymous 1879110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks <b>Marja</b>, I am familiar with both of those stores, but typically fabrication is an issue. &nbsp;Just not my preference.</p> <p><b>Angie</b> - had to laugh. I lasted for one minute on the Brooks Brothers website - so - uh, - Brooks Brothers-ish! &nbsp; &nbsp;But I know exactly what you mean. &nbsp;I think I want to meet your client ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879051 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 20:16:45 +0000 Angie 1879051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Lisa,</b> it's always worth looking in Brooks Brothers. And Talbots for that matter. Their fits can be *just right* even when the vibe of the store is not your style persona. I have a creative and hip client who likes to wear avant-garde outfits with a dash of preppy and lots of drama. She wears classic Talbots and BB's trousers, but looks more like a poster child for All Saints or an arty boutique.&nbsp;</p> <p>COS can do nice trousers too - I have a navy pair - but you have to be patient and keep on trying because fits are all over the place unfortunately.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879045 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 20:09:25 +0000 marija 1879045@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not sure what you will think of this, but have you tried Melanie Lyn or even Laura?&nbsp; I think these are exclusively Canadian stores, but I've had some luck there when shopping for basics... especially ML... </p> <p><a href="https://www.melanielyne.com/en/clothing/pants/" rel="nofollow">https://www.melanielyne.com/en/clothing/pants/</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879024 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 18:46:49 +0000 Greyscale 1879024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel your pain - I've been searching for interesting trousers all month for interviews. </p> <p>Alice &amp; Olivia sometimes makes more interesting work trousers. Expensive - I only buy them at the end of season. And I'm yearning for this pair of Helmut Lang trousers that are sold out - the size I ordered was too big. </p> <p>Bonne chance! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants/page/2#post-1879018 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 18:24:24 +0000 Anonymous 1879018@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://judithandcharlies">http://judithandcharlies/</a> <br />Hi Lisa- have you ever tried this Canadian designer? &nbsp;Their clothes are a little pricey but are a lovely quality and beautifully cut. &nbsp;I find the trousers run a little small but I am long waisted. &nbsp;They are probably available in some of the smaller, nicer boutique stores.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants#post-1879017 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 18:14:13 +0000 Anonymous 1879017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Marilyn - I'm really off BR for pants. I just don't get what I want from them. Glad they may work for you though. &nbsp;And thanks for the Talbot's update. I should check them out on-line. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants#post-1879015 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 18:10:41 +0000 Anonymous 1879015@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have good luck with Zara and H&amp;M the better quality line they have. &nbsp;I don'T know if the have these in Canada. &nbsp;I may be worth a try. &nbsp;I also have to dress for work, no jeans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants#post-1879013 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 18:05:50 +0000 Marilyn 1879013@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just chiming in to say Talbots has not left Canada.&nbsp; We have two in Ottawa.</p> <p>As for BR I'd suggest giving the Avery pant in black light-weight wool a try.&nbsp; I tried them yesterday and they're nice.&nbsp; A relaxed trouser fit, ankle length and lined.&nbsp; I'm mulling them over because I would have to tailor the hips on them.&nbsp; I have a b***h of a time finding trousers as well and they rarely fit off the rack so I feel your pain.</p> <p>BR is 40% off plus an extra 10% using FAMILY today.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants#post-1879001 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 17:04:35 +0000 Anonymous 1879001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all SO much. &nbsp;I have the Vince strapping trousers, and they fit and I love them, but they are in a summer fabrication , and a little thin for winter wear. &nbsp;Vince is also really $$ in Canada, and although I said I'll spend the money if I have to, I'm secretly hoping not to have to drop $400 for a pair of pants. <b>Angie </b>- I'm nodding at your list of brands. &nbsp;Brooks Bros? &nbsp;I think there is &nbsp;one in Toronto, but I have never looked at their clothes. Off to check now. &nbsp; <b>Grey Rainbow</b> - you and I seem to be on the same wavelength - thanks. &nbsp; &nbsp;There is a definite hole in the market for pants in that price range between BR and say,Vince. &nbsp;Club Monaco used to fill that role, but they seem to have gone away from work wear. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants#post-1879000 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:54:01 +0000 Style Fan 1879000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It has been a long time since I bought work trousers, Lisa.&nbsp; I would try and order from The Bay as others have suggested.&nbsp; The returns are very easy.&nbsp; Vince and Eileen Fisher have trousers like you describe.&nbsp; I have seen them IRL but I have no need for them.<br />If I needed trousers now I would go to a tailor and have them made for me.&nbsp; I am sick of looking for things to fit my bottom half.&nbsp; I know someone who did this.&nbsp; He was thrilled with the results. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants#post-1878992 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:16:21 +0000 Glory 1878992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I echo Suz to order up a storm from The Bay - easy returns. Also try Simons (also easy returns but stricter on return times I think). I now work from home so don't have this need but I know what it feels like!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants#post-1878991 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:16:00 +0000 Anonymous 1878991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sigh. &nbsp;I don't have "best work pants" any more. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants#post-1878988 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:02:46 +0000 Angie 1878988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sooo annoying, <b>Lisa</b>. I know how hard it is to find fab pants when you try to look for them in a tight time frame. If you were here, I'd take you to the Nordies more affordable designer dept, and we would try on pants from: <ul> <li>AYR</li> <li>Theory</li> <li>Vince</li> <li>Nordrom Collection</li> <li>Lewit</li> <li>Phillip&nbsp;Lim 3.1&nbsp;</li> <li>Alexander Wang</li> <li>Helmut Lang</li> <li>Lafayette</li> <li>Veronica Beard</li> </ul> I'd also take you to Brooks Brothers. Do you have one of those in Canada?&nbsp;</p> <p>You might like to try Kit &amp; Ace again. Some have had luck with Everlane too.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants#post-1878963 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 14:26:25 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1878963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was so excited to tell you to buy Ayr pants (from their website or Nordstrom). But the two nice pairs I have from last year (which unfortunately don't fit well anymore) don't seem to be on their long term roster. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-your-best-work-pants#post-1878924 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 11:05:47 +0000 Aurore 1878924@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My best work pants are from italian brand Ottod'Ame (find included, Yoox calls them "casual" but I definitely don't think they are).<br />Why they work for me :<br />- The material is a polyester/viscose blend with stretch,&nbsp;confortable and flowy, not so thick but definitely not thin ;<br />- The construction is of great quality (made in Italy), with an attention to details - this is especially&nbsp;important for me since I always have to bring trousers to my tailor for waist and length adjustements, and he finds it harder to work on clothing whose construction has been&nbsp;driven by cost reduction rather than quality&nbsp;;<br />- They are rather wide, which suits my pear silhouette and&nbsp;leg-lengthening goal&nbsp;(but this style may not be everyone's favourite) </p>