Give me your best work pants. - YouLookFab Forum

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Give me your best work pants.

Anonymous

I can feel my anxiety level rising . I have a very important work trip coming up in less than 2 weeks, for which I have been unsuccessfully shopping the past 2 weeks. And I should know enough to STOP when I get this panicky, because I end up buying a bunch of stuff I neither need nor particularly like. For a number of reasons that I won't bother you with, I have NO work pants - trousers- at the moment. None. All I have accumulated over the past 4 years is a collection of cheaper , mediocre pants that are place-holders, and they never get worn.

This work trip requires me being on my feet for long days, and casual is not an option. I have ponte and one nice pair of faux leather pants I can wear, but I really, really want a pair of fantastic trousers. No flimsy poly, no rayon blends, hopefully a cool wool, with some stretch. Beautiful tailoring, seaming, interesting zippers, whatever. I can find the mediocre stuff here all by myself, it seems, but cannot come up with something interesting and a cut-above . Know what I mean? What do you all wear to work? I'm interested in brand names and style names - and WHY they work for you. Typically, BR and JCrew don't fit me - although I'm not sure what it is about them that doesn't work. I suspect their fit ideal is a very slim straight figure, which I am decidedly not. I will spend the money on higher priced bridge brands like Theory and Vince , but they are hard to find here and thus trying on just to see what they are like is not always possible. Before I order, I'd love to hear what you wear and which brands are worth spending on . I have a pair here in finds from Nordstrom that look promising , but are their house brand and sized in S,M, and L. Hard to know.

Please talk me off the ledge

Nordstrom Signature Stretch Ankle Pants

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Dressing

49 replies

Latest reply was from LaPed

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Even though I don’t share your work requirements I feel your pain. I’m not much good with the suggestions but I will say that J Crew and BR seem to use a different fit model type ( with JC being straighter and narrower) so don’t give up hope for BR and try the different fits if you can.

However, none might work. So I would get onto the Bay’s website and order up a storm. It’s all returnable so no big deal. They might have some good stuff on there. I’m on my phone (computer broken) so can’t link/ hunt but it’s worth a shot.

Also, give Kit and Ace another shot. Size up then size down if need be. Different styles fit so differently. I like the pants I got from them. Wool and cashmere with stretch. Woven not knit. Don’t wrinkle. Not super warm but ok with long undies in truly frigid temps.

Some brands to look at. Hugo Boss. Classiques Entier. (That’s Nordies I think) Theory tends to fit small and narrow but hey. You never know.

unfrumped

Veteran

Totally feel your pain. Pants are my work essential and I’ve got a lot but still look out for the elusive great fabric + all the other aspects needed. When you say trouser do you mean ankle/ cropped or full length ?
Nordies has a few higher end pants on sale now.
I only know US brands. ThEory is hopeless for me. WHBM runs curvier than JCrew and has all lengths. Virtually no wool but some substantial synthetic blends. BR does have 4-5 different fits though I still generally don’t do well for pants there.

Linda

Have you considered finding a good tailor near you, and seeing if he or she could fit the JC or BR pants you like, to fit you? It seems like it would be no more pricey than doing a lot of panic accumulating of pieces you really don't love?

kkards

Veteran

my work dress code has moved to casual, so haven't bought dress pants in 9+ months, but when i did, Vince and Theory where my go tos. my sister, who also struggles with Jcrew generally finds both Hugo Boss and Lafayette 148 work well...but they maybe a little more conservative than what you are looking for

Sal

Veteran

No ideas re brands only support because good work pants are a HEWI. I think a bunch of ordering from an online place that has a good return policy. If unsure I would order up a size and get tailored as I suspect that might be the answer to get the right fit.

Good luck!!

Linda

I was going to suggest Lafayette 148. Also, you might consider Talbots? Both are quite conservative, style wise I guess. However, they're well constructed, and there are styles made in wool, which is rarer and rarer anymore. I also haven't had to invest in work trouser pants in a while, I admit!

Anonymous

Thanks , friends. Yes, I can always get a pair of BR pants and have them tailored. I think I am so sick of BR - and want something different - all of their pants look the same to me. I have my eye on Lafayette 148 on Nord's website ...and did see some nice styles from Boss. Good to now they are worth the $. Talbot's -not in Canada anymore, so I haven't seen their pants in years, but will go check their website.

unfrumped - when I use the word trouser, I refer to a slouchier fit, side pocket, fly front pant- either cropped or tapered to the ankle. I don't really "do" straight , full length pants. They just don't make a statement of any kind to me , and I like showing a shoe or a boot. I can shorten any pant - that's not the issue. Have you ordered from WHBM before ?

karen13

Veteran

I have liked the two pairs of dress pants I bought from the LOFT recently. They are a trouser style, and since I'm short I don't do cropped much. But I was impressed at the more substantial fabric and two different fits: Marisa/Modern for straighter figures and Julie/Curvy for curvier figures. I have attributes of both, and both stye fit me in different sizes.

Would you wear something like this? The oregano color seem like it would suit you. And they are 50% off right now.

Slim Tie Waist Custom Stretch Pants in Julie Fit

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Linda

Sorry, didn't realize that Talbot's had left Canada until after I posted. How about Pendleton? I see they have a Canadian site but it keeps nagging me for viewing it from the US! The US site had some nice looking ankle trousers.

Joyce B

Veteran

Most pants don’t fit me right, either. My best are BR Ryans, sometimes Sloans and some ponte pants. The Loft pants get very wrinkled on the backs of my thighs so they don’t work for me. WHBMs used to be good on me but are now tight
I will be following your topic with interest. I hope you will find something great for you.

Anonymous

Suz - can you please remind me which K&A pants you just bought?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don’t need work pants, but I have been casually trying to find new black trousers that are simple but flattering and current for a while now, with no luck. I try sizing up for the hips and thighs of doom, but then the whole pant usually ends up being too big (mostly too long in the rise, often too much fabric in the tush). Rises are being cut longer again, which really puts most trousers out of my realm. I even tried WH/BM since everyone here raves about them, but same problem — I sized up for ease in the thighs and then the rise is too roomy and I get the dreaded extra fabric at the crotch. So not fab.

Dang, I wish I had some helpful suggestions for you. But my last successful trouser purchase was so long ago it’s no longer relevant.

unfrumped

Veteran

Look at the BR Avery pant, sized up and tailored if needed. The Find is summer , but they keep making new fabrics all the time.
Also I use pleats to get my slouchy fit with taper, but I know those aren’t most folks preferred style. The Avery style mostly has no pleats but a few do.
Also search for joggers + wool— there were some on Nordies site I passed up as too narrow at ankle for me. Also , some of the wool ones are “ designer “ and outside my price comfort zone.

Banana Republic

Avery-Fit Stripe Tie-Waist Linen Pant

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marija

This will not be good for now, but you may consider this for the future. My husband just had some shirts tailor made for him from a company called Maxwell's in Toronto. They do travel around and, unfortunately were just in Winnipeg, but they do go there. Their prices are quite good for tailored clothing. They had a plethora of fabrics and styles and might be something to consider: http://www.maxwellsclothiers.com/

Good luck with your current search. Being much taller than the norm, I understand the difficulty in finding clothes that fit the bill.

SarahD8

Veteran

Lisa, I work at home so I can't help with specific recommendations but I'm wondering if you could call nordie's and ask for measurements of the pants you are considering (and any others you might find on their site)?

I hear what others are saying about ordering a bunch of stuff from stores with liberal return policies, in fact that is how I have been shopping of late. But, having just gone through a round of that, it's demoralizing when nothing works, plus you are on a deadline. It might help to have more confidence that the possibilities you are ordering are likely to work.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I recently found a pair of Kate Spade trousers (second hand but apparently quite recent). I normally wear jeans but felt the need for one work trousers. Don't know if they are available in CA but worth a look?

Colette

Veteran

I just saw these Vince trousers in person and they are gorgeous! If I needed work pants, I would try these. Also, why do I think Eileen Fisher has a pair of pants similar to your Nordstrom Signature find that are a cult favorite? Might be worth a look. Good luck!

Vince Stitch Front Pants

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Grey Rainbow

For the purpose you describe, polished and professional but modern, Theory Super Slim (a classic straight leg that I hem to ankle length) and Vince side strapping were my go-to trousers for years. The Theory pants are available at Nordstrom and Amazon. I upgraded after finally getting through menopause. I found 3.1 Phillip Lim black wool ankle pants, and Helmut Lang black wool ankle flares at Nordstrom. On sale. 3.1 and HL are pricey for me, but the fit, fabric and construction is worth every penny. They’re all I need. I found 3.1 and Helmut Lang are sized more generously than Theory; size down one size. I wear 6 in Vince, HL, and 3.1; 8 is best in Theory. Me: Post-menopausal (squishiest than I’d like to be and thicker in the middle). Rectangle shape with tendency to pear. Pancake butt, sturdy thighs, 15”calves, 5’5” tall. I can’t do finds right now, but this the the 3.1 cotton version at Nordstrom:
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/3.....hillip+lim
This season’s version of the HL, very spendy!
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/h.....igation-_-
This is the Theory Super Slim at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Theory-.....super+slim

Column

Veteran

Lisa,

I was going to report back on my trouser search some threads ago as soon as my latest shipment arrived, but now is as good a time as any. After returning Brooks Brothers` lovely tailoring but too-thin wool pants (flimsy, I believe, is your word), I finally, post-holiday, walked into reliable Talbots and found my fit. Someone posted a finds just last night. They are the Chatham ankle in a WOOL blend with LINING—a proper winter pant—FINALLY. Side zip for a smooth fit, but unusual with belt loops, which I hope to use to my advantage. The pants are mid-rise, which I recall works best for you. My perfect fit is higher rise with my long waist, hence my hope to use a belt to hike them up just a bit. Beautiful hand, tailoring, crease down the front for crispness and slim leg. At 5`4 and 120 lbs, I chose a 6, even though a 4 also fit (the 4 fits like Suz`s plaid side-zip pants). I sit and stand equal amounts at work, so I need some drape for comfortable sitting. I`m fine with the 6; they still look great. Ankle length is perfect full length on me—no hemming required! Lots of colors and now insanely cheap. I bought the red (more rust) in store at $49 and had to order the black, gray, and navy. All are now less online. Hope you can get them and that they work!
https://www.talbots.com/online.....gLnzvD_BwE

Aurore

Veteran

My best work pants are from italian brand Ottod'Ame (find included, Yoox calls them "casual" but I definitely don't think they are).
Why they work for me :
- The material is a polyester/viscose blend with stretch, confortable and flowy, not so thick but definitely not thin ;
- The construction is of great quality (made in Italy), with an attention to details - this is especially 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 driven by cost reduction rather than quality ;
- They are rather wide, which suits my pear silhouette and leg-lengthening goal (but this style may not be everyone's favourite)

OTTOD'AME Casual trouser

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UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

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.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sooo annoying, Lisa. 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:

AYR
Theory
Vince
Nordrom Collection
Lewit
Phillip Lim 3.1
Alexander Wang
Helmut Lang
Lafayette
Veronica Beard

I'd also take you to Brooks Brothers. Do you have one of those in Canada?

You might like to try Kit & Ace again. Some have had luck with Everlane too.

Anonymous

Sigh. I don't have "best work pants" any more.

Glory

Veteran

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!

Style Fan

Veteran

It has been a long time since I bought work trousers, Lisa. I would try and order from The Bay as others have suggested. The returns are very easy. Vince and Eileen Fisher have trousers like you describe. I have seen them IRL but I have no need for them.
If I needed trousers now I would go to a tailor and have them made for me. I am sick of looking for things to fit my bottom half. I know someone who did this. He was thrilled with the results.

Anonymous

Thank you all SO much. 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. 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. Angie - I'm nodding at your list of brands. Brooks Bros? I think there is one in Toronto, but I have never looked at their clothes. Off to check now. Grey Rainbow - you and I seem to be on the same wavelength - thanks. There is a definite hole in the market for pants in that price range between BR and say,Vince. Club Monaco used to fill that role, but they seem to have gone away from work wear.

Marilyn

Veteran

Just chiming in to say Talbots has not left Canada. We have two in Ottawa.

As for BR I'd suggest giving the Avery pant in black light-weight wool a try. I tried them yesterday and they're nice. A relaxed trouser fit, ankle length and lined. I'm mulling them over because I would have to tailor the hips on them. I have a b***h of a time finding trousers as well and they rarely fit off the rack so I feel your pain.

BR is 40% off plus an extra 10% using FAMILY today.

Anonymous

I have good luck with Zara and H&M the better quality line they have. I don'T know if the have these in Canada. I may be worth a try. I also have to dress for work, no jeans.

Anonymous

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. And thanks for the Talbot's update. I should check them out on-line.

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